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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Need help with the one year old Staffie X who was meant to be 'perfect'

22 replies

Knickers0nMyHead · 05/10/2010 19:56

After getting burgled last week, I decided to get a dog.

I got deisel from a lady on preloved. I was at her house for two hours, getting to know him and everything about him.

According to his last owner he was a model dog, but he isnt.

He is chewing my house to bits, also through electrical wires.

He didnt know any basic commands, although I have taught him to sit.

I have no idea where to start with him so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
Original poster
Knickers0nMyHead · 05/10/2010 19:58

*Diesel.

Sorry for spelling, I have keys missing Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
Knickers0nMyHead · 05/10/2010 19:59

Diesel.

Sorry about mistakes, I have keys missing Hmm

OP posts:
magnolia74 · 05/10/2010 20:00

Is he chewing when alone or when in the house with you?

A good basic training course would be helpful too.

Is he crate trained?

Original poster
Knickers0nMyHead · 05/10/2010 20:04

He's doing both and yes he's crate trained, if that means he doesnt do his business in it.

OP posts:
claricebeansmum · 05/10/2010 20:05

Get into crate training.

Dog proof house - restrict him to areas where he can do least amount of damage. chewing elecrtical wires could kill him.

some people squirt with water pistol behind ears when he starts chewing.

you can also buy a spray which tastes unpleasant to dogs

get to some dog training classes

did you really believe the previous owner - no dog is a model dog and if he was such a model dog why did she need shot of him?

claricebeansmum · 05/10/2010 20:05

How old is he?

booyhoo · 05/10/2010 20:07

start as you would with a pup. back to basics, praise and reward, clicker training etc. and a training class. it is also likey that if he hasn't been trained, he hasn't been socialised either.

Original poster
Knickers0nMyHead · 05/10/2010 20:08

I knew there must of been some reason, her and her dh worked 12hr shifts so did not have time for him.

He is 14mo.

OP posts:
booyhoo · 05/10/2010 20:09

also, crate training is not just about not pooing in it. it means he is trained to love the crate and feel the crate is his own safe place. it is more than putting him in and closing the door.

Original poster
Knickers0nMyHead · 05/10/2010 20:11

I never used a crate before but Ive put a lovely quilt in it and his toys, and he goes and lays in it without prompting.

OP posts:
magnolia74 · 05/10/2010 20:13

If he was being left alone for 12 hours no wonder he started the bad chewing habits Sad

Yep back to basics...treat him as you would a new pup. Training classes, treats when he's good at home. Dog proof as much as you can, maybe limit him to one room when you are not able to be in the room with him.

A huge kong filled with chicken paste etc.... will keep him occupied for a while.

My last staffie chewed everything but did grow out of it by about 18m......

booyhoo · 05/10/2010 20:14

that's good, just keep making sure it is the best place in the worl for him, feed him treats while he is in it. leave secret treats in for him to find when he gets into it. the crate can be your best friend!!

wrt to the other stuff, i would just start from scratch and definitely book him into training class.

FanjolinaJolie · 05/10/2010 20:17

Exercise exercise exercise

He needs to be properly walked which will reduce the destructive behaviour. Minimum one hour per day and it's best to do it in the morning IME.

Raw hide chews are good for chewing as well.

Original poster
Knickers0nMyHead · 05/10/2010 20:22

Oooo and there is a training club two minutes away!

OP posts:
booyhoo · 05/10/2010 20:23

lucky you, my local one is 40 minutes drive away and at 8pm Sad

Original poster
Knickers0nMyHead · 05/10/2010 20:28

This is 7.30 and I have no idea how much it costs yet.

OP posts:
booyhoo · 05/10/2010 20:32

i think my six week puppy course was £40. just to give you a rough idea, although i suppose it is up to the club to charge what they like.

miamix · 06/10/2010 16:05

Destructive chewing is a boredom thing - it would have started with him being left for 12 hours on his own poor thing. That is too long to leave a dog. I think chewing is also a big staffy thing. I have two staffies and my eldest (male) was a big boredom chewer even though he was only ever left for 4 hours at a time.

Crate training worked for me, he loves his crate, it is his safe place. Dog-proofing the house was also necessary for me. You don't have to go mad with it - we just have a rule in our house that everything must be on a surface, then the dog knows it's not theirs to chew (cardboard toilet rolls are occasionally stolen from the side of the bath but in all fairness that's laziness for them not going straight in the bin Grin) - you will need to tell him off when he tries to nick stuff off the coffee table though until he gets the message! Electrical wires are mostly hidden etc but it's not such an issue now as he doesn't do it. Also I think he will probably grow out of it with age (mine did), although you will need to help him break the habit.

He will need proper exercise as staffies are really high energy dogs and need a lot of stimulation. As well as physical exercise they love learning tricks/training, this provides mental stimulation for them and will ease the boredom.

Before my partner worked from home, and after I stopped working part time, we both went to work and would be out 7 hours a day. Would leave the eldest dog crated and the younger dog (who never got on with her crate) out, both with Kongs stuffed with their breakfast kibble and 'plugged' with wet food. They take a while for them to extract all the contents and it takes a lot of mental concentration! Afterwards they have a lovely full belly and will go to sleep so maybe this is an option for you :) (Also Kongs are great for strong chewers - my eldest dog can't have other toys because he just destroys them, but the Kong is virtually indestructible!)

DooinMeSizers · 06/10/2010 16:09

You cannot stop a dog who likes to chew from chewing all you can do is provide them with something they are allowed to chew. Nyla Bones/Kongs/raw bones.

When he goes towards something he is not allowed to chew say "No" move him away and give him his chew toy. He will soon get the picture.

But definately get him crated while you are out.

Original poster
Knickers0nMyHead · 06/10/2010 16:40

He went in his crate this morning whilst I was at college, so I plan to stick with that..

Erm.....what on earth are kongs???

OP posts:
booyhoo · 06/10/2010 17:06

kongs

Original poster
Knickers0nMyHead · 06/10/2010 19:30

Oooo they look good! thank you!

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