Question:
Hi Jessica
I don't often post but wanted to add a few thoughts if that' s OK
I take it Riley is in his teens, as i don't actually know him from Dogweb as i don't visit too often due to time constraints
One point:
YOu mention you can't afford a behaviourist, however also mention was it £800 he has cost you You see, I'm thinking that a good, reputable hands on behaviourist will actually work out a heck of a lot cheaper than that!!!
My advice would be to get one, purely to see first hand what is going on, the environment, how you handle and train him, all sorts that we can't see for ourselves on here
You can get a good trainer for a one to one for maybe £20-50, a behaviourist may be more - a very good one over £100. Insurance will sometimes pay for them too. It could save you hundreds of pounds and lots in stress and anxiety - i'd say to you, can you really afford not to get in a reputable, hands on help?
Only problem is that experience will vary with trainers and behaviourists - a guideline is to avoid anyone gimmicky, anyone copying tv methods, anyone talking about pack leadership overmuch and anyone who uses harsh methods.
Try:
I tend to agree he needs more mental work. I would also want to check a few things - did you say earlier that he was in a crate with another dog? If so it may simply be too small for him and her together and that frusrates and upsets him.
Sorry if that's not correct, it's how it reads to me.
I'd also be very concerned he is that overexcited or maybe so stressed out that he gets out of crates - I personally would not crate him unless you can get advice on hand, or get a video of what is going on. It could be causing more harm than good. If he can be in the stable and seems happy there, I'd continue to use that for the moment anyway
If it is separation anxiety, you do need to get help to treat it. It can be a very frightening thing for a dog. Chewing things near the door you go in and out of can be a clue, although not always.
Have patience, learn to train to the best of your ability (agree John Weller's book is really good) and I am sure things will improve
Answers:
We had a crate for gemma when she first came (rosewood)she never got out and was happy ,with it to the point that she used it as a bed long after we stopped shutting the door , i think the muzzle idea sounds good i know its not ideal , and i'd hate to have to use one on gemma but if its a question of , a muzzle or no riley , its got to be worth a try , good luck
Answers:
Hi there
It looks like you have got some great suggestions here. If its any consolation I have been there too with my boy. He was terrible as a youngster, he chewed the sofa, books, beds, phone chargers, the wall, shoes, 3 TV remotes, a laptop pc my housemate left lying around, serve him right he should have paid his rent lol, basically anything he could get his teeth into!!
It was very upsetting, the final straw was when he chewed a pair of designer sunglasses I had treated myself to! I was devastated!
All the above gave my brother, a GSD (well behaved...) owner, the delight of renaming my boy ASBO, which seems to have stuck!!
He was too big to put into an indoor kennel so I made a pen in my lounge out of wood, like a sheep pen!! LOL It was big enough for him to move around, he had a bed in there, chews and kongs as well to keep him occupied!
However....... he is the houdini of the dog world and after a while he escaped even after I put hot red chilli over the wooden frame to stop him eating his way out! (see pic) It failed!! He seems to like hot food bless him!
[IMG][/IMG]
Anyway the reason I am painting such a dull, negative picture is because after patience and a lot of dog chews and stuffed kongs I now have a boy who is an absoulute pleasure to have around. He is a mummy's boy and I think this was the root of his problem, seperation anxiety. Without seeing your dog its hard to make a diagnosis but I would follow the advice here. Eventually he will stop, just make sure your house is doggie-fied!!
Best of luck and don't give up!!
1 2