castration

[suebroughton]

Hi all.
I had my 3 year old castrated last week. His behaviour was becoming too stressful, every time I moved, he was trying to get to me, and he was getting a bit too "keen" with my bitch, fighting, snapping etc.
Hes come out of the op ok, but now I obviously need help with getting the naughtys out of him, I want him in his own bed, out of our bedroom, I want him walking next to me on the lead, and more importantly, to stop all this barking, running round and round hysterically when outside, I darent road walk him any more, he flings himself at cars, people, and if he sees a bike, God help us all.
Any advice would be greatly appriciated.
Thank you

[fyreside]

I would start walking him on a correction collar (choker chain) and lead, keeping him close in the heel position. When he is walking close I would be praising him and feeding him some treats to reward this good behaviour. If he moves from the correct heeling position I would give him a quick correction and praise him when he is in the correct place again.

I then start to re introduce him to his distractions (problems - people bikes etc) one at a time. I would set up a situation with a friend and have them walk towards you. For example when walking towards this person and he starts to bark or move forward out of position, I would turn and walk away in the opposite direction, praising him when he walks at heel again and feeding treats. I would then repeat the activity again walking towards the person again. When he starts barking etc, turn and walk away. Try and get to the stage where you are anticipating when he is about to be naughty and turn before he gets the chance. He will gradually learn that he is not going to get the opportunity to take control - because you walk away. Keep the praise verbal and physical patting as well as the food rewards up and he will gradually change his ways.
When you solved one issue start on the next. Don't try to do all of them at once.
In regards to the bed issue. I would put him in his bed in your room and get him to sleep there first. Then you can gradually move the bed further away from your bed - maybe to the bathroom if it is off your bedroom. My dogs sleep in the ensuite off our bedroom. Otherwise I'd crate train him.

[suebroughton]

Thank you so much, this sounds very helpful, I will try all this Fyrside