Our first dog getting away with everything

[bekki1390]

Sorry this is a long story but we're in desperate need of help
Me and my partner (both aged 19) have Champ, a 9month old staff cross, we were told he was crossed with a border collie but vets have said hes more like a lab
He's our first pup of our own but weve both grown up with really well behaved dogs
He basically barks at everyone he sees, unless hes familiar with them. hes impossible to walk because of it and was even kicked out of the vets because of it. but we think this is down to him havin to stay at the vets for 2 and a half days and it was obviously traumatic for him.
He destroys anything in his path when left alone. He's chewed shoes and clothes, a bingo dabber resulting in ink everywhere, he's chewed/broke my partners electric shaver, hes eatin 30odd ibuprofen which cost us £200 in vet bills and could potentially have damaged his health and he's chewed my glasses to bits. after the ibuprofen incident we never leave anything out but he just seems to find everything.
We live at home with my mum, who has 2 dogs. 1 of which is Champ's sister. Champ used to stay downstairs with his sister Daisy but had to be seperated because they were constantly fighting and got complaints from the neighbours about it. He can't really spend time downstairs because Daisy's currently in season so have to be seperated unless people are constantly watching them.
It's hard to control him because he's our first dog, weve never brought a dog up before so we seem to let him get away with things like sleeping in our bed. We were told this was a big mistake when we first got him because he would think that he's our boss, not the other way round. We've tried telling him no because hes never out of our bed now and hes waking us up all the time, getting in and out but obviously weve confused him. its hard to know what to do because we get told many different things.
He's a really lovely playful dog but he can be too much when meeting new people, i.e. jumping up and licking all the time. and hes really embarassing when out because of his constant barking. People see him barking and behaving like that so automatically back off and assume hes a viscous dog, but hes the total opposite. he also pulls alot when walking him
We bought a muzzle because we were told itwould calm his barking down. he was scared of it at first but now hes figured it out and either pulls it off or refuses point blank to put it on. hes a really strong dog to try and contend with
my partners quite laid back about it, as he and champ have a really good relationship, they play together all the time. Champ seems to see me as the nasty one because im the one who tells him off for doing bad things
If anyone has any tips at all, to help us with his barking, walking or behaviour, anything at all, it would be much appreciated. i'm getting to the end of my tether with it and its really starting to upset me.
Thankyou and sorry it was such a long read

[nick_j007]

Originally Posted by bekki 1390

Sorry this is a long story but we're in desperate need of help
Me and my partner (both aged 19) have Champ, a 9month old staff cross, we were told he was crossed with a border collie but vets have said hes more like a lab
He's our first pup of our own but weve both grown up with really well behaved dogs
He basically barks at everyone he sees, unless hes familiar with them. hes impossible to walk because of it and was even kicked out of the vets because of it. but we think this is down to him having to stay at the vets for 2 and a half days and it was obviously traumatic for him.
He destroys anything in his path when left alone. He's chewed shoes and clothes, a bingo dabber resulting in ink everywhere, he's chewed/broke my partners electric shaver, hes eating 30odd ibuprofen which cost us £200 in vet bills and could potentially have damaged his health and he's chewed my glasses to bits. after the ibuprofen incident we never leave anything out but he just seems to find everything.
We live at home with my mum, who has 2 dogs. 1 of which is Champs sister. Champ used to stay downstairs with his sister Daisy but had to be separated because they were constantly fighting and got complaints from the neighbours about it. He can't really spend time downstairs because Daisy's currently in season so have to be separated unless people are constantly watching them.
It's hard to control him because he's our first dog, weve never brought a dog up before so we seem to let him get away with things like sleeping in our bed. We were told this was a big mistake when we first got him because he would think that he's our boss, not the other way round. We've tried telling him no because hes never out of our bed now and hes waking us up all the time, getting in and out but obviously weve confused him. its hard to know what to do because we get told many different things.
He's a really lovely playful dog but he can be too much when meeting new people, i.e. jumping up and licking all the time. and hes really embarassing when out because of his constant barking. People see him barking and behaving like that so automatically back off and assume hes a viscous dog, but hes the total opposite. he also pulls alot when walking him
We bought a muzzle because we were told it would calm his barking down. he was scared of it at first but now hes figured it out and either pulls it off or refuses point blank to put it on. hes a really strong dog to try and contend with
my partners quite laid back about it, as he and champ have a really good relationship, they play together all the time. Champ seems to see me as the nasty one because im the one who tells him off for doing bad things
If anyone has any tips at all, to help us with his barking, walking or behaviour, anything at all, it would be much appreciated. i'm getting to the end of my tether with it and its really starting to upset me.
Thank You and sorry it was such a long read

What a mess you're in!

Do your parents not offer any guidance?

Do you have a crate for him? I would crate him when he is alone providing it's not too long. A crate should be introduced over a week if not in one before. The chewing maybe separation anxiety or boredom or both. Seek professional help in your home to address this further.

He should be sleeping in his own bed at night on the floor ideally out of your room.

Oh dear. Muzzles rarely calm barking down, if anything when not introduced correctly over time they can add stress.

Your partner is I suspect rough housing with the dog, which brings out the rough aspect in him hence the jumping up, licking and wild greetings. greetings should be with a lead on in the home. He should be ignored upon greeting until the dog is calm.

You and your partner need to be the SAME in your dealings with him and remain consistent with a set of rules so that your dog actually knows whether it's coming or going. I feel it does not and this could be the tip of your problems if this continues.

Sorry for the lecturing tone, but this could end in tears at this rate. I've seen it so many times before.

You need some guidance on training of the dog on a regular basis, some guidance on How to set yourself up correctly with a dog both in terms of leadership and good practice in the home and outside.

In the mean time you would do well to follow my notes on leadership parts 1&2, diet, and the walking on a lead section and others as you see fit:

Expert Articles - Dog-Behavior-Training.co.uk Forum

Best wishes.

Nick

[annecsmith09]

aw poor dog.

[RDW]

Would be good to hear how youre getting on? The crate is a good idea, we always use them with pups when they are learning how life in our madhouse works! Just likeppl, they like their own space i think!