My dog and his behaviour

[doggie1]

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Every time I see a post about dog’s behaviour, I can relate it to my dog. So instead of hijacking threads I thought I’d just profile my dog. I love him to bits and he’s seems to be much more settled, but...We've had our two year old terrier rescue dog for two months, he was fully house trained. After a few weeks he had a 3 day spell of pooping, hiding and eating it. Then he had a good spell, now he urinates when we leave him or if something new is in the house. Actually, I've twice taken him to training and this has occurred both times afterwards, he's urinated 5 times in the last 2 days, twice in his own bed!

Edit: Forgot to say, he does a runner when he can so we can't let him off the lead and he did go down a fox hole and came back a bit scratched.


He barks and lunges at other dogs. He also regularly pulls on his lead. It is very difficult taking him on a walk and I dread it. I dread it when we meet other dogs. I try not to transmit this to the dog.


I’ve taken him to two trainers, one ineffectual, the other said to use a slip collar, I tried him on his normal collar, but he pulled so hard to me it seemed as if his tongue had a purple/blue tinge to it. So I stopped. I’m not going back to either so just trawling Youtube for videos. All reactive dog videos seem to show the dog’s starting behaviour, which, if my dog did, I would be over the moon with and giving him treats for good behaviour!


Anyone else have these problems and what did you do? Six million dollar question I know.

 

[doggie1]

I have to go out now, will I have to clean up urine when I get back?

 

[arealhuman]

Hi,

Our dog is perfect in the home, and very loving and affectionate, and great with people of all ages. However, he has issues with other dogs when out and about and barks/lunges when near them. We've also been through two trainers, and he has definitely improved, but still exhibits this behaviour more often than not. I can't see us having any more training as it's massively expensive, and we're trying to live with it as it is (avoiding other dogs where possible, apologising where necessary), although I also experience the sense of dread you've referred to. If you look at some of my earlier posts you'll see what I mean. Ours is also a rescue dog, and has been the subject of some attacks in the past, so perhaps he perceives every other dog as a threat. I'm afraid I can't offer any more advice, but I'm certain that many others on here can and will. We love our dog - which is our first dog by the way - to bits and there's no way we'd do anything to jeopardise his time with us.

Good luck in your quest - please keep us all updated.

 

[doggie1]

Thanks for your post @arealhuman We found a dog on the street many years ago and she died last year, so we decided to give another dog a home. It was touch and go at first as to whether we should keep him as we thought he'd be better as a working dog. We're becoming attached to him and I can't bear to let him go to be in a tricky situation and we would never know. My dog is lovely at home too, apart from this spate of urinating. At least we can support each other, some times that is everything!

 

[JudyN]

As he's urinating when he didn't at first, I would start by getting a full vet check-up, including urine test for utis and, ideally, blood work in case it shows anything that could cause stress. You say he's urinating when new things come into the house - does this look like marking behaviour - is he lifting his leg against the new things?

What is he like when you leave the house - is he suffering from separation anxiety? If you're not sure it can be helpful to set up a recorder - most laptops can probably record sound, but ideally you'd set up a webcam.

For his reaction to other dogs, have a read-up on BAT: Behavior Adjustment Training: A New Approach to Problem Behaviors

Also, make sure he's getting a load of mental stimulation - a trawl of the internet will bring up a lot of excellent resources for games and exercises. And have a look at Kikopup's video on YouTube for walking on lead - I've not actually watched it myself but Kikopup's resources are excellent.

 

[doggie1]

As he's urinating when he didn't at first, I would start by getting a full vet check-up, including urine test for utis and, ideally, blood work in case it shows anything that could cause stress. You say he's urinating when new things come into the house - does this look like marking behaviour - is he lifting his leg against the new things?

What is he like when you leave the house - is he suffering from separation anxiety? If you're not sure it can be helpful to set up a recorder - most laptops can probably record sound, but ideally you'd set up a webcam.

For his reaction to other dogs, have a read-up on BAT: Behavior Adjustment Training: A New Approach to Problem Behaviors

Also, make sure he's getting a load of mental stimulation - a trawl of the internet will bring up a lot of excellent resources for games and exercises. And have a look at Kikopup's video on YouTube for walking on lead - I've not actually watched it myself but Kikopup's resources are excellent.

