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Latest Animal Stories on Dogs (573)

nicola - 2011-07-28
I have a 20 month male english bull terrier. I have had him from 12 weeks old, he lives out the back in a well built kennel, but he chews everything, the kids toys, fence, door frame. You name it he chews it. He goes for walks. How do I stop him from chewing? He has the run of the garden. When I go out to work he howls and barks until I get back, anyone got any answers?

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Charlie Roche - 2011-07-28
Puppies chew and they need to chew to first get rid of their puppy teeth and then to keep their teeth healthy. You want him to stop chewing your things so you have to provide him with his things. When he goes to chew one of your things, remove it say "NO" and give him one of his own things. A trick I was shown is to take some old keys and put them on a keyring. When you throw them they make a lot of nose. Do not throw them at the pup. However, if the pup goes or is sniffing or chewing something it is not supposed to throw the keys at something that will make noise (the chair closest to him or something - the floor) and yell "NO". This worked for me for many a pup. There is no point in punishing after the fact or yelling no after the fact - they have no idea what they did wrong. You need to catch him in the act when you are with him and tell him "NO" Outside - he think you're in the home. He wants by you. The trainer told me to put my pup in the smallest room in the home that I didn't use when I went to wrok. I put my 110 doberman in the guest bathroom
and my doberman went right through the bathroom wall, into the kitchen and into the master bedroom and ate (shook all the feather pillows up to the vaulted ceilings. I will not pass on that advice. Instead I will suggest a crate - large enough for your pup to move in with a t-shirt that has your scent on it. Can someone come during the day and let the pup out. Crate - next to a doggy door scenario has also worked for me. Laundry room with a dogggy door. He is going to keep on barking outside - as he thinks you are home and just not bothering. Doggy doors work well with small pen/crate safe enclosuresa in the home and fenced in area outside.
Sarah Kennedy - 2011-09-06
Deal with one issue at a time. He's struggling to know where he fits or he's trying to dominate you.
Barking: he's frustrated and wanting attention. From anyone. Bad or good attention, doesn't matter, just attention. Have you tried an anti bark collar?
Chewing: He doesnt know which things are his to chew or he's doing it to get your attention again. The key trick mentioned by previous review is great. As are air cans, they work in the same way, they make a harmless noise which breaks dogs attention, at which point you redirect his attention to something you want him to do/chew. Also have your tried repellant on things like door frames, fence? Bitter apple spray, strong english mustard etc. again harmless but nasty tasting.
You need to teach him which are his things. My EBT, Ozzy, is 12 months and he went through a major phase of shoe killing, including a pair of Jimmy Choos!!!! I took a pile of shoes and everytime he went near them or tried to pick one up I used keys, verbal command and/or air spray. Took a few days and a good few hours of input but he now leaves all shoes alone. Hard work but so so worth the effort as he's happier as he knows what's his.
Let us know how you're doing.
Sarah and Ozzy
Julianne - 2011-10-19
The reason for the chewing is precisely this bull terriers thrive on human contact. They are not suitable to be kept outside at all, they need to be near you for their emotional health and if not will be destructive and will generally find something to take their stress out on. A bull terrier is not for someone who wants to kennel them outside ................... they would rather live in your lap.
debbie smith - 2012-03-18
You don't have the time to spend with this animal who will take negative attention over none just like a child! Interact with this responsibility you chose to have.
Tammy agoney - 2013-01-15
Maybe u should have researched the breed a little better!! He is part Of ur family!!! If you cannot Train him so he can live inside , rehome him so he isn't neglected for The rest of his life!!
Clarice Brough - 2013-01-15
I kinda sounds like he's bored and needs more personal interaction. They are great pets, but do require a regular interaction with their owners every day, with a good and fairly long excercise/training/play period. They learn to look forward to it if it is on a regular schedule. You might want to get a personal trainer to work with you and the dog to address the behavior problems.
Guy St. James - 2013-02-14
Dear Nicola: Not replying to give you a hard time or slam you; but you probably have the wrong dog [English Bull Terrier]. I have been a 'English Bull Terrier' owner most of my life and these are NOT,NOT,NOT. kennel dogs. Even though they may seem to be a strong independent dog they are not. Should have done your homework prior to ownership of a 'English Bull Terrier'. These babies[English Bulls] require TONS of HUMAN companionship,or they will fail to thrive. A well loved 'Bull' will tolerate being left alone for a few hours[2-3], but any more than that is really pushing it. Sorry for the long wind here-but 'Bull Terrier' ownership is really a 'lifestyle' and huge commitment. Please reconsider thinking you have a kennel dog here.
Anonymous - 2013-03-06
A few years later here...we hope for the best for that young English Bull Terrier. A warning to those reading this and considering adding Companion pet to their Family? Research theed bred, what environment you are offering, what are their needs and requirements: energy level, needed space, what they were breed to be/ do.... Then, and ONLY THEN select Your friend and be the BEST friend you can be. We've had outside and inside pups, we acquired a Labrador who we Thought should be outside..same'destructive' behavior-read about labs, brought him in-problem solved. Researched English Bullies , HAVE her in obedience training....crated....sleeps in it in our bedroom!

