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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is this dog a PITA?

13 replies

happyhearts · 27/07/2024 20:22

Long story short I agreed to look after my sisters dog while she went on holiday for 2 weeks.
however she just wants CONSTANT attention
wants to play ball all the time and just drops a ball at my feet or runs around barking at flies, trees the neighbours noises literally anything. Or is it me? I do feel sorry for her as I know she will be missing my sister but I don’t know how to get through this barking and whining for 2 weeks.

OP posts:
WiddlinDiddlin · 27/07/2024 20:27

This dog has been let down badly by the person who supposedly cares for her.

They should have made sure she was well trained, happy to relax and ignore noises, not anxious and easily over-aroused.

She may well be being a PITA to you, but it is because she's struggling to cope, not just with missing your sister but her entirely world has changed, she doesn't know why, or that it's only temporary.

Don't let her outside unsupervised.
Take her out (ideally on a long line clipped to a harness if you have either, so you can bring her in without chasing or shouting), armed with high value treats.

Pair every noise with a treat, make like this is the best thing on earth, don't wait to see if she can shut up or not bark, you're trying to classically condition her that noises = treats, to change her underlying emotions.

This can work quite quickly if you're consistent with it... but it will be intense for a few days.

When she looks happy about noises, you can start to drop the rate of reinforcement somewhat so she does a sit or looks up at you for some of the treats and some are still 'free'.

Really, this is something your sister should have done a long time ago, but it's you and your neighbours and the dog who are suffering right now and this is the only way to address it that doesn't involve unpleasant aversives and a high risk of 'fall-out', ie unwanted side effects.

cupcaske123 · 27/07/2024 20:28

Give her two massive walks and get one of those ball thrower things and make her run and fetch for a while. See if that helps.

BabySnarkDoDoo · 27/07/2024 20:29

How old and what breed? If it's a guarding breed some level of barking at the outside world is always going to be expected.

Sunnydiary · 27/07/2024 20:30

cupcaske123 · 27/07/2024 20:28

Give her two massive walks and get one of those ball thrower things and make her run and fetch for a while. See if that helps.

This!

How much exercise are you giving the dog @happyhearts ?

They sound bored.

Theunamedcat · 27/07/2024 20:31

Buy an auto ball thrower

Freeze treats or put them in a puzzle so the dog has to work it out

Basically keep the dog busy

happyhearts · 27/07/2024 20:34

Thank you for that advise.
i really appreciate it.
I think she is really anxious and has spotted it before but obviously don’t spend this much time with her and now it’s clear how difficult she is but my sister is always saying how amazing she is. I can’t believe the neighbours haven’t complained I keep having to put her inside which I feel bad about as it’s been quite nice today but her barking is ear piercing.

OP posts:
happyhearts · 27/07/2024 20:36

I might try to get a ball thrower actually good idea.
im walking her twice a day. But she literally runs around the garden barking at flies and air.

OP posts:
Bustedpoon · 27/07/2024 20:37

Yappy lockdown spaniel cross perchance?

happyhearts · 27/07/2024 20:56

A lockdown terrier 🤦🏼‍♀️

OP posts:
happyhearts · 27/07/2024 20:56

But yes very yappy 🤣

OP posts:
BabySnarkDoDoo · 27/07/2024 22:08

If she's food oriented, hiding treats around the house or garden for her to find will give her a job to do. Another good one is to tie a larger chew treat in a blanket or towel so she has to work to untie it.

XenoBitch · 27/07/2024 22:22

Teach her a fun new trick. It will get her brain working, give her a "job", and help her bond a bit with you too. Will also be a fun surprise for your sister too.

Floralnomad · 27/07/2024 22:25

Take all balls away in the house and garden and only let her have them when you are actually on a walk or want to play in the garden . Our patterdale x was like this with balls and even now he’s pretty old and decrepit he still can’t settle if there is a ball in the house .

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