HELP!! I don't know what to do anymore

monty's mom · 03-12-2007, 09:01 AM

I haven't been here for quite some time but I really need some advice my dog is having some serious behavioural problems. Everytime we go out even if it just to do groceries he gets destructive, he diggs up my whole garden there is nothing left he chews my lawn there is patches that doesn't even grow anymore. The other day he ripped his bed to pieces. What can i do to make it better for him to cope when we leave and better for my finances because i have to replace everything he destroys.

Please help!!!

clarejon · 03-12-2007, 09:12 AM

sorry to hear your problems.

how old is monty?

im no expert but maybe getting a companion for him would help?

how about crating him when left alone?

or get him a really good bone to chew that will keep in occupied whilst you pop out for an hour?

or maybe leave him for five minutes at a time to build up his confidence and gradually make the seperation time longer over a period of weeks?

aslo what about really tiring him out before you go out. take him for a real good walk so all he wants to do is sleep when you leave him.

hope some of these ideas might help. im sure you'll get lots of responce to his post to help you.

good luck

monty's mom · 03-12-2007, 09:33 AM

Thanx for the advice monty is about 7 or 8 months old! I will try your advice, i really do think it is separation anxiety because he follows me every where i go i can't even go to the bathroom without him following me. He has made peace with the idea we sleep inside the house and he sleeps outside but when he wakes up in the morning he will sit outside our window and bark like crazy until i open the door for him, and he will be so happy it looks like he hasn't seen me in weeks. I see it as a good thing in a way because it means he is a happy dog and that i am a good owner but it is also negative and i want to correct this problem before it really gets worse. (if it can get worse)

clarejon · 03-12-2007, 09:53 AM

as he's soooo very young still you should be able to help this situation.

what ages did you get the pup? before 8 weeks??

try not to prase him when he gets to excited to see you. dont give him any attension. let him in if you need to and then just ignor him. give him cuddles once he has settled down and is not excited to see you anymore. hopfully this might help over the space of a few days/weeks.

murraysmom · 03-12-2007, 10:28 AM

I'm not an expert, but I do know that bassets are pack animals and really need to be with people or other animals.
It sounds like he's lonely and bored.

When you leave, a special treat that will keep him busy for a few hours, like a stuffed Kong (do you have those in your part of the world?) might help.

Is allowing him to sleep in your room at night out of the question?

Sorry to hear you are having this problem- I know other people on the forum have experienced this and may have better advice- hang in there!

BubbaLeroy · 03-12-2007, 11:24 AM

On the barking and you open the door, he has won and gotten what he wanted. He thinks "I bark and bark and they come and open the door". You will have to wake up before him to correct this behavior. Just try to beat him to it and get the door open and invite him in before the barking starts. Then he learns "I'm quiet and they come".

When you leave the house don't make a big deal of it and like the others said give him something to keep him busy. Several stuffed "Kongs" hidden around the yard will help keep him busy. Lots of play time and long walks before you leave to tire him out might help. A very large ball he can roll around the yard and play with or one of those huge knotted ropes to drag aroung might provide entertainment.

Practice leaving for five minutes, return and keep stretching out the time you are away. Then he will learn you will come back. When you return also don't make a big deal out of returning. If he is running up to you, jumping up, etc. turn your back to him and ignore until he settles down. When he becomes quiet then give him attention.

Basset puppies are very active and can be destructive. They are a pack animal and you are his pack, and he is just wanting your attention and love. They are just like toddlers, and they will seek out something to do and pitch a fit (barking or tearing up something) when they don't get their way. Try to let him spend more time with you when you are home. Keep him leashed at your side to keep him out of trouble while he is in the house. This way he will be happy being with you and you can watch Monty.

You also might try an obedience class which really gives you bonding time, plus expert advice on dog behavior and how to encourage the good and ignore the bad. What they learn there really spills over into daily life. Good luck with Monty!!

monty's mom · 03-13-2007, 03:41 AM

Thanx so much everyone i am definitely going to try all of your advise and i will try and get one of those kong things you guys are talking about. Unfortunately my boyfriend doesn't like him sleeping in the house we only let him sleep in the house if there is heavy weather outside.

Aruuuu · 03-13-2007, 09:25 AM

Hmmmm..... I'd get another boyfriend!

houndie · 03-13-2007, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Hmmmm..... I'd get another boyfriend![/b]

I second that!

beatwig · 03-13-2007, 06:11 PM

Who pays the rent??? I think leaving him outside might be a mistake.. You can get a very nice, roomy crate... If you do, feed him in his crate so he connects the crate as a good place.. Give him certain toys for when you go out. Ones that he really likes.. Kong is a good one with peanut butter inside. A good walk before you go is helpful also.. Everybody is giving very good advice. Look online for Informational books on this topic.. Your library probably has some.
mary f

