My Dog

[stephkeyte]

Help! My dog will not lwet me out of the house! As soon as he knows im leaving he goes mad if a touch the door handle or try and move him away from the door he makes this horrible crying screaming noise and will nip me not bite but just nip but im worried he could do more. He is a staffie we got from a rescue centre 6months ago. He started doing this about 6weeks ago and its driving me mad. sometimes I just give up and stay in! I have tried food and toys nothing seems to work. If i do manage to escape he seems fine once I am gone does no damage to the house or leaves any mess! He has the run of the whole house when left alone and the TV or radio on. Can anyone help or give me some advise?

[Clanad]

A number of things... first, your breed of dog needs, no, demands a lot of exercise. They cannot be seen as a "house dog". At least one hour of vigorous exercise, usually walking at least once a day, more is better. If you can, use a bicycle to really get him going and keep him going. A tired dog is a good dog.
Secondly... your dog is seeing you as the follower not the leader. In the natural, dogs that follow, never leave the pack leader... the pack leader can leave the followers however. Your dog's sudden rebellion at your departing is the result of you not being an assertive leader and he is displaying anxiety at one of the followers leaving. it could help to get another dog, but it's important that you display the characteristics of a "pack leader". Others may disagree, but I watchedmy father raise dogs and correct bad behavior for years here in the U.S.)
You might want to try placing him in a kennel within the house, but since you say he's not destroying or attacking furniture, etc., that may not be necessary.
Lastly, don't reward the bad behavior by going back in the house to comfort the dog when he displays such behavior. Reward him only when he calms down and acknowledges your leadership.
You might want to read this article: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/topdogrules.htm

Best of luck!

[kita1]

Don't even think of getting another dog. You have enough problems with this one.

When you go out don't give him the run of the house. Put him in one room out of sight of the door you will be leaving by (the kitchen maybe?). Don't let him see you go out of the door.

It may help to settle him in the room at various times in the day when you are not going out, so that he does not associate it with you going out of the door. I would leave him with a bed, water and maybe a kong dog toy stuffed with treats to occupy him.

Try not to let him see you getting ready to go out either, place him in the kitchen well in advance of you picking your keys up, getting your coat out etc.

It may be worth going back to the rescue centre and explaining your problem - they may be able to offer training advice.

Owning a dog should be fun and you should not be held a prisoner in your own home!

[stephkeyte]

Many thanks to Clanad and Kita 1 for the answers they gave. With regards to the leader and follower rolls my dog is the follower and I am usually the leader other than in this instance. I will try leaving him in a room away from the door I leave from see how I get on with that - sounds like a good idea. My dog has plenty of exercise about an hour run/walk in the morning before I plan to leave over a common where he is let off the lead to explore and play with other dogs and he has an evening walk also but the bicycle sounds like a good idea too. Many Thanks again

[Teneref]

have a serious talk with doggy and reassure him/her

you will always return. you will never run out on him/her

like its previous owner.