Dog behaviourist or trainer? Post lockdown puppy hell!

[SmirkoffOnTheRocks]

I got my little Bichon Frise in February 2020. I signed him up for puppy classes which were cancelled by the time he was old enough to attend due to lockdown. He is now 15 months old.

He’s a lovely little boy but he is very over hyped and his behaviour is putting off our potential sitters for when we go back to the office. I need some intense training to work with him over the next 6 weeks. Will a regular training do or do I need a behaviourist? What’s the difference?

Behaviour:

Jumps up at anyone entering the home (this is limited to our household at the moment).

Barks with over excitement

Lunges (not aggressively) at hands and clothing - he has bite inhibition but he is still mouthing and will go for your hands etc to get your attention

Excessive barking for attention

Is all over my youngest child when they have food , sniffing it etc

Reacts to other dogs when out walking

Recall is ok unless distracted by another dog

I have tried the turning back, ignoring etc but it doesn’t work , he will just nip at you instead.

He is just very very over hyped and I want this nipped in the bud before we can start having guests over.

What do people recommend?

A qualified trainer would be able to deal with these issues . Lookfor APDT or IMDT or CTC trainer.

Thank you . I’ll look out for those qualifications .

A good positive trainer will be able to help with all of this. The reacting to other dogs is starting to get into behaviourist territory but it's a common issue and would have thought most well qualified trainers will be able to help you address effectively.

Do you walk the dog plenty? I have a Bichon and I always assumed he’d be very light on the walk front but he likes likes likes a walk. Not enough walk gives me a pain in the arse dog. Mine has 45 - 60 minutes walk every morning and a short walk in the afternoon. He is 3 now but he used to be a bad Walker (pulled, lunged, etc.). We did a technique where I made him walk behind me. If he pulled I’d stop and get in front and make him walk slowly behind me. That really helped. After a week or so he stopped pulling! He still jumps at visitors and woofs at the postman. However food manners and other things were taught by attention / treating for good behaviour and ignoring bad. He is never fed at the table so he no longer begs (he lies in his dining room bed). He used to barge through doors and leap on people but for ages I made him sit before I was allowed through a door which stopped that. He is a good boy now but it did take consistent work!

He gets 2-3 walks per day depending on what we have planned that day.

Thanks for the tips on lead walking; I’ll try those. When you say you made him sit before walking through the door, do you mean you wouldn’t open the door until he’s sitting?

It’s the jumping and mouthing which is the worst . Very embarrassing when your guest is asking why he’s biting them ! He doesn’t mean to hurt but it not acceptable behaviour .

Control and management is 80% of dog training.

Preventing the behaviour you want and rewarding a behaviour that is acceptable and you will have a happy dog and relaxed owner.

So if you have a visitor pop him on a lead (your dog not the visitor!) and keep him by you. Drop treats to him to keep him calm.

Give him a toy to hold if he is getting bitey - if he is over the top remove yourself from him.

But a trainer will give you these tips and both your lives will be happier and calmer

Rewarding a sit everytime he sits is a really good way to get sit as a default behaviour. But you must do this everytime he sits whether you ask him or not.

You will then find if he wants anything or wants attention he will sit rather then bite or jump up.

Very simple but highly effective

That's all dog trainer stuff.

The possible exception would be the reacting to other dogs - but it depends on the form this takes.

Start with seeing an APDT qualified trainer and go from there; if you need behaviourist input for reacting to other dogs they'll refer you on.

Thanks this is really helpful

A good idea about rewarding every sit. One of the things that drives me mad each morning is when my eldest son comes out of his room, Ddog jumps all over him and nips at his hands, then barks and barks. It’s very frustrating.

My son has tried turning his back on him and ignoring but it just winds the dog up more. Should I pre empt this tomorrow with treats and make the dog sit outside the door before DS comes out ? Or any other ideas ?

I’ve also booked him in for training in a few weeks time

Have you looked at the decider than a squirrel games. The idea it to develop your dogs focus and giving them brain games to knacker them out.

*sexier

I’ll take a look at those games.

Southend dog training group is amazing , they have a group on another page don't think I can mention but they are so good abs explain it all well, I'm currently using it to train my cockapoo puppy

I got my little Bichon Frise in February 2020. I signed him up for puppy classes which were cancelled by the time he was old enough to attend due to lockdown.

So didn’t you do any work with him yourself in this time?

@UhtredRagnarson yes we did but it’s not enough to curb his excitement on meeting new people . After all, new people are alien to him right now!

He knows sit, lie down, roll over, wait, stay, paw, no, leave it and has good recall if there are no distractions .

Please avoid Southend dog training they use aversive outdated and harsh methods. Very abusive trainers with dogs and anyone who disagrees with his methods which is most trained dog trainers.

Re your son you could have dog on a lead and reward when he sits and sees your son or you could scatter treats on the floor when you son comes through the door. Your dog can not be jumping up and biting if sniffing out treats.

After all, new people are alien to him right now!

They really shouldn’t be though. Yes we have been in lockdown on and off for the year but we’ve always been able to go out for a walk where there are other people.

We have taken him out for walks and he has greeted people but it has been a lot less than I’d like if it wasn’t for lockdown. People have preferred to keep their distance and it’s mainly other dogs he has greeted. We don’t have family or friends close to us.