I have a naughty Springer all of a sudden
Discussion
My 10 month old Springer has started to be really 'naughty'.
He gets loads of exercise, at least 2 miles a day - which is what he has always had. No dietary changes, a tin of food and Dr John's Gold split am and pm.
No changes of routine, save that we are decorating at the moment so he is spending a bit more time in the garden, still getting plenty of attention though.
In the last couple of weeks, he has started chewing anything he isn't supposed to - flip flops, broom handles, you name it. He always has a big chewy bone available. He has started being really disobedient too, not coming back when he is called, running off when the front door is opened, etc.
I can't understand it, he gets plenty of love and attention, I have tried the not scolding him when he comes back/is caught, scolding and the occasional stung arse. Nothing seems to work and I'm at my wits end.
Any helpful advice very gratefully received!
Edited for speeling
He gets loads of exercise, at least 2 miles a day - which is what he has always had. No dietary changes, a tin of food and Dr John's Gold split am and pm.
No changes of routine, save that we are decorating at the moment so he is spending a bit more time in the garden, still getting plenty of attention though.
In the last couple of weeks, he has started chewing anything he isn't supposed to - flip flops, broom handles, you name it. He always has a big chewy bone available. He has started being really disobedient too, not coming back when he is called, running off when the front door is opened, etc.
I can't understand it, he gets plenty of love and attention, I have tried the not scolding him when he comes back/is caught, scolding and the occasional stung arse. Nothing seems to work and I'm at my wits end.
Any helpful advice very gratefully received!
Edited for speeling
I agree 2 miles not as much as you may think. Go back to basics with training. Lots of positive reward based training avoid any scolding.
Has he been neutered?
Hopefully Mrs G will be able to help :-)
The decorating may be upsetting him more than you think. How much more is there to go. Has his bed been disturbed as a result.
Has he been neutered?
Hopefully Mrs G will be able to help :-)
The decorating may be upsetting him more than you think. How much more is there to go. Has his bed been disturbed as a result.
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 12th May 07:54
1. 2 miles is a minimum. For example yesterday he had 2.5 miles, a run in the field for half an hour, and three hours on the beach.
2. Not been neutered.
3. Decorating nearly finished and yes, bed has been moved about, but not far.
ETA:
I go with the teenager thing. It's definitely 'the look' I get from him. He knows he's being naughty.
2. Not been neutered.
3. Decorating nearly finished and yes, bed has been moved about, but not far.
ETA:
I go with the teenager thing. It's definitely 'the look' I get from him. He knows he's being naughty.
Teenager and not neutered may well be a link.
dogs don't do 'naughty' on purpose there is nearly always an underlying reason. The look in his eyes is not knowing he's been naughty (though I agree it looks like it!) Mrs G would explain this better but it's more fearing reprisal.
Running off and not coming back most likely hormones so if can't get back under control neutering likely to be a solution, he's the perfect age for this behaviour to be hittin
Get his bed back to his normal spot as soon as you can
Increase number of walks, ie 2x 2mile walks instead of one. Retraining and teach new things to keep his mind busy, New chew toys e.g. kongs, balls with treats that fall out etc boredom causes 'naughty' behaviour.
Remember it's not his fault it's upto us to find the trigger and correct it, not always easy I know!
dogs don't do 'naughty' on purpose there is nearly always an underlying reason. The look in his eyes is not knowing he's been naughty (though I agree it looks like it!) Mrs G would explain this better but it's more fearing reprisal.
Running off and not coming back most likely hormones so if can't get back under control neutering likely to be a solution, he's the perfect age for this behaviour to be hittin
Get his bed back to his normal spot as soon as you can
Increase number of walks, ie 2x 2mile walks instead of one. Retraining and teach new things to keep his mind busy, New chew toys e.g. kongs, balls with treats that fall out etc boredom causes 'naughty' behaviour.
Remember it's not his fault it's upto us to find the trigger and correct it, not always easy I know!
Tyre Smoke said:
he gets plenty of love and attention
This might be part of the problem. Apart from all the reasons mentioned above it could well be separation anxiety. Try leaving him alone for more short bursts and when you come back into the room/house don't acknowledge the welcome you get. This makes the dog realise that it's OK being alone and should cut down on the destructive behaviour. Also watch TV in a room and shut him away for a bit. We've got an 18 month Cocker and have similar problems...
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
Tyre Smoke said:
He's booked in for ball removal. Since we never intend to breed from him, not an issue. Just me as a fellow male being squeamish!
