Im temporarily living with my OH and his family at the mo and I wanna help, they have 2 dogs. Bumble who is 10 months old and Max who is 7 months old. Both got castrated last week.. (Yes, having 2 young dogs is very brave!)

Now, they're both West cross Pugs. (Completely different litters. We reckon Max is from a Puppy Farm They bought him off a family who couldnt have him due to allergies! This was only 3 months ago.) And my god, they both bark. (Which is to be expected with a terrier aswell as digging!)

There are numerous things that really need to be nipped in the bud now with these boys.

- Play time gets VERY boisterous. I understand that dogs playing together does get rough, but it needs to be controlled.

- They bark. Bumble barks at a funny sound, or someone at the door. Max has begun barking at EVERYTHING, including cars driving past......(Something unfortunately we cannot control!)

- Bumble (and I believe Max may of started aswell) is marking the house EVERYWHERE. Driving my OH's mother doo-lally!

- And only tonight, for the first time since their little op, Max has humped Bumble!

- Max snaps at Bumble when there's treats. (Not his dinner though, oddly.) Bumble is completely placid and just looks at him like No idea how to respond! Im half blaming this on the ''Puppy farm'' experience. Poor sod!

- Ever since their op, Max has had some accidents in the house too. (NOT blaming the castration!)

I appreciate all these issues are probably (HA.. Why are we kidding ourselves?) because these dogs are dominant. (They're not crate trained for one. They sleep in the same bed as my OH's parents.) They do get disciplined, but I've watched my OH's parents, and its like 'NO! Bad Max! Come here and give mummy snuggles!' Completely confusing the poor dog, right?

Now, anyone has advise on the above problems, I would be SO grateful. We really need to control these behavioural traits.

Ive got a clicker! And that has worked wonders. (My OH's mother is very about the clicker and only follow Ceser Millans ways..)

Again, any advise would be welcome!

No, all the above issues aren't necessarily because your dogs are dominant but to be honest you will doubtless receive loads of replies saying that ALL the issues are down to dominance and suggest you read Cesar Millan.

The dominance theory rules in this forum

different people believe different training methods, and some work for some people, and the other works for someone else. I'm a multiple dog owner, (got 5 altogether) got a question, have they owned dogs before? If so, basic training could help curb the 'naughtiness' they are trying to avoid- gives the dogs something to think about. Only hint here, train them seperately- DONT try it together as they WILL act like naughty kids
With regards to the barking, the only thing i can suggest is don't shout at the dogs, as this is just noise, and you would be joining in! Find something to distract them like a squeeky toy they like, or the phrase 'wots this?' and throwing a biscuit, but, good luck! My dogs 9 and nearly deafened the lady at hydrotherapy yesterday as her husband opened the side door! Keep me posted, and best of luck!
x

i did have a little giggle at the whole telling off then cuddles bit lol. The thing is she says she doesonly ceasar training, well its not paying off, weather she is actually training properly as it seems she is quite relaxed about it well all i can say is proper training has to start or she will go round like this forever. Ok i had , i repeat , had noisey yappy dogs, i trained round the clock for three months just to instill into them what was and what wasnt exceptable, i used the ceaser tried and tested ways and it worked but i took them out of the enviroment of where they barked the most which was the back garden , so no garden , just walks, I know only got a small problem with one dog cos we got new neighbours lol and when she sees them next door she barks lol, gonna have to instill the training again i think but it wont take three months again lol. clickers are ok but not everyone has one to hand 24/7 to correct behaviour so it too easy to miss out on telling dog not to do something. good luck and you need to really get the mother in law on board, watch ceaser doing his training together and say hey we can do that , lets have a real good go tomorrow and see how it goes. good luck.

Thank you all for your replies

I appreciate this, but she has read ALL of his - Ceser - books.
I personally, prefer Victoria Stilwell.


As for previous dogs, they had a GSD cross who lived for 14 years. No behaviour problems. I think these boys get away with murder cos they're cute and small. AND ICKLE WICKLE BABAS!!!!!

It bugs me the hell outta me, they're not my dogs and if they were, boy, they would know who is boss!

Hi, I think you have two problems.

1) There is a lack of leadership. It is not always about dominance, but if the human is not fulfilling their job of leading the dog then the dog will try and lead them.

She obviously needs to re-read Cesar's books, he clearly talks about being the pack leader and controlling your dog. Your OH mother sounds like a dog lover, which is great, but she needs to instill rules.

Because the dogs have recently been neutered, you will still have problems with humping, marking etc. It takes a while for the hormones to settle down.

Unfortunately there is not much you can do apart from invest in some good ear plugs for the remainder of your stay!
x

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Lilly, Max, Henry and Sammy. The joys of my life!

www.rescueremedies.co.uk
www.staffierescue.co.uk

Glad to hear what you said RE Hormones. My fellas dad was very much against having it done! I am hoping there is improvements eventually! (He kept saying 'It's made them worse!' Which is utter nonsense!)

There will be an improvement but it will take time. If after a few months they are still displaying these behaviours then it is a training/behavioural issue as opposed to being ruled by hormones.

__________________


Lilly, Max, Henry and Sammy. The joys of my life!

www.rescueremedies.co.uk
www.staffierescue.co.uk