This post is a bit of a rant. Rita is the most hard headed dog I’ve ever encountered and that says a lot considering I’ve had three dachshunds. She’s pushy, conniving and a user all rolled up in a chihuahua body. She won’t let us hold her, doesn’t like to be petted. I have no idea about her history so I try to be patient with her. I do love her but I’m not sure she loves us.
I can take a lot and I can ignore a lot . . like when she goes to the door and I know she doesn’t really need to go out but she moans and groans and I can almost hear her saying “I can’t hold it any more so don’t gripe when I pee on the floor!” I get up, go out because how do I really know she doesn’t have to go out”? We walk around the house and come back in . . nothing! 100 timesa day! It’s just a walk around the house. I’ll play along.
What I won’t tolerate is her waking up at 5 or 5:30, getting me up, then she comes in and gets on the sofa and sleeps the day away while I have all my chores to get done and I’m a big grumpy because I didn’t get enough sleep and don’t have time for a nap. It’s gardening season in Texas!
My rant: I believe most any dog can be taught most anything with proper determination, patience and rewards. I taught Rita to eat breakfast an hour or so after we get up. When Vince was working, we’d get up at 6. I’d get him fed and out the door and about 7:30, I’d have the kitchen cleaned up and I’d feed Rita. She was happy with that.
Vince retired. He thinks he and Rita should eat the minute they wake up. She keeps waking up earlier and earlier and she wants to eat, and he feeds her, and then she goes back to sleep. This morning, she got up at 5:30. He got up with her . . took her out and fed her. NO! Then he brings her back to her little bassinet and he went back to sleep. She would not stay in the bassinet so I had to get up.
I told Vince . . she doesn’t eat til at least 8 a.m. Do not feed her before 8. It may be frustrating for a few days but she’ll learn. If she wakes up again way early, take her out, let her go to the bathroom, then bring her in and leave her in the living room by herself if he wants to come back to bed. She won’t like that and she’ll figure out that she needs to stay in bed til we wake up.
I’m a night owl. I’m usually still up at 1 or 3 a.m. I am NOT getting up with a dog at 5:30 a.m. . . I hope!
vivoaks says
Can’t blame you! I think I’d be threatening that dog if she was waking me at 5:30 in the blessed AM!! I’m retired now and I DON’T get up that early anymore….for anyone!
Nelle Coursey says
I understand completely. We have had to put down pads for Rose but she is 14 years old this month. Had to take her to the vet yesterday, emergency. She was not breathing well and he had me bring her back today for x-rays. She has a slightly enlarged heart but nothing to worry about, she has COPD which is common in old dogs. Allergies and/or sinus and her lungs are clear. She was wheezing and she sneezes really loud!! He thinks she has a sinus infection and he gave her 2 shots yesterday, 2 today and I have to give her antibiotics until they are gone, plus prednisone. She has a bacterial infection for sure!
Diana G says
Isn’t it amazing how they can think they run the household? Well news for us .. uh huh !! they do .. LOL
Our newest adoption bratzilla (said affectionately) thinks she runs the hubs and he’s turning the tide on her which she doesn’t like. When she pulls her bark bark thing she comes in and is not let out for 30 minutes. She literally goes in the bedroom on the bed and pouts, sighs, and whines. We just laugh anymore as stern voiced words don’t work .. so she is learning, its our house (yah right !!!) and we pay the mortgage on it !! Yep we do …
Sandi B says
I get it! Our newest rescue, Minnie (a puppy mill Shih Tzu), is something else. She throws temper tantrums, argues, and holds a grudge for days. I have never had a dog like her!
Good luck holding your ground!!
Cheryl says
Sometimes that constant asking to go out may be an indication of a UTI… happened to one of our dogs before. Maybe call your vet to see what they think.
Judy Laquidara says
No. She only does it when she wants extra treats.
Susan Nixon says
Stick with it. Make Vince stick with it, too. I always wondered why farmers don’t get their cows to need milking at ten. LOL