Christ from a mild enquiry to the pair of bricks in 7 hours ?you don't hang around (nor will they anymore!)
a bit hasty, non ? Don't they put on some weight from it? Our Vet said don't unless you have to for him raping everything.
I don't think it is hasty, he's the right age (not too young for breed size) and there is a strong possibility his urges are outweighing his training/ obedience and becoming unruly. Now it is possible to overcome it without training but there are no real benefits to holding off and making life harder for everyone.
I don't think castrating is necessary just for the sake of it when they are young but I'd still advise they be done by the time they are about 4yrs to avoid the risk of cancers.
I also don't see the fun in chasing after males who's urges are strong enough to make them run off after a b
h in heat (a common reason for rta's)Not all males are this way inclined but if they are then castrating has to be strongly advised. ETA - missed the bit about your vet advising the same with regards to 'urges', sorry
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 12th May 16:43
Vet student here,
2 miles isn't a lot for a springer particularly a young one and tiring the little bugger out will help settle his chewing appetite out so if you can, try and give him a longer walk. Another way to help with the chewing is one of two main ways depending on his mentality and how dominant he sees you.
Firstly you could try positive rewarding such as placing the things he chews in front of him and teaching him the 'leave' command and rewarding with treats.
Secondly if this fails when you catch him chewing something he shouldn't be then firmly (not aggressively)take him by the scruff of the neck and pin his head to the floor while saying strongly 'no' or 'leave' or whatever command you wish and make sure he sees what he was chewing that was wrong. Then take his chew toy which he should actually be chewing and place it infront of him and when he picks that up reward with a treat or attention whichever you wish.
Hope this helps,
2 miles isn't a lot for a springer particularly a young one and tiring the little bugger out will help settle his chewing appetite out so if you can, try and give him a longer walk. Another way to help with the chewing is one of two main ways depending on his mentality and how dominant he sees you.
Firstly you could try positive rewarding such as placing the things he chews in front of him and teaching him the 'leave' command and rewarding with treats.
Secondly if this fails when you catch him chewing something he shouldn't be then firmly (not aggressively)take him by the scruff of the neck and pin his head to the floor while saying strongly 'no' or 'leave' or whatever command you wish and make sure he sees what he was chewing that was wrong. Then take his chew toy which he should actually be chewing and place it infront of him and when he picks that up reward with a treat or attention whichever you wish.
Hope this helps,
Swiftwill, I agreed with everything you said right up until you suggested pinning dog to the ground, really not a good move, how do you know if this dog has any fear based traits, do you really think pinning it to the ground will help!! If it hasn't you are likely to introduce a fear response with this method. I wa really hoping Mrs Grumpy would see this post but I know she is quite busy at the mo. I'm sure she'd agree this is not a good method to advise.
bexVN said:
Swiftwill, I agreed with everything you said right up until you suggested pinning dog to the ground, really not a good move, how do you know if this dog has any fear based traits, do you really think pinning it to the ground will help!! If it hasn't you are likely to introduce a fear response with this method. I wa really hoping Mrs Grumpy would see this post but I know she is quite busy at the mo. I'm sure she'd agree this is not a good method to advise.
Just what I was going to say! Imagine all our vets advising to pin dogs down! I've heard this a few times sadly. This is very inappropriate advice and it proves the lack of behavioural training in vets today.nick_j007 said:
bexVN said:
Swiftwill, I agreed with everything you said right up until you suggested pinning dog to the ground, really not a good move, how do you know if this dog has any fear based traits, do you really think pinning it to the ground will help!! If it hasn't you are likely to introduce a fear response with this method. I wa really hoping Mrs Grumpy would see this post but I know she is quite busy at the mo. I'm sure she'd agree this is not a good method to advise.
Just what I was going to say! Imagine all our vets advising to pin dogs down! I've heard this a few times sadly. This is very inappropriate advice and it proves the lack of behavioural training in vets today.Tyre Smoke said:
My 10 month old Springer has started to be really 'naughty'.
He gets loads of exercise, at least 2 miles a day - which is what he has always had. No dietary changes, a tin of food and Dr John's Gold split am and pm.
No changes of routine, save that we are decorating at the moment so he is spending a bit more time in the garden, still getting plenty of attention though.
In the last couple of weeks, he has started chewing anything he isn't supposed to - flip flops, broom handles, you name it. He always has a big chewy bone available. He has started being really disobedient too, not coming back when he is called, running off when the front door is opened, etc.
I can't understand it, he gets plenty of love and attention, I have tried the not scolding him when he comes back/is caught, scolding and the occasional stung arse. Nothing seems to work and I'm at my wits end.
Any helpful advice very gratefully received!
