Seriously manic dog - advice needed, please!

[overthehill]

Our dog is about a year old & we got him from the RSPCA about six weeks ago. He's very appealing but has some really bad habits, and gets easily over excited. Tonight I went to pick up ds from cubs & all the boys were racing round afterwards, which made him frantic as he wanted to join in. He was pulling me all over the place & at one point grabbed hold of a boy by the shoulder, bruising his arm quite badly, although luckily not breaking the skin. This caused a great deal of commotion, as you can imagine, with the cub leader coming to investigate, & I felt absolutely terrible: worried about the boy, embarrassed because I know the mum, angry at the dog for doing it & at myself for not being able to control him and a bit irritated at the mum & cub leader for making out he was vicious & I was irresponsible & didn't know how to handle dogs (we had our old one for 14 years).

I've decided that next week I'll have to fasten him to the railings away from where the children racket about, but any tips on how to stop him becoming so over excited would be gratefully received. We've tried things like choke chains (put off by a lady telling us that her dog literally choked on one ) & head collars - only he bit through that .

He's also got other bad habits such as chewing anything in sight, but our old dog did that when he was young & just grew out of it, so that's just about manageable at present.

I feel we can't just hope that he becomes more sensible as he gets older & do nothing as this sort of thing could have potentially very serious consequences & we could end up being forced to have him put down .

puppy classes?

Maybe get him neutered?

Hi we got a dog from dgos trust on sat!
we have just had similar thing happen, last coule of days he started this 'rough play' thing where he gets excited and nibbles/small playful bites and he did it to our daughter who is almost 4 leaving marks on her back and arm (but not breaking skin)but obviously she was a bit frightend. rang behaviourist and they said it just down to training and they see kids as playmates because they are small etc, have to isolate them each time they do it and tell them firmly 'no' until they realise its not a game. were going to give it a go and taking him to dog classes so hope he calms down

get a halti and a water spray.

he will need to wear the halti whenever you go out, if he gets jumpy or pulls at your you give a short sharp tug and bring him back to heel.
if he continues after a few days then take the water spray with you. when he jumps up give a quick quirt of water into his face as well as teh tug back to heel.

hopefully it will be enough of a distraction to stop him jumping up and he will soon associatethe behaviour with the squirt and therefore not do it as much.

He needs to learn that he can not behave like this. He is doing it to get attention and so far he is winning. You need to set up some situations with him in different environments where he can start to learn that he will not "win" until he behaves appropriately.
eg - invite a couple of dog happy friends over to your house. Let them in and dog bounces everywhere. Everyone - you included, totally ignore the dog, no commands, no eye contact, nothing....until he gets fed up of bouncing because it is acheiving nothing at all - not even a telling off. Once he is starting to behave one person to gradually start with eye contact and a very gentle calm voice "good boy". He is likely to just start bouncing again for the first while after that happens and as soon as he does then straight away withdraw all the attention again until he calms down. You will eventually be able to move onto a gentle head rub and maybe a belly fuss in time. It will not take him too many attempts to realise if he wants this attention he will have to behave for it. So long as the reward comes when he is good he will start to learn to calm down.

It is of course much harder for now though to avoid times like the visit to pick up your son. Avoid these sorts of situations as much as you can. At times where you simply can not affort to turn your back (eg biting off a scouts arm ) then start to use very specific commands - eg jumping up at people is probably better not taught as "Down" as most dogs would use that to lie down, but better command is "off". Perhaps also use a hand signal with it so you have another option if you are in a noisy room. It still takes time for these sorts of commands to be learned but always reward when they are done. If he just happens to do something that is good, give the command you would use for it and praise him anyway - another way of positive re-inforcement.

Plenty of exercise is needed for dogs like this. Wearing them out on long walks goes a huge way forwards to better behaviour. Re chewing - lots of toys that he is allowed is a good start, if you catch him chewing a firm No! then give him a toy and praise him for taking that instead. Rawhide chews or stuffable Kong toys are great for longer term distraction too. Bitter Apple spray is also great for many dogs to stop chewing too - most (sadly not all) hate the taste of it and you spray it on shoes, table legs etc etc to discourage the starting of chewing. Most vets or petshops will sell this.

If you are still struggling with all this then speak with your vet about behaviour referral. There are people who can give you a HUGE amount more help with this and get you and your dog living a happy life together.

good luck

Thanks for the advice so far - & do keep it coming (although I'm going to bed soon). Mamazon, we bought a halti on the vet's recommendation, but he just kept pushing the first one off. Got a smaller size & he bit it in two , so gave up on that idea. The water spray idea sounds worth considering, though.

Beautifulgirls, I think the exercise thing is part of the key to it as he'd not had a lot & does tend to be much more badly behaved when this is the case due to pent up energy. Trouble is, he's too strong for the dc's to handle, dh says he's too old & so it's down to me. That's one reason why I don't want to leave him at home when I'm picking up ds as it's a time when you can kill 2 birds with one stone.

