My dog is a morning person

I know we are not supposed to beat or yell at our dogs! Lol but Freddie is really pushing his luck! I need to take Freddie in the bedroom as he cant be trusted in the family room because he is destructive. He has taken to waking really early like 4 am today and he'll start to barks and wanting to go downstairs. I thought I had the matter solved a little I started taking a chew upstairs and to keep him occupied I would give him that. But this morning  he awoke at 4 , we didnt to bed until after 10 pm. I gave him a chew and he was quiet for about 30 minutes. He was barking as I got up and I'm trying to keep him quiet so he doesnt wake my sick husband who is in another room.
I think perhaps he needs to go out so I decide to get up and take him downstairs and let him out. He doesnt need to do anything just hangs around the patio. I bring him in then what is becoming a routine starts. He is leaping on the other dogs wanting to play, I give him his kong then the other dogs want it so I bought them all kongs but they still manage to be noisy. I've tried feeding him early but that doesn't help. I've tried sending him to his mat but he only walks back off a couple of minutes later. It's winter here and not light until  after 7 am so I am stuck at least 2 hours every morning with this boisterous dog. Once he has had his walk around 7 he settles down and is quiet most of the day. I can't leave him outside for long early mornings as he would wake the neighbours and I don't need complaints with all the dogs I've have. This is a new problem I haven't had this with any other dog. But then Freddie has faced me with lots of new problems like I have to clean the garden continually as he eats dog poo. He isn't lacking in anything.
Most of the day he is calm and sleeping either indoors or out or generally hanging out with us. Any suggestions gratefully received.

Possibly try to keep him more active during the day, so he's more likely to sleep through at night? An extra walk in the evening would possibly help! How long have you had Freddie? It does sound like he's forming a habit.

hi svw it sounds like your dogs bored and needs more stimulation and exercise mental stimulation will work wonders for your dogs well being

Hi Rachel, we have had him 9 months. The morning waking is worse since we turned the clocks back in April.  It wasn't so bad getting up between 5-6 am. But now it us between 4-5.
Long walks are a bit of a problem Mia as we are still loose lead training him. I do take him somewhere he can run several times a week.
I've been looking online and have discovered I need to totally ignore him and other members of the family will need to put up with his protests. I've been making it worse by trying to distract him with chews and kongs in fact rewarding his behaviour.
I'm exhausted and will try this control crying method. He will still be in my bedroom but unless he is destroying my room I'll ignore him.

If the behaviour is attention seeking, some people have had positive results from offering no reward (positive or negative) to the behaviour. I would agree that you have been rewarding with chews etc and that will have more than likely execcerbated the behaviour. However, staffies are also highly energetic dogs and need a lot of exercise, if he is spending vast amounts of the day resting and only getting a chance for thorough exercise a few times per week, it doesn't surprise me that he is being destructive/having excess energy. Ideally they need an hour twice a day, Bug is middle aged now so she gets 1.5 hours on a general day but she will happily complete a 10 mile hike at the weekends with ease. Training is so important, as you mention the loose lead walking, but so is that opportunity to play, relax and burn off some energy. Perhaps you could practice loose lead walking to an off lead area, let him have a blast, and then loose lead walking on the way back? Most of Bug's walks are playing and charging about apart from a few structured training bits here and there. She is fine if she misses a day of good exercise but more than that she starts to become quite unmanageable and constantly looking for stimulation (whether that is by destroying things or excessive attention seeking from us).

Unfortunately we aren't the ideal owners for Freddie as where we live, close to the city, our age and circumstances and the size of our garden make it unrealistic for him to have that much exercise. We obviously didn't know what we were taking on and that is obviously the case for many people as staffies fill the pounds here and many are euthanised ever year. They are the most dumped breed.
However although not ideal we did save his life though he won't realise that so I wont feel too guilty. I do regret adopting him at times I did so mainly to save him. Perhaps we will be lucky and he'll settle down like our other dogs.

Sorry I'm just catching up on this post, is he 17mths old ?

Not 100% sure as he was dumped as a pup in a yard they thought he was about 20 weeks at the time. Had eight homes including failed adoption and foster carers. He's around 18 months now. Loving dog but likes to do what he likes. Persistent is an adjective I would give him! Lol

With the lead training some walks he really seems to get it and we feel progress is being made other times he totally switches off and he won't listen at all, not interest in clicker or treats and is a dog on a mission. It is like he doesn't know you are there.