03-12-2007, 11:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
BubbaLeroy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 1,288	On the barking and you open the door, he has won and gotten what he wanted. He thinks "I bark and bark and they come and open the door". You will have to wake up before him to correct this behavior. Just try to beat him to it and get the door open and invite him in before the barking starts. Then he learns "I'm quiet and they come". When you leave the house don't make a big deal of it and like the others said give him something to keep him busy. Several stuffed "Kongs" hidden around the yard will help keep him busy. Lots of play time and long walks before you leave to tire him out might help. A very large ball he can roll around the yard and play with or one of those huge knotted ropes to drag aroung might provide entertainment. Practice leaving for five minutes, return and keep stretching out the time you are away. Then he will learn you will come back. When you return also don't make a big deal out of returning. If he is running up to you, jumping up, etc. turn your back to him and ignore until he settles down. When he becomes quiet then give him attention. Basset puppies are very active and can be destructive. They are a pack animal and you are his pack, and he is just wanting your attention and love. They are just like toddlers, and they will seek out something to do and pitch a fit (barking or tearing up something) when they don't get their way. Try to let him spend more time with you when you are home. Keep him leashed at your side to keep him out of trouble while he is in the house. This way he will be happy being with you and you can watch Monty. You also might try an obedience class which really gives you bonding time, plus expert advice on dog behavior and how to encourage the good and ignore the bad. What they learn there really spills over into daily life. Good luck with Monty!! __________________ You don't own a Basset, a Basset owns you!! Aroooooos from Bogie !! - Trumbull's Who's Teasin Bogart CGC- Born April 21, 2005 ATB: Bubba - (Trumbull's Surley It's Stormin Norman) Sept. 8, 1998 - Dec. 20, 2005

03-13-2007, 09:25 AM	#8 (permalink)
Aruuuu Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central MA, USA Posts: 773	Hmmmm..... I'd get another boyfriend! __________________ If stress were exercise, I'd be in great shape!

03-12-2007, 09:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
monty's mom Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Africa Posts: 52	I haven't been here for quite some time but I really need some advice my dog is having some serious behavioural problems. Everytime we go out even if it just to do groceries he gets destructive, he diggs up my whole garden there is nothing left he chews my lawn there is patches that doesn't even grow anymore. The other day he ripped his bed to pieces. What can i do to make it better for him to cope when we leave and better for my finances because i have to replace everything he destroys. Please help!!!

03-12-2007, 09:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
clarejon Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gloucestershire, UK Posts: 284	sorry to hear your problems. how old is monty? im no expert but maybe getting a companion for him would help? how about crating him when left alone? or get him a really good bone to chew that will keep in occupied whilst you pop out for an hour? or maybe leave him for five minutes at a time to build up his confidence and gradually make the seperation time longer over a period of weeks? aslo what about really tiring him out before you go out. take him for a real good walk so all he wants to do is sleep when you leave him. hope some of these ideas might help. im sure you'll get lots of responce to his post to help you. good luck

03-12-2007, 09:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
monty's mom Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Africa Posts: 52	Thanx for the advice monty is about 7 or 8 months old! I will try your advice, i really do think it is separation anxiety because he follows me every where i go i can't even go to the bathroom without him following me. He has made peace with the idea we sleep inside the house and he sleeps outside but when he wakes up in the morning he will sit outside our window and bark like crazy until i open the door for him, and he will be so happy it looks like he hasn't seen me in weeks. I see it as a good thing in a way because it means he is a happy dog and that i am a good owner but it is also negative and i want to correct this problem before it really gets worse. (if it can get worse)

03-12-2007, 09:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
clarejon Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gloucestershire, UK Posts: 284	as he's soooo very young still you should be able to help this situation. what ages did you get the pup? before 8 weeks?? try not to prase him when he gets to excited to see you. dont give him any attension. let him in if you need to and then just ignor him. give him cuddles once he has settled down and is not excited to see you anymore. hopfully this might help over the space of a few days/weeks.

03-12-2007, 10:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
murraysmom Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: southcentral Pa. Posts: 2,236	I'm not an expert, but I do know that bassets are pack animals and really need to be with people or other animals. It sounds like he's lonely and bored. When you leave, a special treat that will keep him busy for a few hours, like a stuffed Kong (do you have those in your part of the world?) might help. Is allowing him to sleep in your room at night out of the question? Sorry to hear you are having this problem- I know other people on the forum have experienced this and may have better advice- hang in there!

03-13-2007, 03:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
monty's mom Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Africa Posts: 52	Thanx so much everyone i am definitely going to try all of your advise and i will try and get one of those kong things you guys are talking about. Unfortunately my boyfriend doesn't like him sleeping in the house we only let him sleep in the house if there is heavy weather outside.

03-13-2007, 06:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
beatwig Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 8	Who pays the rent??? I think leaving him outside might be a mistake.. You can get a very nice, roomy crate... If you do, feed him in his crate so he connects the crate as a good place.. Give him certain toys for when you go out. Ones that he really likes.. Kong is a good one with peanut butter inside. A good walk before you go is helpful also.. Everybody is giving very good advice. Look online for Informational books on this topic.. Your library probably has some. mary f

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