CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE ADVISE ME WITH MY STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER HE'S NINE MONTHS OLD AND VERY BOISTEROUS WHEN PEOPLE VISIT IT'S NOT AS THOUGH HE'S NEVER SEEN THESE PEOPLE BEFORE, HE JUMPS UP HOLDS ONTO THERE ARMS WITH HIS MOUHT (BUT NOT BITING)AND JUST GENERALLY PLEASED TO SEE ANYBODY, HOW CAN WE STOP THIS HE CALMS DOWN AFTER A FEW MINTUES AND NEVER BOTHERS THEM AGAIN UNTIL HE WANTS YOU TO PLAY WHICH WE DO. WE HAVE EVEN TRYED TO SHUT HIM IN ANOTHER ROOM TO CALM DOWN BUT IT DOESNT WORK. ALSO JUST ANOTHER LITTLE PROBLEM WHEN WE GO OUT AND THIS IS NOT ALL THE TIME ONLY EVERY NOW AND AGAIN BUT RECENTLY ITS BEEN WHILST WE ARE IN THE HOUSE HE'S STARTED CHEWING THE SKIRTING BOARDS AND MY KITCHEN WALL HE'S GOT TOYS TO PLAY WITH WE HAVE LEFT HIM BONES ETC HOW CAN WE GET HIM TO STOP ANY SUGGESTIONS. BEST BIT IS WE NO HE'S DONE SOMETHING WHEN YOU COME HIM BECAUSE HE NOT SO PLEASED TO SEE YOU. LOOK FORWARD TO ANY ADVISE

THANKS JOANNE HAPPY STAFF OWNER (BUT ON VERGE OF NERVOUS BREAKDOWN) HA HA

Joanne, just a couple of suggestions first. The posters who can help you may need to ask you questions so it would be helpful if you could join the forum - it is free and doesn't take long. Guests can post initial questions but can't reply. Could you take your caps lock off because it makes your post difficult to read.
There are some brilliant people here who I'm sure will be able to give you some help with your dog. Good luck.
LynnT

Like Lynn says you really need to register because I for one need more info? You say you leave him with bones, toys etc, how long do you leave him for?

Stacey x x x

kash

i have now become a member our dog is not left for more than 2 hours and this is not all the time this is max and not everyday? Cause i'm home as i.m disabled.

lynt thanks for your reply i have now become a member so what do i have to do now do i have to type another question?

Hi jo-anne
I'd suggest when visitors arrive you tell them to ignore him (not easy I know if he's hanging off their arms :D) Even being told off and no etc can be construed as "reward" in his eyes - he has got a reaction out of you. Could you get him to sit ? He needs to learn that people will fuss him on their terms not his and that he will only be fussed and greeted when he is calm and his backside parked on the floor. I'm sure others will also be able to give pointers about this.

With regards to destructive behaviour it would help if you can answer Staceys question about how long is he left, what toys etc you leave him, how many rooms has he access to

Sara :)

edited - oops see you have just answered about the time

>>>> HE CALMS DOWN AFTER A FEW MINTUES AND NEVER BOTHERS THEM AGAIN UNTIL HE WANTS YOU TO PLAY WHICH WE DO

Just noticed this bit Jo-anne. That to me reads like he dictates to you when he wants to play and you oblige him. You should play with him when you want to - not when he demands it. You are the "Boss".
It is fine for him to play with his toys when he wants on his own but you should only join in by choice - YOURS not his :)
If he pesters you ignore him - push him away, don't make eye contact and don't even speak to him. He will soon learn that he will get no reaction by this behaviour. When he is quiet and you want to, then play ball or whatever with him.

This is what works for me anyway but I'm not a Staffy owner. I'm sure their are Staffy owners on here who will reply who better know the breed and what works with it.

Sara :)

No - the people who have experience to help may not have seen the post yet, or may not have had long enough to give you a considered reply. I know you're desperate for help, and I'm sure it will come in a short while! :)
LynnT

Hi Joanne,
This is quite a common problem :)
When your visitors come into the house ask them to totally ignore him. No greeting him and no eye contact - ask them not to even look at him. This is important as his behaviour is attention seeking and intrusive.
He has a problem mouthing peoples arms so ask them to fold their arms out of the way and tuck their hands into their armpits. When he jumps up simply turn away from him, ignoring him at the same time.
Sara I have to disagree with you advising to push him away for two reasons - one you are presenting an arm (or a knee) to him, if you are not quick enough he will be able to mouth it and two you are giving him the attention which he is demanding. He calms down after a few minutes which is good so this is the time when your guests can greet him and give him a gentle stroke. On YOUR terms not his! If he gets lively - ignore him again.
You say he never bothers you until HE wants to play and then you do. He is dictating to you when he plays so it would help if you changed that around and played with him when YOU want to. That means when he is calm you can call him over and play with him - not when he is leaping around pestering you.
Shutting him in another room to calm down won't help him to because he is the one who is calling the shots so being excluded from everyone will mean he cannot dictate when his game begins and he'll get stressed about it. Sometimes a dog gate across the doorway helps because he can still see through it so he is out of the room but not entirely excluded.
A crate is the option that I would choose for the destruction while you are out! I am a firm believer in them :)
Two hours is not a long time and if you introduce it carefully and make it cosy with a toy/treats left inside then he will get used to it in no time at all. You also have peace of mind that he will be safe and your house will be intact.
The reaction that you are getting from him when you return is usual in dogs that are told off when their owners come home. They are not on a guilt trip about the damage caused as anything left available for a pup to chew on is fair game as far as they are concerned - but get anxious about the reaction of their owners if they come in and register their displeasure. Don't be cross with him - if you left him access to the kitchen wall and the skirting boards then it's your fault. That is why a crate is a godsend!
He sounds like a right character :) Hope any of this helps :)

Hi Lara - I see what your saying. The pushing away was only in relation to when he pesters to play - not when people first arrive. I meant it more for when things have calmed down and guests seated and he decides time to play - if he tried to climb on knee or anything with his toy - push him off and ignore, don't speak and no eye contact as I said (and you said too). The point you raise about opportunity to mouth at this stage is valid though as is the point he gets a reaction.
Sara :)

Just a couple of other ideas - stuffed kongs are great for keeping them amused for quite a while if you have to go out and leave them if other toys aren't as much fun.

My staff also loves to hold peoples arms - we give him a toy to hold in his mouth and he'll wander round showing people the toy rather than mouthing and leaping on them.

Having a short handled (4ft or 2ft) leash on him before people come over to visit would also help you. You can put him where you want on a Down/stay and put your foot on it until he settles. Either way, grabbing a leash can be much easier than grabbing a collar.

If you do put on a leash just before people come over, about the third time, he'll realize it and raise his level of excitement. You might just stagger it and become unpredictable....put it on for a while, then take it off, without anything happening.
just a thought.
good luck,
toodles