Barbara Tobin's Page

Do you use a crate to help train Buckley? Does he know a particular area outside where he gets praise and treats for going? Try using a product like Natures Miracle or Petastic to clean up where he goes inside. If a dog can still smell it, even if it has been cleaned, he will likely go there again. There natural products really do get all odour out, even to a dogs sensitive nose. I found it really useful in potty training. Also, do not let your dog see you clean up after him - it makes him think its ok (Mommy dog cleaned up after them up to a certain point in their lives before pushing them out of the "den"). Have you had him tested for a UTI? Unfortunately, some dogs find it very difficult to hold their pee for long periods of time and need lots of training to learn how to hold it just a little bit longer. Good luck!

Hi, Barbara. . . Yes, the accidents still happen and Lola is 8 1/2 months old. I must say though that in the last 2 weeks I don't believe we have had an accident, unless someone is clearning them up and I don't know about it. My kids are home now for the summer and while I'm at work, I'm not really sure if the accidents are happening. They would tell me they're not because they might get blamed for not taking her out, although she would have accidents for me too and I know I took her out enough. She can hold it all night long in the crate, but then during the day she'll have accidents 1/2 hour after being taken out. I just don't get it. It is very frustrating. Hang in there, but I know it is tough. I have cried often in the last 6 months because she has really been much more than a handful. We also have had a lot of trouble with her eating everything she can get into her mouth. My furniture which went throught 2 other dogs before her without any rips or tears, now is chewed apart. We have river rocks around our deck and every time we go outside, she manages to get one in her mouth. . . or mulch . . . or the remotes . . . or tissues . . . or mail . . . or the leash, etc., etc., etc. I have to watch every move she makes, but she is such as troublemaker. Enough complaining . . . we do love her. I think she just works overtime at getting into trouble. Lori

Barbara . . . I also wanted to tell you that Buckley is adorable and I love the name! He looks a lot like Lola when she was little. I think she weighs about 55 lbs. now. Lori

Hi, Barbara . . . good to hear from you! How is puppyhood going? Lola has been a real challenge from the start and there were somedays I didn't think we could go on, but we are now starting to have some good days. Lola is very hyper and an alpha dog. We also have a 3 year old Bernese Mountain Dog who is very timid. Lola has been very aggressive with her and that is our biggest problem. I think Lola is more hyper than Gunner and Molly, but it could be because they are the only dog in the house. Well, anyways, nice to hear from you. Lori

Hi Barbara,

Your Buckley looks alot like Gunner, but more like Molly & Lola, his sisters. Hope all is going well. It seems like not that long ago we picked Gunner up. We love him to death. He has brought so much joy to our lives. He is going through the teenager stage right now, but I know it will pass.

Please share more pics of Buckley.

Hi Barbara,
We always trained our pups that our mealtime was our mealtime. Samantha was put on her mat with a 'stay', which was app. 6' away from us. If she got up, I went back and put her back on her mat with a 'stay'. When we finished she always got a special treat but only on her mat. It didn't take long for her to realize that staying on her mat was much more adventageous!
Remember - continuity!!!
Are you taking puppy kindergaten classes?