He is intelligent so does learn commands quite quickly, & does get told to get down when he jumps up ("down!" as opposed to "lie down!"). The trouble is - & I'm just as bad with the dc's - I tend to shout commands at him when he's wound up & that makes him even worse - although I did read somewhere that commands do need to be really firm, but I will try to ignore him & see if that helps.

At home we have taken to tying him up on his lead round the stairs to calm him down & that does seem to work.

Bitter Apple Spray sounds like a good idea as he loves chewing the kitchen chairs - with the result that one at least looks as though it might not last much longer....and he's also chewed the upholstery on another (admittedly not very glamorous) & had a go at a footstool - that was on the settee to try & prevent him jumping up!

I do remember the dog we first had when I was a child: he was like a wild animal with strangers & had to be put down after escaping and biting my best friend, also a girl down the road , so I know it's important not to let things get out of hand.

MamaG, he was neutered as one of the conditions of taking him on.

oh I really hope you manage to calm him down, It can be really overwhelming can't it. YOu want to give them a lovely home and be part of the family but it is a massive responsibility and the kids get so attached, I am already feeling ovewhelemd by it all after just four days.
I want one of those shakers they use on TV but dont where to get them from? I have seen clickers but they dont look like they would do much, just hope we both get somewhere with training classes

We had a bit of a problem with our pesky Jack Russell Puppy.

We saw a behaviourist and she thought the chewing was down to regular exercise and plenty of toys/bones that he is allowed to chew.

Our dog hates change of routine and desperately needs to know what is coming next. Eg when we had the kitchen fitted he was then allowed upstairs in the living room (he's not normally allowed there) so he started chewing and weeing everywhere. Once back downstairs he was able to signal at the back door he wanted to go out and the chewing stopped.

He sleeps in his cage at night -and now puts himself to bed! and we also use the cage when we go out without him as we can't trust that he won't chew when we are out. He likes the cage as it gives him security.

It's still really eary days with your new dog. I would try to establish a routine with him over the next few days/week so he knows what to expect and when. As other posters have said, reward good behaviour (praise worked with our dog. Treats didn't bother him at all!) and ignore bad/antisocial behaviour (our dog would jump on people and lick their mouths which ds thought was fab until I told him that 'Stanley licks his bum with that tongue!!')
Good luck!

I have heard loads about thesee cages? our dog is a saluki he is skinny but quite big (a smallish greyhound) do you think its safe and okay to leave him in a cage? how long can you leave them in it for? I know someone who leave dog in it all day while at work but goes home at lunchtime to let him out in garden for toilet etc

He sleeps in his cage otherwise we come down to a wrecked room in the morning. He chewed through a light cable whilst in the kitchen, skirting boards, chair and table legs

We also bought the cage as a refuge for him as our son is still quite young and knows he's not allowed in the cage.

He's shut in at night/if we go out. They are in the garden if we go out for long periods of time.

It has worked for us and he travels in the cage in the car (he used to leap over the seats to the front seat VVVVVVV. dangerous whilst on the motorway!) and sleeps in it if we stay at other people's houses.

Sorry if I am repeating - off to bed and haven't read the rest of the replies: One or two massive daily walks with lots of racing about in the park fetching balls or playing with other dogs might get rid of the manic energy. The difference in my dog when she has been out and when she hasn't is like Jekyll and Hyde.

What is he eating? Some foods can make dogs hyperactive.

Have only skimmed so apologies if I'm being repetitive.

Make sure he's the lowest member of the pack. Loved but lowest is best for him as well as you. Always feed him last and don't leave food down. If you play any 'tug' games, never let dog win. Kids shouldn't roll around on the floor with the dog.

re food - dog trainer told us that too much protein can lead to behaviour problems, so make sure you're giving an appropriate mix.

If you can, it might be worth having a one-on-one session with a dog trainer - I would imagine the RSPCA should be able to put you in touch with someone appropriate. [do they have any themselves? I should have thought they want the rehome to be successful]

hi there
what kind of dog is it, i have an english bull terrier who is about 3yrs old, he lives in the kitchen and has a cage where he sleeps at night with the door open. we got him at 6mths and has always been very boystruss and loves jumping about, he see's the kitchen as his terrioty, when i have to cook he nibbles my ankels, when any1 else comes in they think he is bitting but this is far from it as a bite from this dog would result in him locking his jaw, all i do is fill a tin, jar or tub with pennies or screws / nails shake it loud and say no in a firm voice, when he backs down i pat him and tell him he is good. people are very missinformed about this bread of dog as they have a bad name, but they are very loving and good natured, it's the ower's not the dog. although he comes in very usfull when shoping at bussy markets as people side step giving us a clear route making shopping easy, my i also add i have a 3yr old ds who plays with him all the time, he could pull or hit the dog and he never retaliates back. so i hope the tin thing helps

A cage for my JRTx has been an absolute godsend in my house - it is 'her' space, away from the kids, she eats and sleeps in there and has her toys/chews etc - Argos or Petsmart sell them - definitely recommend them. Also helps tremendously with house training and prevents any chewing or general destruction! My dog has house rules we stick to - ie if she whines for attention we ignore her, when in her cage she is to be left alone (ie no poking fingers through or feeding treats etc) and it works brilliantly.

