Need dog advice.... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

djugurba · #1 03-23-2008, 11:52 PM

Didn't catch Goliath's breed...

My neighbors in Atlanta had two red-nose pits. They were energetic, intelligent, and willful. I watched them for two weeks while the neighbors were out, and behaved as their alpha. Took them a day to get the message, and then they were incredible. Walking on and off leash without problems, coming, sitting, staying, not jumping, etc. When I would see them out with the owners even months later I could just give them a glance and they'd start behaving. Owners had no idea what they were doing with them.

And that's my biggest piece of advice to you in your dog search. Almost any dog can be whatever you want it to be. It takes training. And, that's your job. If you're no good at teaching the dog what you want it to do, it's not going to learn (unless maybe it's a border collie or aussie shepherd or jack russell and consequently smarter than most humans). So, if you want it to bark like an idiot anytime anyone is approaching your home, you can train that. Even if it's an otherwise sedate dog. It's all in the training.

What you should do is get a pooch whose size and temperament and exercise needs are a good fit for you. Pure bred, mutt, whatever. I suggest a rescued adult dog (shelter, purebred rescue, animal rescue league, etc.) who has been altered. Crate train the dog. If you're usually good with dogs and have had good luck in the past, work on some basics with the dog yourself. Be aware of your unconscious messages that you send to the dog, as they are just as important, if not more-so than the intended messages you send overtly.

If you've got specific needs and aren't sure how to get the dog to do what you want it to do, I strongly recommend Bark Busters. They are initially a bit spendy, but their results are incredible (and they have a lifetime guarantee)

Good luck!