Hello. We've had Flynn for 2 weeks now, and I think he's settling in, we're starting to see a very cheeky side to him With us being his 3rd home, there as some behaviors he's picked up before coming to us that we're trying to change, as well as begin his basic training, as he had none. One of the things he has came with is all his tricks for attention. He barks at us when we do not want to play with him, and he takes things in an attempt to be chased. With the barking we've been ignoring him and not making eye contact, this doesn't seem to be improving things though. He just barks, and barks. We've been leaving the room, which seems to work and rewarding the quiet behavior once he stops, but then we sit down and it starts all over. Are we doing this right? The other thing is when trying to encourage "quiet downtime" by ignoring his demands to play all the time, is that he will search around for things other than his toys and run away with them. I moved all my ornaments off low area's as he was taking these constantly when we ignored him, and he doesn't get upstairs at the moment because there are too many tempting things for him. If he tries to take something he shouldn't I was saying "Aack leave" to him, if he continues and takes it I ignore him if it's a sock or whatever, but if it's something he really can't have i.e. that he could swallow, I try and swap it for a toy. He always makes for the computer desk when he has taken something, so I follow him there, but wont chase him if he runs around. Is this rewarding him, or correctly redirecting him? We do play with him, but on our terms, and he's being walked about 3 hours a day. We've started training at home, as we can't get into an Apdt class until August, so he knows how to sit, and give a paw (not a priority, but it just happened naturally), lie down is a work in progress, not jumping up is getting 85% there, and recall without distraction is 98%. Recall with distraction, especially dogs is not there yet. Are we doing this right? We also give attention to him while he's lying down and quiet to reward the behavior.
Good morning. You don't say how old Flynn is, this can have quite a bearing on what is going on in his furry little brain. I am afraid I am not much use to you as per the barking. I got Molly at 8 weeks. If she was barking in her crate I would wait outside the room until she drew breath and enter the room all smiles and "Good quiet girl". When I caught her being calm and quiet (which was not often) lots of petting and "good, calm, quiet girls”. She rarely barks now. It seems to me, on my limited experience that you are doing all the right things. Someone, more experienced will no doubt be able to offer you more advice. Molly is 21 months now and still pinches things from time to time. It is quite a quandary. I don't want her to think she can take anything she likes, both for her safety and because I don't want her damaging my possessions. Chasing her makes it into a game, so I try to be tidier (note the try) so I can ignore most of what she takes. If I really don't want her to have something I say "Stairs" and she goes and sits on the stairs and I swap her treasure for my piece of kibble. She has a fairly soft mouth and rarely damages what she pinches, pencils being a particular favourite Dog training does take time, especially if he has already learnt bad habits. He has such an amiable, cheeky face that I am sure you will be richly rewarded for all the effort you put in.
Thanks Tina, he's 18 months old, he's a real chewer too. Like you I've tried being tidier too, but he'll get desperate and pull the throws of the couch and try and rip them up, I swap for a chew toy but he's determined. I'm wondering because it's a behavior he's already learned if it will just take more time to change it. His barking has really increased over the last two days.
Hi , I also have a rescue dog as well as my Lab who I had as a puppy . Lots of rescue dogs come with baggage , some of which can take a while to offload as it becomes the norm to them . It sounds to me like you are doing all the right things , give it time ( not easy I know ) and he will repay you ten fold , good luck and keep trucking
You are doing all the right things but as Kate says it takes time sometimes a long time depending on the dog and how long the behaviour has been going on. It can also get worse before it gets better. If Flynn has been used to getting attention when he barks if you ignore him he will bark more to see if that works. You need to be strict with yourself and everyone else must do the same. No eye contact, no speaking because even if you say leave he will see that as attention and he's won. It's easier said than done I know from experience my dogs are very nervy and get very worked up. Leaving the room and not returning until he has stopped barking is the best method but if you'r worried about neighbours or it's getting too much you could try a 'calm walk'. Put him on his lead, no eye contact, no speaking and walk him around the room with gentle pressure on the lead so he can pick up that your relaxed. Once he's calmed down and isn't interested in you anymore call him to you and give him some calm attention. If he gets excited again repeat. You could also try a 'calm hold'. Again no eye contact or speaking. Hold his collar and rest your hand on the top of his shoulders. He will feel your pulse. If your relaxed he will eventually calm down. Keep ignoring him, hand on shoulders until you feel him relax. If he keeps wanting to move away let him then every so often bring him in no speaking or eye contact, hand on shoulders. If you do this every time he's worked up then each time it should get quicker. This is also very good for dogs who are scared of thunder, fireworks etc. once he's calm he can be given attention. He will eventually learn to get attention he needs to be calm not barking. Unfortunately there is no quick fix I've looked. As for picking things up to get attention I'm afraid you just have to move absolutely everything out of his way which it sounds like you have. If it's attention seeking behaviour and you give any form of attention including offering a treat or other toy he's got your attention and you've accidentally reinforced the behaviour. It is difficult but if you persevere it will work.
Everything Jen said. She said it so much better than me. Now I'll hopefully give you a little hope. I have had a few rescues, Jake a black lab being my first. 18 months old 30 odd kilos and a barker, a thief ,a puller and a runaway. I had 3 children that had to be trained not to leave anything lying around. That was hard work. Jake was hard work. Food, anyones food was fair game. Barking for attention, barking at the children to play with him. We persevered. I had the good fortune to have Jake for over 13 years. He died when he was over 14. He became a wonderful companion and a dog that was confident with no issues with his surroundings or other dogs. We take on other people's mistakes when we take on a rescue dog, but with time, patience and perseverance we can end up with a dog that rewards our commitment to them in spades. Keep going, it will improve. It may take a long time but pat yourself on the back every time you notice one bad habit lessening. Jake taught me so much and I miss him to this day. Oh and my children still dine out on the mischief and mayhem he caused.
Beautifully written Cupcase - I have tons of admiration for anyone taking on a rescue. Well done all of you
Thank you for your replies, it helps to know we're doing the right thing, I was just worried with the increase in barking. We're in for the long haul though, and wont be giving up on him. Jen, I'll keep on the leaving the room, it's only me and hubby in the house, and we spoke to our neighbour about Flynn being a rescue, they have a dog too, so have been fine. If it gets too bad I'll try the calm walk. I did try giving him time out once by trying to remove him from the room after he was barking at the cat, but he totally freaked out. He swung his head around and looked as if he was going to bite, he mouthed my hand, I yelp(due to the contact, not because it hurt) and he immediately fell to the floor and rolled onto his back. He looked really worried. It made me think he had been punished for bad behavior in a previous home
Keep at it Paula, you are doing the right thing. The increase in barking is called 'extinction behaviour' - what has worked in the past for him is now not working, so he'll try that same behaviour even more for a while. If you stay firm, he will soon give up. It's a sign you are almost there...
Oh you could cry for them ,I wish they could tell you,Sounds like he's going to settle just fine and he's a lucky boy to have found such a lovely home with a family who really want to help him. Best Wishes Angela x
Hi PaulaG, we too have a rescue dog, Charlie a Labrador x Pointer that we got as a 9 month old pup, he is 4 years old now and boy he has put us through it BUT now coming out the other side BUT it has taken nearly 4 years which is probably more to do with our lack of expertise, Charlie's background and the behaviours he was allowed to get away with, the worst one being his absconding We stuck with him took all the advise given to us buy the great people on this forum, read books and put it all into action and Charlie is the loveliest dog, soppy, loves everyone and we are very proud of him. Stick with it you are doing a fantastic job with Flynn and he will reward you ten fold, I promise xxx
