Rescue dog difficulties...

Hi All

We got our new dog on 26th October. He has had a little separation anxiety, but started to get better. However, he is now getting worse and worse, tearing up sofa cushions, opening doors, emptying the bin (even after being fed), poohing and weeing even when he has been out...

I just don't know what to do? The shelter said he could be left easily for 4 hours a day, I leave him for just over 5, but take him out for 40 mins in the morning, 45 mins to 1 hour at 3pm and then we both take him out for 1.5 hours in the evening.

He has a kong, a nylabone dental chew and other raggy toys...

He has also been acting weirdly around little kids and even tried running over a main road to get to a little boy this morning. I am incredibly worried and don't know what to do...

Thanks guys x

Hiya, when you say acting weirdly how do you mean? Sounds like a lot of enthusiasm and exuberance, which at his age would fit perfectly. These issues you describe are likely to be minor teething problems, I read on here when we got our rescue that by a month you will see any difficulties that may need ironing out come to light, prior to that the dog is finding his feet and may behave differently. Have you spoken to the shelter see if they can advise you? Has he ever been crated, as that could definitely help if he took to it - he would feel much safer when you are out. There is another thread on here about the separation anxiety issue theres lots of good advice on there too. I'm sure with some time it will be ok, from what I have learned there is so much scope to handle it it's just having the right advice, it is so worrying when you first have them, hang in there!

He was acting as though the child was something for him to catch.... He was in his prowling mode and tried to run across the main road. Really rather worrying, as I have many friends with little ones and do not want to have to worry about him around kids....
Have been talking to the shelter, they have given some tips, but his behviour is really testing and his is becoming very disobedient too.
When we told him to get off the sofa, he acted as though he would have gone for my hubbie if he carried on...
Just don't know what to do...

What's his back story have the rescue told you much? What did they suggest in terms of training and obedience? After three weeks or so with Dexter he got a little challenging, oh told him to get off the bed and he barked at him. We put him out of the room for a few moments and kept our cool and we haven't had a repeat of that. Plus staffies can be so vocal, I came on here the first week as I couldn't be sure if he had growled at my youngest, however as time has gone on and we know him better I recognise the 'growl' to be a purr..it sounds so much like a growl though, hard to explain on here but if you can imagine - it takes time to learn their ways, and them to learn ours. Stay firm, stay calm and consistent - dogs want to please so much, and he will get the message of what is and isn't allowed I'm sure. Does he like ball play? That burns off so much energy, tired dog = good dog!

They said he came from a house with a paralysed owner and her 12 year old son. She was unable to walk him and the son only did for 10 mins twice a week.

He is very dominant with my 14 year old stepson and also with me... to the point where he jumped on the back of the sofa and put his front legs around my neck and started biting my ponytail. Rather scary!

We put it all down to playing, but really not keen on his dominance like that..

We play with him and his toys, he also bit me (think it was an accident), so i'm a little wary, as you can well imagine!

He is very vocal and we know that his high pitched barks are those asking for attention and play time, but he has a different one when he is being told not to do something, which is a little unnerving.

how many times do you walk him and how long for?

3 times a day, 40 mins in the morning, 45/1 hour around 3.30 and then 1/5 hours at 6.30/7

are you let him run around or are you lead walking him?

I am no expert, Dexter is our first staffy and I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along soon but what you are describing to me really does sound like excitement and play not dominance in the way you are perceiving it. Do not worry that he wants to take over the house and be the boss, he may just have bad habits from the last owners. 10 mins twice a week? Good lord!!!!
Even the biting your ponytail, I know it isn't ideal behaviour but I don't think he was planning on hurting you in any way, Dex chews our hands in play when he gets the chance and he has done all sorts to me during rough and tumble but he knows when I say no it's time to cool it down (he didn't know this, I think his last owners didn't put any boundaries in place during playtime) so we had to use short time outs and ignoring him to get him to realise. He also doesn't do any of his crazy playing at the kids (we have 3) he knows they are small somehow and can't take the big dog games as it were. Remember that you as the owner can guide him, if he resists at first (and when you change things he may do more of the behaviour, like a final burst almost but stay firm and it will get better) it's because it's all new to him too.