Edited for speeling
Dr John's Gold is not good food IMO. See the ingredients here http://www.farmway.co.uk/pet-1/dog-3/dog-food-11/g...He gets loads of exercise, at least 2 miles a day - which is what he has always had. No dietary changes, a tin of food and Dr John's Gold split am and pm.
No changes of routine, save that we are decorating at the moment so he is spending a bit more time in the garden, still getting plenty of attention though.
In the last couple of weeks, he has started chewing anything he isn't supposed to - flip flops, broom handles, you name it. He always has a big chewy bone available. He has started being really disobedient too, not coming back when he is called, running off when the front door is opened, etc.
I can't understand it, he gets plenty of love and attention, I have tried the not scolding him when he comes back/is caught, scolding and the occasional stung arse. Nothing seems to work and I'm at my wits end.
Any helpful advice very gratefully received!
Edited for speeling
Ok, you have a Springer which is a working breed and you are feeding a working breed food (these are VAT free btw hence lower cost). Trouble is that you are giving a high energy food that is not appropriate for your nice 'domestic' dog. I highly favour a moist brand that my own 2 are on called Nature Diet. I assure you he will LOVE it, and it is utterly free from additives. Dr. John has quite a few additives. Other v good dried brands to look at are James Wellbeloved or Burns. Be aware that these brands are 3-4 times more cost wise.
Exercise. Is he getting OFF lead during these 2 miles? Try getting him out am and pm? Equally he should be 12-18 months before you start really working him hard physically.
If suitable, he could 'find' all his food off the lawn each day over 2 meals. A neat idea when it's dry and nice outside. This'll work his energy out more
At about this age they can go through a secondary teething phase which may explain the chewing. Otherwise he may be bored? Avoid leaving young dogs unattended in the garden. They can of course become destructive - chewing, digging, fence running, protective, barking, theft (of the dog!) can all occur. I can now leave my 18 month lad in the garden and he's great, but only because he has not been able to develop bad habits by being left alone.
Yes, boundaries are being pushed at this age. Males are more likely to do this IME. He may be exposing some weaknesses in your recall training? (You may have a female in heat nearby btw?)
Not recalling can be overcome with renewed efforts. Keep him on a 10m line and reward his recalls with his meal in cubes (this is where the moist Nature Diet can excel). Stop feeding him in the home for best effect. Dogs not returning is a major frustration, and can lead to reduced exercise as they end up on leads invariably. Ensure you don't scold on return (just to reassure you of the best way) and smile through gritted teeth when he does come back. The line should put you back in a 100% success rate and then he can drag it and then it can come off but don't rush the process. I was out myself today with my own lad at 18 months age returning to the recall with a whistle and liver for treats
Doorways need to be trained that he does not go first (just for this very reason) and that he waits for you to go out turn and face him and then invite him on. If you are ALL doing this in the home it largely negates the idea of dashing through an open door. PM me and I can send you notes on doorway manners
A bit rough, but this could help more http://youtu.be/JcttMVaqYIILove and attention does not create a well trained/obedient dog
It can create a loved dog for sure that follows you about, but it doesn't create respect or manners. I would hope that over time you create a balance of both...with a dog that has your time and affection of course, but a dog that is listening to you and respecting you as a result of sustained, consistent, reward based training.Castration. I have spoken to endless people that resort to this in the hope that it will magic away the problems, only to find that the issues (which were training related in actual fact) continued to deteriorate thus a worsening overall after the op. This is not to say that your dog won't calm down or stop straying and so on. Just remember that once it's done it's done and to concentrate on the training more than anything else. Vets regularly offer this procedure as a default cure to anything of a behavioural nature in male dogs. I realise Bex works in a vet practice, and it is not a personal comment at her, just my own perspective in light of my day in and day out behaviour work. So in summary, your mileage may vary re castration, but don't expect it to cure the problems you describe.
I saw a 2 yr old male choc lab yesterday that was very pushy and had recall and social issues outside. On balance I advised to castrate. We shall see how it goes, but they will be looking at training in the main, and taking the castration as an additional measure.
Enough of me waffling on. Let me know if you need any more input.
Nick
nick_j007 said:
bexVN said:
Sorry Nick should've included you in my post as well!
No worries Bex. Are those animals keeping you busy?However as I've already mentioned I tend to be a bit more cautious than many by not insisting all dogs should be 'done' by 6 months, I don't believe this is necessary for all, (though mot should be done before middle age to avoid poss health probs.) One of our nurses is behavioural certificated so I tend to discuss any queries with her as she agrees castration not for all!
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