He goes for walks twice a day and has loads of toys but when myself and my parnter are sat in our lounge watching TV we can't seem to calm him down. He has all his toys out and we play with him but once we stop he starts to play up and chew the cushions on the sofa and also the stereo speakers to get attention!!
Any tips on how we can get him to stop would be much appreciated :-)
2007-02-27 01:08:27 · 15 answers · asked by Natalie I 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
He has had the snip and no i don't own a crate.
He's fine being left on his own for long periods of time as i have a baby gate across my kitchen and he just sleeps when we're not their and my partner takes him to work everyday with him so he's not left at home.
The problem seems to be he gets that excited when we're home with him and when we aren't paying him attention he starts to chew the sofa and other things he shouldn't cause i think he knows we'll stop him.
Any advise as to how and get him to calm down and sit with us like he does when he's on his own in the kitchen?
2007-02-27 03:49:41 · update #1
i have a staffie and she did exactly the same at that age but every think i tried never seemed to work but she seemed to just grow out of it i have had a boy and a girl and they were both the same but when they were bout 22 months they just calmed right down i think its just somethink they go through i know its not much help as i was pulling my hair out with my staffs but they do calm down they are great dogs
2007-02-27 04:17:03 · answer #1 · answered by samsymon07 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be the boss ignore him when he is naughty and praise him when he is good that way he'll realise he gets fun and cuddles etc when he's good and the cold shoulder when he's not. You could always crate train him too so he has his own space where he can do what he likes and you get your bit of space and time too. I've got two English Bull Terriers and they are both manic all the time when their out and together. They are out playing with each other pretty much all day walked twice a day and then one is put away in their crate for a while so the other gets some personal time with us and vice versa. Then they get put away at about 10pm after their night time walk. Also if ignoring him doesn't do anything when he is for example chewing up cushions give him a smack on the nose or bum which ever has the most effect and say a very firm NO, he'll get the hint one way or another.Don't beat him though he's still only a baby. I know what bully's are like a and a little tap doesn't work it must be a firm smack or he'll probably look at you like you were tickling him or something! They are cheeky buggers though
Just to add quickly I've only had to smack my bullys once and they didn't like it and they now know that NO means No I used to take the thing they are eating away from them and replace it with a toy and they have both never been distructive. You should never use a crate as punishment though that isn't what they are there for. They are not cruel they are a quiet place for the dog to go and relax, my bullys love their space and scream the house down to get in them if thir doors are closed! Just goes to show that if crates were cruel things made purly to exclude and punish dogs my dogs must love being punished or something coz they love their little siestas in there own bedroom.
2007-02-27 11:42:15 · answer #2 · answered by sarahc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if he is not neutered that could increase the problem. second he is still a young dog. between ages 1-3 hes basically in his teen years. a good trainer is a wise idea. Also crate training is a very good idea to if he starts chewing or showing behavior u find un acceptable then place him in the crate for half an hour and also when u are not home. Remember before getting a dog u should have done some research on the breed. staffys are an acctive breed enjoy lots of attention.
2007-02-27 09:19:02 · answer #3 · answered by blackraven254 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a staffy girl for 16months, she was gorgeous but she ate my house! She demolished a full 2 seater and a chair and also ate 2 steps out of my stairs! i had trainiers come to the house, behaviourists and i also went to dog training classes. As soon as i left her for more that half an hour she started to damage things. i tried a cage, she broke out! The problem i had was when i got her i was on long term sick form work so i was with her all the time, she thought we were equal. In the end i found her a new home with a lady who didnt need to work and had other staffys, she is now perfect! she doesnt chew and does as she is told. I know its not really advice but i know how you feel.xx One thing that did work sometimes tho was a special ball thing that had holes in it, i filled it with treats and she used to spend hours playing with that!
2007-02-27 10:48:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Staffie's are naturally boisterous dogs. I can guarantee that as soon as I've finished doing something and park my backside with a cup of coffee my little Staffie girl will be there with either a toy or be begging for my coffee. Your dog is still a youngster and also a terrier and they're full of energy. They're also very intelligent dogs and need mental stimulation. There's dog "toys" you can buy that can be filled with food (dry or tinned) and the idea is it keeps them busy for ages trying to get it all. Have you tried one of those?
Failing that or anything else, be grateful you have a healthy dog who wants to be with you! (But don't cage your dog because that's just nasty, and excluding him from the room will be awful for such a gregarious breed).
2007-02-27 11:20:40 · answer #5 · answered by ♥ Divine ♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In disagreement of a message above, do not use a crate as punishment. If you can not keep him from chewing the furntiture when you are around, start putting him in the crate after you are done playing with him and BEFORE he starts on the furniture, then he will grow out of it.
Catch him when he is about to chew the furniture, give him a firm "NO!", move him away from it, and put one of his toys in his mouth instead.
2007-02-27 09:52:07 · answer #6 · answered by Donna S 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Agree with Donna S, crates are not for punishment.
Have a set play time, and do not allow your dog access to all his toys at once, just a couple at a time or he will get bored with them.
If he persists in trying to get your attention, do not look at him and turn your body away from him til he stops. If he goes to chew anything he shouldnt, remove him from it without speaking to him and give himsomething that he can chew. Be calm and persistant it will pay off
2007-02-27 10:54:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
A bullet?
In all seriousness though unless you want to "train" all the life out of him, there's nothing you can do except not give in, punish him when he destroys something that's not his and let him tire himself out every time. Staffs are hyperactive, attention seekers, prone to sulking, and self-important.
I love dogs but Staffs are probably the ones I like the least because of these traits. This also shows ehy people should ALWAYS very very thoroughly research any dog before getting one. Even these so called "danger dogs" like pit bulls, if the owners fully understood the animal they'd bought, how they react to different things and what the tell-tale signs of upcoming reactions are, they are no trouble at all, in fact as daft as it sounds a well-adjusted and well raised pit bull is a lovely animal to have around
2007-02-27 09:15:47 · answer #8 · answered by Funky B Funky 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Find a reputable dog trainer, go to classes, learn how to BE THE BOSS!
2007-02-27 09:11:42 · answer #9 · answered by jet-set 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
bear in mind that all dogs between 14 and 22 months go through their adolescence and therefore are very clumsy, energetic and naughty...
Your dog's behaviour will change completely once he's 2 years old.
However please know that he has to be sterilised.
you should "punish" him through playing less with him or taking away one thing he really likes when he misbehaves.
But trust me in 5 months he ll be very different
2007-02-27 09:34:14 · answer #10 · answered by irene p 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