Hi I just got a new puppy (3 weeks) and he is very sweet. However he hates his crate and only barks when he is in it. He actually does not bark when I am around. Are there any suggestions to calm him down. My breeder recommended a shock collar and I was a little surprised.
@1424austin This is a Finnish Spitz breeder that is recommending this? Unbelievable. Finnish Spitz are companion dogs. They want to be with you. They should not be crated, except in the case of an emergency. I would recommend NOT putting him in the crate, let him be with you and take him out for several short walks a day. They are very smart dogs and don't tend to be destructive. If you are concerned, maybe buy a few baby gates to keep him out of certain rooms when you aren't there.
@1424austin Also, Finnish Spitz have been bred to bark for thousands of years. It is utterly irresponsible for a breeder to be recommending a shock collar of any kind. Good call on your part to question this. They are active dogs - the best way to deal with this is lots of little walks, and playtime. They are smart - ours play hide and seek! We found the best thing for Tippy was a second dog - they get their energy out through walks with us and playing with each other.
@1424austin So sorry for spamming you - you can try to teach him the word "quiet" but it will be slow going as he is very young. Must be so gentle and softspoken when training these dogs. If you say "quiet" when the dog is barking and gently place your hands around his mouth, he will start to understand "quiet" has something to do with his mouth. When you take your hands away, if he doesn't bark, say "good quiet!!" and even give a little treat. Will take a long while but he will get it :)
@CdnFinkieGirl I really really appreciate your advice so please feel free. I have enjoyed watching your videos and hope my little guy is as great as Tippy. I only use the crate so he learns to go potty outside, after that I would ideally enjoy him running around me. you have to tell me how they learn to play hide and seek that sounds great.
Oh and to be honest, my puppy only barks for a total of 1 to 2 hours a day. most of the time he is pretty quiet even with strangers and other dogs.
@1424austin Glad to hear he is generally quiet - sounds like you have a good boy! I've been promising new videos for a while - so I just posted a video with some house training tips that worked for our doggies. Will post another one later with some general training tips. I'm trying to catch them playing hide and seek but they are getting camera shy - so maybe tomorrow! :)
@rsbro1 Yes, yes and yes :) They like to bark when they are excited, when they see something, when they are awake, when they are happy, when they are not....you get the idea :) They are bad dogs to have if you do not have a good sense of humour about their willingness to bark. It is instinctive. They are bred for it. Their senses of smell and sight and sound are extremely keen and they are very alert and playful but definitely noisy.
@hawker800FO Very, very smart dogs. Not overly interested in training. Impossible to train for off leash in a city area - too many distractions and very dangerous as they have super keen hunting instincts. Can train with bribery to do tricks, etc. (see my other videos) Couldn't see training them out of excitement barking, but you can train to calm down more quickly than if left own their own. Hard to train them to ignore interesting distractions....IMHO not a good dog if 1st time owner...
@TheBlasthockey They are not by nature aggressive but they WILL defend themselves if they need to. They have playdates with beagles, labs, australian cattle dog and australian shepherd. When Minnie was really tiny she marched up to this big old King German Shepard and bit him on the toe. It was hilarious. The old dog just stared at her, he obviously knew she was a puppy. They did become friends. Breeder says not recommended to have 2 male Finkies in the same household, M/F works well.
@CdnFinkieGirl They definitle will defend themselves and are quite capable of doing it. A little rough play at the dog park is fine with him but when a larger dog gets too aggressive I have seen him get in the offending dogs face and stand his ground and I have seen him do this with dogs much larger than him.
@TheBlasthockey Mine gets along great with other dogs and really enjoys the dog park. He likes to play with the more active dogs, the ones who will run and chase. A little rough play is fine with him also.
do they bark a lot? is it easy to train them to stop barking? that's kind of one of the reasons I'm thinking twice about getting them. That and the "escape artist "thing.
@whowantstogetnaked YES, they are 'barking bird dogs', bred to bark. Some can bark 100 X minute. YES they are escape artists. They are dangerous dogs to have in city - you cannot let them off leash, they will run. They will dig under a fence to chase whatever catches their fancy. Lovely temperments, but they are an energetic sporting breed. If barking bothers you - they are not the right dog. They can be trained to bark less, but will always be a noisy, fun-loving breed.....
