[secret garden]

Thank you for the tips. I had him in a crate that is mostly enclosed, like an airplane shipping crate. The collies have their own and that’s where they like to sleep or just get away for quiet time. He is so timid that I am reluctant to use any kind of loud stimulus with him. I have taken him out every time he starts barking but he only has the need for it about 1/3 of the time. He had zero accidents in the house yesterday which is huge. He has chewed through most of his new harness in one spot so I’ve tightened it up. The dog he has bonded with here is getting a little weary of him but hasn’t barked or snapped at him. Oliver will sleep laying right next to Chumley and Chum will let out a big sigh.

[VRWCmember]

The key is to make sure you do not reinforce the barking by taking him out (giving him what he wants) when he barks. While you want him to let you know when he needs to go out, you don’t want him to think that if he barks he gets to go out. When you take him outside, and he does his toilet business, you should positively reinforce the “potty” experience with excitement and “Good Boy!” and high praise for successfully pottying outside.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Reading your travails with a foster dog, I feel so lucky to have been able to adopt our Max. He has been almost the perfect dog. I say almost because he did chew the edge of a (formerly) valuable oriental rug the first night we had him. And he did try to rip the skirt off my couch the 2nd week we had him. And he destroyed almost every toy we ever gave him -- starting with the labels. He HATES labels which I soon realized that is what he was going after on the rug and on the skirt of the couch.

But, he never barks, he learns quickly, he never whines. Now that his allergies have been treated and are under control, he is simly perfect. He did chase a turkey away this morning, but I can forgive that. He's just a love.

Max Guarding the Garden