Thank you ladies! To answer a few questions… yes we have a fenced in backyard - most of the yard has a 6 ft wooden fence execpt along the one neighbor cause the kids liked talking to the neighbors & playing w/ their kids, but there is a 4 ft chain link there. “Pooh Bear” only flinches away when he thinks you are upset at him or thinks you are raising your voice. Also right now, I’m sleeping in the livingroom on the couch because I’m 7 mo prego & can’t sleep anywhere else w/ out being in pain or short of breath, so he isn’t alone when he is leashed in the livingroom.
I’ve never done the crate training and we are considering it, he does have a bed by the spot he is leashed & knows it is his spot already. The kids are not to mess with him when he is in his bed. He is also starting to respond when we call his name (we don’t know what his old name was, so he is now “Pooh Bear”. We were told he is a Rot mix and we do go for walks in the parks a few times a week if not everyday (when the weather is nice), plus the back door is always open for the kids to play in the backyard when it is nice out & we are home. But I’m going to try to get in a few more walks with him & hubby does play a lot w/ him in the backyard & he plays w/ the kids as they run around as well.
I don’t mind him being in the kitchen w/ me when I’m there & I’m hoping at some point to be able to trust him to be in there alone. For now we have put everything up - on the fridge or were ever we can so he can’t get anything. The back door is in the kitchen, so keeping it closed all day is very hard - so we do need to find the trust.
I do feel that food has been an issue for him in the past because he is skinner then he should be, we are feeding him twice a day now & a bit more then is “recommened”. To see if that will help a little with his hunger thing & keeping him off the counters.
I’m also looking into the doggy training classes to see if that would be helpful, but at this time we have been unable to find a “treat” he will eat for a reward. So, most of want we are trying is just attention… he has started sitting when we tell him to & is also learning not to jump up on me… like I said he is a good dog over all - it has been over 8 yrs since I had a dog. So, it is an adjustment & some rules do need to change for even the kids - they are to clean up when they are done w/ something not just before bed now. I will also be getting a hamper for upstairs instead of just a dirty clothing basket.
Thanks again ladies!!