OUR PUPPY IS OUT OF CONTROL

Dear Jubilee:

I am new to the world of Airedales but did considerable research before choosing my puppy 3 months ago.

Tipper is now 6 months old and he is a terror - so much so that I feel like I'm a dog" handler" rather than a dog owner and companion. His addition to our family was supposed to be a positive situation but so far, he has alienated himself from everyone in our family but me.

I don't know anyone else who owns an Airedale so I have no frame of reference other than website info to go by so I hoped that you might be able to shed some positive light on our situation.

He seems to have a dominating personality because he will push, mount and chase. He is 6 months old now and we continue to have a problem with nipping. I can't take my eyes off him for a second when my kids are around him. (he's been confined to our large kitchen now because we have to limit interaction with the kids to almost none at this point)

He just seems to have every behavior problem I have been reading about from stealing everything in sight on the ground or in reach on the counters to constant protest barking when out of sight, chewing rugs, assaulting guests and the list goes on.

We are so disappointed at this point because we feel that there may be no hope in his personality/behavior changing to where he will be the loyal, energetic companion we expected for our family. On a positive note, he is a handsome boy and loves to go for long walks with me.

I desperately hope he has the potential to be like all the Airedales I have read so much about because we love him and want to do what we can to change him.

I don't know what direction to take with training but something needs to be done right away. What training recommendations can you make? Any encouraging advice would be great.

Thanks,
Discouraged


Dear Discouraged:

First of all, who is the breeder? Have you contacted him or her and talked to them about your problems? What kind of guidance did he or she give you about puppies in the first place.

Everything you mention is very typical of Airedale puppies, and in spite of it, most do become wonderful companions. But it should never have gotten so far out of hand.

First of all, your puppy needs to be closely confined until you can trust him. I use x-pens (doggy playpens) and crates until my puppies are better behaved whenever I or someone else cannot directly supervise their behavior. They have definite quiet times and definite play times. And they are not allowed to romp with children unless it is a structured play time. Airedale puppies are rambunctious and full of energy, and everything in life is a game to them.

Second, you need to find a trainer to help you, but it has to be a trainer who understands and appreciates terriers. Terriers were bred to think for themselves, and they will -- unless you train them to behave the way you want them to behave. So ask everyone you know, go meet the trainers, listen for any discriminatory phrases (like Airedales cannot be trained), and try a couple out. You need training as much as your dog, so work only with someone who will train you to train your dog. Let me assure you that Airedales can be trained: currently the number 6 and 7 obedience dogs in the country are Airedales, and Airedales are very popular in agility.

Third, get some books and videos on training, especially clicker training (For more information on clicker training, go to: www.clickertrain.com). Get the video, Calming Signals for Dogs, and try to practice the things it says about how you can use body language to calm a dog just the way adult dogs do with active and rude youngsters. The video is available at www.dogandcatbooks.com.

Fourth, how old are your children? I suspect that they are also rambunctious when they are with the puppy, shrieking when he mouths them, waving hands up in the air, and pulling away from him when he runs toward them, jumps up on them, or mouths them. I suspect when he steals something, they chase him (and that is a way of rewarding the behavior in his mind so now he is training you and your family). These behaviors will make him more excited and more apt to do what you do not want him to do. Your children need to learn how to handle a dog: a puppy does not automatically become a wonderful companion. Just like a child, he needs to be carefully and lovingly and calmly taught good manners in order to become a good citizen.

When he mouths, turn away from him. Turn your back on him. Refuse to engage him. Don't do anything that he can construe as playing with him. Screech like you have been hurt. When he steels something, make a loud unpleasant noise and squirt him (I keep a spray bottle with water on my counters: when a dog misbehaves, I make an "eek" sound and squirt him or her). When all four feet are on the ground and he is being good, make a clicking sound and give him a small treat. Praise him quietly and warmly.

Give him nothing without making him do something for it. Have him sit before you give him his food. Have him sit or lie down when he wants to be petted. Have him sit for a toy. A treat. Any attention. Use all your interactions to train him to do positive things.

Until you have him well trained, do not play games like tug of war with him. Do not wrestle with him. Do not play with him in any way that will give him the idea that he is stronger than you are or that he can win. Do throw balls and get him to retrieve them. Give him a treat for bringing a ball back and dropping it in front of you.

You cannot get him to mind by yelling at him, hitting him, or other negative things when he misbehaves. You can only get him to mind by rewarding what you like (and paying attention to bad behavior is rewarding it).

And above all, you must have a positive alternative in mind for the behavior you would rather have in every situation. For example, instead of mouthing your children, wouldn't you rather that he sit and be quiet with them. If so, start training that. Put a lead on him, hook it to your waist, and take him with you to your children. When he is calm with them, reward him. When he is not, take him quietly away.

Please find help. This sounds like a typical Airedale puppy that is taking over your house. Airedales need firm and loving boundaries, just like a child does, or they will take over your home. They are very smart and very energetic. But well handled, they become the most wonderful companions you have ever imagined (albeit not without some slip ups: they find it hard to be good all the time). They like to be the center of attention: don't let them demand it when they are naughty.

If all else fails, and you decide he is not the dog for you, will your breeder take him back? Do not, under any circumstances, take him to a pound or shelter -- Because of the behavior driving you to turn him in, you would be signing his death warrant, and he is not at fault for not being trained to be good. Do not take him even to a no-kill shelter because he needs to be placed in a home with someone who understands Airedales and understands their home needs and what kind of people are willing to do what it takes to train him. If you have to give him up, please contact Airedale Rescue. There is a link to rescue at www.airedale.org; the national chairman can put you in touch with the representative in your area; you can also do a search on ATRA, another Airedale rescue organization.

I hope you can sort this out and become the trainer that Tipper needs in order to be all the Airedale he can be.

Jubilee