NicosMom
Member
I found a little trick for my neurotic & stubborn bulldog to get out of bed in the morning and in the car without taking forever.
Nico and I are not morning people/dogs, but I have to get up and go to work. Every work morning for the last 2.5 years I have to nag, beg and drag Nico off the bed in the morning. I swear he is pretending to sleep and can even pretend to snore. He pays no attention. One morning it came to me that I needed to find something that will get his little tush moving (in the morning, even treats donāt work) and I thought of how when I counted with my kids when they were small it sometimes worked but with a dog it might really work J
So one morning I started with āNico, off, time to go outsideā, he snored loudly and didnāt move. I started counting 1ā¦.2ā¦..3 and at three I rushed over to the bed picked him up and set him on the floor. He was infuriated and gave me the death look all the way down stairs and outside. Which I had further incensed by following him down the stairs, not doing anything but making sure he was moving and not lollygagging.
Next morningā¦. Same thing.
3[SUP]rd[/SUP] morningā¦ I said 1 and he was up and off the bed at the speed of light.
After a couple of weeks of me being totally thrilled with myself, I decided to try it with him getting in the car. The usual is I ask him if he wants to go for a ride... he gets all excited, goes out to the garage, I open the back door for him to jump on the floor and then the seat but he stopsā¦ sniffs the edge of the door, makes sure there have been no changes to the floor boards, checks out the door, looks under the carā¦.10 minutes later of nagging he finally will jump in. Well I put my 1ā¦2ā¦.3 to the test and he looked worried when I said 1 but he did make me go to 3 and at that point I went towards him quickly picked him up and set him firmly on the seat. Not mean, just firmly. After that I just pretended nothing happened and the next time he was getting into the car I said 1 and he was in like a flash.
So this has worked ever since. You will want to make sure you are in the position to follow through in case tested (i.e. actually be able to pick up your bulldog or have someone near you that can when you start training).
If you have a bulldog that does not like to be manhandled then this might be the trick for you. Iām sure there are many other ways you could use this technique with a little imagination. Nicoās a good pup and these were a couple of my pet peeves with him. My other bulldog Tia has no trouble getting up in the morning or in the car for a ride, so itās just a personality thing.
IMO: I would not try this with new dogs that are still getting used to you and the family; I donāt even think I would do this with a puppy. Nico is 3 years old and we have our bond where he knows I will never hurt him so this just made him irritated not mean.
Nico and I are not morning people/dogs, but I have to get up and go to work. Every work morning for the last 2.5 years I have to nag, beg and drag Nico off the bed in the morning. I swear he is pretending to sleep and can even pretend to snore. He pays no attention. One morning it came to me that I needed to find something that will get his little tush moving (in the morning, even treats donāt work) and I thought of how when I counted with my kids when they were small it sometimes worked but with a dog it might really work J
So one morning I started with āNico, off, time to go outsideā, he snored loudly and didnāt move. I started counting 1ā¦.2ā¦..3 and at three I rushed over to the bed picked him up and set him on the floor. He was infuriated and gave me the death look all the way down stairs and outside. Which I had further incensed by following him down the stairs, not doing anything but making sure he was moving and not lollygagging.
Next morningā¦. Same thing.
3[SUP]rd[/SUP] morningā¦ I said 1 and he was up and off the bed at the speed of light.
After a couple of weeks of me being totally thrilled with myself, I decided to try it with him getting in the car. The usual is I ask him if he wants to go for a ride... he gets all excited, goes out to the garage, I open the back door for him to jump on the floor and then the seat but he stopsā¦ sniffs the edge of the door, makes sure there have been no changes to the floor boards, checks out the door, looks under the carā¦.10 minutes later of nagging he finally will jump in. Well I put my 1ā¦2ā¦.3 to the test and he looked worried when I said 1 but he did make me go to 3 and at that point I went towards him quickly picked him up and set him firmly on the seat. Not mean, just firmly. After that I just pretended nothing happened and the next time he was getting into the car I said 1 and he was in like a flash.
So this has worked ever since. You will want to make sure you are in the position to follow through in case tested (i.e. actually be able to pick up your bulldog or have someone near you that can when you start training).
If you have a bulldog that does not like to be manhandled then this might be the trick for you. Iām sure there are many other ways you could use this technique with a little imagination. Nicoās a good pup and these were a couple of my pet peeves with him. My other bulldog Tia has no trouble getting up in the morning or in the car for a ride, so itās just a personality thing.
IMO: I would not try this with new dogs that are still getting used to you and the family; I donāt even think I would do this with a puppy. Nico is 3 years old and we have our bond where he knows I will never hurt him so this just made him irritated not mean.
My yard is fenced in away from the pastures so they are safe. If it is cold I take my martini, put my chair next to the door (kitchen door is full glass door) and watch them until I am done. I give them a taste of their own medicine.......they will see me at the glass door then come over and act like fools because then they want to come in......I don't give in until I finish my martini....
that usually gets their attention. Now, if it is something important I am taking them to then they have their harnesses and leash on and listen on command....for the most part.
Absolutely!!! 
