Problem Pups

[Julia&Charlie]

My two dogs (aged 3 and 4) have been causing us grief with their barking, which seems to be getting progressively worse. Was just hoping someone on here might have some suggestions on how we might be able to handle their problems, which seem to be only getting worse!

My 3 year old dalmatian was well socialised as a pup but when he hit adolescence (this also coincided with getting our rescue dog, molly), began to develop aggressive tendencies towards other dogs and strangers. So much so that we are now unable to take him off the lead at the park in case he attacks another dog, and we have to be wary when visitors arrive. He hasn't bitten anyone, but will often growl if approached by strangers and barks whenever he hears the gate open.

Our 4 year old lab, molly (a rescue dog) is the main barking culprit, and will often set charlie off. She has always barked when locked outside (she also jumps at the door for hours, so we've had to let her inside at night) and is the first to start barking when they hear the gate open, Molly is also much harder to stop as Charlie will often quiet down once he hears our voice say stop.

Obviously it's quite a lot, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Molly has also recently decided that she is no longer toilet trained and has started weeing overnight (when she has always been fine when let out just before bed and first thing in the morning).

[Cosmolo]

I see you are in QLD? As you are dealing with aggression and not just barking, its really vital that you look at getting an experienced behaviourist to come and help you and if you are in QLD i would suggest you contact Jane Harper.

[poodlefan]

I'd recommend a vet check for Molly - it's possible she's hormonally incontinent or got a urinary tract infection.

How much daily exercise do these two get outside the yard?

[Seita]

another recommendation to see a Behaviourist asap. Jane Harper from dogs on track would be my recommendation as well. Her website: http://www.dogsontrack.com.au/

[Monah]

another recommendation to see a Behaviourist asap. Jane Harper from dogs on track would be my recommendation as well. Her website: http://www.dogsontrack.com.au/

She's great.

As another person said, get the urine checked. Could be an infection or stones etc. or hormonal leakage.

Good luck xxx

[persephone]

You have had good advice

I agree with it, esp the vet check.

Keeping dogs inside at night is an excellent way to keep the night air free of noise!

PS you may want to change the title of your post- I looked in expecting a puppy problem :nahnah: Not adult dogs.

[Julia&Charlie]

Thanks for the replies everyone. The vet check is a good idea - hadn't thought of that, as obvious as it seems!

Unfortunately I'm in NSW, so will have to shop around for a different behaviouralist. We have seen one previously, but she only provided one consultation at a vet clinic where she would discuss possible tactics rather than a more hands on approach seeing what the dog is actually doing and showing us how to deal with it. However her suggestions with how to handle encounters with dogs when we're out on walks were really helpful and Charlie will mostly ignore dogs he passes on walks now. There's another local dog trainer that we had quite a bit of success with when teaching off-lead obedience, but I'm not sure how much she does in the behaviour department.

And poodlefan, the dogs usually get a run with me or my sister every day - both are lean and fit and healthy!

[huski]

Thanks for the replies everyone. The vet check is a good idea - hadn't thought of that, as obvious as it seems!

Unfortunately I'm in NSW, so will have to shop around for a different behaviouralist. We have seen one previously, but she only provided one consultation at a vet clinic where she would discuss possible tactics rather than a more hands on approach seeing what the dog is actually doing and showing us how to deal with it. However her suggestions with how to handle encounters with dogs when we're out on walks were really helpful and Charlie will mostly ignore dogs he passes on walks now. There's another local dog trainer that we had quite a bit of success with when teaching off-lead obedience, but I'm not sure how much she does in the behaviour department.

And poodlefan, the dogs usually get a run with me or my sister every day - both are lean and fit and healthy!

Whereabouts in NSW are you?

K9 Force is in NSW and comes highly recommended

http://www.k9force.net

[Jetty]

To stop the barking at home, my trainer recommended getting either a spray bottle or a water gun filled with water and squirt them whenever they bark.