He is walked on a training lead, as his recall is not great - so he does get to run about...
Thanks Pygmy for your advice. It's just so difficult knowing what to do and how to react. We are trying the positive reinforcement, but he needs to know when he is being good i guess? So we do treat and praise him when he's not jumping and up and stuff, but if he needs a time out, we have nowhere to put him, as he can open all the doors and we are desperately trying to stop him countersurfing.

Can I ask what food you give him?

i would move it to a hour each walk. i always gone with and as work for me for the last 20 odd years a tired dogs is a good dog, a untired/bored dog is a problem dog.

Extra exercise wouldn't go amiss, but I wonder if it's more one of two things...
1. Food making him hyperactive
2. Because he never used to get any exercise he got used to being restricted & bored. Now, he's getting the extra exercise & he isn't quite used to the 'good' feelings it gives him.

We were feeding him on supadog sensitive, just gradually trying lathams sensitive now...
I guess a longer walk in the morning would make sense. He is ever so excited when he gets back in too though?! Guessing the fact he had no walks before makes him overexcited?

Definitely, he doesn't know what to do with all the lovely happy hormones. It is quite normal for them to be still full of energy for a while when they get in, if you sit down and relax he will take the cues from you in time and settle down too

You just need to ignore any bad behaviour from him, by doing just that, he will soon learn from you. As to the tearing up of things, perhaps a crate ? My Pixee does get very upset when we leave her, but we are lucky in that she will just sit in her chair watching for us to come back, she now will sleep in that same chair, but will not touch any treats we have left for her till we come back. I always make sure she has a long walk before leaving her for a while. When we first had her, she did go in the bin a few times, not anymore. I do wonder if the food is not agreeing with him? As you do give him good walks. Its normal too for a staffy to still feel full of engery when they back from a walk, Pixee will sometimes do her bum under her, high charged run around the house, so funny it is. It will take time to sort any problems out. And it does get better as time goes by.

Not happy! I just wrote an essay to you and my computer closed down!

Basically I think crate training would be hugely beneficial in this case, even if to begin with its just to save your furniture! Buy a crate and put his bed, toys, water etc in there. Feed him in there to get him used to it and to begin with leave the door open. I would also put an old blanket over the top to make it like a cave for him. He will feel much safer and more secure if he has his own place. Also I find leaving the radio or TV on while you are out is very helpful. When the dog can't sit and listen for outside sounds this tends to stop them getting as anxious.

Get him used to the crate by leaving the door open to begin with, then eventually shutting it and leaving him in there for short periods. This way he will be more used to being confined. When you go out leave him in there with a filled kong, some food and a bowl of water, maybe some toys or chews/bones.

When you get back don't fuss or pet him, this will just reinforce his idea that the minute you get back everything is exciting and amazing and alright again! open the crate, dont look at him or talk to him. Walk to the door and let him outside to do his buisiness, leave him out there for a few minutes to have a sniff. When he comes back in quickly assess his behaviour and body language. If he seems more chilled give him a pat and say hello, if hes still bouncing off the walls get on with something else until he calms down. Only when he is relaxed can you give him fuss. This is useful as what you are doing is putting another 'block' in between you returning and he getting what he wants (ie. company and attention). This means he associates your return less with getting cuddles and should help to curb his anxiety.

Its never going to be fixed over night, remember he is a rescue, everything has changed for him. It is even more difficult to integrate an adult dog who has always been shown things one way and now is being told something different. In regards to the jumping on you and chewing your hair. This doesn't sound like aggression, more mis-informed play! Keep doing what your doing, be firm and keep standing by him cus sounds like your doing a good job.

Relating to the little boy, has he always been ok with children before? It sounds not like he wants to hurt the child perhaps he 'switched off' and wanted to play but was in his own mind about how to get over the road. Do you know anyone with older dog-savvy children you can work with him with?

PS. Lathams sensitive looks like a good food

I'm sorry to hear your having a tough time, but having rescued Betsy I really think it is still early days. Particularly as he's had a major change in lifestyle!

Some brilliant advice on here, but just wanted to let you know that I've been there! And we came through the other end! We had the "honeymoon period" of a couple of weeks then boom game on ! It felt as if everything was a challenge! And wondered if I was cut out for it all, but you just keep going.
Consistency is the key!

