Bischon Friese (sp!) - urgently needs a new home!

MrsMozartletoe

MrsMozartletoe

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My sister has a nine/ten month old BF boy.

Sadly he has a biting/chewing issue. She has a two year old grand-daughter and is very worried that the dog will bite the child (he bites everything/one else!). They're not big bites, more young dog not properly trained type bites, but sister freely admits that she does not have the knowledge or skills to train him.

Today he has chewed through computer wires, so is in the dog house.

Sis loves the dog and has been trying with him, but has now admitted defeat :(

I would take him in, but we still have the four dogs that were meant to be an interim rescue five years ago...

So, any suggestions anyone?
 
Has he been offered any alternative?

Chewing can often be a stress related/self-comforting behaviour. How much exercise or stimulation does he get? And what alternative is he given if he wants to chew, I'm guessing just told off or offered a toy he has no idea what do do with?
(If you were given a crossword puzzle and had no idea what it was, IE no one showed you, would you know what do do with it?)

Please make sure she rehomes direct from her own home to his next or forever home, the rescues are all full to bursting.

Maybe also try and see if there is a UK breed rescue so he can be listed on their books :)

Or hope he can get a home on here. I hear AMY MAY (ahem) is a big fan of the breed...
 
My friend used to be reg rescue for this breed and is looking for another dog.What area is dog I can ask if shes interested.:)
 
Derby/Nottingham :)

He has other things to chew, which he's been introduced to and does play with. Sis has to go to physio every day morning, so dog has to be on his own for two hours. I'm going suggest she crate him for that time (big crate, with a bed and toys).
 
Sorry to hear it's not working out for your sister!

The crate should be an enormous help whatever she decides to do, as it may still take a few weeks to rehome the little man.

The biting/chewing issue from what you describe could also be resolved. I don't normally comment on aggressive dogs, but it sounds like this chap is mouthing rather than biting - does that sound right? If he is properly aggressive then he needs an assessment from a professional and serious training. If he is just mouthing it can be quite easy to deal with. I find this method works really well: put your hand at the dog's level and leave it there, waiting for the dog to bite/mouth you, when he does make the shrillest, shreekiest noise possible as if you have been mortally wounded BUT keep the hand there, do not pull it away. Pulling the hand away tends to signify a chasing game. Shreeking and leaving the hand there tends to signify "I am small, harmless and easily harmed, you have harmed me for no reason". Most puppies will respond to this with wonder (you may actually see them cock their heads to one side thinking "What was that all about? I didn't bite THAT hard!"). Repeat and then repeat with different people; within a couple of days the puppy should figure out that humans are exceptionally delicate and it shouldn't mouth them.

Having said all that, no one should leave a dog unsupervised with a dog so your sister is right to always remain cautious.
 
I do hope you find a perfect home for him, but I must say it is frustrating that people don't do a bit of research and preparation before getting a puppy. Most pups will bite and chew at some point, so owners need to be prepared for it and work through it. I think some people think they can buy a pup and do no work with it and expect it to turn out to be a perfectly behaved, well-socialised perfect dog. :mad:
 
TGM said:
I do hope you find a perfect home for him, but I must say it is frustrating that people don't do a bit of research and preparation before getting a puppy. Most pups will bite and chew at some point, so owners need to be prepared for it and work through it. I think some people think they can buy a pup and do no work with it and expect it to turn out to be a perfectly behaved, well-socialised perfect dog. :mad:
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I completely agree.

These are also active little dogs - which despite what she may have been told - do need attention and occupying. Chewing is definately a puppy trait, but can also be a sign of boredom and stress.

Bichon's are very smart dogs and can be trained very easily. If I were nearer I would offer a home. My OH's son has one, and she is the nicest dog I have ever met.

They are a wonderful, non snappy, yappy breed.

Hope a resolution is found soon.
 
Don't be so quick to judge.

This is the third puppy (second BF) she has had and he is completely different to the others.

Of course it is expected that he will chew and play and that he needs exercise. He gets chew toys. He is played with. He is trained (or at least they are trying to!). He gets walked twice a day. He has free access to the large flat garden. He has social interaction with other dogs and people.

He is just larger than life and more into everything than any other dog they have had. He reminds me of a wee dog we had years ago. We did everything we could think of (and I've owned dogs for years and trained to a reasonable level), but when he launched himself at my then three year old daughter's back to bite her (I got in the way) and in the same session bit my then five year old daughter's hand, he had to go - went to a farm with no children and had an excellent life. It's like horses, sometimes you just don't get the right fit. My sister loves this dog, but she's in the house on her own when her husband has to work away and her health, whilst okay for walking, is not great at the constant dealing with a bitey/chewy dog.