Been thinking about a urine check, but wouldn't he do it all the time not only when we're out? Why would he urinate in his own bed? I wonder if it is separation anxiety now because he has got used to us. He has had a checkered past and maybe he didn't care about us before. Kikopup is great, but they all start off better behaved than my dog. I can do any training in the house, but once he sees a dog or has a scent, he just doesn't give eye contact or listen, that's when it's tough.

 

[JudyN]

I think if you have a dodgy bladder, any amount of stress is going to make you more likely to need to go (you learn these things when you're a woman of a certain age). It's worth getting it checked just to rule it out, IMO.

Stress can build up in a dog to a level where he's 'on alert' almost all of the time. Think of stress levels as water running into a bath. If its running into it faster than it can drain out of the plughole, then it'll be constantly be full and just a drip more can cause it to overflow. But if you can reduce the amount of water going in, the level will lower as it runs out the plughole so when someone turns the tap up, the bath can cope without overflowing. So addressing stress from any source can help with the reactivity.

What would be good is if you could work on focus on you in the house, and then take it outside in a dog-free area. Then work on it when there's a dog on the distant horizon. And veeeeeery gradually, decrease the distance between you & other dogs, rewarding looks at you, or just creating a connection between seeing a dog (at any distance) and getting a treat.

 

[doggie1]

I think if you have a dodgy bladder, any amount of stress is going to make you more likely to need to go (you learn these things when you're a woman of a certain age). It's worth getting it checked just to rule it out, IMO.

Stress can build up in a dog to a level where he's 'on alert' almost all of the time. Think of stress levels as water running into a bath. If its running into it faster than it can drain out of the plughole, then it'll be constantly be full and just a drip more can cause it to overflow. But if you can reduce the amount of water going in, the level will lower as it runs out the plughole so when someone turns the tap up, the bath can cope without overflowing. So addressing stress from any source can help with the reactivity.

What would be good is if you could work on focus on you in the house, and then take it outside in a dog-free area. Then work on it when there's a dog on the distant horizon. And veeeeeery gradually, decrease the distance between you & other dogs, rewarding looks at you, or just creating a connection between seeing a dog (at any distance) and getting a treat.

Thanks for your reply. I've tried treating him and in the past a toy, but he's too stressed out. I walk him away from other dogs as much as possible, but we do have the odd encounter. Twice,with bitches, he has barked at them and lost interest when the owner, gulp, brought her over. Neither were barking though. Dogs who bark first or keep barking after my dog has barked first, he just carries on.There's no consistent trigger either, it can be a dog miles away that he barks at, or if they have gone out of sight, he keeps barking. Sometimes the dog is close and he barks, sometimes the dog is close and I haven't seen it, he doesn't bark for a couple of minutes. I know it's supposed to be my fault that he barks, but I am calm with him and walk him past the dog calmly.

 

[doggie1]

I didn't get to go out as the OH took my cars keys to work with him by accident. I was thinking of going for a cold,wet run, but the dog is watching me like a hawk and I don't think he'll like it!

 

[arealhuman]

@doggie1 - I have the same issue regarding triggers. It's never consistent. Dogs could be near, far, large, small, on-lead, off-lead and most times he will bark, others not. We have found that if we're in a wide open space like a field, if dogs don't come bounding up to him, he's generally - generally! - OK.

 

[JoanneF]

I've tried treating him and in the past a toy, but he's too stressed out.

In that case you are already too close. @JudyN's advice is sound but you need more distance to keep him under threshold and more repetitions. Think months, not days. Also the stress hormone stays in the body for up to 48 hours so if he has an episode, don't try and practice the next day. Play in the garden, go somewhere really isolated or do brain training.

 

[doggie1]

In that case you are already too close. @JudyN's advice is sound but you need more distance to keep him under threshold and more repetitions. Think months, not days. Also the stress hormone stays in the body for up to 48 hours so if he has an episode, don't try and practice the next day. Play in the garden, go somewhere really isolated or do brain training.

