Discussion
Last yr we inherited a companion dog (7 yr old chihuahua x pug) from an elderly relative.
Gets on tolerably with existing dog. But she's been hard work for the last six months or so. She's has been very reactive, towards people and dogs, a mix of attention seeking and aggression.
We've been clicker training and starting to get this sorted now, along with car travel.She's now okay off the lead with other dogs, and if it looks like bother recall is good enough for her to come back before anything kicks off.
We've cracked traffic and bicycle problems and (mostly) people. Although she'll still sometimes bark for attention if we're out and I stop to chat, and large men seem to be a trigger.
She doesn't play with toys, we've not really encouraged it because it'll set our other dog off.
The one I'd dearly love to do is pubs, if we're going to get away on holiday this year it's crucial.
She doesn't mind going in, actively pulls to enter, but once in invariably people and dogs set her off.
Tried distraction with these https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07T6BJ5Y5/ref... but so much going on she just won't settle.
I think the trick will be really quiet places/times and slowly building up. Locally this is proving challenging, so many pubs have either closed or reduced opening hours so pubs still open are often busy.
Anyone with bright ideas?
Gets on tolerably with existing dog. But she's been hard work for the last six months or so. She's has been very reactive, towards people and dogs, a mix of attention seeking and aggression.
We've been clicker training and starting to get this sorted now, along with car travel.She's now okay off the lead with other dogs, and if it looks like bother recall is good enough for her to come back before anything kicks off.
We've cracked traffic and bicycle problems and (mostly) people. Although she'll still sometimes bark for attention if we're out and I stop to chat, and large men seem to be a trigger.
She doesn't play with toys, we've not really encouraged it because it'll set our other dog off.
The one I'd dearly love to do is pubs, if we're going to get away on holiday this year it's crucial.
She doesn't mind going in, actively pulls to enter, but once in invariably people and dogs set her off.
Tried distraction with these https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07T6BJ5Y5/ref... but so much going on she just won't settle.
I think the trick will be really quiet places/times and slowly building up. Locally this is proving challenging, so many pubs have either closed or reduced opening hours so pubs still open are often busy.
Anyone with bright ideas?
Edited by PositronicRay on Wednesday 5th January 16:31
Can't offer any real advice, I just hope you don't live near some of the people from https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... who walk out of pubs because of a well behaved dog under a table 
mw88 said:
Can't offer any real advice, I just hope you don't live near some of the people from https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... who walk out of pubs because of a well behaved dog under a table
I try to avoid the weirdo threads. 
is the dog food motivated ? I’d try stuffing a kong with the most high value treats ( chopped chicken or cheese maybe) and plug the ends with peanut butter . Only produce the kong when she’s in the pub and see how that goes . I’d also take her a good walk prior to going into the pub . Knackered dogs always settle better no matter the distractions . Good luck
Agreed exercise is good, (for everyone) her behaviour has improved enormously since we took her on. Her recall is good so plenty of off lead stuff too.
We've been keeping to quiet areas and with known dogs.
Long walks and tiring her out is routine. its better than not tiring her out but she's still pretty excited/wired out and about. Loves food so clicker training going well, (call her, when she looks, click and scatter treats) but when sat in a busy place she gets distracted easily from a chew or whatever.
I think we'll start going to busier places, and when the weather allows sitting outside to desensitise her and build it up.
I'm convinced it's excitement (almost puppy like despite being 7) combined with a lack of self confidence. Size (5kg) breed traits, and as pointed out above learned behaviour probably have all have something to with it.
Getting this final bit sorted will make us all happier bunnies. My 2022 goal.
ETA
Another thought, I'll walk her in usual quiet places. Put her on the lead and sit, just get her used to being still and chilling.
We've been keeping to quiet areas and with known dogs.
Long walks and tiring her out is routine. its better than not tiring her out but she's still pretty excited/wired out and about. Loves food so clicker training going well, (call her, when she looks, click and scatter treats) but when sat in a busy place she gets distracted easily from a chew or whatever.
I think we'll start going to busier places, and when the weather allows sitting outside to desensitise her and build it up.
I'm convinced it's excitement (almost puppy like despite being 7) combined with a lack of self confidence. Size (5kg) breed traits, and as pointed out above learned behaviour probably have all have something to with it.
Getting this final bit sorted will make us all happier bunnies. My 2022 goal.
ETA
Another thought, I'll walk her in usual quiet places. Put her on the lead and sit, just get her used to being still and chilling.
Edited by PositronicRay on Thursday 6th January 08:36
Any dog that sits quietly under the table in a pub, is the definition of a “good dog”. Our younger GSD will do it for about an hour, then she gets bored and lets out a really loud “woof” every 5 minutes. The older GSD … er no, she will pull the table across the room to get to another dog.
I would start with a quiet pub and knackered dog. This may involve going for a swifty in the afternoon. Sit down, consume pint, dog gets treats for sitting quietly for a few minutes. Gradually work it up. I would second absolutely wearing out the dog before doing this - if the dog just wants to sleep, then it will realise that being under a table is a nice place to be.
I would start with a quiet pub and knackered dog. This may involve going for a swifty in the afternoon. Sit down, consume pint, dog gets treats for sitting quietly for a few minutes. Gradually work it up. I would second absolutely wearing out the dog before doing this - if the dog just wants to sleep, then it will realise that being under a table is a nice place to be.
I don't think a command's needed. The dog needs to understand that you're going to do nothing, zilch and learn that it's to do the same. It needs to learn to switch off until you switch back on. So, I'd completely ignore it and definately ignore any attention seeking. When it's settled or when you decide to go then it has earnt a treat and a small one at that, that it has to tease from your finger tips.
Hard to do with an active dog but it's mission should be to please you even if you do stay put for a while, with a pint. :-)
Hard to do with an active dog but it's mission should be to please you even if you do stay put for a while, with a pint. :-)
mw88 said:
Can't offer any real advice, I just hope you don't live near some of the people from https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... who walk out of pubs because of a well behaved dog under a table
Better than getting carried out because the dog isn't as well behaved as you claim.https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showb...
You need to teach your dog to always order the Guiness first, the bar staff won't appreciate a pint of the black stuff tacked on the end of a round.
If your dog can follow that one simple rule then they will be welcome in any pub. They can start all manner of fights, make as much noise as they want, even pissing on the carpet or up some random punters leg if they want. The bar staff won't mind providing your dog orders the bloody Guiness first!!
If your dog can follow that one simple rule then they will be welcome in any pub. They can start all manner of fights, make as much noise as they want, even pissing on the carpet or up some random punters leg if they want. The bar staff won't mind providing your dog orders the bloody Guiness first!!
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