Really don't want to rehome.

[MrsWineasaurus]

Hi,

Don't know where to start really, DH wanted a dog so in April after months of looking we got our puppy. Toilet training went quite well but everything else has been an absolute nightmare.

DH has now decided he doesn't want dog anymore. Dog has chewed his way through most of my house and bit my son and DH on numerous occasions.

I didn't want a dog, but have grown quite fond of him. I don't think it's fair just rehoming him when he seems to have a behavioural problem, DH has now said if I want to keep him then he's my responsibility not his. I work full time, DH part time. I don't think I have the energy to do this myself.

Is there any tips or training techniques you can share so I can make this work? I'm at my wits end.

It's really hard to train a dh. I suggest you get rid of him ASAP.
And keep the ddog.

Haha if only it was that easy

Forgot to add DS has also voted to rehome

I would dump the husband

I HATE people who get dogs and then don't want them or try to make their spouse responsible

Get a dog trainer and hire a dog walker. Most dogs are chronically under stimulated. This likely applies to yours if he's eating the house

You're great but you're married to a dick

What breed do you have?
I have border collies. My oldest was an absolute nightmare up until 8 month old. I questioned my decision in getting a puppy daily. Once he hit 8 month old he kind of just grew up. Everything i had trained,which he ignored constantly, seemed to just snap into place for him.

Now i have an 7 month old puppy who is worse than he was and i am praying she is going to grow up just as quick haha.

Keep the pup, rehome the hubby lol.

They are stressful. Im sure once pup calms down your hubby will too.

he's still a puppy, so. might not be behaviour problems but puppy behaviour. what breed is it? what sort of training has it had?

How much time is anyone at home with the puppy? If he's spending most of the day alone, he won't be getting enough exercise or companionship and that makes for all sorts of problems. Would your DH be willing to walk the dog, play with it etc for some of the time that he's at home? Is there anybody else who could have the dog for a few hours during the day and walk him (perhaps a dog sitter?).

Look for a reputable dog trainer who can do an assessment for you. The dog is obviously unhappy and it could be that a new training plan could help dog plus your DS and DH. They will have to be willing to work with the dog too though. Consistency is key. Good luck whatever you decide. I've had to re-home one dog in my lifetime and it was heartbreaking. I still think about her all the time

How old is your dog? Chewing and nipping are normal puppy behaviours, you have to teach him what's allowed and what not.
Have you tried puppy training class? It takes up to 2 years to train a dog...

So he got a puppy, didn't train him and now want rid months later.

That's sick. Tell him to get himself to dog training lessons asap and put in the work needed.

He's a Jack Russell cross Patterdale.

He's left alone 3 or 4 hours max a day as I leave for work at 8.30 and DH is Home by 11.30.

Just about manage 1 walk a day, he's got plenty of toys to keep him busy but decides to use the house instead.

Came home today to find he's chewed half the xmas tree decorations and the power lead to my light up xmas penguins.

Cage training, when you leave for a few hours in his cage he goes. He can't chew your house up and in the end it becomes a safe place.

Baby gates. The breed you have can be snappy (can be... don't be offended those who have breed who aren't snappy), have safe places so dog isn't unsupervised by you DC.

Big walks before you go to work. Tired the dog out!

Your dog is only walked once a day?

I had one of those ! He ate my kitchen floor, dragged the bin into my bed. Trashed the lounge. And then I got him a cage obviously you love and learn....

They are very food oriented and can train well but need lots of activities.

Training classes will really help, train using food and go on to agility. It will be fun I promise!! And yes get a cage...!

Definitely rehome the husband.

I agree with cage. My pup is caged when i go out and when i go to bed.
It will solve a lot of the chewing problems.

How much training have you (and I mean you,DH and DS) actually done?
Have you been to puppy classes, training classes or just yanking on his lead to stop him pulling and yelling when he chews?

How much exercise and mental stimulation does the puppy get? A quick round the block and shoved in the garden to do his business? Or several interesting walks with time off lead to play?

Do you play with him, do training sessions and games at home? How long is he left on his own?

Answer these questions and we will be able to help you.

I think that people should not be able to get dogs without first passing a course and fully understanding what it means to own a dog

I have a patterdale x JRT , he chewed a bit until he was about 1 yr old but only when left alone . These are high energy and IME stubborn dogs . With mine it was a case of adapting training to work for him , for example he doesn’t recall so we taught a solid down command so if I want him to stop and wait I call down and he waits for me to get to him . He’s 7 now so also actually waits if I say wait but these things came with time and lots of work . I must say mine needs at least 60/90 minutes off lead a day to be at his best indoors .

He has been trained a bit, toilet trained, sit, stay, will recall off the lead while out. It's literally just chewing and biting.

I will be looking for a dog trainer and will obviously have to up the amount of walks he's having.

Thank you very much for all your advice. X

If you want to make this work then I'd recommend getting a professional in to help. Anyone can set themselves up as a trainer and there are plenty out there spouting useless (or potentially dangerous) crap so either get a referral from your vet or go through one of theseorganisations to find someone. You could also post in this FB group asking for recommendations for someone in your area as well as advice on how to manage things until you can get someone out.

However, you really need everyone to be on board. You can't train a dog if someone who is going to be around them more than you either won't be involved or won't take on board the things the behaviourist/trainer will tell them. If your DH won't take any responsibility for the dog's training then he's going to be undoing any good work you do as fast as you do it.

Patterdales can be very serious little terriers indeed. He's going to need plenty of exercise as well as a lot of mental stimulation to keep him out of mischief. Will you be able to provide these for him if your DH won't take any responsibility? Just providing him with toys isn't enough to keep his (likely very sharp) mind occupied, he needs things that will actually get him thinking and keep him occupied as well as preferably giving him an appropriate outlet for the hunting instincts that patterdales have been (and still are) bred for. The FB groups Canine Enrichment and Beyond the Bowl are full of great ideas.

Crate training a 100 times. It is so important to teach active breed dogs to chill, and crating is one of the best ways to do it. If you don't like the idea of a "cage" (though I assure you, the pup will see it as his little den and a safe haven when done right), restricting him to a dogproofed room might work too.
One walk a day is probably not enough though. If there's no way you can squeeze in at least another one, could you add some alternative activity? Some training sessions, nosework (both can be done indoors) or similar, to tire his brain rather than just his body?
How old is your son? Maybe he can help with such activity (supervised if he's still too young)? This could help to improve their relationship too.