Hello

A couple of weeks ago we took on a relatives dog who is a staffie X called Patch who is 4 years old. We already have a Staffie cross of the same age called Frank (unrelated), a Jack Russell and a Griffon.

We took him because the relative was unable to care for him properly as they are unwell. They were unable to take him on walks, and I would guess that he had not been out of the house for at least 6 months. When he used to go on walks, they were always on lead, not for very long and they had difficultly controlling him (pulling etc).

My main issue that I am having with him is that when we go to put our other Staffie X (Frank) on a lead beacause there is someone coming (Frank is very people friendly, goes mad and can become dog agressive - seperate issue), Patch continuously barks at me. If I put him on a lead he will stop, but as soon as I let him off again he will start barking.

When they are all off lead, 90% of the time he will not bark at me, although on the odd occasion he has done. He also sometimes will pick up a stick, when he does this he will not listen to any command and it is very difficult to recall him to get him to let go of the stick. If one of the other dogs goes near him when he has the stick in his mouth he can become a bit obsessive and growl.

When he meets other dogs/people there is no problems at all, he will sniff, play and continue. When we meet people we know, Frank who by this stage is on a lead, becomes very exited and wants attention from the person, Patch most of the time will go to attack Frank. which will normal start a rumble with the other two dogs and whatever other dogs that is around that wants to get involved. I know I have to keep Frank calm, i am working on this and he is improving.

My main issue is the barking and getting him to listen when he picks up a stick? If anyone as any ideas why he is doing this? to me it feels like he is jealous of the Frank being on a lead when he is not. So any advice on how I can stop this unwanted behaviour will be much appreciated?

I have tried ignoring him, telling him to stop, saying no (works on the odd occasion) turning my back. I trying do de-sensitise him, by putting Frank on and off the lead when there is no one around, still will continue to bark when he is on lead.

They all get on fine when at home, left alone together, sleep together and eat together without issue.

In the first week he did not bark at all and except for the picking up the odd stick he was a joy to walk, this has developed in the 2nd week.

If you need any more information please ask.

Thanks

Sam

__________________

Dogs: Timmy, Levi, Frank and Patch
Cat: Betty
Bearded Dragons: Bernard
Corn Snakes: Red, White and Yellow
BCI: Star
BRB: Boris
Royals: Hermione, Stan and Cedric
Rabbits: Bumble and Junior

Here is a video of him barking so you get the idea:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuQhu...rxKt7XEla0mjRa

Thanks

__________________

Dogs: Timmy, Levi, Frank and Patch
Cat: Betty
Bearded Dragons: Bernard
Corn Snakes: Red, White and Yellow
BCI: Star
BRB: Boris
Royals: Hermione, Stan and Cedric
Rabbits: Bumble and Junior

Well from what you've said and looking at the video I would hazard a guess that Patch is picking up on the stress/excitement from Frank when he's put on a lead which is why Patch is OK when they are all running free.
I would say, at least for the time being until you've sorted out the issues with Frank, put both of them on the lead.
With regards to Patch picking up sticks, you need to do some work with him at home and teach him to give/leave on command.
Collect a selection of sticks (dangerous things for dogs to carry IMO) and arm yourself with some very tasty tit-bits and teach him to "swap". Don't attempt "swap" out on a walk until you've more or less got it 100% reliable at home first.
HTH

Hello

Thanks for the reply, my only concern with keeping them two on a lead most of the time is firstly that they won't get enough exercise, and they will become restless at home and secondly I will not be addressing the issue. So after keeping them on lead for a period, when I do let them off he will start again.

I think he also does it when Frank is being calm, and even when I call frank over to put him on the lead, Patch comes over and begins to bark at that stage. Also when he does stop barking when frank is on a lead, a command like 'frank close' or even if I call patch over, he will start to bark again.

With regards to the sticks, your suggestion did cross my mind and I will give ago. I agree with you totally about sticks being dangerous. At home his leave command is pretty good, but I will give your suggestion ago.

Thanks

Sam

__________________

Dogs: Timmy, Levi, Frank and Patch
Cat: Betty
Bearded Dragons: Bernard
Corn Snakes: Red, White and Yellow
BCI: Star
BRB: Boris
Royals: Hermione, Stan and Cedric
Rabbits: Bumble and Junior

Does he bark in the same way if you have Frank on the lead in the garden at home? If so you could warn the neighbours and practice reinforcing the quiet behaviour by marking the quiet behaviour with the word quiet and treating. Short sessions for the neighbours benefit is probably best!! If this works then I would suggest not walking them together until 'quiet' cues the quiet behaviour rather than marking it.

I have never tried in the garden, it would help if he did, as you say I could do short practice sessions.

When I went out today, I only took Frank and Patch with me, so I could concentrate on them. Armed with some treats, when he began to bark, I told him no, got him to sit and be calm before giving him a treat. Overall he did improve, I need to perfect my timing. I made sure I finished the walk with him behaving before they went back into the car.

Will give it a go in the Garden and see if he does it.

Thanks

__________________

Dogs: Timmy, Levi, Frank and Patch
Cat: Betty
Bearded Dragons: Bernard
Corn Snakes: Red, White and Yellow
BCI: Star
BRB: Boris
Royals: Hermione, Stan and Cedric
Rabbits: Bumble and Junior

Quote:

Originally Posted by delforty3 I have never tried in the garden, it would help if he did, as you say I could do short practice sessions.

Well done. At least that's progress.