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Original poster

I regret my dog so much

94 replies

DogWoe · 28/07/2022 09:11

Deliberately not posting in the dog section.

I have 3 dogs. All small breed. All raised the same.

First 2 dogs are angels and 3rd is just off his rocker.

My other 2 are 4 and 5. Chill as anything.

DD always wanted this type of dog, obsessed with them for years. She begged constantly for us to get one.

Stupidly I agreed and it's my biggest regret.

Dog is 10 months old and a nutcase.
Walked 3 times a day but never stops teararsing round the house. Despite having a million chew toys he eats everything in his path.

He's bouncy and can get stuff from the 4th shelf of a bookcase, nothing is safe.

He's got no overnight toileting skills. In the daytime he's 100%, but DD does shifts so leaves at 4am. I get up at 7 30 to piss and shit. Guaranteed.

I don't get it. We are doing everything the same as we did with older 2 dogs who were perfect

I think I just don't gel with him at all.

On walks he's just like a tornado. I can't enjoy my other 2 dogs anymore.

I've just come down to DS2s wallet torn to shreds, money included (£40!)

It was on the fireplace last night!

Dog must have stood on armchair and nabbed it

I can't rehome him. It would break kids heart but God, this is so hard. I really wish I'd never got him 😭

Everything is 100 x harder now

OP posts:
Original poster
DogWoe · 28/07/2022 09:13

Please don't suggest a crate either. I hate them. My eldest dog lived in a crate the first 12 months of her life. Abuse case.

I will not have one in my home.

OP posts:
GeriTheBerry · 28/07/2022 09:15

Tricky age. It’s quite possible that he’ll be perfectly behaved in a year’s time with consistent training.

Bookshadow · 28/07/2022 09:16

He sounds a nightmare. He may calm down as he gets older. If he is 1 he is likely to be at his most difficult. He will improve as he gets older.

Does your DD take him out for a toilet opportunity before she goes to work at 4am? If she doesn't now and started to that may help.

Good luck!

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Dogs
Wolfiefan · 28/07/2022 09:17

You do need a safe space you can put pup in. Brain games and training to tire it?
Teach a settle.
What and when are you feeding? Changing that could improve nighttime toilet habits.
How much is DD doing if she wanted this dog? Is it a breed that could do with a job? Scent work? Hoopers etc

Original poster
DogWoe · 28/07/2022 09:18

I know. Its just hard living it right now.

I'm just feeling sorry for myself.

I'm constantly on high alert because he destroys everything. He nabs stuff and runs to the garden

OP posts:
letsghostdance · 28/07/2022 09:18

Dachshund?

Get a crate or a play pen to contain him overnight so that he can't destroy or toilet in your house. Take it very slowly in introducing it. There is nothing wrong with a crate as long as it is used correctly, although I did prefer the playpen when my dog was young. The more "mistakes" your dog makes when it's a puppy the more it will become difficult to train them out of it. Him being in a playpen when you're not watching him means he can't rehearse these mistakes.

It's also totally okay to not like an animal I think. Unfortunately you do have an obligation to him now.

rnsaslkih · 28/07/2022 09:19

Putting a small breed dog into a very big crate that is lovely and comfortable is not abuse. I have a 5kg dog who sleeps in a crate meant for a large dog. It’s in our bedroom and he stretches out very happily if he wants. He can lay out and fully stretch his back and front legs as far as they can go and he can easily stand up. He walks into it voluntarily at night. I am wondering if your dog isn’t teeny given his jumping ability though.

Small breeds can be challenging - and some of their problems go hand in hand with the breed. Can you tell us the breed?

letsghostdance · 28/07/2022 09:20

Oh well, I missed your second post.

Honestly, you're setting yourself up for a more difficult time. Particularly using a playpen, it's literally just a fence to protect yourself and your stuff.

Wolfiefan · 28/07/2022 09:23

We use a puppy pen. Extra panels to make it a decent size. Only used for times I couldn’t supervise. Like when I’m having a shower. Or doing dinner.

SadFace2 · 28/07/2022 09:25

Yes you can re-home him. You really can.

GetOffTheRoof · 28/07/2022 09:25

What breed?

You can't do the same thing with every dog and expect the same outcomes I'm afraid - breed needs vary significantly let alone personalities.

What breed are the other two as well?

Wolfiefan · 28/07/2022 09:26

Daycare for a day to give you a break ?

Adversity · 28/07/2022 09:29

I have always had cats and they have had different personalities though they are more solitary creatures and I don’t hear of cats destroying stuff apart from where they decide to scratch.

Regardless of training can some dogs just have a specific personality that just wont change. Just the same as humans? For instance my friends two daughters have been raised the same but one is really outgoing and the other is a stay at home type and very quiet.

ivfbabymomma1 · 28/07/2022 09:34

I have 2 chihuahuas and a daschund. The chihuahuas are more like cats, they are very chilled and could sleep all day. The daschund is nuts but only in comparison to the others. She's actually not THAT bad but also a menace compared to her siblings, what breeds have you got? Could it be your just not used to the different personalities?

Original poster
DogWoe · 28/07/2022 09:36

He's a Boston terrier.

I don't have room for a playpen. That's the main reason he can get so much, the living room is very small so everything is on top of everything else so it's very easy for him to climb up

And he can jump my mums stable door in her kitchen!!! So I doubt a playpen would keep him in.