I defo agree to increase the exercise. I also leave Betsy for 5 hours a few days a week but she needs a good 2 hr walk in the morning with variation of our play, lots of doggies and a good run plus an hr or so in the afternoon. Mental games like hide and seek are great to tire them out too.

Just hang in there. It will get easier and you'll become more confident and get to know your dog. Betsy would sometimes challenge me and now cos I know her, it's kind of like "whatever" whereas before I was worried.
x

Sorry to hear about the issues you are having with your rescue dog. Rocky was also from a rescue centre and we too had some niggles to begin with.

I would get in touch with the rescue centre again and ask if you can take your dog in for another assessment. We did this with Rocky and they should be OK for you to do this. Woodgreen, where Rocky came from, were only to happy to have him in for an afternoon, which we also attended, so he could interact with some other dogs there and see how he got on with them. Rocky had some aggression issues that we now have ironed out and we now know what to look for and what to do.

I'm sure you would also benefit greatly from doing this with your dog, as the assessment can be done in a controlled environment with the dog handlers there on hand as it were.

Woodgreen also followed this up with a great letter sent out to me with some more hints and tips for things to keep Rockys mind occupied. Woodgreen were brilliant really cannot praise them enough for everything they have done.

Which rescue centre did your dog come from ??

Its very hard work getting a dog from a rescue centre. They certainly have their honeymoon period and then when they feel safer with you the trouble begins. Have you tried training classes with her? Crate training sounds like the plan when you're out. Perseverance, you'll get there but it will be hard work

I can see reading some of the threads that we have been so very lucky with Dex, mind you I expected and was preparing for x amount of problems after the first few weeks so sods law and all that!

Any update with your progress on this one sorry but only just seen the post

I agree with some others on here, spike was perfect when we got him home and slowly the chewing and anxiety came out and one of my fave tv boxsets died a horrible death of teeth and drool !!!

I borrowed a cage and slowly got him used to it, lots of praise little and often staying in the room, not closing the door and buidling it up until he is happy in the cage, we then slarted leaving him in the cage with the door open (as well as a food triangle disribution thing to give him something to play with for food) and then i found i could get rid of the cage completely and he is perfect ah home !!!

its tough i admit spike being my first dog since i was a child and had a family pet but if you stick with it and follow all the good advice on here you will get there.

try not to worry too much or they will pick up on that and not listen to you be strong in your commands and repeat and praise and do it all over again he will soon learn !!!

Hi there,

I agree with alot of the people on here about the crate training. My family and i have always had rescued staffys (to be perfectly honest I always will as there are so many in need of a good home). It can take months for a rehomed dog to show its true colours and settle in to its new environment. Definately do as others have suggested about the 1hr walks at a time. One thing I would say, correct me if I am wrong. You said that he is off the lead on his walks sometimes. Bearing in mind what you have said about his behaviour towards children and that he is not responsive to your recall commands as yet. I would not have him off the lead. If, in the unlikely event he were to give another dog a nip or a child or person a little effectionate nibble as staffies can do. He may bring more unwanted and unfair bad publicity on the breed.
The post from 'Nosipho' is well worth reading.
One of my old staffs, when I first rescued him, used to love to jump up and grap my sleeve and try to start playing like he had rope in his mouth. I found that with this the best remedy was to grab his, in mid jump for the sleeve grab. Check him calmly but firmly (showing I was dominant) down to my side and ignore his attempts for attention at this point untill he calmed down.
It will all be alright in the end. Just stick with it. They are more then worth it!!!

He is still a very young dog and may not have grown out of the 'teenage' months yet.

Up the exercise, feed him from an activity ball, introduce clicker training and get him using his brain.

With the hair pulling, that is puppyish behaviour - I wouldn't call it dominance, I do not believe in dominance at all - he just doesn't know right from wrong.

Hang in there. I've been through a lot with my own adult rescue staffy - starting by peeing when we came home, now he toilets (in the toilet coincidentally) when alone but doesn't pee w/ overexcitement, has gone through a sandal, a shoe, a treat bag (can't blame him for that one), a muzzle we left too close to ground, etc. He seems to be improving on a daily basis, but I got " The shelter said he could be left easily for 4 hours a day" too which didn't prove 100% true. Crating has helped for short stays (around 1 hour) but am a bit wary of leaving him crated for longer periods.

Can we please have an update if you are still around