Help? Very destructive little dog.

Allthingsgirly67 · ‎03-09-2010

I rescued my very compact 20 lb Pom mix who can clearly jump at an impressive height. I have had him for 4 months and he has continuously overturned the garbage pail spreading its contents all over. He will occasionally pee in the morning before going for a walk and I think when he gets a little excited when someone comes home he goes again. Tonight he knocked over a 4 shelf tier that fits I. The corner and knocked all the plants and dirt on the carpet. He also for some reason (I think for attention) barks and nips at my son and daughter. If he gets between two people on the couch he gets excited to be petted and will eagerly climbs onto both people preventing them from being able to relax and watch tv. The shelter I adopted him from said he and his brother were about a year old. I have my suspicions as he was not house broken and I can’t imagine him and his brother wandering around for almost a year without a home. They came from Athens, Georgia. I live on Long Island. I love him to pieces and I do plan in a few weeks to have individual private lessons because regular classes weren’t clicking. He is a big mush and loves attention from people and other dogs as well. Any advice would be very very much appreciated.

elated · ‎06-09-2010

Do you ever watch Caesar Milan, he is a dog psychologist. He states that you have to let them know you are the pack leader. You need to correct his behavior and give him boundaries. You might want to watch one of his shows. He is very good at correcting bad behavior. His series is called "Better Human, Better Dog".

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@Allthingsgirly67. How much exercise does he get. He's got a lot of energy and needs to get out and run. He need a discipline boot camp; he sound like somewhat of a spoiled brat and is virtually running the show at your house. You need to take control.

Is this your first dog?

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Allthingsgirly67 · ‎03-09-2010

Yes to both posts. I take him out two times a day for 20 minutes each time and in addition on two of those days to a dog park for a good hour and a half. He has a ton of energy but unfortunately at night he teeth’s a blanket on top of my bed, his blanket not mine. If I try to remove the blanket he will start to chew on mine-definitely not having it. He spends most of his time under my bed sort of like his dog cave. If I’m home on the bed he will keep me company. I just feel bad because every time I about to get up or just get up he immediately follows me. On a side note between leaving to and from work I’m gone for about nine and a half hours no peeing or pooping on the carpet. I just feel bad when he teeth’s the blanket, I wish there was some way to him what I believe stems from separation anxiety.

Allthingsgirly67 · ‎03-09-2010

Meant to say soothe him and he is neutered.

elated · ‎06-09-2010

@Allthingsgirly67 wrote:
Yes to both posts. I take him out two times a day for 20 minutes each time and in addition on two of those days to a dog park for a good hour and a half. He has a ton of energy but unfortunately at night he teeth’s a blanket on top of my bed, his blanket not mine. If I try to remove the blanket he will start to chew on mine-definitely not having it. He spends most of his time under my bed sort of like his dog cave. If I’m home on the bed he will keep me company. I just feel bad because every time I about to get up or just get up he immediately follows me. On a side note between leaving to and from work I’m gone for about nine and a half hours no peeing or pooping on the carpet. I just feel bad when he teeth’s the blanket, I wish there was some way to him what I believe stems from separation anxiety.

Have you thought about hiring a dog walker during the day when you are gone? You might want to leave the tv or music on for him when you are gone. That is too long to leave a dog without going potty.

Also, he needs to go on longer walks than 20 minutes two times a day.. He needs to be tired when he comes back from his walks. Do you have a fenced backyard? You could play ball with him. Exercise is very important for many dogs. Dogs are destructive when they are bored. I think people get pets without realizing how much time and energy it takes to have a pet.

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

@elated wrote:
Do you ever watch Caesar Milan, he is a dog psychologist. He states that you have to let them know you are the pack leader. You need to correct his behavior and give him boundaries. You might want to watch one of his shows. He is very good at correcting bad behavior. His series is called "Better Human, Better Dog".

I was going to suggest this too. You will see how you need to treat your new "baby". He does need to be trained.

Winkk · ‎03-15-2010

My thinking is you need to start over. If he is only getting out twice a day for about 20 minutes, that is not enough. Do you work full time? Is someone home with him? It would be very helpful if you had a fenced in yard.

He needs discipline. Dogs want to please their people but it sounds like he has no guidelines. Each dog is different so it's hard to say how to correct him.

When you get a dog you have to make sure it's a breed that fits your lifestyle. Getting a dog is a real commitment.

Good luck.

Marp · ‎03-09-2010

@Allthingsgirly67, you have been given some good suggestions but I think you need to start with you.

Living with a dog is like living with a toddler. The dog requires the same amount of your attention, guidance (teaching) and discipline as a 2-3 year old human child.

It might be helpful if you approached training your dog the same way you would raise a child. That worked for me with a variety of young dogs but especially my Pom mix.

When you start with the trainer, the sooner the better because the longer you wait the more difficult to change your dog's behavior, be sure that YOU are involved in the training sessions. It is often the "pet parent" that needs more training than the dog.

Dogs want to please but they need to know what is expected of them.

Bringing a dog that hasn't been properly socialized into your home can be trying but the reward is so worth the effort.

I wish and your dog well and many years of happiness and joy together.

What is good for the goose today will also be good for the gander tomorrow.

Josmad · ‎12-10-2018

@Allthingsgirly67 wrote:
I rescued my very compact 20 lb Pom mix who can clearly jump at an impressive height. I have had him for 4 months and he has continuously overturned the garbage pail spreading its contents all over. He will occasionally pee in the morning before going for a walk and I think when he gets a little excited when someone comes home he goes again. Tonight he knocked over a 4 shelf tier that fits I. The corner and knocked all the plants and dirt on the carpet. He also for some reason (I think for attention) barks and nips at my son and daughter. If he gets between two people on the couch he gets excited to be petted and will eagerly climbs onto both people preventing them from being able to relax and watch tv. The shelter I adopted him from said he and his brother were about a year old. I have my suspicions as he was not house broken and I can’t imagine him and his brother wandering around for almost a year without a home. They came from Athens, Georgia. I live on Long Island. I love him to pieces and I do plan in a few weeks to have individual private lessons because regular classes weren’t clicking. He is a big mush and loves attention from people and other dogs as well. Any advice would be very very much appreciated.

Is this your first dog? How old does your vet think he is? Age really has nothing to do with being housetrained. Even if he was in a home they may have never housetrained him (possibly the reason he ended up at the shelter) I foster with a rescue and I have had 4 year olds that are not housetrained. He is young and needs more exercise than two 20 minute walks a day. Almost every dog I have had (including 35 fosters) wants attention when I'm sitting on the couch. I've had many dogs that will teeth blankets. It is a source of comfort to them. If you take it away, of course, he is going to teeth your blanket. He needs something for comfort.