german rottweilers - 2013-03-06
Rottweilers are mostly not scary and dangerous if treated properly. I have a female rottie who is about 3 years old. Rottweilers are good pets when treated properly.

Michelle Logan - 2013-03-04
I have a longed haired chihuahua. His name's Fluffy. He's a fireball. He's so full of energy all day long. It's really difficult to train him. My mom has another dog. A toy puddle. Her name's Audi and she is very old. She is 16 years old. Fluffy's not 1 yet. But he still tries to play with her like she is a puppy. Fluffy does not like any of our neighbors and hates cars. He tries to chase them on our daily walks. I don't know how to calm him down.

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Jim - 2013-03-04
Our dog goes berserk over the mail lady. When we have the windows open and she hears him she says 'HI KILLER!!'

Rosa Boca Raton Fl - 2013-01-19
My son and I rescued a male EBT when he was 10 weeks old, we were told he had dermatitis, it turned out to be yeast, wich has gotten worse in the last 3 months. We tried oral antibiotics, oral antifungal meds, nothing is helping. We bathe him with selsum blue shampoo, nothing. Any sugestions? Please help, he is chewing his paws raw!

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Anonymous - 2013-01-20
Try giving a raw diet, glueten and carb free. Find one with no potatoes! Give a tea tree oil based shampoo bath. My sister in laws pekinese has yeast infections she put him on stellas dog food wich is pre packaged raw food but with an English bull terrier there expensive to feed. Find a holistic vet my ebt has skin issues and I resolved them with diet change, I'm a firm believer in not over medicating my dog because it actually will rob there bodies of the good bacteria as well as the bad. Good luck! There are many websites on feeding raw and a good holistic vet can help as well. Most non holistic vets are given commission for the foods they sell and they aren't always the best choice for your situation, vets also don't go go to school for nutrition thhey spend about three weeks learning about companies like science diet.
Guy St. James - 2013-02-11
Our Bull Terrier had a skin problem when we got him, at 5 months old. We were stumped as to helping him. The 'Vet' made suggestions and treatment, but the advice didn't seem to help that much. Since this is our 4th Bull Terrier in 32 years, I thought no way am I going to let this condition beat our new friend[pet] up. Long story short, did my homework on the computer and connections[clubs] ete. Turned out to be 'MITES'yes 'MITES'. Dirty little %$&*. It was confirmed by the Vet finally. These pests are virtually microscopic and tough to identify and often go overlooked and undiagnosed. Check your 'Bull' for these little devils. They wrecked havoc on our boy. Treated with 'Revolution' drops. Vet will tell you the process. Our 'Bull Terrier' hasn't had a problem since. All his fur grew back and his feet[paws] are beautiful. Hope this will help. It's awful to see them suffer. Good luck.

Wanda Parsons - 2010-09-23
I have an English Mastiff named Rollo. He is in perfect health and temperament. When I purchased him the owners were to provide me with his family history but failed to do so and is no longer around. What would the steps be to get him to be the first family line. Is there special things to do with the English Mastiff Association? Thanks.

