BAD, bad dog!?

Okay, so let me preface by saying that I love my dog or I wouldn鈥檛 be posting. He'd be packing his bags if I didn't.

In any case, my eight year old Israeli Canaan has been acting up really badly, when before he used to be a very well-behaved dog (apart from being very aggressive toward other dogs and with humans he did not know).

There HAVE been several changes in the household within the last year and a half and I understand this may be part of the problem. 1. We found a stray (another dog) and kept it. 2. Son moved out. 3. BF moved in. 4. he鈥檚 not allowed on the bed anymore, when before I used to 鈥榗uddle鈥?with him.

His 鈥榩roblems鈥? He pees in the house, he has begun to chew up door jambs, he humps the other (male) dog and he barks incessantly when put outside.

Has anyone been through any of these issues with their pet and do you have any suggestions?

Thanks!

.

P.S. He's been neutered since he was about 3 yrs old.

Hey, just wondering if he has been to the vet at all lately, sometimes older dogs have problems that can cause erratic behaviour (just like people).

If he was used to a certain way of life and you have now changed it, that could indeed be affecting him! His peeing may be 'marking' to let the other dog know that it is HIS house! The humping of the other dog, is the way that other dogs establish dominance, so he is telling him that he is boss (I have a dog that does this all the time!). He may be bored and not getting enough attention which can lead to the door jamb and barking problem.

It seems like he is just having a difficult time adjusting to the new dog, and is perhaps receiving less attention since your son moved out, and trying to get more of yours! In any case, good luck!!

1) the dog is jealous
2) get him fixed

He is not sure how to adapt to these new changes! Poor guy! he needs cuddles and love, and if you can afford it, maybe a behavior class to get him more comfortable with other dogs/people.

You didn't mention if this dog was neutered. It's a prime case of him re-exerting his dominance, and getting him off the bed was a GOOD START. If he hasn't been neutered, I know he's 8, but I would suggest going ahead with the procedure. He is peeing on things because he is marking his territory. You have totally changed his pack, and a new pecking order has to be established.

I would also highly recommend some training classes. These are issues that can be worked on, but you will need to really set aside some time each day to work them.

There have been too many sudden changes and this has upset you dog. Allow him to come up on your bed and cuddle with him.

Spend a little more time with him and play games with him.
This way he'll feel a little better.

You're his entire world, and his entire world is changing.

These changes are most likely because he was unsocialized to begin with. If he was aggressive towards humans (even strangers that posed no threat), that was a red flag. I can see that you do indeed love this dog but what has to happen in order for you to live with him and enjoy his company is this:

1) he needs to attend training classes
2) He needs to be nuetered if he isn't already. The humping that he is doing is to show his dominance over the new dog.
3) He may need to be crated until you can once again trust him not to eliminate inside.
4)The bed is a big change to him and you should put his new crate beside the bed and make it as comfortable as possible eith chew toys, treats, and blankets. Maybe keep it on your side of the bed?

Good Luck

re-train him to potty outside, maybe make an outside pen for the two of them, i would say out with the boyfriend until your engaged or married, and maybe out with the other dog, and maybe have your son come home and visit for a couple hours and maybe take the dog on a walk to let the dog know that he's still loved. also you can cuddle on the couch with him when your watching tv. good luck!

Despite what the first guy said...humping is a sign of him trying to show his dominance over the other dog...so may be the urinating. However, the urinating could also be medical.

The chewing and also perhaps the urinating are more than likely signs of stress caused by all of the drastic changes close together.

Is the barking while outside aimed at anyone or anything or just barking to be let in? Is he out for extended periods of time?

All could very well be his way of showing frustration over all of these changes. As for how to stop them ALL? I would consult an animal trainer/behaviorist or, at the very least, the vet.

Good luck.

How old is this dog? If he is maturing this could be why--getting him fixed will calm him. If he is already fixed--well he is obviously still jealous. I would maybe think about some socializing training. Obviously if he is agressive at times, he hasn't been properly socialized, and this could be a cause for his "attitude problem" Maybe if you take him to some classes he will learn socializing skills which are essential for dogs. He might learn how to "channel his jealousy.....?????"

He is asserting his dominance, as any male would do. you would be best off to take him and the new bf to traing school wher you need to let your bf be in charge of that so he can come out the dominate male.

It's perfectly normal. Problem is: you're letting him get away with these things. Dogs are a lot smarter than we give them credit for.

If you have to go back to basic training with your doggy, do so. I know it seems weird to be training an 8 year old dog again, but he has to know who's in charge. Just because there are changes in the house doesn't give your dog the right to run it!

Just be firm in training him what's not right and be consistent.
You should seriously try socializing him more often, he'd be less agressive in the end if you start now.

Good luck!
Hope that helps :D

I haven't been through this but I can tell you that in his eyes, his life has been turned upside down! And now can't cuddle with you? Might want to make changes there as he thinks that he has been pushed aside. Remember, your dog will always be with you,never know about a boyfriend. LOL
Poor baby.

as for the humping your other dog he's showing dominance. as for the other things i think hes acting up because:
1.you got another dog...maybe he feels hes being replaced?
2. he's missing your son
3. maybe he feels he was getting more attention before the new dog, boyfriend ? you said you used to let him in the bed...and now you dont! i think hes just acting up because there were so many changes. reassure him hes not being replaced and that you do still love him by giving him lots of attention. you will probably have to retrain him as well.correct bad behavior and reward good behavior. dont know if it did but i hope that helped!good luck!:)

It seems like he's just seeking attention, and the whole peeing in the house could be stress. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to insult you and say you don't pay attention to him. My dog is like that sometimes too...Even though I spend a lot of time with him. My dog is 9, and a few times he's peed in the house, I know he doesn't have bladder problems and I've heard somewhere that dogs do pee when they're stressed out. But in any case, just make sure he doesn't have any bladder control problems. :) Hope I've helped.

This is a dog that isn't comfortable with other dogs and you've introduced a dog into the household. Your dog is stressed. The NILIF program never ends! Training is not something you do with a dog for a few months when classes are in session, but always. Don't start punishing this dog, you'll likely only make it more stressed and make behaviors worse. Find a good trainer to help you. Go back to creating a structured positive environment for the dog. Are the dogs able to go outside for runs together? You got a lot to deal with and it's not possible for an online forum to give you too much specific advice without seeing your dogs in action. You could make the behavior worse.

www.fearfuldogs.com/books.html

has list of good books, some deal with multi-dog household issues.

he's rebellion as he cannot sleep on the bed and probably does,nt like your boyfriend ot someone else who's coming over this sounds strange he start doing this after 3 years,he feels left out of something