He's honestly like a bloody frog 🐸

If I had the room I would get a playpen.

Only other thing I can think of is locking him in the kitchen at night but I think he would chew my cupboards.

We do have a secure space near the backdoor but would that be mean?

If he had his blankets and bed?

It's like 2mx1m

OP posts:
SirSniffsAlot · 28/07/2022 09:36

All dogs are individuals so whilst breed can help you understand what kinds of behaviours may be more likely, there is huge variety.

10 months is a tricky age and there is a chance this dog will settle down in time. In all honesty, though, it sounds like your daughter is the one who's letting the side down. If shes old enough to work shifts she's old enough to be doing much more to train and exercise and entertain this dog - rather than leave it to you.

If she begged for the dog then why isn't she the primary carer for him? It sounds like she just wanted the breed (for looks?) but not the actual work.

WinterMusings · 28/07/2022 09:39

If your daughter wanted one so much she needs to take more responsibility for it. She needs to be taking it into the garden before she leaves then YOU won't wake up to wee & poo!

she needs to be walking it twice a day so YOU can enjoy YOUR dogs. Fair enough to take it out at lunchtime with yours if you're home. You could walk yours first & then hers if they're too much tigether.

I know you say you won't have a crate because if the abuse of one if yours, but putting her pup in a crate while you walk yours or have a cup of tea in peace isn't abuse!! Just get a decent size crate, or a baby gate if you can dig proof your utility or kitchen etc.

& yes, look at what you're feeding it & what time.

watch all the various series of 'Dogs behaving badly'. It's made for TV, so obviously it's not going to be as wyick & easy as it is on there, but you'll pick up some good hints & tips.

THIS puppy isn't your other two, it comes with its own personality & needs love, boundaries & training!!

Original poster
DogWoe · 28/07/2022 09:39

This is the area near the back door.

I regret my dog so much
OP posts:
Original poster
DogWoe · 28/07/2022 09:41

SirSniffsAlot · 28/07/2022 09:36

All dogs are individuals so whilst breed can help you understand what kinds of behaviours may be more likely, there is huge variety.

10 months is a tricky age and there is a chance this dog will settle down in time. In all honesty, though, it sounds like your daughter is the one who's letting the side down. If shes old enough to work shifts she's old enough to be doing much more to train and exercise and entertain this dog - rather than leave it to you.

If she begged for the dog then why isn't she the primary carer for him? It sounds like she just wanted the breed (for looks?) but not the actual work.

Sorry that's a different daughter.

My eldest works shifts and let's the dog out before she leaves.

The daughter who wanted the dog is 15 but still old enough to be stepping up more.

OP posts:
DangerouslyBored · 28/07/2022 09:41

Crating, when done properly, is not cruel. It’s the antithesis of cruel. I hate it when people crate their dogs and go off to work, that IS v cruel. But proper crate training makes dogs feel safe and secure. It helps to keep them calm and to behave appropriately. Dogs love to have a safe space that is all theirs.

vroom321 · 28/07/2022 09:44

My brother has a Boston terrier. He's the worst out of the Alsatian husky and English bull terrier.

Maybe it's a puppy thing?

Original poster
DogWoe · 28/07/2022 09:44

WinterMusings · 28/07/2022 09:39

If your daughter wanted one so much she needs to take more responsibility for it. She needs to be taking it into the garden before she leaves then YOU won't wake up to wee & poo!

she needs to be walking it twice a day so YOU can enjoy YOUR dogs. Fair enough to take it out at lunchtime with yours if you're home. You could walk yours first & then hers if they're too much tigether.

I know you say you won't have a crate because if the abuse of one if yours, but putting her pup in a crate while you walk yours or have a cup of tea in peace isn't abuse!! Just get a decent size crate, or a baby gate if you can dig proof your utility or kitchen etc.

& yes, look at what you're feeding it & what time.

watch all the various series of 'Dogs behaving badly'. It's made for TV, so obviously it's not going to be as wyick & easy as it is on there, but you'll pick up some good hints & tips.

THIS puppy isn't your other two, it comes with its own personality & needs love, boundaries & training!!

Sorry for the confusion the DD that wanted the dog is 15

Her sister takes the dog out before work at 4am.

The puppy gets plenty of love and training. And it has boundaries in place. It just doesn't listen. He's an absolute nut.

I've had dogs for 20 years and I've never had a pup like this 😩

OP posts:
upliftingtwisting · 28/07/2022 09:45

I know you are against a crate but my dogs loved their crate. It was their own space and would often wonder off and I’d find them sleeping in it with the door open. It can work and can be a good space for a dog.

Aquamarine1029 · 28/07/2022 09:46

Using a crate properly is not abuse. Your dog needs one. This sounds like behaviour triggered by anxiety.

Enko · 28/07/2022 09:47

I agree with @DangerouslyBored. Read up on crating teach yourself about it and it can become your dogs favourite place. We crated our d dog where we loved before and he often would pop himself into his crate for a lie down and a bit of alone time. We do t have roo. In our new house and I really miss the crate and I'm sure d dog does too his new space is on the top of the staircase in everyone's way 😀

10 months is right at the worst of their behaviour. Could you afford a dog behaviourist to support you to train him out of bad habits.

The space you have is too small for him and I think would distress him.