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Jeremy Roche - 2013-03-09
If registered you may be able to track back with old owners name.

Ellie - 2013-02-10
I've got a grand basset griffon vonde.

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Ellie - 2013-02-10
He's called brioche!

Lisa Mcknight - 2011-03-11
We breed English mastiffs and it's our belief that a mastiff is the most rewarding and satisfying canine to have around. Check us out to find out more www.kinghillmastiffs.com

Jim - 2012-12-20
Another comment.......our dog(after been given a treat 'sometimes') will go and want to hide.bury it. It's only frustrating when he scratches on the carpet. You kinda feel for these animals because I guess it's instinct. This is the first time I have had a dog that does this. As a boy we grew up with Boxers and the 2 we had did not do this. Is there anything I can do indoors? Outside he does not dig, just munches on bunny turds, eats bark off of little limbs, loves dead leaves. OH and got him a KONG and he will not eat from his bowl ONLY from his KONG.

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Jeremy Roche - 2012-12-20
How old and how long have you had the dog?
Jim - 2012-12-20
He's 11mos. old, will be 1yr.old the beginning of Jan.
Jim - 2012-12-20
We got him when he was 4 weeks old.
Jeremy Roche - 2012-12-20
They are small and often nervous dogs. He may have come from a place where he was not comfortable and may have felt he had to hide his stuff to keep it. With patience and love he will become comfortable and more then likely calm down. Try putting something special in his bowl.
Jim - 2012-12-30
We've had him since he was 4wks old.
Gerri - 2013-01-07
My female chi started hiding things when she was 6 months old. I have had her since she was 8 weeks old. This must be a natural dog instinct because I have 3 cousins who also own chi's and their dogs also hide their toys, bones etc. My chi also scratches at her bedding like she is trying to dig. I have had her outside and she began digging a hole like a hound dog, but she is a full blooded registered chi. Must be normal behavior for her. I certainly won't be leaving her alone in the yard to dig holes.
lisa - 2013-02-18
Last year I rescued a long haired chi mix who is about 5. She does the exact same things...no digging outside except when she finds delicious cat turds (she is a most effective scavenger hunter), loves clumps of dead leaves, digs a bit in the house before she lays down in her bed, and when I give her a big treat meant to occupy her with chewing she will pace around the house whining until she finds a satisfactory place to hide it, usually in the linen closet. My solution was to stop giving her such large chew treats. Now she only gets bite sized things which she eats right away. I felt too sorry for her when she seemed in distress looking for a hiding place.
Tony - 2013-02-20
Well, I had a doggy, long hair chihuahua, that used to get everything under ground and was afraid of everybody. I took him over to the Psychologist and he advised me to take him over to the graveyard for few nights and to leave him there all night long by himself. Well, I did so but when he came back home we found out that something was killing the cats in the community. It was weird because the cats showed up dead with two holes on their necks and by the time we realized what was happening I fould out that I have been bit by the leg while I was sleeping. I had two holes on my right leg. Then one day I went back to my room and I found my long hair chihuahua sucking blood from a rabbit that I had in the room. The rabbit was already dead. Well, I decided to end the problem and what I did was to remove the two fangs and I tough him how to drink tomatoe juice. Now I have no problems with Draky.

Makica - 2013-03-02
This is my Maltipoo . Her name is Sasha, she is now 1 year old this picture was taken when she was 3 months old. I really love designer puppies. They are always the best of the two breeds, in my case Maltese and French Poodle.

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Clarice Brough - 2013-03-02
The picture above actually is a Shih Tzu, which is a very old dog breed, and not one of the recent designer dogs. The photo was taken in 2006 at the 'Family Pet Show' in Pomona, California. But I bet I your designer dog is really cute, being a cross between two such adorable dogs as the Maltese and French Poodle!

Jada Stevenson - 2011-12-14
I love this dog honestly, But i think it is expensive for really know reason. All dogs prices are unbelieveable to me and probably some other people too. Like I would really go to the store and by a 1,000 dollar dog please you must be crazy. But that is my opinion. All dogs gave they own special things about them and some just are plain. The ones that are plain prices should be lowered.

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