Joey and Jimmy get a Dog Manner Training Class!

May 1st, 2026 marked the day that our recently adopted 4 year-3 month our Dachshund/Chihuahua mixed brothers Joey and Jimmy went to school for the first time ever (we know this because they knew nothing when we adopted them). They (and we) needed schooling to keep them from being aggressive against bigger dogs and there is a potty problem with one of them. They are the joy of our lives and we want them to be happy and loved. Today's blog explains. 

(Photo: Joey in the process of sitting down while looking up at Tom during class) 

OUR OBSERVATIONS -These 2 brothers lived their lives together since puppies, as they were with the same family for 4 of their 4 years 3 months. We quickly realized the family never taught them any commands, so I've worked hard with them for our first month together and they now know, "stop," "walk," "sit," "stay," and "come."  We also realized the family likely abused them because Jimmy, the more Chihuahua looking and smaller one cowers when you ask him to do something. Also, Joey would not look us in the eye until today when we took him to school with Jimmy. 

IT'S A COMMITMENT - If you want to adopt a dog, TRAIN THEM. To not train them is detrimental to them and to you. They are children who need instructions. People who don't train them are lazy and selfish. Dogs are living, breathing, loving things, they are not "cute objects" and they are our 100% responsibility. 

(Photo: Jimmy was very well behaved. He only acts up when his brother Joey does.) 

BEHAVIOR #1 NEEDING CORRECTION - We adopted Joey and Jimmy on March 28, 2026. They came from the Lovable Paws Rescue in South Carolina, which is a fantastic rescue. When we adopted them we quickly learned they were okay with small dogs, as our friend Jeff's Beagle/Chihuahua mix, Myrtle was visiting the weekend we adopted the boys. They had no issues with her. But when our neighbor brough their calm, well-behaved 60 pound dog over, Joey went ballistic trying to bite her. **That told us he was previously attacked by a larger dog in his past. Little Jimmy followed Joey's behavior and did the same.** So, thanks to our friends Naomi and Wayne, we found the best place. 

BEHAVIOR #2 NEEDING CORRECTION  - Oddly, only Joey likes to poop in the house whenever we go out of the house. Jimmy does all his business outside. Joey is also consistent in his "poop spot." THE FIX: We were instructed to put a pee pad in that location. After some time (days/weeks) we move it to the door to the outside so he can start going there. Then we move it into the garage or outside so Joey learns the proper place.  Since we have about 30 washable pee pads (from Dash's senior years) we were well-equipped.

HOW THE FIRST CLASS WENT - Tom worked with Jimmy and I (Rob) worked with Joey. They were leashed of course and we were armed with treats. Both boys are great with people and okay with small dogs. So the instructor brought in her calm, well-behaved Border Collie (about 70 pounds) who sat next to the instructor (Merrillynn). Her dog, Dani, did not react as Joey squeaked and squealed and lunged. **We were instructed to pick up Joey (and Jimmy if he squeaked) , turn him away from the dog, hold the scruff of their neck (like a mother dog does) and give them a shake and say out loud "Uh-uh!"  After about 5 or 6 times of putting Joey down, it worked better each time. '  

    By the end of the hour, we were able to put Joey and Jimmy on the floor and they ignored the Border Collie. WOW. We need to continue this training daily. 

     Also, it's important to maintain a 6 foot distance between Joey & Jimmy with other local dogs. 

SOME AGILITY WHILE THERE - Fortunately, the school had orange cones set up in a line, so we took advantage of that to get Joey and Jimmy to do some basic agility of weaving through the cones, and they did a fantastic job!

BOTTOM LINE- Dogs do better in life with instruction, just as people do. Take and make the time to train them for their benefit and for your benefit. 

WHERE WE WENT - ​Piscataqua Obedience Club (POC) is a non-profit dog training club dedicated to fostering and deepening the relationship between dogs and their owners. Based in Berwick, Maine we offer Manners and competition level classes. We welcome purebreds, mixed breeds, rescue dogs, puppies, seniors, and everyone in between to our classes. Our certified instructors use motivational training techniques that emphasize kind, positive treatment.