Oh shame !! Oh typical staffy then in the personality department ! Staffy's are high energy dogs, love attention & company. They do need a good dose of exercise at least once a day, if not twice (my boy has not been walked today due to the torrential rain and we are paying for it ! ). I had THE most destructive puppy, he's now 2.5 yrs old and can be left alone all day (often 10 hours at a time), I thought he'd never grow out of it and we were at our wits end (I was in fact laughing with hubby this morning about the numerous times he shouted at me saying the dog had to go !! ). Freddie has already had so many homes in such a short period of time, please please please keep trying with him as I am sure it WILL get better and he will fall into routine, I'd hate to see him go to another home too. I also agree with your comment earlier - he needs to fit into your routine or it will never work, he doesn't need to be 'the boss' and I'm sure you will work through this wee temporary speed hump. We're always here to bend an ear !

I also live in a town centre flat (apartment) with mia I got her when she was three , please persevere with a staffy routine consistency are an absolute must even down to the feeding routines I will help as much as I can I have had mia a decade now mia had 3 homes before mine has a fair few problems and I trained her myself . staffies are very very stubborn and they can also be tempremental unpredictable at times its what makes them the most unique loyal loving breed thats a staffy .xxxxx

Thanks to both of you for being there. Hopefully he will get easier he does have good points. If he can get better at walking and not wake up at 4 am I can ignore all the other stuff ! Lol

Im hearing ya! I was up at 3am then 6am as Koda wanted out! We're here

Ah I see, they can be a bit of a whirlwind when they're young but I hope the regret of adopting him soon starts to fade. I understand the shelter issue having worked in rescue for many years. I think the status of the breed as well as the ease of breeding them and large litters that they have also add to the problem, but they certainly are hands on dogs. If walking is out of the question flirt poles are great for tiring your dog out we made one from a horse lunge whip with a raggy toy tied to the end, 10 mins with this in the garden and Bug is tired! You could also do this before you take him out for a lead walk, as it should get some energy out and encourage him to walk better on the lead. What are you currently walking him on?

It sounds like you've got the mental stimulation covered with kongs/clicker training. As Bek says it would be a real shame for him to go somewhere else, after so many homes already. 9 months may seem like a long time when it feels like you're not getting anywhere, but as you say, with age and time he will likely settle down and you will build a closer bond. What is he fed on also? He may be sensitive to certain ingredients?

Mental stimulation is a great way to tire them out so anything like a flirt pole or toys that use energy like rope toys will also help. If you can wear him out late in the evening he should sleep longer, hopefully.

At 18 months he will be full of energy but he will calm down too. I'm surprised the other dogs aren't making him more tired though.

Thank you I'll look into flirt poles. He does get walked daily sometimes  twice but it can be a lot of turning around each time he pulls. This morning when he started yapping at 4.15 I said quiet them ignored him and he did stop after a short while. Same again about 5 I thought I would get up at 5.45 but he started barking then so I waited until he stopped before I got up. I will try firm routines. Up at 5.45, fed at 6 and walk at 7. Kong inbetween if needed.
See how we get on with that. He does play with the other dogs particularly our black cocker aged 5. But our 7 year old  ridgeback will also play with him at times. I hope Koda went back to sleep for you

Sounds like you're doing all the right things, just tire him out as much as poss - a tired dog is a good dog ! (took me ages to realise this!). If you dont' have one I'd recommend getting a boomer ball (buy online) Koda only needs 10 mins with it and he is exhausted, & basically you don't have to do anything just keep an eye on him as he gets very boisterous with it ! It has been a god send when we've needed to tire him quickly as heading out etc. I haven't a flirt pole but we do use the broom to wear him out also, he loves to chase that and leap at it - again little effort on our part for a great tiring session for him ! Unfortunately not much sleep for me between Koda & this hideous flooding we're experiencing this weekend !! So much flooding we haven't walked Koda yesterday and not looking good for today - we are all going stir crazy!!!

I hope the weather is a bit drier in Sydney. I'll look at more toys for Freddie.
He has been quite laid back today. I pulled out of the dog obedience class as I feel it's too overwhelming for him at the moment to be with so many dogs and not being able to go up to them.
I feel we need patience as this training could take a long time!!!! I hope you were able to get Koda out for a while!

Hi Rachel,
He was sensitive to grains and had terrible wind. We changed his diet a while ago and it has made a huge difference. It is a formula that is suppose to be particularly good for staffies and he has kangaroo as well. I bought some rescue remedy drops a while ago but haven't tried them yet may see if they help calm him down for his walks.

Just looking to vent and for some moral support. I have been walking Freddie separately sometimes he is good other times his head is in a different place and he pulls and the walk is very stop and start and turning around. He is still atrocious if I try to walk him with my other dogs. I'm feeling very overwhelmed as my husbands condition is getting much worse and he could only have months to live. He is needing me more and more. This morning I stupidly took all three out together to a school oval very close as I needed to get back quickly but that doesnt work it is too stressful my cocker runs off with his ball and won't come near. Freddie lost his and I have my ridgeback on lead. Freddie pulled terribly on the way there. The only way I should take the three out tighter is if I drive to a small dog park that is mostly empty. I know I'm going to be left with the four dogs and it is frightening though it will probably be easier than looking after them and my husband. My three other dogs are manageable but Freddie in the mix makes it so hard. He is going on for 20 months now so maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel . Just at a low point.

