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Original poster

Grumpy JRT

36 replies

saggyhairyarse · 28/02/2010 22:15

My JRT puppy is 5 months old now and for the most part is pretty easy going dog. I have 3 children and he is woken up at 6am, played with and stimulated nearly all day and he is well exercised.

He is pretty obedient and picks up things quickly and he does know he is at the bottom of the pecking order.

The only 'problem' is that he is very grumpy in the evenings and growls at the kids. He doesn't do anything other than growl. As soon as he has had enough he gets sent to bed which is in a crate in my utility room but he will then growl if you go in the room (he does get told to be quite) but the fridge and downstairs loo are in there so we do need access.

Is the best thing just to tell him to be quiet and ignore him?

OP posts:
Bella32 · 28/02/2010 22:20

Sound like he's knackered after all that and needs a rest, tbh. 5 month old pups need quite a lot of rest and quiet time during the day, and all dogs need to be able to get away from children.

What do you do to let him know he is bottom in the pecking order, and why?

Original poster
saggyhairyarse · 28/02/2010 22:25

Well just by that I mean I am quite strict with him about jumping up at the kids (adults as well) and that sort of thing. He knows 'down' because he was trained with treats so if he gets excited by their play and jumps up he is told 'down', same for if they are eating, he is not allowed to jump up/beg.

Likewise, kids are being trained too! Just am resisting the urge to baby him and treat him like a dog and getting the kids to understand that too

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Bella32 · 28/02/2010 22:32

Quite right - he is not a baby. He is, however, a relatively young puppy who needs lots of rest and the opportunity to retreat from children whose company is not always appreciated.

Original poster
saggyhairyarse · 28/02/2010 22:36

Yes, and so with regard to the growling thing, is it best to just put him in his crate and ignore it (obviously that is his own space so when he is the crate the kids don't bother him) as he might growl if we need to get the milk out.

I suppose I am wondering if I should just ignore him or tell him off/be worrying about it more?

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MrsL123 · 28/02/2010 22:38

I'd agree that he's probably needing more rest - at 5 months they usually spend an awful lot of time asleep and being played with and stimulated all day isn't good for them. I also wouldn't recommend waking him up in the mornings (let him wake up of his own accord) and would put him back in the crate at mid-morning and mid-afternoon for an hour or so, to nap in peace. You can give him a kong or a chew to keep him entertained while he's in there, if he doesn't want to sleep. Again, let him wake up of his own accord rather than waking him up.

Is it possible for you to move his crate somewhere quieter where he wouldn't be disturbed? His crate should be his safe 'do not disturb' place, so people walking past when he's trying to rest will is bound to make him a bit grumpy. Failing that, covering the crate on three sides (i.e. leaving one end open) can make him feel more secure in it, because it makes it more den like. Make a point of not going into the room for half an hour or so after he's been put to bed, and then being extra quiet if you have to go in - then he probably won't wake up at all.

Although I agree that you shouldn't baby him, remember he is very young. Like a toddler really - lack of sleep = tantrums!

Bella32 · 28/02/2010 22:45

I would definitely ignore the growling rather than tell him off (assuming you can't move the crate somewhere quieter). Telling him off may reinforce his fear/anxiety and make the situation escalate.

Agree with MrsL's post, and do make sure the crate is never used in a negatve way. If he misbehaves, ignore him: don't put him straight in the crate. It must be a place which has good associations for him.

Do make sure he gets lots of rest time. Let him sleep as long as he needs, don't over-exercise him (2x10 minute walks is ample at this age).

The growling is his way of telling you he is unhappy. Changing his routine and allowing him more rest should remedy that, but if it doesn't then seek the advice of a qualified behaviourist.

HTH

Original poster
saggyhairyarse · 28/02/2010 22:46

He does sleep at approximately those times when I do the school run which takes me 45 minutes (car journey so don't walk him then).

There isn't anywhere else the crate can go as have 3 kids in 3 bed house and every room has something going on but will deffo try covering the crate.

