Missing a trick?

Hi folks,

A quick query for you. Brutus seems to have become Dr Destroyer in the pat week. Nothing is safe. It started with my sunnies on Friday morning, then another pair of flip flops, a roll of loo paper and today, the tv and cable remote controls. I have no idea where this mischief has come from as up until now he's been quite good. Is he toting his naughty stage and we need to keep on him with the discipline? He is getting plenty of exercise, we still carry on with his training and he goes to day care twice a week for socialising. I fact, he gets out more than both my wife and I.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Cheers

He's just pushing boundaries and you have keep at the training! Teenage phase! He'll come through it just keep everything out of reach and doors closed!!

Second what janey said! Just think 'teenager' and how they like to push. May be up his walks if poss to tire him out a little more

Keep up the hard work and hopefully its just a phase

Again, just as Janey said. Rebellious teenage phase. You just gotta remain persistent with what you've been doing until he gets back on the right road

More exercise and more training, as both will tire him out and he'll be too tired to chew your stuff

Definitely just a phase of teenage rebellion. Keep consistent with the training it'll pass.

Yes, like teenage boys and my own 14 month old pup, Brutus is on the lookout for entertainment and Mischief! The only difference between Brutus and Kuchar is that Kuchar has ALWAYS been like it so I've got used to keeping chewable things out of his way - as much as possible. He'll still catch us out though

Maybe time to up the walking time a little, teenage phase kicking in there too, I'm sure you will all get through it in time.

Prob with the exercise is that it's warming up here, and quick. 34 today and its set to rise over the next 6 months. We have him at day care which will hopefully control his chew desire, and then it will be lots of games indoors I think.

Well, last week I made mention of Brutus testing the boundaries. Well the little sod stepped it up a level last night. We have been letting him sleep in the house out of his designated area. Has been doing this for near on three months now and been great. I woke this morning to his usual bark and what I found was slightly frustrating. Three big piles of poo at various locations and he had * all over the floor.

Is this part of his testing behaviour or do we put him back in his designated room and try again after a few months?

Agree it's a teenage phase as well. Here is a link to some indoor games that may be usefull

http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/indoor_dog_games

Agree with everyone else.. Teenagers

brutusindubai wrote:Well, last week I made mention of Brutus testing the boundaries. Well the little sod stepped it up a level last night. We have been letting him sleep in the house out of his designated area. Has been doing this for near on three months now and been great. I woke this morning to his usual bark and what I found was slightly frustrating. Three big piles of poo at various locations and he had * all over the floor.

Is this part of his testing behaviour or do we put him back in his designated room and try again after a few months?

Dogs don't mess where they sleep, wherever possible. If you're going to let him sleep in a different part of the house, make sure he knows that's his sleeping area. Move his bed there, keep him confined in that area for small periods of time (starting at about 15 minutes and increasing gradually) before leaving him overnight. At the end of the short periods, go and fetch him and take him out to go to the toilet, then go back in the sleeping area. This has always worked for me in the past, although it may take a bit of persistence on your part! With him already having been to the toilet there though, you need to make sure you've thoroughly cleaned the area so absolutely no scent remains, or he'll just do it again (I'm sure you already have done, but just thought I'd mention it ).

Cheers Chris. He knows that the house isn't his toilet. He hasn't had an accident in the house for almost four-five months which is why we let him out of his designated sleeping area and to sleep on his cushion. We take him out before we go to bed and he goes to the toilet, which is why i was surprised at what I saw this morning. The floor has been scrubbed and we have a "no smell" spray that's been used. He will be back in to his room from tonight to start the training again.