Dog jumping at patio door window

Pippy1976 · 27-08-2012 9:29am #1

Hi

I really hope you guys can help, this problem is driving me nuts!

Our dog repeatedly and incessantly jumps at the patio door window. It's constantly mucky and is getting really scratched from her nails. It's kind of disturbing behaviour aswell.

It's been on-going for 2 years. I recently researched how to stop the behaviour. Suggestions were to catch the dog doing it, open the doors, let a roar and throw a little bit of water on them. Great advice and it is working... for me! Whenever I'm around the dog doesn't do it. However, when I'm not there (I've seen her from the upstairs window or from another room) it continues. I've asked the other people in the house to chastise her when they see her doing it but I'm not sure they're on board with me...

It's really irritating behaviour, it's ruining the doors and I'd really love some help. For obvious reasons I can't be in the house, sitting in front of the patio doors 24/7.

Please help!

Whispered · 27-08-2012 9:37am

Pippy1976 wrote: »

Suggestions were to catch the dog doing it, open the doors, let a roar and throw a little bit of water on them. Great advice and it is working... for me! Whenever I'm around the dog doesn't do it. However, when I'm not there (I've seen her from the upstairs window or from another room) it continues. I've asked the other people in the house to chastise her when they see her doing it but I'm not sure they're on board with me...

Suggestions from where? That's a terrible suggestion. The dog is jumping and scratching for attention. By opening the door you're giving her attention, whatever happens after that (shouting and throwing water) doesn't really matter.

I struggle to understand why someone would be happy to use methods such as shouting and throwing stuff at their dog anyway. It's unnecessary.

I suppose to figure out how to stop it, you need to figure out why the dog is doing it. So think, how much time does she spend inside, how much time does she spend outside, does she get enough exercise and stimulation, does she get enough time with the family. Could she be anxious or stressed. Could she be bored. etc. If you look at things as a whole you might see why she's doing it and then be able to come up with a plan to stop it.

gimmick · 27-08-2012 9:43am

My sister in law lived with us for a while and she had a spitz. Whenever we put him outside, he would just pace and pace in front of the patio door and jump up at it as well. We would even pull the curtain and he would still do the same, over and over.

One would assume the dog is just looking for attention, but when the dog is doing it for literally hours unend its hard to say why.

Sorry I can not be of help, as I too would love to get an answer as to how to stop this as our new fella is beginning to do it as well.

Pippy1976 · 27-08-2012 9:44am

It was on various dog whisperer type websites. And, like I said, it has worked but only for me. I'm not aggressive - it sounds like you're thinking I am. I simply open the door, say loudly 'NO!' and a little bit of water if there's a bit in a glass by the door - usually there isn't.

It's kind of repetitive / weird looking behaviour. It's a bounce off the door and she twists backwards over and over and over and over again. The dog is bored I'd guess, never gets out for a walk, she doesn't spend any time indoors (the owner isn't keen on dogs indoors and she's not an indoorsy type dog anyway), I'd say gets no stimulation or exercise but definitely gets time with the family. I'm not sure if I can tell if a dog is anxious or not.

Just to add... I didn't just look at 2 or 3 websites on how to stop the behaviour. I did a lot of searching before embarking on any kind of re-training and all of the information said the same thing. I would have tried something else if there'd been information on it.

Whispered wrote: »

Suggestions from where? That's a terrible suggestion. The dog is jumping and scratching for attention. By opening the door you're giving her attention, whatever happens after that (shouting and throwing water) doesn't really matter.

I struggle to understand why someone would be happy to use methods such as shouting and throwing stuff at their dog anyway. It's unnecessary.

I suppose to figure out how to stop it, you need to figure out why the dog is doing it. So think, how much time does she spend inside, how much time does she spend outside, does she get enough exercise and stimulation, does she get enough time with the family. Could she be anxious or stressed. Could she be bored. etc. If you look at things as a whole you might see why she's doing it and then be able to come up with a plan to stop it.

Toulouse · 27-08-2012 9:53am

I'm not sure I understand. Who is the owner? Is this a houseshare situation? To be honest if it's not your dog then it's not your place to be re-training, especially when you're not even addressing the reason for the behaviour in the first place.

Am just trying to get a clearer picture here, how does the dog get time with the family when you say it's never walked, gets no stimulation or exercise and isn't allowed indoors?

First things first, you need to sit down with the owner of the dog and see what they are willing to do, what you have described is no life for a dog, indoor or outdoor.