@CdnFinkieGirl yeah that's a lot of barking. I'm reading up on them to see if I can eliminate the barking with training before I even get them. It's not so much about me, although I prefer quiet too, it's the neighbours too. Everything you said made it a perfect dog i.e. the temperament, energetic sporty dog but there has to be a way to make them shhhh.
@whowantstogetnaked Re training, we've found these dogs quite smart but slow to mature mentally and quite incorrigible. Tippy did a lot of growing up once he was 3 years old. Minnie at 2 1/2 is still VERY young mentally. They will need constant gentle training from you about what you want them to 'announce'. TIppy used to bark at all birds, now he ID's the woodpecker we don't like that damages our tree and chases him away, but only him. Awesome dogs but born to be loud and mischievous!
@CdnFinkieGirl I am finding this out to be true also. Mine is a smart little dog but incorrigile is the right word. He is smart enough to get himself into trouble sometimes. He learns things extremely well through repeitition and it stays with him.
@CdnFinkieGirl I agree, these dogs will wander if off the leash. Mine has not been much of a digger but he is capable of it. Our back yard is fenced in and fairly large so he gets pretty he run around a bit everyday. They are extremely active dogs and require the same amount of activity you would give a collie. Not a good dog for apartment living. He gets along great with other dogs and loves the dog park where he can run all he likes and often comes home one tired but very happy dog.
@jimitl5 They really do respond to food treats, too lol. These guys have slipped off the leash or out the door sometimes, reallly enough to give you a heart attack when you are chasing them. Unfortunately, Minnie can't have the kennel cough vaccine so they don't spend much time at the dog park. So I'm jealous yours is getting better playtime than ours! (The vaccine GAVE her kennel cough when she was litle. Still not impressed about that one. )
@jimitl5 Our boy has a tender tummy and doesn't do well with anything with corn, wheat or rice in it. So he loves freeze dried liver! Minnie eats pretty much anything,whether you want her to or not LOL.
@crimsin03 That's just the doggy cost, we also paid the cost of flight, a kennel, and whatever vet costs/shots/certificates that the dogs needed at the time to transport them. Ours came from an awesome breeder in Texas, Tom Walker.
Hmm. Tough call. Ours came from Texas which has high heat but little humidity. They are very uncomfortable in high heat and humidity.
As long as they were indoors all the time (as doggies should be, unless they are being walked!), and had plenty of water if they went on a walk, they would probably be OK. They are happiest here when it is fall and winter - they adore the cold weather and this is when they really play.
how can you agree? I'm not out to be an ass here, i just reacted to you saying that dogs should be held indoors, and by agreeing unspecified you just say you are wrong. unless you agree that they are awesome though :) suomenpystykorva <3
@Merglith Well, I agree they are hunting dogs. I agree they are extremely active. They love to be outside playing in the cool weather. That's why they get 2 walks a day and lots of outdoor play time (supervised in a fenced in yard) with us. I agree they are not pillow-dogs, but they are "indoor dogs" by our definition - as in, they LIVE indoors with us vs. those poor dogs that people make live outside, which is very cruel in our climate. And of course, I agree they are awesome :)
@CdnFinkieGirl The other thing with these dogs - for anyone that doesn't have one - they are escape artists. They will leap over/dig under fences to chase mice or leaves. They need to be on leash when walked, or supervised in your yard unless yard is bulletproof. It is quite dangerous to have them loose in an urban environment, the hunting instinct can take over them in a flash and they will run into the street to chase something on the other side of it. We've had a few near misses.
@NarowAR07 Did you say you had a finnish bear dog - is that a Karelian Bear Dog? They are great too, we do not have the space (yet) for one but hopefully one day.....
Tough call. I think it varies with the breed. For Finnish Spitzes....our Tippy (the boy) is very affectionate with us, but reserved when we meet strangers. Minnie (the girl) loves everybody and is ultra affectionate. I sort of wish she was a little more like Tippy when it came to meeting people.
Minnie is quite a character overall - extremely outgoing. Tippy (the boy) is a bit easier to manage and more concerned about what we think.
