General Chat

Bobbin can still be a terrorist at times, Half the time her behavior seemed to be for attention- she is an 'interactive dog' and loves human attention. When we sat down to eat or watch tv the mischief would start - biting feet (not hard) to get slippers, worktop raids, jumping to get clothes off the washing line etc. Our solution is this. We have a peace cage - Buy one or borrow one- which is out in the side passage.When she misbehaves she is hauled into it, the door closed and we walk away.We ignor the barking that always follows and leave her until the is quiet, and then let her in. It diffuses the situation for everyone, no-one gets smacks and everyone calms down , otherwise things get just too manic. Do remember though, everytime the dog does a Poo or a wee or whatever in the right place, to reward. Tiny titbits are enough ( we had a pot containing part of daily ration of dried dinner so didnt get fat) Bobbin, i guess like most other dogs. would rather please us than be in trouble. Go for 'overkill' on the good - and hopefully she'll be glad to please you We were close to giving up with Bobbin ( a springer spaniel) and are so glad we didn't. Jess

Patricia, sounds like you need to look in yellow pages for a dog behaviourist who can come to the house and see what your dog is like. They can give a lot of positive advice.

My daughter is a care assistant and one of her clients used to show red setters,even though he is now house bound he still has them as pets.When she visited one evening she couldn't understand him as he was mumbling to her. It turned out the gentleman had had a visit from a dental technician to adjust his false teeth and the sweet butter wouldn't melt in her mouth 'darling' lying in her bed wagging her tail, had eaten them!!!! On the next visit to him no television - guess who had chewed through the television wire - hence no teeth no tv. He loves these dogs so much he has just got a puppy who insists on digging his way out under the fence!All I can say is 'GOOD LUCK'we have a borstal whoops' border' collie and were told the first 7 years were the worst, but we have survived!!!!!!!!!!! Brenda

Pat you may know I just got a new puppy. How old is yours? Ive got the book, The Perfrect Puppy by Gwen Bailey (on amazon on line). I had contacted Battersea about a new dog and the behaviourist there was handed my mail because she is a Parson Russell enthusiast. She recommended this book and I am treating it like a bible. Pup is on 4th day home now and today I am so knackered I decided to read up on behaviour again. This morning I was enthusiastic when I got him up but after that I was silent as I made his breakfast. Placed it down and stroked him. My god, he was so different, calmer - I realised I was making him over active by my enthusiasm. He has now been out for a wee and poo and I was happy playing with him but when I bought him back in I gave him a couple of toys and turned my back on him to wash up. He was good as gold. In fact Ive come up here knowing he has gone into his vari kennel in the kitchen to play with a chewy toy - not running manicaly round the sitting room knocking things over like yesterday. Do get that book, its worth its weight in gold! By the way, if you go to the Battersea Dogs Home site, you can actually contact their behaviour team for advice.

Morning Patricia, I've loved reading this, especially as I got up this morning to a handbag hunt! Madam has only taken it out to the back balcony, (she wasnt tall enough to reach the top of the cupboard yesterday I swear) she didn't manage to open it thank goodness. Tia is also a cig muncher, but prefers Marlboro light, as you say no matter where they are she'll find them. Like us you'll be frantic for a while, but it'll all be worth it. K. We knew what we were getting into with a golden, the big fella is now 22 months, he's a perfect gent. Can now be left for 6 hours on his own (no damage), still bounces in greeting people but doesnt smother them any more. It's easy to forget all the socks and shoes that he demolished...lol... but this one... she's going to be a bit more work. Loves water, any kind of water, dirtier the better, and if she cant find a puddle she'll have a dust bath instead! Aah Golden days eh? I do have to agree with Mike on some things though, we have a friend who comes and 'shouts' at Tia, told him the other night I'd train him first then her. She understands the commands and whispering has more effect. My b-i-l was a police dog handler for years and some of his training tips have really worked. Everyone in the street knows her ladyship, Turks are not reputed for being dog friendly, but she goes every day, just for ten minutes (at their dad's request) to play with two boddlers, as he doesnt want them to grow up screaming everytime they see a dog. Will she ever be ready for Search and Rescue training? I hope so, but it may take a little longer than we thought... Magi

Kaye, Fine lol... Like a kid --- its wrong -- how do you teach them its wrong?? Not by going naughty dog and laughing??? he thinks its a joke.... naughty dog --- I aint talking to you ---- dogs hate being ignored!!

Lol Patricia... I know I sounded harsh--- different to pets or working dogs. Whatever -- all dogs are pack animals and you are the leader of the pack. Dog rules you or you rule dog? You have to be assertive--- whatever the breed -- if they realise they rule you --- god help you lol I'm not being cruel -- even poodles know who is boss! Train the owner got a brilliant dog xx ok Patricia no problem .... lol.. I'll get him eating curtains before me lol!

soz Mike, wud rather let the dog eat the way thru the house!! in fact, wud rather let the dog eat u!

