Hi from Jill and (Ringo) formerly known as Blackie

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Jill, I'm delighted by your post, but won't address it all now. It sounds like you have found a wonderful solution to your living and working arrangements and that's the most important thing.

I do wish to remind you though that if you allow Ringo to slide with his housetraining, it will become harder and harder to fix. It's just one of those things that no matter how we are feeling, we simply must do it. The other basic training can even wait, as well as play groups, but the house training, (especially with a male) is really, really important.

You did say that the new place will make that easier, so I'm pleased to hear that! I'm quite sure you've been very busy and no one fancies 3 flights of stairs every 2 or so hours. Fortunately, there is a huge pay off in the end though. Ringo is still really young, so if you get back to it, and stick at it from now on, you'll do just fine.

Ringo sounds like such a smart little chappy, and a happy one too. I think you two will have a bond for life like no other.

Good luck in the coming weeks!

[Blackie65]

He cant even hold it every two hours...think something is wrong with his bladder?

He is 12 weeks now.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Jill, I think he should be going about every two hours, but that depends on the amount of activity he has as well as his fluid intake. You should also see a bit of a pattern developing, or be creating one, around his meal times, play times etc. You may wish to review the "House Training" thread in the Behaviour Section and just double check that you are following the all the steps.

The average, very rough guideline is, for every two months of life, the pup should be able to hold it for one hour. So an 8 week old puppy will go approximately every hour, whereas a 16 week old puppy will be holding it for up to two hours at a time. If you have any concerns at all, by all means have him checked at the Vet.

I think now that he has hit the magic 12 week mark, and as you move to a place where he is able to just knock on the door and be virtually outside immediately without delay, you will start see marked improvement daily. It's still rough going for approximately the next four weeks. Also, the more success he has, the more he will be able to understand as he ages. He is still only 3 months old and in a perfect world, would really only have been with you for, at most, the past 4 weeks. That's why it seems to be taking so long...it isn't really.

[Blackie65]

Thank you! I think I was giving him too much freedom, too...he doesnt wet in his crate or on his bed...

back to the kitchen!!

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

That's the right idea Jill!

[Blackie65]

well, here he is at 5 months, my Ringo Starr, still have him, no giving up on him now!

Sorry I have been out of touch, Ringo is keeping me busy, as well as my move and new job...daughter moved to California! She left me the greatest gift, this baby boy. we are staying with a friend, she has a HUGE YARD, he loves to run around and be free, throw his toys into the air and bury his bones...my van has become a "crate on wheels" he goes with me everywhere.

We are into our second training class AKC star puppy, one more class left, the trainer assures me Ringo will pass. He is doing great except really loves people and cant help jumping on them...ugh, I am working so hard on this...his second issue is that occassionally he gets really feisty with me and will nibble, bit and bark, its like he has been possessed, it happens so irregularly, I am always shocked when it happens...so scared this is some hidden pitt bull trait

otherwise, things are great, he has a healthy fear of cats, loves and plays well with all dogs, loves all people, eats well, walks great on the leash and is now a whopping 35 pounds.

[Blackie65]

flash gave him some glowing eyes! (he loves the toddlers car seat!)

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Jill, I am SO happy to hear from you!!!! I've been wondering how you are and I'm glad Ringo is still with you. I never had a doubt.

Have you gone to the "biting" thread in our Behaviour Section? I haven't looked in there today, but one of our members, who had the most trouble EVER with her dog, Charlie, has recently returned, and I see she has posted in there, so I hope it is in response to a question you may have had.

We used to refer everyone to her thread, and somehow it timed out and was lost. I'm happy to report that Charlie is now a wonderful, giant, 4 year old who is as loving and goofy as ever. Cindy had a lot of trouble with him. Hopefully we can put you two in touch, if you haven't found each other already, as I said.

Ringo looks ever so handsome. Thanks for the new photos! We'll help you through this next phase as well.



ETA: Jill, here is a direct link to the thread I mentioned, and Cindy has already posted in there, basically in response to your previous posts. I do hope you two can carry on from there. Here's the link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6854&p=158564#p158564

[Blackie65]

Thank you so very much and thank you for mentioning Cindy and Charlie, how funny, last week, I re-read the entire biting thread and didnt make a connection with Charlie, I will re-read it again!! I tried soemthing new this week (after the trainer saw him in action and expressed her concern)...

I turned and went after him yelling, "No, Ringo, NO!!" I think I scared the daylights out of him, he is kinda scared to mess with me now...lets see how long this lasts! Im not normally very assertive, as you can probably all tell by now. lol but I know I must be assertive with this!

He is such a good little buddy/companion, I cant imagine life without him in it, I cant imagine finding a better dog if I tried, funny how life happens...huh?

I actually bought the dog from my daughter so she couldnt turn around and say he is hers someday...

off to read the biting section again!!

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Jill, perhaps I am misunderstanding your post, but the biting thread is NOT Cindy and Charlie's thread. That one vanished and so we started a new one (the one you see now) in "honour" of all she went through, as well as this is one of the most common questions asked.

Cindy did post a response in there to you, and perhaps it is to that which you are referring. It's been a LONG week.

Ringo needs to know that you are boss as this nipping is a very common issue with dogs separated too soon from their Mum and litter mates. They learn "bite inhibition" at a very young age as their Mum won't tolerate being nipped too hard when nursing and she puts them in their place. They also learn through play with the other pups as to how much it actually hurts.

I'm confident that Ringo can learn, and will learn. There is nothing wrong with a loud, stern NO! I find it works on children too.

Yay to you for buying Ringo from your daughter. He is entirely yours now, and I can tell how much you adore him. Aren't you glad you stuck with us, through the rough early days and found your way? I know Ringo is glad and so am I.

Best of luck to you! Keep us posted.

[Deerie me]

Little Ringo is looking great. It's good to hear from you again Jill. It sounds like life has turned around for you. As far as the biting goes it does sound more like a puppy thing than a pit bull thing. He'll grow out of it.

[Blackie65]

Thank you soooooooo much! It's not really biting, more nibbling, he has never once broke the skin or even left a scratch.i guess it us the barking at me that gets to me! It's like he is trying to tell me something, but i don't understand dog! He is getting lots of exercise, loves the dog park, loVes the people there equally as well as the dogs! so happy to have you all!!

[Blackie65]

Its not the chewing, it's the barking, he barks and acts so viscous towards me sometimes

[kian]

Hi Jill, I'm playing catch up as always. Ringo is big and a very good looking pup! Hope your daughter is doing good in California.

When he barks, turn around and ignore him. Any attention you give him verbally is attention. Turn around and walk away if he continues.

[virgilsmama]

Thank you, Kian, Levon and I are at the same spot! Such a beautiful sweetheart, but when he wants attention or food he gets nippy and or barkey!

Ringo is so handsome and so well trained (I say that because Jill is so admirable in her efforts to be successful with him ) (and not because I have met them) I see them on FB and he is one popular little dude who seems to be welcome everywhere! Kudos to Jill! What a happy journey they are on these days!