Hey I am considering buying a Finnish Spitz in a few years time. Can anyone tell me what I should know about these dogs, other than that they bark a lot? Do they heave health issues? How long do they live? What is particular about this dog compared to others, intelligence, how much money you spend on them per year, food they like and stuff like that? I live in Europe so I can get a Finnish Spitz easily, even from Finland itself if I wish.
Dogs should be screened for hip/knee abnormalities, slight tendency to diabetes too. Generally healthy. Very, very smart, do NOT respond to military-style training methods. Bratty with wonderful sense of humour. NO doggie smell but lots of shedding. Long lived. MUST be kept in the house. Excellent watch dogs indoors. NOT guard dogs. Aloof with strangers, affectionate & protective with family & kids. Not great dog for first time owners IMHO since much patience required to train re barks.
Yes, personality wise they are as smart as poodles, but with more 'attitude' about training. I think a poodle would be a great first dog, and nothing saying a Finnish Spitz might not make a great 2nd addition in a few years :)
I hear they bark ALOT...I'm looking to own one in a few years. Is it reasonally controllable? I've had a 17 year old dalmation who used to bark at everything in sight so i'm quite used to it, just wondering, never know when you're gonna get that neighbor who complains too much.
Finnish Spitz are indoor dogs (like all dogs!), and they bark at EVERY event in the world, unless they are trained. They don't bark loud enough that anyone should complain...The key is to spend a lot of time training them when they are young, since they are BRED to bark, i.e. "barking bird dogs". They are telling you what they think you should know so ours, we say "thank you Tippy, that's enough" followed by "Enough!" if he doesn't stop. Works fine, but lots of work when puppies.
Thanks...this might be a little personal but what state are you in? I'm from Illinois and have never actually seen one up close so your detailed videos are about all I've had, are they tough to find?
I'm in Canada. You could contact Dr. Tom Walker, a breeder with decades of experience, located in Bastrop Texas. I would trust any dog he was willing to part with! He can ship all over USA & Canada. just google his name and "finnish spitz" and you'll find his website.
Hi I just got a new puppy (3 weeks) and he is very sweet. However he hates his crate and only barks when he is in it. He actually does not bark when I am around. Are there any suggestions to calm him down. My breeder recommended a shock collar and I was a little surprised.
1424austin 7 months ago
@1424austin This is a Finnish Spitz breeder that is recommending this? Unbelievable. Finnish Spitz are companion dogs. They want to be with you. They should not be crated, except in the case of an emergency. I would recommend NOT putting him in the crate, let him be with you and take him out for several short walks a day. They are very smart dogs and don't tend to be destructive. If you are concerned, maybe buy a few baby gates to keep him out of certain rooms when you aren't there.
CdnFinkieGirl 7 months ago
@1424austin Also, Finnish Spitz have been bred to bark for thousands of years. It is utterly irresponsible for a breeder to be recommending a shock collar of any kind. Good call on your part to question this. They are active dogs - the best way to deal with this is lots of little walks, and playtime. They are smart - ours play hide and seek! We found the best thing for Tippy was a second dog - they get their energy out through walks with us and playing with each other.
CdnFinkieGirl 7 months ago
@1424austin So sorry for spamming you - you can try to teach him the word "quiet" but it will be slow going as he is very young. Must be so gentle and softspoken when training these dogs. If you say "quiet" when the dog is barking and gently place your hands around his mouth, he will start to understand "quiet" has something to do with his mouth. When you take your hands away, if he doesn't bark, say "good quiet!!" and even give a little treat. Will take a long while but he will get it :)
CdnFinkieGirl 7 months ago
@CdnFinkieGirl I really really appreciate your advice so please feel free. I have enjoyed watching your videos and hope my little guy is as great as Tippy. I only use the crate so he learns to go potty outside, after that I would ideally enjoy him running around me. you have to tell me how they learn to play hide and seek that sounds great.
Oh and to be honest, my puppy only barks for a total of 1 to 2 hours a day. most of the time he is pretty quiet even with strangers and other dogs.
