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Blogs by Diana L. Guerrero
Molly, Molly, Molly...
2/20/2004 7:25:42 AM
Puppy student Molly lapses back into bad behavior and here is why.
Animal behavior is an interesting field. After twenty-five plus years I consider myself pretty good at it. Unfortunately I make it look easy when that is not true for the average pet owner.
When assessing behavior there are key components as to why an animal will laspe into bad behavior. Other than being a puppy and having the challenge of "puppy brain" (short attention span and forgetfulness) changes in diet, or surgery or medication can contribute to potty training hassles. Such was the case with my current star student, Molly.
A small black and white Shih Tzu, Molly is super smart, super bossy, and super cute. Several weeks ago she managed to find a needle in thread and promptly ate it. After surgery she was quickly back to her antics--and housebreaking horrors.
Some of my clients have my private number and so I got the call pleading for help. "Molly is doing great on most everything, but we need help with something--please call."
I anticipated that the puppy nipping was out of control since Molly retaliates if certain conditions are present. But no, that was not the trouble. Her bossy barking and naughty nipping improved, it was a laspe in her toileting habits.
There was a sigh of relief when I explained that it is normal for regression after surgery and that it was only temporary, but as I outlined the steps to gaining control again and suggested review of my puppy manual on house training my intuition told me it was more complicated.
Sure enough, when I got to the house I found that soft hearts were letting Molly off the hook. Sometimes pet owners love their pets so much that they cannot bear to follow through on directives. Four to eight weeks of effort pays off with a lifetime of pleasure and saves the carpeting. It just has to be put in to perspective.
I had a chat with Molly and explained everything. The main problem is that she is too cute and tries hard. She will survive puppy preschool and hopefully so will the carpet!
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More Blogs by Diana L. Guerrero
• Armchair Safari Video (Oprah Winfrey Network) - Saturday, June 19, 2010
• Moms Choose Kendra Kandlestar - Wednesday, October 24, 2007
• Rancheros Vistadores de Santa Inez - Sunday, May 06, 2007
• Free Teleclass for Animal Lovers! pril 17, 2007 - Monday, April 16, 2007
• Blessing of the Animals Book Trailer - Friday, April 13, 2007
• Fan Mail - Monday, March 06, 2006
• Happy New Year! - Monday, January 02, 2006
• Hurricane Katrina's Animal Victims Get Help - Saturday, September 03, 2005
• Fawnskin Flyer - Monday, August 22, 2005
• Blogging Along - Wednesday, July 27, 2005
• California Earthquakes - Friday, June 17, 2005
• Big Cat Faux Paws... - Saturday, June 11, 2005
• Cold Snap! - Tuesday, June 07, 2005
• Morning Serenade - Tuesday, May 31, 2005
• Hot, Hot, HOT! - Tuesday, May 24, 2005
• Something fishy is going on... - Thursday, May 19, 2005
• Birds... - Wednesday, May 11, 2005
• Spring Snow - Sunday, May 08, 2005
• Emerging... - Thursday, May 05, 2005
• Winter Weather - Thursday, October 28, 2004
• Fun, fun and more fun! - Sunday, August 29, 2004
• Out & About - Thursday, August 26, 2004
• North County San Diego - Friday, July 30, 2004
• On the road again... - Wednesday, July 28, 2004
• Hammock Time - Tuesday, June 15, 2004
• Busy, busy, busy! - Tuesday, June 08, 2004
• Where does time go? - Thursday, May 13, 2004
• Traveling is nice, but there is no place like home! - Sunday, April 18, 2004
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• Big Bear Blaze Engulfed in Haze - Friday, March 26, 2004
• Spring has Sprung! - Saturday, March 20, 2004
• Chicken Soup for the mountains... - Monday, March 08, 2004
• Snow Day! - Wednesday, March 03, 2004
• Molly, Molly, Molly... - Friday, February 20, 2004
• Home again, home again... - Thursday, February 12, 2004
• Cat got ya? - Tuesday, February 10, 2004
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• We are Siamese...and Birdie TV - Wednesday, January 28, 2004
• Escape from puppy prison - Friday, January 16, 2004
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• On the road again... - Monday, January 12, 2004
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• San Diego Trip - Wednesday, November 12, 2003
• Home again, home again.... - Thursday, November 06, 2003
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• Del Lago Book Launch Reception's Tasty Treats - Saturday, October 25, 2003
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