Have just bought her a halti collar - ie a wrap around black material collar that goes around her mouth/nose and fastens to her collar and around the back of the neck. She no longer pulls on the lead we have complete control - after all the most sensitive part of a dog's body is its nose.

Justjules you story almost made me cry.
he seems to be getting better each day, hopefully the weeekly training will help things even more, he is very good boy though really, just the jumping up and rough play stuff I want to manage. We are takling him out into the garden or another room whenever he does it which makes him cry , he is a big softy.
he isn't chewing furniture thank god, he just makes a bit of a mess whn were come back from work, shoes and clothes are all over the place but he doesn't damage anything. The only thing he seems to have damages is one nof the curtains which are on the patio door and I think he got caught up in it whilst running into the garden.
As for the cage thing, I think he is too big for one, I can see a Jack russe or something is fine but not a saluki, although it does seem be a good idea

oh dear i am feeling like taking him back at the moment, I just dont think we have the lifesyle to keep him its not far, neighbourshave said he cries/howls when we leave him nd we both work ull time so he is left quite a lot. I do come home as often s i can and in the last week of having him i actually came home everyday during the day but he till struggles.
He is adorable and a good boy but this roughplay is worrying me and he has had my newphew in tears today and my daughter in tears twice and that just in 1 week. he needs alot of attention and although i love taking him for a walk every evening we do work full time, we do have a four year old and we are a busy household and I feel guilty everytime i leave the house. I think he might be better off with another owner has more time for him

chocolatemummy: You can get a large crate/cage for him which will ensure he has his own space and he feels safe. You've got to remember its a big thing for him coming to live with you - quite daunting and scary. A cage will also ensure he can't destroy anything. How old is your dog?

With regards to the howling/barking etc - I wouldn't worry too much about that - he'll soon get bored of doing it if he's not getting any response from anyone - they do it for attention (like kids!) and so long as you don't give him that attention he'll give up. Have you tried leaving a radio on fairly loud - so that he doesn't feel like he's been left alone?

Working full-time with a dog isn't ideal - some dogs don't mind being left, others hate it but if you're popping home at midday that's as good as work part-time.

Is he getting a good walk in the morning before being left? You really need to tire him out. Have you bought him a Kong? It's a very hard rubber toy which you can fill up with treats to keep him busy.

we havent taken him for a walk in the mornings, we dont have time but when we get up in the mroing we open th back door and he can run around the garden for about 1 1/2 hours 7-08.45 and we take him for a good walk in evening, I just dont know and we dont have anyone who can help look aftr him i we go away or out in the evening and I feel very trapped

It's a difficult one this but because he is a largish dog he will have plenty of energy and you really do need to try and get him out for a good walk in the mornings - I know time is tight in the mornings but he needs that exercise and stimulation (smells, excitement, meeting other dogs etc etc) in order to wear him out and hopefully sleep whilst you're at work.

Is he a young dog? Have you had him neutered?

If you really think you can't cope you must consider taking him back to the DT - they would take him back no problem and would, I'm sure, rather have him back than you or him be unhappy.

As regards the playfighting - that's normal - you've just got to give him a firm 'NO!' or use a rolled up newspaper and tap him on the end of his nose so he knows when he's gone too far. He'll see everything and everyone as a toy.

What background did he have before coming home with you? Was he a stray, for example?

he is large and he is young (about 2) he was stray so they didnt know much about him. he IS a good dog and will be an amazing companion for someone but he does need that attention and time that i dont think we have got, I have taken him out todya for two good walk but cant do that during the week with a three yer old and cat and full time job I am too knackered

I'd not hesitate about getting a behaviourist referral - they'll do the first consultation by phone, send you stuff to read and see how you get on before you have to take the dog in - belive me it is better to nip this stuff in the bud early rather than wait until a crisis occurs. I say this from desperately sad experience.

Very best of luck.

In the meantime, I recommend the 3 golden rules:

1. Reward good behaviour (with treats/praise)
2. IGNORE bad behaviour
3. Interrupt behaviour that is dangerous (by distraction or restraint)

And I would avoid situations where you cannot control interactions with other humans/dogs until you have the dog totally under control.

Lastly - do not give ANY attention to your dog unless he is sitting or lying calmly. He will learn very quickly that inappropriate behaviour gets no attention.

LDMH - excellent advice.