Is our Daisy going to learn bad habits from foster brother?!

We have a two year old male foster dog at our house (for 3 weeks now). As he has become more comfortable here, he has shown his true (barky) nature! He barks at stuff on the TV, any noise outside, when he's excited playing, etc. And Heaven help us if the doorbell rings! The ruckus is unbelievable!


Daisy normally joins in when the doorbell rings, but generally not at all the other nonsensical things he barks at. I don't really like it at all. Anyone have experience with their dogs picking up bad barking habits from others? Daisy has always been a pretty quiet dog, and never made any sort of fuss at the doorbell whatsoever, although if you open the door, she's right there ready to bolt out and lick any unsuspecting visitors.

I hope after he finds a good home, she will go back to her calm, quiet nature!

Most likely she only barks as there are two -- that may also be why he barks. You get a quite different set of behaviours when you have two or more dogs than when one is on its own. That said a dog can start barking any time in its life. A quiet dog doesn't always stay a quiet dog! It is useful to teach a dog to 'speak' and then also a 'quiet' cue.

When Shelby and Jake are home together, Jake barks and Shelby joins in. In the rare occasions when Shelby is home and Jake isn't here...she doesn't bark. I wouldn't say Jake is a "bad" influence on Shelby but she doesn't start barking on her own.

Cathy T said:

When Shelby and Jake are home together, Jake barks and Shelby joins in. In the rare occasions when Shelby is home and Jake isn't here...she doesn't bark. I wouldn't say Jake is a "bad" influence on Shelby but she doesn't start barking on her own.

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Exactly the same with mine, Cathy-- Oliver barks and on occasion Rosie will join in but she is actually very quiet and never barks on her own.

Mine are exactly the same too, with Geordie being the barker for the tv, doorbell, company, and seeing something out the window. The girls are quiet except under the following condition: if they know we are taking either one or all of them somewhere in the car (which they seem almost omniscient about), Geordie starts barking and they all go nuts. This is the only time they are all truly noisy!

Well since we have had Archie,Alfs has gotten more naughty.We came home today and found my slippers in the garden,They have also discovered the grass cuttings dump and have decided it needs moving,they have been coming in covered in green grass stains all around their mouths and paws.It was funny though.

Justine said:

Well since we have had Archie,Alfs has gotten more naughty.We came home today and found my slippers in the garden,They have also discovered the grass cuttings dump and have decided it needs moving,they have been coming in covered in green grass stains all around their mouths and paws.It was funny though.

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:lol: boys will be boys! :wggle::wggle:

That what we say,and when they are naughty and making loads of noise we shout BOYS THATS ANOUGH.

Justine said:

Well since we have had Archie,Alfs has gotten more naughty.We came home today and found my slippers in the garden,They have also discovered the grass cuttings dump and have decided it needs moving,they have been coming in covered in green grass stains all around their mouths and paws.It was funny though.

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How cute..pictures please!


Pippin is the culprit in our house..starts them all off..outdoors it's DJ...poor Gus just follows the cue, doesn't know why he's barking half the time!

Thats when the hard work begins being a foster mummy!

It takes time to watch and observe character and personality in dogs such as these, and then more time in working on the problems that each can bring with them. Then comes all the effort and time with tears and laughter in trying to resolve them.

Do you have a history with this little one? how has he ended up in your care? perhaps the situation of doors and excitement really need to be worked upon sooner rather than later. Is he going to be re-homed? Do you have support and some knowledge in training and in working with his problems?

Rescue and fostering is very rewarding but exhausting as well, behind all of my own dogs I find that a strong network of people is just a huge must for the job. A kind gentle trainer, a behaviourist, an excellent vet, friends with good natured dogs to socialise with. These all contribute to the group of people working together.

Perhaps you could find a local club and take him along, explain he is a foster dog and I'm sure that you will find alot of help like above being offered your way for him.

Enjoy his stay!

Alison.

He came into rescue basically because both his previous owners (actually 3 of them) didn't have time for him. (There was an allergy story in there, but I'm skeptical, if you know what I mean.) He's a huge guy (33.8 pounds!!!) and I have to admit, I'm not used to that size of dog in the house. (I fear for my wood floors. I don't want to even look closely at them until he's rehomed because if I do, I may cry. His nails are the size of a German Shepherd's.)

The rescue is working on finding a home for him. He's currently on antibiotics for ehrlichiosis, though, so things are on hold till this round of antibiotics is over.

He is very sweet, and very needy. He was really timid the first day we had him, but now he is Mr. Velcro. He is sitting underneath the desk right now on my feet. He is pretty much bomb-proof now in terms of startling, except for the TV and doorbell. Nothing seems to scare him, but he does seem to enjoy barking! He was raised with kids of a wide range of ages and he is great with them. He's also good with our Cavalier.

He never had the slightest bit of training, but we taught him to sit for a treat the very first day we had him. He is very food-motivated, to say the least.

Anyway, he's a good dog, true Cavalier nature except for the initial timidity, and I hope we can find him a great home because he deserves a forever home where he can really feel secure.

I would post his picture, but I'm not sure I'm supposed to yet. When I get the go ahead, I'll definitely post here. He has the most beautiful dark blenheim patches I've ever seen, and very pretty markings in general. He's got a longer nose than he probaby should, and of course, he's way too big, but he is beautiful! Very flashy markings and a nice mask. He's got an "almost" Blenheim spot, but it's partially connected to his mask on one side. He definitely worms his way into your heart with his big eyes and constantly wagging tail!

He sounds adorable! a big boy give him a hug from us x

Alison.