OP posts:
Bella32 · 28/02/2010 22:48

I'd expect him to sleep maybe 3 x 2 hours a day. A lot more than 2 x 45 minutes anyway

Original poster
saggyhairyarse · 28/02/2010 22:53

No, we don't use the crate in a negative way I don't think. Have been seeing it as his space to go to sleep/feel safe. To be honest, not really had to tell him off about much as he has trained easily. Was just wondering about the growling as have been ignoring it but wondered if should be doing more/different.

The books I have read don't tell you what, if anything, to do when your tireddog growlsin his bed when you go for a wee/pint of milk!

Thanks for advice re crate etc

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Original poster
saggyhairyarse · 28/02/2010 22:55

Oh poor boy, no, I don't think he sleeps that much!!!!

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Bella32 · 28/02/2010 22:55

That's okay - I was just referring to what you said about sending him to bed when he's had enough.

Minimu is awesome for advice - she's a professional behaviourist.

Keep us posted

Bella32 · 28/02/2010 22:56

And MrsL is very lovely

Original poster
saggyhairyarse · 28/02/2010 22:58
Smile
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MrsL123 · 28/02/2010 22:59

You could also give him a bed in a quiet corner of the lounge (something like one of these soft 'kennel' types) and telling the children than if he's in the bed, play time is over and he needs to be left alone to sleep.

It's also worth leaving the crate open all the time, so he can take himself to bed if he gets fed up or tired during the day.

MrsL123 · 28/02/2010 23:00

Uh oh, bella wants something!

Original poster
saggyhairyarse · 28/02/2010 23:00

Well, not in 'go to your bed' because he is grumpy. Am aware that he is tired so we take him through in a nice way and just give him a break from the mad house.

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2old4thislark · 28/02/2010 23:05

I have 2 JRT and am still learning. AT his age he should be sleeping a lot more. They usually have a bout of activity and then sleep for at least an hour. Or if you are taking him out for 2 long walks a say, he would sleep the rest of the time.

I am doing one-to-one training at the moment with my naughty one. If they do a behaviour you don't like, apparently you then ask for a behaviour you want (like asit) and treat that.

So maybe when he growls - you ask him to sit and then treat him. As I say, stil learning here.!

Original poster
saggyhairyarse · 28/02/2010 23:05

I think I got off to wrong start by saying he is bottom of the pecking order...I have read a bit on dog behaviour and have taken on board the pack leader approach, so he knows that I am the boss and is pretty obedient. I have trained him with positive re-enforcement (sp?) and treats and we have our little routines like he sits while I put food down and waits and doesn't rush in for food, that kind of thing.

He is part of the family, we are kind to him,he is cute!

OP posts:
Original poster
saggyhairyarse · 28/02/2010 23:08

Yes, crate open all the time and he does goin there and we do leave him be when he goes in.

OP posts:
Original poster
saggyhairyarse · 28/02/2010 23:11

I think he needs longer sleeps and an earlier bedtime.

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Bella32 · 01/03/2010 06:37

5 month old JRT pups are very cute, IME

Bella32 · 01/03/2010 07:02

And no, MrsL - I don't want anything.

I just speak as I find.

Gets me into a heck of a lot of trouble sometimes, but that's just me

Bella32 · 01/03/2010 07:03

p.s. hope the teeth in the grin emoticon aren't too bright for ya

Anguis · 01/03/2010 08:09

Only read OP, but my JRT does that too. He is extremely obedient and deferential to the humans in the household but I did worry when he was young that he was challenging the children for position and might bite.

I do think you have to keep up with the obedience training as a matter of routine, to constantly reinforce good behavour. But overwhelmingly I think that JRTs are just very socially sensitive dogs that really need time out from social interaction so that they can really rest without worry about the people/dogs around them. In the evening when the dog is tired I think he has to feel sure he had his own space. That menas reminding the children to leave him alone, giving him a secure resting place where he won't be disturbed.

I really did wrry about the growling when my dog was young, but I have since learnt that he is just very vocal, very expressive, and that the rumbly little growls are a part of his communication repetiore that don't amount to a challenge.

Anguis · 01/03/2010 08:14

My dog adores his crate for the very reason that he knows he is left alone completely there. But I also have a dog basket in the living room that is completely enclosed, like a little igloo. It is right in a corner and veery den-like. And I have a blanket over the crate to make it den-like too.