DS: "maybe getting a dog wasn't such a good idea"

[nameymacnamechanger]

Dog is lovely but driving us both bananas!

I think I maybe need a dog trainer or something. He is jumping up all the time, nipping at my hands, getting ds's toys even though he has lots of his own, humps other dogs, etc

I'm worried that after a month he is starting to rule the roostand don't know what to do about it. I have had to put him in the kitchen so I can drink a cup of tea safely and he is barking so much DS has gone back up to his bedroom.

Help! He's a lovely dog but I need to tackle his behaviur rather than just put up with it and I've no idea where to start!

What breed is he, how old is he and what's his history?

In your shoes I would find a good, positive, reward-based training class (check the APDT website for classes near you). Go along without the dog to watch first and check that the dogs/owners look happy and relaxed, that there is no use of rattle bottles/water sprays and that choke chains aren't in use (if any aversives, run for the hills!). Also, make sure they don't spout 'pack leader' nonsense. To quote the late great John Fisher, you can eat before your dog or sit in his bed if you like, but it will mean jack to your dog!! All being well, take him along to the class - many run on a 6 week basis initially, and they're pretty cheap.

He sounds like a slightly unruly boy who needs to learn manners. This will take a little patience and consistency, and is about finding the right reward to motivate him.

When he jumps up, turn your back to him and fold your arms. If he keeps jumping then you can (wordlessly and not crossly) put him in a different room for a very short time out. If you and your OH do this every time (and watch for him with your DS and manage this too) he'll soon get the idea that he gets the best attention when he has all four feet on the floor.

With regards to DS's toys, the are probably more exciting than his own because he gets a reaction when he takes one! You need to make sure you play with him with his own toys so they have a value to him, and teach a strong 'leave' command. You can also teach him a swap command for when he has something you don't want him to have. (I use 'leave' for something not yet possessed and 'drop' for something already in the mouth.) I was just trying to find the video on youtube of Victoria Stilwell teaching leave it, as she does this very well and simply, but I've run out of time. Do have a look for this. If you don't have any luck I'll post some instructions for you later, but it's easier to see it in action!

Good luck, and don't feel too down. I suspect most people here who have taken on a dog have had that 'oh what have we done?' moment!! With patience and training it will pass, and you'll have a brilliant companion

Thank you for your reply, he is a collie-cross, coming up to about a year old, very clever, very high energy. We got him from a rescue centre he was found as a stray, skinny with scabby fur) - he gets at least two long walks a day and indoor play and so on.

He is very affectionate and smart, just needs some training I think! You are no doubt right about the toys, he's quite mischevous and I reckon he is doing it for play/attention.

There is a class near me I think but tbh I'm finding it tricky as I have DS and no car and most classes seem to run over tea time/ early evening. I will persevere though and find one, and also look on youtube for that clip!

No OH but am trying to explain to ds how he sould act around the dog, but he is autistic and either finds my explanation very amusing or it goes right over his head!

If you can't go down the classes route ( I couldn't either because of class timings) then I would recommend going to the APDT website and look for trainers who would come out and do a one to one session with you.

They are reasonably expensive for an hour but absolutely invaluable. I learnt SO much in the one hour my trainer came to see us, I can also phone her up now to get advice over the phone on any specific problems that crop up.

Have you got a clicker? You can search on YouTube for how they work. BRILLIANT bit of kit for training, especially with a bright clever dog like a collie.

The complete idiots guide to positive dog training is a really good book to have.

Oh and I agree with what Laska says, many a time have I had a 'aaaaaaaaargh what have I DONE ' moment.

Happily now they are becoming much less frequent with the training.

Absolutely spot on post by Laska.

you need a good trainer.

i used my ideal puppy (dog trainers in west london) and did one to one training - they came to my home. the basics are you are the leader of the pack and the dog is happier and more obedient once he knows that, you put down his bowl of food and he has to sit and wait until you say he can eat, tricks like that establish power and pecking order all of which are natural in a pack dogs life. it is essential he learns this and good behaviour will follow because he will always want to please the leader - you
my pup was just like yours and he "got it" in a matter of days - good luck!!

Sorry - I'd misread the topic title as DH - too early for my eyes to function properly!

Slubberdegullion is absolutely right about the clicker. For a collie-x, you might find that you could walk him and walk him and he'd still want to play when he got home! But with a clicker session, you can tire his brain out in 10 minutes! And once you've both got the hang of it you can do it sat in front of the telly!

Your son might also like to get involved with the clicker once you and the doglet have got the basics working. It could be a good bonding experience for them?

I'd second looking on youtube for CT vids - I found the Karen Pryor videos very useful. Here's a link to a brilliant video - admittedly this is more of a behavioural solution than a training issue, but it's great to watch to give you an idea of what you can achieve with a clicker. Look at more Karen Pryor videos, and then look more widely on youtube. Bear in mind that sometimes trainers get their timing wrong and you can see the dog being confused by this.

Without wanting to go too OT, I'm really pleased that the training worked for atah's dog but I would honestly never seek advice from any trainer who talked about dog training in terms of 'pack leadership' or 'alpha' etc. The reason being that this has been wholly discredited as a method (it was based on flawed studies of captive wolf packs, which have naff all to do with domestic dogs!). On some dogs it will bear fruit as much of it is about teaching manners, which is very important. I go through doorways first because for safety reasons I don't want my dog charging out into the road when I open the front door. Not because I feel I have to assert my leadership. My dog knows she's a dog, and she knows I'm not so the pack structure stuff isn't really useful!

I'd second the recommendation for The Complete Idiot's Guide to Positive Dog Training. Any jean Donaldson books are worth reading. Collie people I know rate Barbara Sykes for collie-specific help and advice.

Children should be welcome in training classes as so many dogs find them quite frightening, so it's a good idea to find a class that you can all go to and all take part in. Our pup is a year old too. We've had him since 6 months, and I reckon we have another 6 months or so of chewing and the infuriation of puppy behaviour. We need to keep on with the training. I have been getting treats from the supermarket, and it was costing about £1 a walk in treats for 3 dogs. Our butcher has a solution! A big bag of yummy meaty offcuts for 30p! Yay, let the bribery and corruption continue
Please remember that the puppy behaviour will pass, and training your dog will help a lot, and it can be very satisfying. We have thought the same. Oh gawd what have we done? We have thought it more that once and with more than one dog. We decided that we would do the work and not rehome. It was an active decision.

Thanks all for your replies, I have made notes so I can go through all the things recommended. So glad I posted, this thread has loads of good advice so thank you all for taking the time.

I do have a clicker but haven't got round to researching how to use it. Will order books, watch vids, find a trainer/class, I'm gonna do it all and get this dog trained! {ha ha}

There are some good dog mags out there. Your Dog has good advice pages, and if you google the experts, you will find what associations they belong to. Once you have decided to keep the dog, you can start making progress with training. I found Roy Hunter 'Functional Dog Training' really helpful and easy to follow. You will get there, and it's important to remember that like children, lots of behaviours are just a phase. Your dog is a teenager. Does he carry a spraycan? Is he into everything silly and think he's far more grown-up than he really is?