Bad end to nice walk

Come back from what started as a lovely walk quite upset

Ralph has a nasty habit of grabbing onto my slippers whilst I'm walking and he just refuses to let go. I have been dealing with this by either ignoring him until he stops (quite painful as he's chomping into foot that's inside said slipper) and fussing him when he lets go, or stepping the other side of the baby gate and ignoring him until he's calm, then coming back.

He will also do this when you come in having been out, grabbing buckles on boots, or if you've got something with laces he'll grab those. It's really a bad habit that I'll be so happy when we break it.

I was over the park with him this afternoon, and there was no one about so I let him off. His recall is good when no one is about, but he'll not return when he sees another person or dog.

Anyway, no one was there so he was running about and we both spotted a lady enter the park. Before I could put his lead on, he was off. I wasn't quick enough. He bounded straight up to her and started attacking the laces on her moon boots.

She starts screaming 'its biting me! It's biting me!' I'm like, he's not biting, he's just a pup, he's playing with the laces on your boots. I said I was really sorry I hadn't seen her come in until it was too late but she had a right go at me.

We were having such a lovely time playing in the snow, I just popped his lead on and started to walk home.

I saw her again as I turned into our road and tried to apologise again, but she gave me a filthy look and blanked me. Great.

Any ideas on the lace/feet/boot chewing thing. Am I doing the right thing at home to try and stop this. I can't have him chewing strangers shoes. And it's back to the training lead we go!

Oh no! Not pleasant for anyone. First off, ignore the woman. You apologised, put him on his lead - the right thing. If she doesn't want to accept that dogs aren't always 100% perfect, tough.

I think you're doing the right thing at home. Withdrawing all attention is probably the worst consequence for most dogs, particularly our staffies Roger has started doing this to my dad, and we're doing exactly what you're doing.

As Ralph is a few months older, you've probably got a bit more teenage stubborness to deal with, but do persist. You'll also have to try and get some stooges out and about to help train him. Perhaps get him to realise that if he chews shoes he gets zero attention, if he approaches calmly he gets hugs. Or, when he needs to come away, he gets the best game ever for doing so.

I'm sure there are plenty of more experienced people to give you more well constructed advice xD

Thanks Eris.

Tommy still does this to us , and Tilly when she gets into a high excitement phase , just ignore , turn and pacify. The running off bit Tommy the little sh1t did this to me 2 times today but just to play. Not what I wanted but in a playful way he was an ambassador and just played without jumping up at the people and grabbing so should be thankful for that and that the 2 people were absolutely fine about it (all dogs off lead) more me worried than anyone else

Yeah, Ralph was being playful, but she was freaking out. I should have buried her face in the snow... >

Only joking!

You might need to teach him to 'leave it' or give a sharp No when he grabs your slippers or laces in the house so he knows you don't like it and hopefully he will learn

He is normally good at leave it, but I will start practicing this a bit more.

A sharp no just seems to get him more excited, that's why I started ignoring him.

I also used bitter apple on my slippers, but I can't go round spraying members of the public with that!!

The lady was probably a loony anyway, why would you wander alone around a park in this weather? Anyone wearing moonboots should have them bitten off >

You could try a pet corrector when he does it, its an almighty noise, I don't really like it but it may give him the shock he needs to stop doing it, otherwise as said practice leave it, but use a strong firm voice, no nonsense so to speak.

As for the walk thats just unfortunate, and yes stick with a long lead for now.

You might also want to try carrying something with you to use as a distraction for him when he does run off. We have a squeaky device from an old toy that got chewed but still the squeaky bit works a treat and gets Rocky attention almost every time we use it.

Great ideas. Thank you everyone.

My dog has great recall too unless there's something of more excitement and no amount of calling or whistles brings her back but a squeek of her favourite kong ball has her running back and sitting at my feet no matter what else is about. Has Ralph got a favourite toy you could do this with. I also practice the leave it with her favourite boomer ball and she is getting so much better at this. good luck

He's got his squeaky squirrel. I'm going to start taking that with me. I've been a bit if a chicken and not let him off since, but that's not the answer.

:-)

a lady walked up to my pup and went to stroke him, he grabbed her jumper like he does, next time i bumped into her and her husband in shop, her husband was like oh its your dog thats aggresive isnt it, he bit my wife! lol no he grabbed her jumper.

berribum wrote:a lady walked up to my pup and went to stroke him, he grabbed her jumper like he does, next time i bumped into her and her husband in shop, her husband was like oh its your dog thats aggresive isnt it, he bit my wife! lol no he grabbed her jumper.

And because you have a staffy then it's 10 times worse I just hate some people

Tommy grabbed a joggers jumper once when we were out ( They should carry a bell round there neck or something as they come out of nowhere) came up behind me when he was off lead and just too late to grab him , she was a little bewildered but he let go straight away I apologised and no damage done , apart from me being highly embarassed

Jellytot wrote:



I also used bitter apple on my slippers, but I can't go round spraying members of the public with that!!

On that lady yes you can