Buster....again....

Lunareclipse · 10-02-2010

Here lately I have been more pissed off with Buster than I am anything else. I have never seen a saint bernard that loves getting into trouble as much as he does. Last week I had to go to the hospital because he saw the JRTs across the street (the same ones he sees everyday) and he took off after them and knocked me off of my feet and drug me across the street in the middle of traffic. I had a pulled muscle in my neck and dislocated shoulder and road rash on the whole front of me. It looked like I got into a bar fight. He has started to take off after anything that moves. He keeps chasing Luna away from her food. I have to feed him seperate fromt he other dogs because he chases them off of their food and then stands guard so they can't eat. If I give them all treats he has to go take the others before they have a chance to eat them. He wants to run in and out all day. He'll whine to go out. I'll let him out. 5 minutes later he's barking to be let back in. Then he wants to go out again 5 minutes later. I left him out for a while and he barked the whole time he was out there. When I let him in, he whined to go out the whole time he was in. I put him in his crate and threw a blanket over it so he couldn't see out and it was the only way to calm him. He doesn't go out to use the bathroom most of the time. Most of the time it's to goof off and chase things. But I can't get him to go chase a ball. He takes food from our 2 year old and has knocked her down to get food from her. He has got to be the stupidest dog I have ever owned. It's not from lack of training, either. He knows more commands than my two girls put together. But I swear he just wants to run roughshod over everyone in our household. His energy level is through the roof. It's like a lab on speed. He goes on walks. After about 15 minutes he starts lagging behind and he acts all tired. 20 minutes after I bring him home he is off the wall. He has to pester the two girls to death. They don't like to play and he runs them over out in the yard. So I have to let him out after I let them out. The two girls won't potty if Buster is out there. I am at wit's end and at the end of my meager supply of patience. If I ignored all of his bad behavior, I wouldn't pay attention to him at all.

CorkyMax · 10-02-2010

WOW!!! That dog has got Marley looking like an angel in comparison! You are lucky you didn't get hit by a car! If it wasn't so painful and dangerous---It would be quite a sight--Were there a lot of people around---You prob. didn't have time to be embarrassed or anything though! How did you manage to get to the hospital? And get Buster home? You must not of been able to move too well after all that!

How old is Buster now? He sounds like he wants a lot of attention (And he sure is getting it!). You need an exercise room with a treadmill, etc. just for him (a padded cell) to wear him out!

Lol, Feed him turkey--suppose to make you tired! Seriously, I hope Buster calms down and behaves himself soon before you get 'discounted rates' at the hospital. Seems he has 'sent' you there quite a bit.

lange · 10-02-2010

Ouch!! That must have been pretty painful. ): I hope you're feeling better now.

Buster sounds like a puppy but I'd guess he's not. Still, being a St Bernard, puppy or not he has to be huge! If I were in your place I would try challenging him even more mentally and physically.

I would do the physical exercise with him and then work on the mental in the hopes that he'd be less wound up.

If you do more concentration work with him you might help tire him out a little. I know you said he knows a lot of obedience but maybe you can teach him new things in an effort to give him more work & challenges.

They also have a few food dispensing toys on the market. You probably don't feed kibble but maybe you have some small treats you can use in place.

I know I will be having to figure out more "work exercises" in the near future with my Kuma. So if you do find something that works him out mentally or physically post away please!

And I'll be sure to do the same.
Feel better!!

Lunareclipse · 10-02-2010

I teach him something new every week to mentally wear him out. Last week I taught him to go stand in the corner. He's very good at it. He is very well behaved during our routine training session, but I can't be training him to do tricks 24 hours a day.

I was thinking about sending him to a kennel for 2 days to give me a break from him. Whenever my 2 year old startes to really grate on my nerves, I send her to grandma's for the weekend. Shame my mom is allergic to dogs. And she absolutely hates Buster. In fact anyone who comes over hates Buster. I really do need a break from him.

And yes, Buster is still a puppy. He turned 1 in April. But Saint Bernards don't mature mentally until 2-3 years old. He is a really huge teenage puppy.

The neighbors across the street helped me back with Buster. His lead was still attached to my arm, so it wasn't that hard to find Buster. He was still dragging me through the gravel in the neighbor's driveway.

lange · 10-03-2010

It makes perfect sense to take a breather & recoup. Better not to get burnt out. Maybe even a weekend get away to refresh the soul! It couldn't hurt!!

Lara's mom · 10-09-2010

How many times have you ended up in emerg because of Buster? I've lost count. A Buster free weekend sounds like just what you need.

Lunareclipse · 10-10-2010

Between Buster and Luna, I think 7 times. I have called a local keneel but they never got back with me. I'll try to contact a few others tomorrow.

Yogi · 10-10-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunareclipse

Between Buster and Luna, I think 7 times. I have called a local keneel but they never got back with me. I'll try to contact a few others tomorrow.

all the kennels have probably have info on the number of times you have been in emergency and none of them want to risk the chance.....

looks like Buster and Luna's reputation have proceeded them.....:lol:

Lunareclipse · 10-10-2010

Well, Luna has settled down a lot since she's been here. She hasn't run over me or knocked me out of the recliner in a long time. Buster on the other hand is a 140lb teenager and he has the attention span of a gnat.