1424austin 7 months ago
@1424austin Glad to hear he is generally quiet - sounds like you have a good boy! I've been promising new videos for a while - so I just posted a video with some house training tips that worked for our doggies. Will post another one later with some general training tips. I'm trying to catch them playing hide and seek but they are getting camera shy - so maybe tomorrow! :)
CdnFinkieGirl 7 months ago
thinking about getting one...... i heard they bark alot.... do they bark at noise or suspicious stuff?? or just for the hell of it?
rsbro1 1 year ago
@rsbro1 Yes, yes and yes :) They like to bark when they are excited, when they see something, when they are awake, when they are happy, when they are not....you get the idea :) They are bad dogs to have if you do not have a good sense of humour about their willingness to bark. It is instinctive. They are bred for it. Their senses of smell and sight and sound are extremely keen and they are very alert and playful but definitely noisy.
CdnFinkieGirl 1 year ago
@CdnFinkieGirl easy to train?
hawker800FO 1 year ago
@hawker800FO Very, very smart dogs. Not overly interested in training. Impossible to train for off leash in a city area - too many distractions and very dangerous as they have super keen hunting instincts. Can train with bribery to do tricks, etc. (see my other videos) Couldn't see training them out of excitement barking, but you can train to calm down more quickly than if left own their own. Hard to train them to ignore interesting distractions....IMHO not a good dog if 1st time owner...
CdnFinkieGirl 1 year ago
wow you're so lucky!
it's my dream to have one of those dogs :(
where i am, there are none available.
it's so sad!
your dogs are so beautiful! :D
ellythemagnificent 1 year ago
@ellythemagnificent Thanks very much - we think we are very lucky too !!
CdnFinkieGirl 1 year ago
will they fight with other dogs????
TheBlasthockey 1 year ago
@TheBlasthockey They are not by nature aggressive but they WILL defend themselves if they need to. They have playdates with beagles, labs, australian cattle dog and australian shepherd. When Minnie was really tiny she marched up to this big old King German Shepard and bit him on the toe. It was hilarious. The old dog just stared at her, he obviously knew she was a puppy. They did become friends. Breeder says not recommended to have 2 male Finkies in the same household, M/F works well.
CdnFinkieGirl 1 year ago
@CdnFinkieGirl They definitle will defend themselves and are quite capable of doing it. A little rough play at the dog park is fine with him but when a larger dog gets too aggressive I have seen him get in the offending dogs face and stand his ground and I have seen him do this with dogs much larger than him.
jimitl5 1 year ago
@TheBlasthockey Mine gets along great with other dogs and really enjoys the dog park. He likes to play with the more active dogs, the ones who will run and chase. A little rough play is fine with him also.
jimitl5 1 year ago
do they bark a lot? is it easy to train them to stop barking? that's kind of one of the reasons I'm thinking twice about getting them. That and the "escape artist "thing.
whowantstogetnaked 1 year ago
@whowantstogetnaked YES, they are 'barking bird dogs', bred to bark. Some can bark 100 X minute. YES they are escape artists. They are dangerous dogs to have in city - you cannot let them off leash, they will run. They will dig under a fence to chase whatever catches their fancy. Lovely temperments, but they are an energetic sporting breed. If barking bothers you - they are not the right dog. They can be trained to bark less, but will always be a noisy, fun-loving breed.....
CdnFinkieGirl 1 year ago
@CdnFinkieGirl yeah that's a lot of barking. I'm reading up on them to see if I can eliminate the barking with training before I even get them. It's not so much about me, although I prefer quiet too, it's the neighbours too. Everything you said made it a perfect dog i.e. the temperament, energetic sporty dog but there has to be a way to make them shhhh.
whowantstogetnaked 1 year ago
@whowantstogetnaked Re training, we've found these dogs quite smart but slow to mature mentally and quite incorrigible. Tippy did a lot of growing up once he was 3 years old. Minnie at 2 1/2 is still VERY young mentally. They will need constant gentle training from you about what you want them to 'announce'. TIppy used to bark at all birds, now he ID's the woodpecker we don't like that damages our tree and chases him away, but only him. Awesome dogs but born to be loud and mischievous!
