It's hard to believe but my OH is one of the most exciting things in my dogs lives and it's driving me mad. I don't just mean bouncy excitement when he gets home from work or when they first see him on a day off but constant over the top wild excitement. They do calm down a bit after awhile but are always on high alert. If he moves goes out of the room even for a minute they are up all over him again. The same if I take them out. It started when they were pups. They would dive on him on the couch bouncing on him and licking. I told him he had to stop them doing it or they'd still do it when fully grown. The reply I got was 'it's fine, it's fine' it's now not fine I could say told you so. The trouble is him pushing them off etc is all part of the game so doesn't stop them. I can get them off and calm down a bit but as soon as I release back to square one. I told him to stand up, fold arms, don't touch, look at or speak. This works but he can't (or won't ) stay like that all evening. It's very frustrating and annoying I spend all this time training them and they are really good all day he comes home and it's like I've never bothered. They develop doggy ADHD. He has no control of them and they have no, for want of a better word, respect for him. I think part of the problem is he doesnt spend much time with them. He isn't interested or has the patience to train a dog and only comes for a walk on Sunday morning although he plays ball with them at weekends. That's fair enough he works all week and they are my dogs but it means he is an exciting novelty! : If anyone has any ideas I'd be really grateful I'm all out. Jen
Re: How to make him boring? Well, I dont think you're going to be able to make him boring, but is there any way you could get him more involved in what you do with the dogs? Oooh, what about going away for a few days and leaving him in charge??? Then he'd soon get fed up with their wildness, and would have to do something about it? Just a thought...
Re: How to make him boring? Hi Jen, I have this issue with my dog if I've been out for any length of time. I recommend you look at the article currently running on here about teaching your dog to control himself. And perhaps have a quiet word with your hubby about training and tell him this issue is really bothering you. There are plenty of ways to have quality time with your dog that don't involve them going loopy and tearing about or jumping on the sofa. A well behaved dog gives endless hours of positive affection. Sounds like you need to train your hubby and the dogs - I bet the dog training is easier Good luck!
Re: How to make him boring? The going away sounds like a good idea Karen although goodness knows what mess I'd come back to! : I've read that article Kate but I'll have another look at it. Do you think I could clicker train the OH I have threatened it. Getting him to do more with the dogs is like getting blood from a stone. He's got the day off today so I asked if he wanted to come for a walk this morning answer no. He did come out and play with them when we got back . I'm surprised though because he used to do a lot with Murphy. He'd take him for a walk on his own. The difference though is Murphy was 4 before we all lived together so was calmer and easier when the OH got involved I'd done the puppy bit. I know it's my fault for not insisting he got more involved when they were pups but I'm not one for making people do something the don't really want to although I know he would if I asked even if reluctantly. :
Re: How to make him boring? OH's ......we all love them but they truly can be doggie training Sabotage! Good luck Jen,we've had our ups and down but on another issue....allowing Dexter to pull on the lead,there were a few tears of frustration(/emotional blackmail ) before I got him on board! Good luck ! X
Re: How to make him boring? I'm feeling tough this afternoon so I would say he can't have it both ways................... He either gets with the programme or he completely leaves the dogs alone. At the moment he's having his fun and winding them up and then doing very little constructive or helpful. Would that sway him one way or the other? I think we can all sympathise, most of us have had to compromise with or educate our OHs to one degree or another ;D
Re: How to make him boring? I guess I can't complain as David walks Charlie every day doing training along the way and retrieving. I do training of stop whistle, obedience, retrieving etc. groom and feed and I walk Hattie every day, train, feed, groom etc. We are pretty equal, although he does have to be told the do's and don'ts that I have learned on this forum It is made easier for me because David actually adores Charlie so I play on it ;D
Re: How to make him boring? My OH adores Scott and Scout. I think that's part of the problem he's softer than me which is saying something. : Technically I'm a qualified primary school teacher so I can use my voice even if I don't really mean it. If the OH has to raise his voice because they are getting too much it doesn't sound believable even to them. ;D ;D ;D I did sort of tell him that Barbara this dinner time. We were on our way out back to their pen. They paused as they passed him so he started stroking and making a fuss of them. I told him it would make things easier if he didn't touch and ignored them while I'm trying to get them out. He did and they followed me nicely instead of me getting wound up with them which isn't fair because it's not really their fault. : Progress of a fashion for now !
Re: How to make him boring? Much sympathy, Jen. It's a tricky one alright. I had a tiny bit of success with my OH on mat training. OH didn't follow the rules about never, never, ever, giving a dog anything while you eat. So Charlie would bother him. Once I'd demonstrated that we could get Charlie to stay on a mat, so OH could eat toast in front of the TV again, he was keen to do the mat training too. Rather like Charlie, had to demonstrate there was something in it for him before he would co-operate!
Re: How to make him boring? [quote author=JulieT link=topic=3297.msg35732#msg35732 date=1384535663] I had a tiny bit of success with my OH on mat training. [/quote] You know why this made me laugh, Julie, don't you? This thread has me somewhere in between laughing and crying. For years I have been trying to tell OH that if the dog jumps up somewhere he isn't allowed, shouting 'Down!' doesn't help. 11 years, 3rd dog... and last night he got it right. It's what could be called a shallow learning curve... Clare
Re: How to make him boring? Thank you all youve certainly cheered me up. ;D I think there's one thing we can conclude from this Dogs are definitely easier to train. ;D
Re: How to make him boring? My lab was like this with my friend. I didnt like him whining or jumping up or barging through doorways etc. I would crate him when people came round and let him out when he was calm. She would come round and squel and talk to him whilst he was shrieking like a banshee and then let him out. Now he absolutely adores her but ignores me totally. He wont even look or glance at my eyes to make eye contact. Literally empty space to him. And i did EVERYTHING for him. I think its because she is more of an equal/playmate instead of leader. But whilst she lives not a stones throw away it was never going to change. It honestly did not matter to that dog wether i was there or not. And with my OH putting pressure on me to rehome him anyway because he didnt bond with him. I thought what perfert home for him then there.