He,s a beautiful dog Kave, just strong willed!!, took him to obedience classes until he refused to get into car!! he,s 7 months old now and a real handfull, eats everything in sight!!, walk him about 3 times a day bout 4 miles aday on and off lead, is hard to give him time off lead coz other people are always about and he just wants to jump on them, have a big field with a pond, just over the road from were I live, but is hard to let him of lead coz he throws himself in water then jumps on onyone who is around, neadless to say, it does,nt make me very popular, he has every chew u can think off, loves them, but would still rather steal things, reckon it,s probabably just in the nature but if ur mum has any advice, wud luv to here it, thanx

Sorry Mike but I think that's more than a bit harsh. My Retriever was a big chewer as a puppy - as most pups are - but I would never have hit her with a lead or any other object for that matter. I do agree that you need to assert your authority on some occassions, but not in that way - you'll end up with a dog who's scared of you. Young dogs chew so you need to make sure that things are out of their way - the best you can. If you catch him chewing by all means tell him off and 'smack' him, but only if you catch him. As I said my Retriever was a big chewer, but we got her a sterilised, smoked bone and that made a huge difference. Dogs chew for different reasons - they may be teething, they may be playing, but also they gain comfort from chewing - it soothes them (can't remember why or how, but could find out if you'd like). If he's got something of his own to chew, then he'll be less likely to chew your belongings. Kaye x

Give him your handbag -- when he goes to chew it whack him with the lead ( sorry all nervous ones look away ) whack him again -- dont smile or grin --- remember he thinks you are top dog -- so if he has offended you he'll bow to your wishes --- if he leaps -- as he will-- whack him again hard! :) remember top DOG!! You are the leader of the pack? Its all I am the leader! lol

We had an Irish Setter when I was very young and he was a bit of a nutter too - they're renowned for it. He also used to like steeling things - mostly food and my Mum had to be really careful about leaving things out on work tops etc especially as they're quite tall dogs. I know Mum had to put a lot of work into training him and had to have quite a firm hand with him, but he 'could' be really good. My advice would be to give him plenty of exercise off the lead - he needs to run and burn off some of that energy. Perhaps give him one of those toys that you put food into - they play with it and bits of food drop out, it would keep him busy for a while? How old is he? If he's still a pup then he's going to be lively for quite some time yet. I think they are gorgeous dogs and lovely natured - apparently ours would sit on your lap given half the chance! I will have a chat with my Mum and see if she's got any suggestions - she did get him obedient enough to show. Good luck. Kaye x

Hi Val, dont worry, dog woz off colour the other week, cost me £150 for x ray to check he hadnt ate anything he shud,nt have!! dog woz fine, I woz abit traumatised!!

oh Patricia be very careful he could be so ill if he eats stuff like that, have you got plenty of chews and stuff for him they get bored very easy we buy Tripe Sticks they stink but he loves them, dog chews, and he has so many toys he has a large box full, you can buy some really large hide chews that will keep him quiet for ages as he is probably teething which is why he is chewing anything in sight, good luck they are very cute pups arent they???

love him to bits!! just that today he has ate my bag and contents!!!! that added up to £30, my cheque book, paying in book, visa card, store cards, letters and key fod (wud av ate keys if he cud) on top of that I get dragged into pond every night on his walk coz he can! and he .s on about 20 lambert and butler a day, does,nt matter were we put them, he finds them! help!!

I really feel for you we always get Irish Setters love them but you can get a nutter we had a really bad one I spent all day near enough crying he could not keep still always did his own thing but when he got to 4 he suddenly started to have really bad fits and was diagnosed with a brain tumour and had to be put down I was surprised at how much I missed him as he had just started to settle down. They are sometimes very hard to live with especially if you are House proud as I was .We have one now his name is Gerry my husband is Tom but didnt dare call the dog Jerry as that was a bit much, he is the most adorable Dog easy to live with everybody loves him even dog haters he has such a lovely way with him.Just relax and enjoy him it is always worth it and good luck.

No advice on Red Setters I am afraid they are well know for being dizzy. I had one but she was 7 when we got her so had quietened down she was a love 14 when she died, her previous owners were emigrating, she was so good 7 when I took her and she settled in with us great was fab with the kids. My Mum had one once would let any one in but wouldn't let them out. Be patient will turn out a great dog. Germaine x PS Try a good training class and have plenty of treats on hand.

I WISH!!

What type of problems are you having?

SIT! LIE DOWN! STAY! Anna