I'm going over to her house today to see if I can help. I've said I'll help with the crate training; if she leaves him in the crate he barks to the extent that the neighbours becomes irrate.

If sis is in a state, I'll bring him home until he can be re-homed. D is going to go ballistic, but I can't leave the situation as it is.

BB - thankyou for the advice hunny. I will get her to put it into practice from today. I think that at the moment it is mouthing and more playful than anything else. He got me the other week and I Oi'd! at him, he looked confused and stopped. If it weren't for the child then sis would keep him and work through it, but due to the house layout, and the fact that he won't stay in the crate (it is big!) without barking the house down, makes it hard for her to manage.
 
Thats such a pity.

We have a sprocker who can be nasty, out of the three rescue spaniels we have he's the second who has the tendency to turn, but the other only does it when she is pregnant and only targets other dogs smaller than herself, other than that she is fine with the pack and an outstanding worker.

unfortunately after spending time with him its obviously not something that can be reversed, hes 4 and ours is probably the fourth home he has had, and the guy we got him from is a typical young lad who thinks he knows all there is to know about dogs and that a good hiding solves everything (didnt feel that way last time i caught him pummelling one of his dogs when i threw half a brick at his head, funny that!)

Its a pity because im sure he would have been a nice dog. He gets worked when birds are to wood with OH but doest come within 100ft of our boy. Hes gone for me twice now and has got a wallop when he had my sleeve, and i hate resorting to that with him because its incredibly unfair, but there are ways round it and he has a satisfying little life.
 
Only judging on what you wrote yourself:

"They're not big bites, more young dog not properly trained type bites, but sister freely admits that she does not have the knowledge or skills to train him."

If that is not the case, and this dog actually has a naturally aggressive streak, then that is a different matter.
 
Hi there, I have a 4 year old female Bichon Frise that I rehomed in Feb last year & have always had them since being a child.. I have read through most of the post but are you saying that this puppy is aggressive or just a highly strung nutty bichon? (I have a nutty one & my mum has an extremely highly strung one..) just interested as I may be able to help with a home...
 
TGM said:
Only judging on what you wrote yourself:

"They're not big bites, more young dog not properly trained type bites, but sister freely admits that she does not have the knowledge or skills to train him."

If that is not the case, and this dog actually has a naturally aggressive streak, then that is a different matter.
Click to expand...

Oh for goodness sake! You TGM I usually respect, but what a response! Glad I'm not new to here or I wouldn't bother coming back. Try reading between the lines, try asking for the whole picture if you think I've missed something out. The puppies she has had have not gone through this biting stage, they were of the quiet non-nibble types (yes they chewed their toys etc., but not people). Plus you made your statement as though my sister had done no research, knew nothing! She's had a BF before and he wasn't like this one.

Having learnt some more of his history, it sounds as though, despite asking all the right questions, my sister was royally done over, handing over hundreds of pounds for a dog that was known by the then owner to go for small people. At least she is trying to do the right thing by the dog and find him the right home, all totally at her expense.
 
Not judging, but surely a bit of discipline would sort pup out? After all 9-10 months isn't too old to correct bad behaviour

I could be wrong.

Hope you find him a good new home if that's definitely what it's come down to :)
 
Ginger Bear said:
Hi there, I have a 4 year old female Bichon Frise that I rehomed in Feb last year & have always had them since being a child.. I have read through most of the post but are you saying that this puppy is aggressive or just a highly strung nutty bichon? (I have a nutty one & my mum has an extremely highly strung one..) just interested as I may be able to help with a home...
Click to expand...

I think he's just a bit full of himself :). I have him at home now, having gone via the yard, and he's been very good. Travelled well even though he doesn't know me or my car. He's playing with my four little dogs and so far they are doing well :D

I haven't seen him with a child, so cannot comment. My sister says he gets aggressive, but a niece says she thinks it was more play than going for the child. Sister is wary though and would not forgive herself if something were to happen. I don't have a small person to test him out on.
 
MrsMozart said:
I haven't seen him with a child, so cannot comment. My sister says he gets aggressive, but a niece says she thinks it was more play than going for the child. Sister is wary though and would not forgive herself if something were to happen. I don't have a small person to test him out on.
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Has she had him from weeks old? Just wondering as surely if he's been brought up with a sprog in tow, he should be well enough socialised with a little person for him not to be being aggressive? If that makes sense?
 
echodomino said:
Not judging, but surely a bit of discipline would sort pup out? After all 9-10 months isn't very old to correct bad behaviour

I could be wrong.

