My Boy Mugs Visitors

I'm new to the forum but not new to Staffies I have had the privilege of being owned by SBTs all my life. My boy is a beautiful entire male almost 3 years old and we love each other to bits. He is a typical staffie in to everything and can be very naughty but is well trained in most ways. However, no matter what I try and believe me I have tried, I cannot stop him from mugging visitors due to his over excitement. A trainer advised me to make him go to his basket in the kitchen when the doorbell rings to teach him that the visitor is for me and not for him. He will do this but I hate excluding him. Yesterday though he was in his basket in the kitchen when a friend arrived, we were talking in the hall and Harry came bounding out full of beans jumped all over her, stole her handbag and emptied the contents all over the floor, mouthed her cardigan and tore a hole in it and had the poor lady in quite a state as he is a very strong boy. This only happens in the home, he doesnt do this when we meet people out walking, though he has the annoying habit when people pet him he will occasionally mouth and tug their wrists to pull their hand back down and not stop.

Any help or suggestions most welcome please.

Thanks

Lizzie

Whilst I can the humor in this post and was laughing to myself at the dogs excitment, I can see it being a problem for you.... I used to tell people to ignore the dog but I think with a 3 year old excited boy it's not going to be as simple as that...can you not close the door to exclude him completely? It sounds harsh I know but you don't want him trashing handbags and cardigans every time someone arrives.... good luck with this one...

I think to start with you should probably exclude him completely. Then, when he's used to that, let him out after a while, but as soon as he starts his nonsense put him straight back out.

It'll probably take some time but I'm sure you'll get there in the end!

Would having him on a lead be of help when you answer the door? Also we have a gate blocking the way to the door, the dogs can see but are not in the way. I feel for you, Emmy will knock a person flat if they aren't prepared.

Not too sure but as said above excluding him, even though you don't want too may work in the long run, maybe a baby gate so he can still see you but cant get to you!

Thanks for the suggestions. I agree, it is impossible to turn your back on a 3 year old staffie and ignore him when he is excited, and this didn't work for me when Harry was a puppy. I have been excluding him when i have visitors by getting him to go in his basket in the kitchen and shutting the door. His answer to this was to learn to open the door using the handle So I have had a carpenter put a lock on the door. Yesterday I forgot to lock it which added to his excitement when he found he could get out! Clever little so and so.

Trouble is its hard to convince someone who isn't used to staffies that he is only trying to be friendly.

Think I will try putting him on the lead in future and try and show him what to do instead of attempting to stop him from what he shouldn't do, if that makes sense.

Happy days!

Lizzie

Everythings worth a try! Let us know how you get on??

How about also trying (if you havent already!) his totally favourite treat/food/toy? Kep it by the front door and as soon as you open it teach your visitors to grab it and ask Harry to sit or something?

He sounds fun btw :D

That's a good idea.

Thanks for the suggestion Suzie, I did try that when he was younger and it is worth trying again. He is a real foodie, (aren't they all) and would just eat what was offered and then look at me as if to say "now can I mug them".

He is calming down in as much as it doesn't go on as long but is still pretty full on.

It reminds me of the Pink Panther films starring Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau where the japanese guy jumped out and attacked him each time he came home and Peter Sellers used to say to
him "Not now Kato".

Just my sense of humour lol

Lizzie

I have the same problem with Harley, he does the same. I have a sign up saying VERY FRIENDLY STAFFY BE PREPARED TP BE JUMPED ON.

Harry was just checking the lady's handbag to see if there was anything in there for him or things that shouldn't be in there.

If people come to my house they need to be prepared for a staffy, it's his house they are only visiting, if they don't like it they don't have to come. Mia also joins Harley in the fun.

Lizzie wrote:Thanks for the suggestion Suzie, I did try that when he was younger and it is worth trying again. He is a real foodie, (aren't they all) and would just eat what was offered and then look at me as if to say "now can I mug them".

He is calming down in as much as it doesn't go on as long but is still pretty full on.

It reminds me of the Pink Panther films starring Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau where the japanese guy jumped out and attacked him each time he came home and Peter Sellers used to say to
him "Not now Kato".

Just my sense of humour lol

Lizzie

lol sorry for laffin but that made me giggle, i'd go bonkers if my 2 did that, they know if the door goes they can sniff at it, then once its opened both of them go to their beds, dunno how i trained them to do that, when i find that out i'll let you know but your wee one sounds lovely and loads of fun too lol xx