Trashing house when excited and other problems...

Alfie (Staffy cross) is about 18months old now and is getting better but we have a few problems we are struggling with so i wanted to ask for some advice -

He is calming down but when he gets excited he still goes soo nuts, he throws himself around the house so much we have holes in the walls where he has slammed furniture about. Should we discipline him or is this just "tough you have a dog stuff" ?

He may be possessive of me, if our other dog comes up for fuss or if a cat is on my lap he will always come over and start a playfight with them, or bother them till they move, should i stop this and how?

He is a bit dominant with our other dog, no serious fighting but he will take toys off Sam (3 yr old lab) and Sam avoids eye contact with him. They play together ok though, lots of fake growling and rolling on each other, does that mean they are happy with each other?

(Both dogs are neutered)

Thanks in advance for any help

Lisa

Hi Lisa, I don't think it's tough you have a dog behaviour, sounds very much like attention seeking. Same thing when you have the cat on your lap too.

I would suggest time outs. Whilst you don't want to stifle play time, you do need to set boundaries. When he acts up send him to a safe place to calm down, a bit like a naughty step I guess. Once he's calmed down call him and make a fuss. He will eventually identify that this is what happens when he goes "nuts".

Be consistent with this message and everyone else needs to as well and after some time he will learn.

I agree with Ian. I used the 'naughty step' method with Meg (more by accident than design!) and it worked, they also hate to be ignored!

Yes to naughty step.

When he throws himself around house - what do you mean? When you come home and he's excited to see you?

I don't think any of the behaviour you mention is worrying - you can work on it and nip it in the bud. The nudging thing is cos a Staffy's favourite place is in the centre of your universe, preferably on your lap.