So sorry to read that things are particularly stressful right now, I really can't imagine how tough it must be. Is there a friend or neighbour that could lend a hand with walking the dogs? i'm trying to think of practical things that might help

Feel free to rant or moan or just ask for a little moral support, we are here if you need us.

I can see by the date of my last post it was just before my husband collapsed with internal bleeding. To cut a horrible story short he died a little while ago. So now I'm trying to cope with the grief and make a new routine for myself. I used doggy daycare quite a bit in the final weeks and Freddie loved it. I'm going to take him for a day every week or so to keep him socialised.
Where I need help is that for some reason I'm so resistant to walking Freddie separate to the other two. I end up taking them to the oval to run then being a wreck in case they run off it. Well today they did, nothing dreadful but they ran up to someone walking a young dog. I just can't seem to get into the routine of walking Fred first them crating him while I walk the others. Fred is also going on nice runs with one of my daughters who swaps her children for Fred for an hour. But he still needs to go out eating morning to calm him down . I don't know why I'm fighting this as its only causing me stress.

so sorry to read about your husband is there a friend/neighbour you trust to help with freddie ? staffies can be frustrating particularly so young hope things get better for you

Hi Mia, thanks for your reply. I am not sure what you mean by help with Freddie. But we have only lived here a couple of years and I don't know anyone here that I'd ask to help with Freddie. I have been thinking about why I struggle so much with this and I realised today it's because I don't want things to change, I want my old life back and I want the routines we've always had with our dogs and walks.
But things have changed. So one of my daughters said to help with motivations download a walk tracking app to help me challenge myself. To set a routine for myself and try to stick with it. Feel good about reaching a goal of walking a certain amount of time at a certain speed and do this when doing the two dog walks. Accept it doesn't work or look good trying to walk the three together. Maybe in time I'll be able to but it just doesn't work at the moment.

I am so sorry to hear your news, it must be an extremely difficult time for you.

Don't be too hard on yourself, you have a lot to deal with. But, at the same time, it is important that you tackle this so well done for not just brushing it under the carpet and hoping it'll go away.

I personally think you're already a long way down the track in that you recognise that really you do need to change the way you walk your gang in the not too distant future, and that you have an idea of why you're finding it hard to change now. You've also got a supportive family with great ideas.

One thing that might help is to see if you can change the words you use to think about walking the dogs, and to change how some of your perceptions about this situation sit in your mind. At the moment, you talk in terms of having to change, and how that change will force you to leave behind a part of your life that you want to return to. Those concepts will make it hard. If, instead, you can start to develop more positive ideas (hard at the moment, I know), and start to use positive words, I believe will help you.

For example, instead of thinking 'I have to take Fred a walk first then put him in his crate while I walk the others' you think 'Let's go and have fun with Fred, just me and him time, then he can chill while I have time with the others' - it's less of a chore and more of something to enjoy. Find the positives and the negatives will start to take more of a back seat.

It might not be easy but it's something you can do, then look at what you have achieved and be proud of yourself.

You are 100% right Liz I am looking at it as a chore not a pleasure. It isn't even a training problem any more. Fred no longer demands to get up early morning and he is so much better at walking on his harness. I'll report back how we are going in the chat thread.

A more settled Fred - that's another positive to add to your collection.

I'm looking forwards to hearing good news when you're ready .

Words seem inadequate but I am so very sorry for your loss, what a huge loss to experience. Please don't allow walking Freddie to be an additional stress, you have enough on your plate! Take the time you need (please remember there is no time on grief, something I learnt quickly, unexpectedly!), try some advice given by your daughter & Liz is a great resource especially with the impact of positive reinforcement. Please let us know how you are getting on, whenever you have a moment. Keep going, you've got this ! Take care of yourself xx

I slipped and went back to trying to walk all three together with very limited success. Fred really pulls for the first part of the walk and I ended up getting really mad at him. So starting tomorrow going back to walking Fred first to try to get some enjoyment back in walking the dogs.

If nothing else it does prove that walking them in batches is the way to go. Sometimes you have to try something that doesn't work to confirm what does.

How are you doing otherwise?

Thanks Liz. The walks this morning were so much better, two calm walks instead of one stressful one. I am still in shock and traumatised by my husbands last weeks. Hopefully in time I'll be able to think of before he was ill.