My Pups a Problem!

Hi all,

I am a proud Mummy to a fur baby and my boy has come along way in his life so far. When we got him he was a one year old Lab x Kelpie who weighed only 9 kilos and had been abused by a family that owned 26 dogs and couldn't afford to keep one.

He fought for his life, and the vet said that he wasnt going to make it through the first 48 hours, now 7 months on he is a good 24 kilo, and absolutely adores his new home. The problem being... he loves it just a little to much!

He sneaks into my bed in the middle of the night, he digs holes (not when we are out but while we are home), he runs at our visitors like a bull at a gate because he thinks everyone that comes to the house is there for him, and he has a habit of biting at peoples hands.

He is a very smart dog and a quick learner but I am asking for some strategies to get him trained and more well behaved! Especially if a bub may come along! Does anyone have tips that have worked for them?

Take him to a junior puppy pre school. Find a delta society trainer who will get you through the puppy phase as well as the post abuse phase.

I've done quite a bit of study in dog behaviour and ran puppy pre schools for 10 years. We got a dog who was 6 months old who was covered in ciggarette burns.
I also have a labrador who used to be excited when people arrived and bites hands.

A few quick tips are to put something else in your pups mouth when people arrive, so we had a little box with old stuffed toys from op shops and we would put it in the pups mouth when someone knocked on the door, now she is 7 and rushes to get a stuffed toy when someone arrives. Give him a little sandbox where he can dig, and bury some toys half way and some treats. Instead of feeding him breakfast, throw dog biscuits out onto the yard randomly. Make him find his food... It will stimulate him and make him excited when you go.

He sounds like a good smart dog, and one that will be awesome once he has a bit more training.

Obedience training definitely.

Thanks Christy, thats awesome advice! We will definately give it a go. I have looked into it and our Vet runs puppy preschool so we will be taking him on Thursdays. Thanks for the tips :D

i find a spray bottle of water is handy.. i have a very excitable dog too and he hates being squirted with water so very useful tool.