HELP - neighbours struggling with 8 month old Labraoodle

brighteyes

brighteyes

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They are at their wits' end. Bought puppy and did basic training and star pupil at puppy training BUT at home she is an unruly nightmare. It's fair to say they are not firm enough IMO, their young daughter babies her and 'winds her up' with just being a child and not understanding training rules (so not deliberately or maliciously) and it's getting to be a disobedient and naughty dog. She has a huge garden and is securely contained and plays out in it mostly unspervised but also with people for short periods. She is well socialised to the point of being over friendly to other dogs at times. Desperate for attention and I think company, she has now started yapping and howling to come inside at night, where she is well behaved and calm. They have excellent house rules for her and she is unspoilt behaviourally indoors.

My opinion is not enough time spent with her/correct company (they are professionals and work long hours) they are inconsistent and don't follow set structure and are not clear with rewarding good in a calm way and chastising bad (this is what is needed initially, I think) The dog respects me as I have spoken to it and my two dogs, both ex rescue have had a massive amount of time invested in them and consistent teaching from the start. .

I wish they had been to rescue and taken an older and 'basically' trained dog, but they chose the cute puppy thing and that's that. They are lovely people but really out of their depth.

So, please tell me what you think they should do.
 
Is there a training place near you that does home visits? Are they are more likely to listen if told by and outsider they aren't firm enough?
 
you say she is unspoilt behaviourally indoors, what is she doing outdoors apart from the yapping that is problematic?
 
Have they asked you for help? If they both work is the dog left alone all day?? Can they return to training classes, most offer KCGC classes, and this would help the owners control the dog under different situations.
Have I read correctly that the dog is left outside (overnight) far more than being allowed in to be part of the family? If this is the case, why have they got a dog???
 
Superhot said:
Have they asked you for help? If they both work is the dog left alone all day?? Can they return to training classes, most offer KCGC classes, and this would help the owners control the dog under different situations.
Have I read correctly that the dog is left outside (overnight) far more than being allowed in to be part of the family? If this is the case, why have they got a dog???
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Yes pretty much a latchkey dog. Not neglected physically, just needs more personal input/work/training but needs to be intensive. I think they just didn't realise it's blinking hard work with a puppy. She has lived in a superb brick kennel and run aince arrival with short periods in the house and with the family. They don't seem to be in much but she does go some places with her. I think it's a fairy correctable thing with more dedication and time from them.
 
Kaylum said:
Typical idiots they need a new training course for dogs called train the owners. Same with horses.
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Ouch - a wee bit harsh but I know what you are saying. I was playing with my two and she was dying to join in. So I took my two next door and we did. Once that running about was done she was ready to listen to some manner-instilling. She needs FAR MORE exercise IMO.
 
Well now, I think you feel they're decent people but naive as to the dogs needs. It's time to have a reality check. If they can't or won't give this dog what it needs, they should rehome a.s.a.p. if they want to keep it, they must start to put the dogs welfare first. Organise day care for the dog, either attending a dog creche or regular routine dog walker coming in every day, and one capable and willing to train the dog during walks. Either suggestion to be supported by the owner commuting to attending dog training classes. If nothing changes, there will be one very unhappy dog that will grow into an adult unruly animal, and a potential danger to any elderly person or indeed, small child it could knock over.
You might find a dog walker/sitter who would be prepared to have the dog whilst owners are at work, much kinder for the poor dog...
 
Superhot said:
Well now, I think you feel they're decent people but naive as to the dogs needs. It's time to have a reality check. If they can't or won't give this dog what it needs, they should rehome a.s.a.p. if they want to keep it, they must start to put the dogs welfare first. Organise day care for the dog, either attending a dog creche or regular routine dog walker coming in every day, and one capable and willing to train the dog during walks. Either suggestion to be supported by the owner commuting to attending dog training classes. If nothing changes, there will be one very unhappy dog that will grow into an adult unruly animal, and a potential danger to any elderly person or indeed, small child it could knock over.
You might find a dog walker/sitter who would be prepared to have the dog whilst owners are at work, much kinder for the poor dog...
Click to expand...

This is pretty much what I think. They have overestimated their abilities and underestimated the requirements. Sometimes you hit lucky with a less neeedy, more settled dog (or horse etc) but she needs a decent walk at least twice a day and if her training would allow off-leash runs (the main problem). A mile walk is probably a 4 mile run for a zapping about dog! She is an OK dog. I mainly feel sad they could have homed an older less heavy on the initial training and more known behaviourally than an 8 week old puppy. They are getting a lot right but admit they are struggling.

Sorry if I wasn't clear at first as to the problem but she is trained in some areas but very disobedient and mischievous in others and has no respect or obedience really.

I have trained my dog fine, but I don't know if I'm up to advising them. I'm relieved to hear it is what I thought and they have not judged the amount of time a puppy needs and lack the disciplinary skills which have to be clear and unmoving.

Thanks you and I'll see if they want help from me or feel outside help is required. I have had a long talk with them this morning.
 
Do they themselves think they have a problem? I'm not sure what you mean when you say she's yappy etc outside and calm and quiet when they let her in.
Do you mean she's meant to be quiet outside all evening when theyr in the house, then when she's let in she's good? So its only when she's outside theres a problem>
In that case wait for the few minutes she is quiet outside (it will happen if you wait long enough)and only then let her in! Don't let her in while she's making noise, only when she goes quiet. That way she will get her reward (coming in) for being quiet, not for making noise.
 
So they work all day, and so the only interaction the dog gets is for a couple of hours at best???

No wonder they're having problems. Poor animal.
 
OK, here's what dogs do.
They run about all day, they hunt and kill things (in their head!!), bury things, do dog things.
In the evening the pack gets together and curls up in the cave.

What these people are doing is the wrong way about. They spend random periods of time with her then buck her outside. This to the dog, means isolation.
Don't get me wrong, all of my dogs have spent the majority of their lives outside, but it was structured and going outside is a pleasurable thing as it is associated with exercise, food, fun things, not an isolation.
This is why some dogs, when being put outside at night, squeal, yap and even try to bite their owners.....they are being isolated, they see it as unfair and they do not understand why. A much better idea is to have the dog out during the day and in at night. They understand this better.

Also - does she just get chucked out in the garden as opposed to walked? Does she get to see anything else?
Eight months to me is too young for a large breed (a mix of breeds prone to hip dysplasia - crossing them does not eliminate the risk) to be doing huge walks but they could be starting to build up the exercise and get her in a training regime so she can use her brain a bit more. Even a game of hide and seek is a good tirer-outer.
 
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