Hope you find him a good new home if that's definitely what it's come down to :)
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That's what I thought. When I say Oi! He stops whatever the wrong behaviour is and behaves reasonably well, but when sister tries he just ignores her. We had a session this afternoon and sis couldn't cope. She is confused as she trained her last two dogs okay, and she definitely isn't a push-over.
 
Haha yeh maybe grab a small child off the street & test?? lol..only joking.. I'll PM you my email address.. have you got any pictures you could email me (my husband's asking)..it's only us two so no children in the house & our little fluff ball Daisy.. & the good thing with her is that before I rehomed her she's been a breeding dog & knows exactly how to teach & play & tell off puppies..
 
echodomino said:
Has she had him from weeks old? Just wondering as surely if he's been brought up with a sprog in tow, he should be well enough socialised with a little person for him not to be being aggressive? If that makes sense?
Click to expand...

No, she got him at eight months old. Was bred in Ireland. At four months old came over to the breeder's niece. They have two children. Four months later sold him to my sister, saying that they Bo had to be out at work all day and so couldn't keep him.
 
some young dogs can appear extremely vicious when trying to initiate play, and your niece probably goes along with it to a certain degree, shes only little and puppies are awesome play things.

my one year old is socialised to all dogs but when our rottie cross wants to play she can come across as scary.

one thing that has been bothering me though, and without trying to sound snipey, if your sister hasnt got the knowledge or skills to teach a dog basic manners and would rather give the dog up than be proactive and actually learn them, should she really be taking on a dog in the first place?

i say this because whenever i have encountered a problem with a dog, for example the rottie has a big issue with mouthing, Ive done my very best to research the behaviour and techniques in which to combat it.

it just sounds from you like shes encountered a problem which by all accounts could be very easily managed, but is instead blaming the person she got the dog from and just wants to rehome it instead. What happens in the future if another dog of hers develops an issue?

Im really not trying to be nasty but it is a genuine question?
 
Oh for goodness sake!

She has tried! This has been on-going since she got the dog.

If the dog bit the child it's hardly going to be of any comfort to anyone that she tried but it was beyond her capabilities now is it?!

Surely, for goodness sake, surely it is better that she has realised that she does not have the necessary skills/abilities to train THIS dog????? It's alright going to a trainer, but she is unable to continue it at home on her, so pointless! She has been successful with two other dogs, but cannot get to grips with THIS one.

She hasn't 'blamed the previous owner'. She asked if the dog was good with children. Bought the dog. The dog is not good with children. Read into that what you will!

This is exactly why I didn't suggest that my sister join and ask for help. I just knew that instead of saying 'well done for realising that you can't manage and giving the dog to someone that can, before you screw him up for life' some people would jump on the band wagon of expecting that everyone is like themselves and can manage to train any dog
 
Hang on a minute mrsMozart, All the things ive asked have been direct questions from things YOU HAVE WRITTEN!! i wasnt attacking your sister, sorry if you felt i was, but it seems like you are expecting people to be all fluffy bunnies when all they are trying to do is give you/your sister some straight talking advice.

if i knew how to pull up all the quotes like other posters i would, but just a second ago you said that the breeder had pulled a fast one on her!

and tbh if shes unable to continue on advice from a trainer why does she have a dog, i really dont understand that at all.

some dogs are completely textbook, others are not, god when we got the rottie pup at 9 months old you would have thought she was some kind of crazy killer, but with a little bit of hard work she is great now, and she sounds alot like your sisters dog, just bigger.

the dog is still under a year old and you have mentioned that ''he is just a bit full of himself''.. well he is still a puppy, TRAIN HIM!!!
 
Oh read the posts I've made will you.

Sister has tried to train him.
It's not working, for whatever reason he will not respond to her training.
She has been successful training two other dogs.
IF there was not a child in the mix she would keep trying, but there is a child - what is she to do lock up the dog or the child or let them mix when she knows that no matter what she tries the dog will not respond to HER?
She has not blamed the breeder. She bought the dog aged eight months from the breeder's niece. They had children. They sold the dog. My sister asked if the dog was good with children. And it is ME who has inferred that therefore he was not good with children, my sister is far too kind to think bad thoughts of anyone.

Why the heck shouldn't she have a dog?! Shes had two others successfully, training them through their puppy phases okay.

Why is it so hard to accept that she can't do it with this one? She has a docterate in a subject most people can't understand, but she doesn't expect that just because she cam do it so should everyone else be able to! And unless you're offering a home, what does it have to do with you?
 
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