Over Enthusiastic Mastiffx Staffy

[moirat]

I had a phone call from my daughter who lives in Brisbane. She has a 5 year old desexed male GSD, well mannered and generally no trouble anywhere, and she has "her little man" a mastiffx staffy ?. He is 2 (desexed) and quite the problem child - She had the GSD ( a failed security dog given to her at 18months old so already well trained) before her boyfriend moved in and he wanted a puppy so off to a puppy warehouse they went and came home with this guy, he has received very little in the way of formal obedience instruction. He is lovable but most times totally over the top, a mad licker and plays very rough.

He was in disgrace for tearing out the newly planted palms in their back yard when she rang me first off asking "why is he so naughty?" we discussed his behaviour and I told her that they need to make an effort to exercise him everyday as he sounded bored. As they both work this sounded like it would end up in the too hard basket.

She rang yesterday very proud of the fact they had been taking the dogs to an off lead park near by. He is having a great time and so much less trouble at night. Only problem with this is, he singles out the weakest dog at the park and picks on it the whole time they are there. Boyfriend argued with one owner that he wasn't dangerous because he wasn't mouthing the other dog, however when a 45 kg dog is "playing with a 5-10 kg dog the other owners are rightly concerned. I know I keep an eye on him when he comes here and tries to "play" with my westies. Needless to say they have received rousing rounds of abuse from the other owners. What do they do now. I suggested looking for a time when there are no other dogs at the park but this is not addressing the problem - I told her when he behaves badly to get him back on lead asap and work on "leave it" with him, perhaps taking him to obedience classes would be good for him.. but they are soo too soft with him. It would crush her if he were reported as dangerous and being a bull breed cross she is concerned about resulting BSL .Any suggestion for me for her, please?

[poodlefan]

I suggested looking for a time when there are no other dogs at the park but this is not addressing the problem - I told her when he behaves badly to get him back on lead asap and work on "leave it" with him, perhaps taking him to obedience classes would be good for him.. but they are soo too soft with him. It would crush her if he were reported as dangerous and being a bull breed cross she is concerned about resulting BSL .Any suggestion for me for her, please?

They've missed the boat in terms of teaching the dog to play appropriately. All that is left now is to ingrain a very good recall and to use it.

I've seen a lot of extremely dominant behaviour displayed by dogs whose owners think they are "playing" when they are doing anything but. If this dog postures to the wrong dog, it could be on for young and old.

Obedience training and more careful attention to their dogs activities at the park are called for. They also need to respect the fact that many people take their dogs to such parks to exercise them, not to have their dogs interact with others.

Edited July 25, 2007 by poodlefan

[ShellyBeggs]

I would be saying....NO dog park. Before something bad does happen.......

If they can spend the time to stand and watch him rough housing maybe they should be spending that time on a brisk walk or get a dog harness and take him on a bike ride.......and then some mind stimulating games at home to help with the boredom.

They may also need to work on leadership as it sounds like the dog is running things, especially if they are being soft with him. Its easier said than done, but read the pinned thread on the Triangle.

Obedience training should be a must for this dog.......And maybe even see a behaviorist....

He may eventually learn to socialise nicely.....but it will take a lot of work, training and patience!

[moirat]

Yes Poodlefan I know what you are saying. I have told her from the word go that she needs to take a strong stand with this guy as he was going to be big and the look of him is enough to worry some people. I had dramas here with him when I minded them over Xmas, and she rolled her eyes and said " I hoped you wouldn't turn into one of those 'oh my poor little dog" people when you go these little dogs. So blind in one eye and can't see out the other, the dog is going to suffer because of it. I told her one day he will pick on the wrong dog and then there will be trouble. She responded with she looked forward to another dog teaching him a lesson, how to behave. I REALLY don't think she understands at all. How can such an intelligent girl be so very lacking in common sense. She is proud to take her GSD anywhere as he is no drama and doesn't even really like to play with other dogs but will stay with her. She would like for me to come and train him for her, which if I lived closer I would do, for his sake at least, but I am an hour and a half away and it is her responsibility surely.

[poodlefan]

Moirat:

I REALLY don't think she understands at all.

I really think you're right. It will be the dog that pays the highest price of her lack of understanding.. Does she understand that people who discipline and train their dogs don't love them any less than she does?

I've had this stuff sprouted at me before. "Oh, I don't want to obedience train him, I want him to be a free spirit"....

"Really?" I responded. "So you'll be letting him urinate and defecate all through you house then?"..

[moirat]

I am sure she woiuld freak to see him being taught a lesson as only another dog can. She would hate to see her dog bullied into submission or worse but will not look at it from the other side. apparently people with little dogs freak out tooo easily. I tried to explain it like raising a child. She was taught not to be rude or a bully and how to act appropriately in public and can clearly see now children who have not. I attempt to liken the two situations.

I totally enjoy obedience classes with my westies and the GSD pup and so do they. They are a pleasure to take out and I love to do it. I have an older Dobe who was not socialized so she stays home - she is happier and more relaxed at home and so am I.

Iwould love her to take him along to classes as there are some at a park not too far from her place, I am sure she would like it and he would benefit the most. Bloody kids - shame I am not young enough to know everything.

[sas]

I'd say don't take the dog back to the park because it's not an appropriate place for 'that' dog to be.

People with small dogs have every right not to be happy about large dogs harassing their dogs, small dogs aren't structurely as tough as the biggies!

Edited July 25, 2007 by sas

[Erny]

I'd be asking your daughter if they were doing everything oh so right, why are they experiencing problems? If her answer is that it's everyone else that is the problem, then all she has to do is effectively control her dog to avoid them. And if she can't effectively control the dog, why not, seeing as they are doing everything right (supposedly speaking)?

Generally speaking, dogs behave in response to the things that we do. If we want dogs to behave differently then we have to change what we do.

[jaybeece]

He sounds a lot like my dog, but minus the many months of work put into him.

If she wants him to get any better, she's GOT to work on his obedience and the heirarchy in their house. The dog's got to be taught respect and self control, otherwise I can imagine this isn't going to end well.

It's not too late to reverse his bad behaviour, but she's gotta have the discipline to keep at it and to acknowledge where she's going wrong.

Has she considered taking the dog for a run with the bike? Or swimming? He won't be able to cause as much trouble away from other dogs and they could work on his obedience more with the fewer distractions.

[Mushaka]

I watched "the dog whisperer" yesterday on this exact topic.

He said that dog parks are "affection" and this is how us humans take the lazy way out of excersizing thier dogs. She needs to TAKE CONTROL.. practice the triangle of temptation at home and wear her dogs out.

RUN/WALK/BIKERIDE/SKATE anything BEFORE she takes them to the park! then when he is tired and relaxed ,he wont have that over the top excess of energy.

as Cesar says AFFECTION shld be last on the order of things,we ALL know this dog will pay the ULTIMATE price for her lack of good judgement.

To be honest,i dnt think its just ur daughter with this ridiculoua attitude. I tried tellin my best friend who is a very clever woman,that her dog seems to feel he needs to protect her. He is a lovely dog, BUT he gets out the front and "attacks" (barks and chases) people. He also whines wen ties up out front of shops,even though she has walked him everyday and tied him since puppyhood (now 4 yrs old)

I told her she needed to start with the hardest thiing which i KNOW is hard,but get him OUT of her bed.

her response was " he is fine, im not after a perfectly trained dog".

In todays world,..what he is doing is classified as an attack.. he only needs to bark at someone who isnt so keen on dogs and off to court she goes!! People drive me NUTS with thier unwillingness to do whats best for thier dogs..