Help with naughty dogs!

[Ribbon14]

Hi all,

I have 2 male pugs, one has just turned one and the other is nearly 4 months. We also have 3 cats (yes we are mad!).
I do love the dogs but they are driving me mental at the moment. I work from home so am here with them all day while my husband is at work. Basically they are both completely obsessed with food (especially the older one) and will stop at nothing to get it. They also eat everything on the floor... All sorts of random crap they shouldn't have and then I get the blame. The older one barks like a lunatic any time anyone knocks the door, they bite the skirting boards and doors, bark and chase the cats, eat the cats' food despite the fact its in a separate room with a cat flap (older one can headbutt door open!)

I've tried my best to train them but it just isn't working and my husband is in denial saying they behave for him so putting the blame on me. My whole day revolves around managing them. Has anyone got any suggestions?

@adaline thanks he's actually now pooped out in front of the fire!

Sometimes I think they are like children and if they’ve been very busy they struggle to switch off and settle, I’m pleased he’s settled now, next time you’ll have the kongs which will hopefully help him to calm down.

Do you actually like the dogs sleeping in bed with you?

Personally if you are doing training that is something I would also resolve.

My rescue was already crate trained and she quite happily goes to bed for the night in it - outside for a wee, teeth stick as a treat and in she pops! It means if we put her in during the day she will happily sleep for hours in it then too and I know the cats are 100% safe.

OP it's great to see you still here and still persevering!
I think it may be a long road but you will end up with two lovely pugs who will bring you a lot of joy and love and happiness more than your DH is likely to by the sounds of it
Pugs were originally bred to be companion dogs, so have a quirky character and love to be around their owners all the time, they are also very food motivated. So any treat-related training where you can build a positive individual bond with them will be good.
When I said they were stressed by the door, it could be excitement, or they are concerned about protecting you, as their companion. So if they see the door as a positive reward situation, for good calm behaviour, that should help with the barking. But they are quite a vocal breed, so it might not completely stop!
But bear in mind, their adolescent phase won't last forever, so get it right here and you will reap the benefits in the future.
Good luck!

I haven't read everything yet but here a few tips we used when we got our first puppy I also had never had a dog before and had no idea how hard it can be!
Pulling on a walk, everytime they pull just stop, it starts to annoy them I think so they eventually realise that they slow down and you don't annoy them.
Get a lead that will help, a halti head collar might be good or one with a spring in as it's not quite a shock on your arm.
Are they wearing leads on collars or harness, our vet told us to take the harness off as that would strengthen the pull as they have much more force available from their shoulders than just they're neck.
Dont take toys or balls on a walk we only discovered this with our younger dog as he was a rescue who previously had a ball thrown on the field a couple of times a week and no actual walk, if we take a ball despite running loads still seems to be wanting something at home if we don't take it he runs sniffs plays swims if near a lake etc and has a great time and settles down well once home.
Try to get a routine dogs like to know when to expect things.
Could one of you whizz around the block in the morning not a full walk just a chance for a few wees and some fresh air before breakfast.
A kong is great, also carrots are good!
In a way our lives do revolve around them, i pop home every day on lunch to let them out, and dont like to leave them alone for more than 5 hours, they are walked every day whatever the weather, days out include dog friendly beaches, national trust parks etc they also come on holiday with us but I also enjoy a couple of hours for a meal or drinks when we can get a baby sitter (for the kids not the dogs😂).

Oh I forgot clicker training is great too!

Thanks everyone. Can't believe how many of you replied! I had a good weekend alone with the older one. So I'm thinking it's the puppy that's driving a lot of the bad behaviour. Going to get a pen instead of the cage and try to get them to like that using the tips you've all mentioned. I'm managing to walk the older one 3 times a day and the younger once or twice. It's still very hard work though and wish my dh would help a bit more

Keep the dogs ditch the not so "D" H...

Glad you had a good weekend.

How's the week planning out with them both?