I have this cute little devil named Jacky. Nearly 1 year old and he's a maltese/koolise (erm.. that's how i think you spell it.. :/
But anyways, i love him a lot but my parents dont because of the way his acting.
Firstly, it's kinda my fault. i was lonely and wanted a friend so i brought him but then i was busy with school and didn't get a chance to take him to dog training classes but we were really close until i had to go away for about 2 months and when i got back he was really happy to see me but it's just the way his showing it.
Every time i see him now, he'll run up to me like a crazy maniac, jumping up and down and won't stay still no matter what i do. And if like i put my hand near his mouth he'll lick like crazy (like really roughly and stuff)..So is this is excess energy or something?
If so then all tips and advices on how to calm/control him would be appreciated. :)
P.S... hurts to say but i didn't get him desexed when he was little.. so.. is that the reason why?
Dog Training Basics - Avoid These Five Common Mistakes
Recommended Answer:My advise might not work but, still just give it a try. From what I see, I think your dog has separation anxiety. Since its a small dog (thank God), it can't topple you over. Every time you leave, and come back, when he jumps and goes crazy, freeze. Do NOTHING. Totally ignore him until he stops and calms down. Wait for a 10 seconds and praise, pet, treat him. Doing this, you're teaching him that if he continues to be crazy, he will be ignored. If he's calm, its rewarding and you will give him attention. Dogs crave attention. Trust me. Also, whenever you come home from anywhere, don't go rush up on him and give him attention. Ignore him, maybe put on the kettle, sort out the groceries, just wait for 5 minutes, or 5 minutes after he has calmed down, then call him to come, only give him attention then.
Maybe you should break the process down into smaller steps. You can simulate the situation again by doing this exercise. Let him see that you're going out, open the door for two seconds, then close it. If he doesn't go crazy, praise-pet-treat. After a few times, open the door, go out, close it and immediately come back in. If he remains calm, praise-pet-treat. Continue this exercise for a few times, then gradually increase the amount of time you leave. Once you can stay outside for few seconds without him barking the house down, increase the time to one minute and continue to improve.
As for licking, improvise on the "attention" rule. Whenever he licks excessively, stand up, and ignore him. Wait for 20 seconds, then continue playing with him. If he does lick excessively, stand up and ignore again. Continue until whenever you sit down and he did not lick you, praise-pet-treat. THis way he learns that you don't like him to lick you.
But remember, patience is the key. Don't expect these method to work within minutes. Give him at least 2 weeks time before you can actually see results. This is because his habit of going crazy every time you come back has been reinforced for almost a year. (This means every time you come back, when he goes crazy, you give him pets, or you talk to him, or you scold him, or even kicking/physical punishment, all of these are rewarding in a way to him because you give him ATTENTION) It can be hard to change. But eventually you will get there.
Excess energy might be an issue, but I really doubt it. But do bring him out for walks. Walks are one of the things dog enjoy a lot. Good way to burn off excess energy, its very interesting for them as they can be out for fresh air, more things to smell about or see. As he is a small dog, just a 30 minute walk per day should be okay.
Just remember, for other bad behaviours that you don't want, ignore him. When he does something good, or something you want, praise-pet-treat. Any attention is good, even bad attentions (being scolded or physically punished) Dogs would rather be kicked than ignored if you get what I mean.
Sorry if this post sounded a little confusing. Its already very late here in New Zealand and English isn't exactly my mother tongue.
Good luck and all the best! =) You and Jacky will get there in time.
The Importance of Dog Training
- Take him for walk, give him exercise and tire him out, yes it's excess energy and yes it's alot of work to tire a dog out but if you didn't plan to do that work then you shouldn't get a dog.
- I would not say that he is crazy, he just needs walking and he needs to do a bit of excersize!!!!!
- It is never too late to start training Jacky. You will be happier, your parents will be happier and even Jacky will be happier. A well-behaved dog gets to do more fun things, go on outings with his family, perhaps dog parks, lots of things.
And yes he probably needs _lots_ more exercise. A tired dog is a quiet, well-behaved dog in general. Taking him for walks does more than tire him out it also allows him to investigate, safely, interesting places and things. If he is tied up or even in a large fenced yard, everything is the same every day. Dogs love to use their noses to smell out new things.
As to neutering, it is best for the dog. A neutered dog doesn't have sex on his mind all the time so he will be better behaved and he will also avoid some of the physical problems that come with not being neutered.
My advice: have him neutered, find a good positive dog trainer and go have fun with learning with Jacky,
- Take him on some long walks to tire him out and if that does not work when he jumps up grab his collar and firmly but kindly make him sit then when he does make a fuss and he will learn to sit when he sees you .
