| Ask The Vet -
Q&A |
Question
My boston terrier, 10 months old, is very calm when with
my retired husband during the day, but when I come home at 5pm and
on the weekends he goes crazy, he gets into everything, jumps up
grabbing things out of my hands and doesn't come when called. Why
is he doing this only with me?
Jacqueline L Mcdaniel - Tennessee, USA |
Answering questions:
Susie Samuel MA VetMB MRCVS from
Vet
Help Direct |
| Answer |
Hi Jacqueline,
This
sounds like a frustrating problem but well done for picking up on
it and trying to work out a solution now before things get more
difficult. As he is calm during the day I’m sure you stand
every chance of improving this behaviour quite easily. The most
likely reason he is doing this antisocial behaviour only with you
is because you have been out all day so it’s very exciting
when you come home.
You need to try to make your homecoming slightly less exciting!
I
would recommend first thinking about how you behave towards him
when you come in from work.
You
should be very calm when entering the house, greet your husband
first and ignore him for 5 – 10 minutes. When you are ready
walk over very calmly and talk to him gently for a short period
of time. I certainly would not call him to you when you first come
in the house.
Ignoring
a dog can be easier said than done if they are jumping up at you.
I recommend folding your arms so he can’t get at whatever
is in your hands. Turn your back on him and make a rule never to
give him attention or interact with him when he is jumping up. If
this doesn’t work your husband could arrange to use a baby
gate to keep him away from you when you first come into the house,
only go over and give him attention when he eventually calms down.
As a last resort you can try carrying a water pistol with you when
you walk into the house. Squirt him with it when he jumps up, this
must appear to him to be an ‘act of god’ rather than
anything to do with you, if he thinks he is getting your attention
even in the form of being sprayed with water it may encourage him
even more!
I’m
not sure from what you’ve said if this behaviour lasts for
the whole time you are around or if it is just when you come in.
You might want to consider taking him to dog training classes to
get some help with general training and control. If you find you
aren’t getting anywhere take him to the vets, get them to
check him over and ask for a referral to a pet behaviour therapist.
Good
luck with this.
Kind regards,
Susie Samuel MA VetMB MRCVS www.vethelpdirect.com
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