[Traceylou]

hello! am new to this site, and need advice. I have a beautiful boy (Monty), just over a year old. he is apricot in colour and looks just like a teddy bear. When he has something he wants in his mouth he can be quite nasty, and will not give it up. Is this normal? he looks so cute, but he has a sting in his tail, (only when he has something he should'nt, usually leather,ie shoes, gloves,!) He is full of energy. He gets his walks in, but so much energy still there. We were wondering, should we have him neutered? will it slow him down a bit? he can be a bit nasty towards my Husband too, why is this?!! he is a Mummy's boy for sure. Any advice greatly appreciated

Tracey

 

[Dylansmum]

Hi Tracey, welcome to the site. I'm not a behaviour expert and I'm sure that some of the others will have more expert input than me, but my first reaction would be that nastiness and possessiveness shouldn't be tolerated. Maybe there is a dominance problem because he needs to learn that all the humans in the house are above him in the pecking order and that you can take anything from him whenever you want. There are lots of dominance training exercises like always walking through doors ahead of him and making him wait to eat until you say so, also you eating before him etc. Maybe read up on these and try them. Not sure that neutering slows them down, but I think it can help with aggression. Anyway, I'll let others with more knowledge than me comment on that. Good luck.

 

[kendal]

one of the first things a puppy should be thaught its to give things back. you need to teach him to leave and or trade, ie if he has a ball you have one too and you ball has to be more interesting, it can be the exact some ball but you have to make him want it more than the one he has. lots of prase when he gives up the ball, and give him the other one, keep doing this turn it into a game.

for the leave keep a smelly treat that he loves in a closed hand, he doesnt het it till he stops touching your hand with his nose toung or paw. then start telling him to leave the next time so he learns when you say leave it means to stop pestering for the treat and wait.

i take it he doesnt like you going near him when her is eating ? if so do you get him to sit stay before you let him eat.

this is a posesive problem and something you need to sort as one day someone may try to take something from him and her may snap and could hurt them. need to nip this in the bud, teach him that everything he has is only because you let him have it. anything that is he thinks is his is actualy yours.

 

[Traceylou]

many thanks for quick reply Helen. He is a concern at times. We have done some puppy training, but it was hard work to be honest, even the trainer said he has the attention span of a gnat! I thought these were easy to train?! I will read up more on the dominance side, as clearly he is 'boss' at the moment. He eats last, but getting through the doors first could be a problem, as he almost bowls you over to get past you in the first place! It can only get easier?!!

best wishes
Tracey

 

[Traceylou]

thank you for your help Kendal, we realise that he has to be sorted now, and put in his place before it escalates. It is not easy! I have some books to read and hope they give me some pointers, do love this site though, came across it by accident.

best wishes
tracey

 

[kendal]

with some hard work yes. but every one in the family must get invalved, and you must all do the same thing, i same word commands ie Down means lie down not down off the couch that should be off

before you leave the house for his walk or even leave a room, get him to sit stay, find something he is realy into as a reward, smelly food, fave toy(if he has one take it away and keep it only for training)


you will get there.

do you have any photos of him.

 

[Traceylou]

cockapoo

I will get some uploaded. Is there a quick way to log in and finy any mail? I cant seem to figure out where to find the inbox!

cheers

Tracey, and thanks for the tips x

 

[Dylansmum]

I find the easiest way to use the site is to click on New Posts. Then any threads you haven't viewed come up. You can then click on the last post if you don't want to see the whole thread. Mail can be found by clicking on Personal Messages at the top right under the welcome message. Hope that helps. As regards training, most of us find they are easy to train, but you need to find a treat they really love - that focuses them completely! Try chicken or cheese or dried liver or liver cake (recipes found easily if you google).

 

[parapluie]

Hello and welcome. We've been working with Rufus on "leave it" which is applied when he is chewing on bits of the rug, gloves, shirts left around, etc. He wasn't very happy about it at first as he thought anything he could get his mouth on was his but he's getting better about it and figuring out who is boss. Lots of repetition. Best of luck!

 

[Enneirda.]

Try nothing in life is free. ( http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm ) it really helps get control of a unruly dog fast.

Neutering will help him calm down yes. It's also very smart form a health stand point, and over population.

It can only get easier?!!

Only when he hits six or eight or older lol. You need to get a handle on it, not wait it out.

He is full of energy. He gets his walks in, but so much energy still there.

How long do you walk him? is it only walking, or off leash, fetch, dog park, jogging ect.