CdnFinkieGirl 1 year ago
@CdnFinkieGirl I am finding this out to be true also. Mine is a smart little dog but incorrigile is the right word. He is smart enough to get himself into trouble sometimes. He learns things extremely well through repeitition and it stays with him.
jimitl5 1 year ago
@CdnFinkieGirl I agree, these dogs will wander if off the leash. Mine has not been much of a digger but he is capable of it. Our back yard is fenced in and fairly large so he gets pretty he run around a bit everyday. They are extremely active dogs and require the same amount of activity you would give a collie. Not a good dog for apartment living. He gets along great with other dogs and loves the dog park where he can run all he likes and often comes home one tired but very happy dog.
jimitl5 1 year ago
@jimitl5 They really do respond to food treats, too lol. These guys have slipped off the leash or out the door sometimes, reallly enough to give you a heart attack when you are chasing them. Unfortunately, Minnie can't have the kennel cough vaccine so they don't spend much time at the dog park. So I'm jealous yours is getting better playtime than ours! (The vaccine GAVE her kennel cough when she was litle. Still not impressed about that one. )
CdnFinkieGirl 1 year ago
@CdnFinkieGirl Oddly enough mine will turn up his nose at some treats. Its has to be the right type. He is just a little finicky that way.
jimitl5 1 year ago
@jimitl5 Our boy has a tender tummy and doesn't do well with anything with corn, wheat or rice in it. So he loves freeze dried liver! Minnie eats pretty much anything,whether you want her to or not LOL.
CdnFinkieGirl 1 year ago
can any 1 tell me how much a finnish spiz would cost
crimsin03 1 year ago
@crimsin03 usually anywhere from $500 to $1,000, depends on the breeder, male or female, and whether you intend to spay or neuter.
CdnFinkieGirl 1 year ago
@CdnFinkieGirl total?
crimsin03 1 year ago
@crimsin03 That's just the doggy cost, we also paid the cost of flight, a kennel, and whatever vet costs/shots/certificates that the dogs needed at the time to transport them. Ours came from an awesome breeder in Texas, Tom Walker.
CdnFinkieGirl 1 year ago
@CdnFinkieGirl omg!
500-1000? thats a lot.
b2stajnyoseob 1 year ago
That squeaky toy is so adorable!
stefer23 2 years ago
@stefer23 Yes, the 'tail' on it just makes us laugh whenever we throw it for them. We actually bought two of those toys in case one got eaten :)
CdnFinkieGirl 2 years ago
hey, do you think i can raise this breed in south east asia?
NewbornZz 2 years ago
Hmm. Tough call. Ours came from Texas which has high heat but little humidity. They are very uncomfortable in high heat and humidity.
As long as they were indoors all the time (as doggies should be, unless they are being walked!), and had plenty of water if they went on a walk, they would probably be OK. They are happiest here when it is fall and winter - they adore the cold weather and this is when they really play.
CdnFinkieGirl 2 years ago
haha.. then i'll just turn on the air conditioner xD
NewbornZz 2 years ago
This are hunting dogs, and they are exremely active, they are not your indoor pillow-dog. On the other hand I love this breed, they are awesome!
Merglith 2 years ago
@Merglith - Agreed!
CdnFinkieGirl 2 years ago
how can you agree? I'm not out to be an ass here, i just reacted to you saying that dogs should be held indoors, and by agreeing unspecified you just say you are wrong. unless you agree that they are awesome though :) suomenpystykorva <3
Merglith 2 years ago
@Merglith Well, I agree they are hunting dogs. I agree they are extremely active. They love to be outside playing in the cool weather. That's why they get 2 walks a day and lots of outdoor play time (supervised in a fenced in yard) with us. I agree they are not pillow-dogs, but they are "indoor dogs" by our definition - as in, they LIVE indoors with us vs. those poor dogs that people make live outside, which is very cruel in our climate. And of course, I agree they are awesome :)
CdnFinkieGirl 2 years ago
@CdnFinkieGirl The other thing with these dogs - for anyone that doesn't have one - they are escape artists. They will leap over/dig under fences to chase mice or leaves. They need to be on leash when walked, or supervised in your yard unless yard is bulletproof. It is quite dangerous to have them loose in an urban environment, the hunting instinct can take over them in a flash and they will run into the street to chase something on the other side of it. We've had a few near misses.
CdnFinkieGirl 2 years ago
then i understand what you are trying to say, and then we completely agree :)
Merglith 2 years ago
they are a finnish breed witch lies in northern europe so that why they love cold weather ;D
NarowAR07 2 years ago
@NarowAR07 Did you say you had a finnish bear dog - is that a Karelian Bear Dog? They are great too, we do not have the space (yet) for one but hopefully one day.....
