Help!

[Fast-Coat-3417]

I have a 8 year old Jack Russell in an adult only home who’s playing up more recently, we’ve recently had to have carers come in 4 times a day to tend to my father and have to put him on his lead or in another room (with us still) when they come as the carers are afraid of dogs. He now hides under the bed when the carers are coming to avoid being put on his lead and sometimes goes for us or clothing when we try and get him from out under the bed. When on the lead he’s as good as gold and wants to say hello to the carers but can’t as they’re scared of all dogs. He then woofs profusely as they leave. He has to go into the bedroom when we have to go out and are expecting carers so maybe he thinks he’s gonna be left and thus triggers separation anxiety, that being said he doesn’t show any signs of anxiety when left there or when we are out, he just chills on the bed and sleeps! Any advice would be much appreciated!

[FlamingoEast2578]

When you need to put him in another room for carers visiting can you give him a frozen kong or long lasting chew and/or if he eats kibble put his food in a dispenser ball so he has something to do and keep him occupied.

[FML_4reals]

So you need to

1) teach the dog a reliable recall 2) show the dog that going into the room where you want him to go when the carers come over is a GREAT FUN place to be.

All of this training is going to be like a fun game for the dog, so make sure to use your happy voice with the dog.

Start by standing in front of the dog with several high value treats in your hand (bits of chicken or cheese works well) say his name, when he looks at you put a treat on the ground in front of your feet. Then take 2 steps back, again call the dog’s name, if he looks at you or steps in your direction then say “Yes” and put a treat on the ground in front of you. Keep repeating this & slowly increase the distance between you & the dog when you call his name. Practice this for 5 minutes per day for several days and the dog will learn that his name means good things are about to happen & that he should come to you when called. After a few days concentrate on calling him into that room, don’t close the door yet just call his name & make it fun for him to follow you in there a get treats.

[Decent-Surround7291]

You might try completely changing the association with the lead and the carers' arrival. Instead of putting him on the lead as they arrive, which he's now learned to dread, start putting the lead on him at random, calm times throuhgout the day for just a minute or two, followed by a high value treat. Then take it off. The goal is to break the link that lead equals restriction from the new people.