previous posts about mr monster punky here-
https://www.democraticunderground.com/116138539
well, i have meant to post updates a couple times about the progress we are making, then he eats a couch, or a chicken or something, and i start to lose all hope for the kid, but-
we are in week 6 w an e-collar, and i think i can make a good dog out of this nitwit yet. it is really helping. it has 3 buttons- a buzz that you can use like a clicker, a 1/10th of a second shock, and a stop that shit right now button. after laying a foundation w the recall, it has become invaluable. he wears it all day, and i wear the controller around my neck. i finally have a definitive way to tell him- NO!!
honestly, in a lot of ways, he is a good kid. he is bright enough to be trainable, and does well when he is in a calm state. and he does have the aptitude for the job that i got him for- chasing rodents. he has been catching mice and rats, and chases bunnies and squirrels like a hellhound.
he remains unhousebroken, the little shit. he is getting there, goes quickly when let out, but he is a sneaky lil shit.
part of that problem comes from his troubles w my old terrier girls, whom he torments seriously. he just wants to play, but they have zero interest. i havent been able to really corral him during the day, since they give him hell. but one of the benefits of the e-collar is that i have been able to lower the temperature on that shit. hence, i can corral him w a gate and he is even able to hang w the pack on the bed w me.
they are starting to accept him, as is his big brother, biff. this is really helping.
but chickens, yeah. he has killed several, and eaten 2. my fault that he was allowed his evening crazy time in the yard after the chickens are in the coop, but a couple of times, for one reason and another, there has been a kid who wasnt in the coop, when i thought they were all in. he behaves for the most part when i am around. i am convinced that he just wants to play, but he destroys most toys in minutes, so...
but w the e-collar, he is getting corrected if he so much as looks at them. so he is even better when i am there, and i can also watch him from a window, and zap him when he goes after one.
it isnt impossible for me to keep them separated. i may never be able to trust him alone. but i think that w time, he will forget about chasing chickens and stick to the rodents.
the e-collar is also letting me work w him off leash, which is a must if he is going to do the job i need him to do.
if he gets his hunting time, and some exercise and training time, he is pretty good. calm. controllable.
he is certainly a loving dude. sticks to me like velcro, and wants so bad to be good.
i hate so much to give up on a dog. at 1 year, i feel like we are well on our way. still got a lot of the puppy doofus, but calming down. and clearly an intelligent guy, motivated to please.
patience, patience, patience. and good tools.