CdnFinkieGirl 2 years ago
yea karelian ;D i wish you good luck :)
NarowAR07 2 years ago
I really Want to get a Finnish Spitz when I'm older.
They just sound like the perfect kind of dog for me.
And I LOVE the color.
They're just So adorable.
tenten35 2 years ago
Glad to hear it! Yes they are adorable, but I am more than slightly biased :)
CdnFinkieGirl 2 years ago
Hey and is it better to get a bitch instead of a dog? I heard they are less independent and more loving.
DrAtoda 2 years ago
Tough call. I think it varies with the breed. For Finnish Spitzes....our Tippy (the boy) is very affectionate with us, but reserved when we meet strangers. Minnie (the girl) loves everybody and is ultra affectionate. I sort of wish she was a little more like Tippy when it came to meeting people.
Minnie is quite a character overall - extremely outgoing. Tippy (the boy) is a bit easier to manage and more concerned about what we think.
CdnFinkieGirl 2 years ago
Thank you for your time. One last thing please post more videos of your Finnish Spitzes as they are wonderful to watch, especially when they play.
DrAtoda 2 years ago
Hey I am considering buying a Finnish Spitz in a few years time. Can anyone tell me what I should know about these dogs, other than that they bark a lot? Do they heave health issues? How long do they live? What is particular about this dog compared to others, intelligence, how much money you spend on them per year, food they like and stuff like that? I live in Europe so I can get a Finnish Spitz easily, even from Finland itself if I wish.
DrAtoda 2 years ago
Dogs should be screened for hip/knee abnormalities, slight tendency to diabetes too. Generally healthy. Very, very smart, do NOT respond to military-style training methods. Bratty with wonderful sense of humour. NO doggie smell but lots of shedding. Long lived. MUST be kept in the house. Excellent watch dogs indoors. NOT guard dogs. Aloof with strangers, affectionate & protective with family & kids. Not great dog for first time owners IMHO since much patience required to train re barks.
CdnFinkieGirl 2 years ago
I see so maybe it's best for me to get a poodle as I had some experience with dogs before but I personally never owned one.
DrAtoda 2 years ago
Yes, personality wise they are as smart as poodles, but with more 'attitude' about training. I think a poodle would be a great first dog, and nothing saying a Finnish Spitz might not make a great 2nd addition in a few years :)
CdnFinkieGirl 2 years ago
I hear they bark ALOT...I'm looking to own one in a few years. Is it reasonally controllable? I've had a 17 year old dalmation who used to bark at everything in sight so i'm quite used to it, just wondering, never know when you're gonna get that neighbor who complains too much.
juicie223 2 years ago
Finnish Spitz are indoor dogs (like all dogs!), and they bark at EVERY event in the world, unless they are trained. They don't bark loud enough that anyone should complain...The key is to spend a lot of time training them when they are young, since they are BRED to bark, i.e. "barking bird dogs". They are telling you what they think you should know so ours, we say "thank you Tippy, that's enough" followed by "Enough!" if he doesn't stop. Works fine, but lots of work when puppies.
CdnFinkieGirl 2 years ago
Thanks...this might be a little personal but what state are you in? I'm from Illinois and have never actually seen one up close so your detailed videos are about all I've had, are they tough to find?
juicie223 2 years ago
I'm in Canada. You could contact Dr. Tom Walker, a breeder with decades of experience, located in Bastrop Texas. I would trust any dog he was willing to part with! He can ship all over USA & Canada. just google his name and "finnish spitz" and you'll find his website.
CdnFinkieGirl 2 years ago
Thank you very much for your help and great job with your dogs.
juicie223 2 years ago
my neighbor loves when she does it and its so unique because no other dog will make that sound
xxinsanityxxms 2 years ago
i love the yoddle noise they make and their finkey sprawls i have a finnish spitz and i love her
xxinsanityxxms 2 years ago
me too! our little girl can really yodle when she gets excited and it always cracks up whoever is in earshot.
CdnFinkieGirl 2 years ago
Thanks - they sure keep us busy :)
CdnFinkieGirl 3 years ago
Cute dogs!
MiseryFukkz 3 years ago