New puppy/dog issues

[Feather]

So.. we ended up getting a dog. I'm used to having dogs, Rick isn't (but he loves him nonetheless it seems). I have trained dogs from puppyhood before, but this one is different. He's somewhere around 2 (probably like 18 months). He was a rescue dog that the people we got him from rescued. I have a good feeling he wasn't with them very long, because he doesn't seem to care that he's not with them anymore.

Anyways.. the issue.

There are two behavioural problems we have come across. I'm working with him the best I can but still wondering if anyone here has any other ideas.

issue #1 He basically refuses to eat. The first few days we hand fed him until he started eating by himself, but he still wouldn't eat much. Now he eventually will eat by himself, but again.. doesn't eat very much. I think he is drinking enough water, but I haven't been able to notice that too much.

issue #2 He whines ALL the time. I realize that this is partially a bordercollie trait (actually my old bordercollie had the eating issue when we first got her too). He whines to get us to do something with him, but (of course) refuses to do something when we want to do it. We are trying to change his way of thinking about this, and ignoring when he whines and playing with him when he's quiet, but.. anything else you guys can think of?

Other then these two things he is amazing, he is absolutely adorable and really well trained. He hasn't gotten into the garbage (which border collies are known to do, and the people said he would), he comes (for the most part) when he's called, and gets along really well with other people and dogs.

Oh.... wait... he like to play bite... and goes for peoples' faces alot.. anyway to stop that? (obviously a light smack on the nose and a sharp no.. but anything else?)

[TheLittleNinja]

Hey

Issue 1)
What are you feeding him? If you're feeding him just dry biscuits then you could try mixing the biscuits with dog meat. Similarly, you could add treats to the food (not too many) and then gradually wean him off the treats.
You could also buy a ball that you can put food in, this might be a 'pro-active' way of getting food. The dog basically rolls the ball and biscuits fall out.

Issue 2

I think you've really kind of got it here - reward for being quiet. Have you seen those correction sprays? They make a hissing sound. But, as humans we can hiss sharply too - this is a pretty good way of stopping a dog from doing something. So when whining for no reason maybe you could try that. Similarly you could teach him a command such as 'shush' or 'quiet' - say the word and grab his attention (so that he is silent) then reward for staying silent.

Biting

Stop ALL contact instantly when he play bites. Correct him with a strong NO, but then ignore him.. Because he's young he wants attention - and if he bites he gets nothing.... he won't do that again!!

I hope this helps, and I hope you get it sorted
You sound like you know what you're doing to be honest

[Feather]

Thanks for the quick response Claire!

We finished off what the previous people were giving him, now we have switched to a flavoured version of the same thing.. we wanted to see how that might work before trying anything else. However, I was thinking of the treat idea myself, I might do that because he does eat his treats. He refuses to play with his ball or his rope that we bought for him (we are pretty sure he doesn't know how to play, so .. that is another thing we are working on).

For issue 2: I never even thought of that, that's a good idea that we might be able to try.

and as for the biting... that is exactly how I treat him.. now I just have to get the other half to do the same thing

Thanks for your help so far

[Power Cosmic]

I don't think there's much I could add, but I just want to say; you should totally post some pics ^^

[~CourageousSurvivor~]

Did you switch his food without letting him wean off? When I got my dog she had been on the same food her whole life so we didn't want to switch her to a new food right off the bat. This can cause issue with their digestive system which can cause them to get...stomach aches...and some dogs don't like just switching and won't eat all that much.

That could be why he isn't eating too much. He might not like the food you switched him too but you could easily get him to enjoy it. Simply, mix in 3/4 of the brand he was eating and 1/4 of the brand you want him to go onto and slowly and more of the brand you want him on: 1/4. 2/4, 3/4, 4/4. When you do that he will be given time to get used to the new food.

And, the suggestions Claire gave were fantastic.

Jenna

[Fricky Ricky]

Pictures of our new dog for all you dog lovers out there.

[dreamerofsouls]

Inappetance is most commonly a symptom of a biger problem, so understanding how to help a pet who won't eat will ensure that the animal doesn't suffer unnecessarily until he recovers or visits a veterinarian.

As soon as you feel ANY nip, pull away and say, "OW!" very loudly then, put your palm in their face and say, "NO!" also, very loudly. In fact, with ALL of these, ALWAYS reinforce the action with a verbal command.. such as "NO!" or "NO BITE!"

[rac146]

the information here looks great, there isnt much to add, but man is he a cutie!!!!