How can I change my dogs BAD behaviors fast?!?

Question

I have a French Bulldog mix. He has bad behaviors that I want to fix fast. We have had him for a year we got him from the SPCA. We have fixed a few problems but there are some that we can't seem to fix. When we talk him for a walk its the most embarising thing. He freaks out when he sees other dog makes this loud whin and won't listen to me pulls on his leash so hard he start to choke. He even does it when people walk by with a dog by our house and when there is an animal on t.v then when that happens he jumps at the t.v almost knocking it over! When we tell him to be quiet, he doesn't. He loves to chew so we can't leave him unattended for long or everything would be destroyed. He always jumps up on people or runs at people. He wouldn't hurt a fly hes very friendly but it scares people. I am really starting to get annoyed of his behaviors. We've tried spraying him with a water bottle, putting him into his kennel, tap him on his butt and snout nothing seems to work. Please help.

Answer 1

Obedience class would be a great place to start. Find a class that uses positive training methods. AVOID classes that recommend choke collars that can injure your dog and damage your bond. Some correction-based training classes call themselves positive-training classes even though they really aren't, so be sure to observe a class before signing up. Make sure you're comfortable with the trainer's techniques, and make sure the classes are a good size and the animals are under control (no vicious or extremely disruptive animals disrupting the class and frightening the other dogs, ruining the experience for the other dogs - those animals need private lessons before they're ready to join a class). In obedience class you'll learn how to teach your dog to greet people politely by teaching him to sit or stand politely for petting using positive training methods, and they should cover crate training too. Don't use the crate as a punishment - the crate needs to be a place where your dog can go to rest quietly for travel & times when you can't supervise him.

For the chewing, crate your dog when you can't directly supervise him, and provide him with some safe toys he is allowed to chew on (Kongs are great for that, as are rawhide bones made of pressed sheets of rawhide pressed together). Any time he heads for something he isn't allowed to chew, make a noise to distract him, take it away, and replace it with one of his allowed chew toys. He should soon learn which toys are acceptable. Try to keep things you don't want him to chew on out of reach. You can discourage him from chewing on furniture legs & such by spraying them with a taste deterrent such as bitter apple spray or Fooey! from the pet store.

I highly recommend the book "Feisty Fido" by Patricia McConnell to address his behavior problems with other dogs (and at the TV). http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DTB766 You can find it at some pet stores & book stores, or try your local library. It will teach you how to teach your dog to be calm when other dogs are near. The "watch me" command explained in that book can also be handy for dogs that get overexcited around people.

A good book to read at home about positive training is "The Power of Positive Dog Training" by Pat Miller: http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB723

Best wishes!

Answer 2

There is no quick fix. He needs some serious training... I would recommend a basic obedience course, which will help you both bond (always a good thing) as well as acclimate him to being around other dogs and other people. I know the basic course at Petsmart is only like $100 for a 6 week course or so.

As for not being able to leave him unattended, I strongly recommend crate training him.

These are only for starters... there is a lot more to do but we can't exactly teach you everything about dog obedience on here. Do some research online; there are tons of great sites.

As for the previous post... that person is a fool... Spraying cologne will do nothing except stink up your house. A choke chain will not be necessary if he is trained... and I tried using a choke chain with one of my dogs and he STILL pulled, nearly choking himself so it doesn't necessarily work. have NEVER heard of mix breeds having brain problems which cause them to act up... that is just asinine.

Answer 3

An obedience class (like the PetSmart one already mentioned) would be a good idea.

First thing you need to do is to be able to get his attention, even in the situations where he acts the worst. If you can get his attention, the training you get from class has at least a chance of working.

I got my dog from the local dog pound and she still has a problem with other dogs behind fences. At first, I had to just pull her back so I could get enough room to step between her and the fence so I could get her attention. After that, there's a chance to get her to do the things she does well (like sitting for a treat). It's slow going and we're still at the point where I have to pump treats at her as we walk by a barking dog behind a fence (there's just something about that that gets her really stressed out - even under control you can see it), but you can just keep making steady, if somewhat slow, progress.

The jumping was a problem, too. It was pretty easy to get her to stop jumping on me, since I was the one doing the training with her. It's slower progress getting her to refrain from jumping on other people. She used to get particularly excited by anyone wearing a PetSmart or Petco shirt - she just knew they would do something nice, like give her a treat. Fortunately, just about everyone working at either store knows enough to suddenly turn away and ignore her, so the visits there actually help extend the circle of 'don't jump' people a little quicker.

All dogs love chewing on things. You need to get them some toys that are a lot more appealing to chew on than the couch.

While my dog had problems with other dogs and jumping on people, she's an extremely smart Australian Shepherd mix. She passed her Canine Good Citizenship Test about five months after I got her, so don't get frustrated. It takes some work, but dogs are very social and practically live for praise from you once they figure out what they have to do to get it.

Answer 4

You have to be the alpha dog--when he does this take him to the ground and pinch his nose---use a ugly mens spray cologne to keep him from chewing on things. you are not hurting your dog you are teaching him right and wrong. Get a choke chain for a leash--he will quit the pulling when he is choked down. Since he is a mix he may have serious brain problems, as cranium too small for brain---causes the same thing as a constant migraine. Good luck.

Answer 5

you need to start watching the "Dog Whisperer" with Cesar Milan. He has his own website, DVDs, and programs. I have learned so much by catching his shows.
I am amazed at how many people think that if you discipline your pet, you are being mean to your pet. Your dog needs to know who the boss is, always.
Good luck!

Answer 6

unfortunatly it takes time...for the barking at other dogs. sit him on his rump and make him look at you..t hen tell him he is being very bad and jsut show that you are upset...dont let him look at the other dog. eventually he will stop. remember to reward him for being good tho. hopefully this will solve the tv problem too. when you come home and find something chewed...go over to it with him show it to him and disapline him...im afraid this may be the only way to fix it

Answer 7

Consult a certified behaviorist please.