I can't always avoid the dogs, they just turn up, except the early morning walk, I'm usually first out.

 

[Nanny71]

Interesting to read all these posts. Dudley is practically perfect. We are very lucky in having a secure field run by the residents association which is used by many dog walkers. Most of the dogs (and owners) know each other and the dogs get on well. This is were I get to Dudley only being practically perfect. If he sees a new dog on the field he barks continuously. This goes on daily until he gets used to the dog in question. Is this normal behaviour? He is not aggressive just barks. Out walking on his lead he doesn't do it and at home he only barks if someone comes to the door.

 

[doggie1]

Interesting to read all these posts. Dudley is practically perfect. We are very lucky in having a secure field run by the residents association which is used by many dog walkers. Most of the dogs (and owners) know each other and the dogs get on well. This is were I get to Dudley only being practically perfect. If he sees a new dog on the field he barks continuously. This goes on daily until he gets used to the dog in question. Is this normal behaviour? He is not aggressive just barks. Out walking on his lead he doesn't do it and at home he only barks if someone comes to the door.

Enjoy it!

 

[arealhuman]

I can't always avoid the dogs, they just turn up, except the early morning walk, I'm usually first out.

Same early morning tactic as me! We do see a couple of other dogs which Jimmy used to go mad at, but now he doesn't mind them and I can get close enough to chat to the other owners. If there's a new dog about - and occasionally we'll see one - he will bark a it.

 

[Mayblossom]

In all the 40 odd years of owning dogs ( or them owning me ) I’ve never had one which didn’t come with some issue or other but I guess it makes life challenging Our Springer, who is just over 8 years old now has been scared of other dogs since we brought her home at 9 weeks old, used to carry her out to get her used to seeing other dogs but she would scream every time we saw one, still did it when she was ok to go out so contacted the breeder who happened to mention that she'd let the dad of the pups in to see them and he’d apparently had a go at them...seems Molly was the only one of the pups affected..now isn't that typical? She is 100% better now than when she was younger but still makes this terrifying howly bark kind of thing if another dog so much as looks at her, all the regulars I meet thinks she’s so funny as she is never aggressive and never had another dog be aggressive to her in 8 years. We’ve tried socialising , treats if she doesn’t bark, classes etc but nothing worked so we just accept her for what she is, bless her. Other than that she’s practically perfect in every way now the Parson...well that’s another story

 

[doggie1]

Same early morning tactic as me! We do see a couple of other dogs which Jimmy used to go mad at, but now he doesn't mind them and I can get close enough to chat to the other owners. If there's a new dog about - and occasionally we'll see one - he will bark a it.

I would love it if I could get D to that state. How long have you had your dog?

 

[doggie1]

In all the 40 odd years of owning dogs ( or them owning me ) I’ve never had one which didn’t come with some issue or other but I guess it makes life challenging Our Springer, who is just over 8 years old now has been scared of other dogs since we brought her home at 9 weeks old, used to carry her out to get her used to seeing other dogs but she would scream every time we saw one, still did it when she was ok to go out so contacted the breeder who happened to mention that she'd let the dad of the pups in to see them and he’d apparently had a go at them...seems Molly was the only one of the pups affected..now isn't that typical? She is 100% better now than when she was younger but still makes this terrifying howly bark kind of thing if another dog so much as looks at her, all the regulars I meet thinks she’s so funny as she is never aggressive and never had another dog be aggressive to her in 8 years. We’ve tried socialising , treats if she doesn’t bark, classes etc but nothing worked so we just accept her for what she is, bless her. Other than that she’s practically perfect in every way now the Parson...well that’s another story

It dosn't surprise me about the Parson...

 

[Mayblossom]

she certainly has a lot of “character” despite her angelic looks on my profile pic but a real sweetie just the same, she’s the only dog our Molly has never barked at and never a cross word in 8 years so worth her weight in gold for that alone
‘

 

[doggie1]

she certainly has a lot of “character” despite her angelic looks on my profile pic but a real sweetie just the same, she’s the only dog our Molly has never barked at and never a cross word in 8 years so worth her weight in gold for that alone
‘

That is good.