Feeling Kind of stupid,

[mommy2rosie]

Okay, no babies. Okay Okay I know I know! I think that is enough said other then to say that she is doing fine. We beleive she was board, and being upset my Rosie and Curley. I would have been on sooner to tell you guys, but I have spent most of Christmas with a sick aunt. She took round the clock care. Finally we got her into a nursing home. Anyways, I'm sorry, you were right I was wrong. Lets just call it even okay?

On to more important things. Bears! Okay, so not actually Bears. We aquired a fistly little fellow (a 2 year old half winner dog, half Yorkie) from my aunt. He does pretty good with the piggys, but I haven't had them out. Hairetta got moved into the living room, she just kind of looks at him like "Do you have a problem or something" He scares Curley. But Rosie, she just dares him to get to close. I want things to go well between Bear (the dog) and all of the piggys. What is the best way to do intos? Can Bear pass anything along to the piggys. Oh yeah, and how do you shut up and insesive barker who is kind of but not really potty trained?

Okay know on the the question of the day, How is everybody doing! I hated that it has been so long, but I just couldn't get away from down there. I am back in school, and hoping that this sememster will slow down, although I don't really think it will. Okay, talk to ya'll later. Happy New Year everybody.

[this_lil_piggy]

I had to look back through your history to see what you were talking about hehe
It happens. There is sometimes no way to know for sure if they are pregnant other than U/S. I imagine it was probably a relief that she didn't wind up with pups, while you were dealing with a sick aunt, and new dog.

What do you mean by intro's? My dog and cats are allowed to "admire" the pigs through grids, but they are not allowed to get near them otherwise, not even when I am holding the pigs. I just don't trust a quick action of the paw or mouth that might not even be intentional.

I always potty trained my dogs using a combination of a small kennel (putting them in the kennel, bringing them out to eat and drink, then placing them immediately outside afterwards to potty) and puppy pads (any time they did have an accident, I would wipe the pee up with a puppy pad, or place the poop on the puppy pad so that they would go to that spot-on the pad-next time.)
I don't know about barking, I haven't ever really had a problem with it.

[mommy2rosie]

Thanks, I just wasn't sure if it would be okay to let him near them or not. He is very curious about them. Exspecially when they squeal. I guess we will wait and see. Thanks again!

[yarag009]

crate training for dogs is the best thing - specially if they spend time alone at home. for the barking, get an empty soda can and put 5-6 pennies in there. When the dog barks, shake the can and tell him in a firm voice to be quiet. The idea is to startle the dog when he is doing the undesired behavior, and reward the desired behavior. When you see him go into action as if he is going to bark, but doesn't, pat his head and tell him he is a good dog (in a soft, happy voice). Hope this helps.

[wolfie]

Dogs are by nature very curious. As long as Bear can't get to the GP's and they have a safe place to hide in, I'd let them work it out. I think introducing guinea pigs and dogs depends on the nature, temperament and training of your dog. We have a very well trained Golden Retriever (Ceana) who adores any living creature except for rowdy dogs. Our first experience with GP's was when we pigsat a little girl who was used to dogs. For floor time, I put Ceana in a down stay and sat beside her as a back up. When we put Bailey down, to our amazement she went straight to Ceana and began nibbling on the tufts of hair sticking out of her paws. Ceana just laid there with a big happy smile.

When we adopted our own GPs, Ceana was overjoyed. However, Alex and Arnold had never been around dogs. Our first priority has been gaining the boys' trust and allowing them to become comfortable with handling and lap time with us. We haven't tried any floor time with Ceana yet, but we are almost ready to try. Ceana has been very curious and even protective towards the boys. Arnold has never been afraid and now little Alex is comfortable enough to exchange nose sniffs. During lap time, I allow Ceana one little butt sniff and then she has to lay down. Please rest assured that no matter how much I trust our dog, I would NEVER allow her to be with the boys unsupervised. My biggest problem right now is that Ceana keeps trying to bring her tennis balls and stuffed toys and put them in the boys' playpen!

As for potty training a dog, I think the most important part is creating a routine and learning to be proactive about knowing when they will need to go. Obviously first thing in the morning and 20 to 30 minutes after eating. It is also important to take them out after ANY excitement- such as greeting people or playtime. It might be helpful to create a command for going to the bathroom. We chose "hurry up" (it sounded better than "go peepee"!). When you take Bear out, use the command as he is going to the bathroom and then give him lots of praise. He will begin to associate the command with going to the bathroom. It will give you more control over the potty issue and it will help him learn when he should go. Sorry to be so long winded- best of luck !

[mommy2rosie]

That's is great advice. Hairetta's cage is in the living room. Perviously she was around 5 dogs in the house, so she isn't scared of him. When he runs up to the cage, she runs up to him and looks at him like "What do you think your looking at?" Although the other day he stuck his nose in and she tried to bite it! But agian she isn't really scared, more annoyed my him. The barking has actually slowed down. I think maybe it was a new place thing. We are still have trouble with the potty thing. However, we have been taking him out about every 3 to 4 hours, or if he tells us. Beleive it or not he has been telling us he has to go potty. Know the problem is that he only pees outside! When he comes in if he pees or happens to poop (which hasn't actually happened yet) we give he a treat and tell he what a good boy he is. Everytime we tell him not to do something and he stops we tell him he ia good boy, and pet and love him. Over all he hasn't been a bad boy much. Only a few sniffs of the piggys, and trying to play with my new shoes. Oh and the occasional accendent in the house. But he knows he is doing wrong, because he drops his head and has he tail between his legs. I think after everything calms down, and he gets use to everything he will be a good little dog. But you have to keep in mind that this is his second new home in less then a month. Although I was taking care of him part time at the other home, I wasn't there all the time. Not to minchon the fact that there was another dog there. An older dog matter of fact, that pretty much took care of Bear. (as far as outside training and stuff. He watched Skitter and picked up on some of that stuff.) I will being trying some of the suggestions. Hopefully he will pick up on this because he is a smart dog.

[mommy2rosie]

Bear Bear is such a good boy! He hasn't pooped in the house in two days! Yay! Okay before we celebrate to much, let me just say, he did pee on the puppy pad. But that is an improvement. Anyways, he seems to be settling down. Yesterday, when we got home he was having a fit. I asked him if he needed to go out and he started winning and scratching my leg, so I took him out. He seems to be letting us know I guess that is a good sign. Okay well, thanks for all the advice. I will keep you posted.