Pippy1976 · 27-08-2012 10:02am

It's my partners dog. I know the dog, it knows me. The owner, my partner, said it was a good idea to try stop the behaviour but has left it up to me to instigate. He said he's on board but he never says 'NO!' to it when it does jump.. therefore, it's getting mixed messages.

We are addressing the behaviour, in a manner of speaking! My partner knows there's an issue and wants to end the behaviour but isn't on board with the actual, physical act of training the dog. So it's very difficult. In this sense I've given up on the re-training I've started as it seems to difficult for my partner to act on. So, I'm looking for an alternative that he'll be more 'into' taking on. The dog gets time with the family in the garden - they play with it but not enough in my opinion. I'm not really a dog person so it's (and it's not even my dog!) so I'm trying my best but swimming against the tide, if truth be told.

I'm not a fan of dogs but I see how insane the dog is getting from no training or interaction that I'm feeling sorry for it and want to do something to help it.

Toulouse wrote: »

I'm not sure I understand. Who is the owner? Is this a houseshare situation? To be honest if it's not your dog then it's not your place to be re-training, especially when you're not even addressing the reason for the behaviour in the first place.

Am just trying to get a clearer picture here, how does the dog get time with the family when you say it's never walked, gets no stimulation or exercise and isn't allowed indoors?

First things first, you need to sit down with the owner of the dog and see what they are willing to do, what you have described is no life for a dog, indoor or outdoor.

borderlinemeath · 27-08-2012 10:08am

Pippy1976 wrote: »

It's my partners dog. I know the dog, it knows me. The owner, my partner, said it was a good idea to try stop the behaviour but has left it up to me to instigate. He said he's on board but he never says 'NO!' to it when it does jump.. therefore, it's getting mixed messages.

We are addressing the behaviour, in a manner of speaking! My partner knows there's an issue and wants to end the behaviour but isn't on board with the actual, physical act of training the dog. So it's very difficult. In this sense I've given up on the re-training I've started as it seems to difficult for my partner to act on. So, I'm looking for an alternative that he'll be more 'into' taking on. The dog gets time with the family in the garden - they play with it but not enough in my opinion. I'm not really a dog person so it's (and it's not even my dog!) so I'm trying my best but swimming against the tide, if truth be told.

I'm not a fan of dogs but I see how insane the dog is getting from no training or interaction that I'm feeling sorry for it and want to do something to help it.

So if your not a dog person and your partner isn't 'on board' with training the dog - and from what you've said doesn't walk it - WHY does he have a dog?

The dog is frustrated. It needs company, human interaction, stimulation from walks. At any point on your internet research did any website ever tell you to bring the dog for a good long walk? Tire him out, satisfy his natural curiousity with sniffing other dogs etc? If the dog then has to go out into the garden it will more than likely rest and relax after a good walk. So less jumping on the windows.

Pippy1976 · 27-08-2012 10:12am

Yes, I've said all this to my partner. The situation hasn't changed though. He has a dog because he does love animals, genuinely - he's taken a dog in from a rescue centre etc.

I'm not in my partners house ALL the time so what can be done about the dogs behaviour. I'm browned off suggesting bringing the dog for a walk but he doesn't.

Am I right in saying that it's not the dog that needs retraining, it's my partner???!! I'm not a dog person but I do understand a dogs needs and base requirements for keeping a dog.

borderlinemeath wrote: »

So if your not a dog person and your partner isn't 'on board' with training the dog - and from what you've said doesn't walk it - WHY does he have a dog?

The dog is frustrated. It needs company, human interaction, stimulation from walks. At any point on your internet research did any website ever tell you to bring the dog for a good long walk? Tire him out, satisfy his natural curiousity with sniffing other dogs etc? If the dog then has to go out into the garden it will more than likely rest and relax after a good walk. So less jumping on the windows.

neil_hosey · 27-08-2012 10:14am

you said the dog gets no stimulation or is ever in the house? how often is it walked and how far?

I hate to see someone getting a dog and just leaving them to rot in the backgarden for 15 years

Pippy1976 · 27-08-2012 10:20am

I do too. That's why it's killing me to see it bouncing off the windows!

I can't remember the last time it was walked... isn't that awful. I'd say about 4 weeks ago. That was in a proper park where it was let run riot around wide open spaces.

All last week I kept saying to my partner 'bring the dog for a walk' 'lovely evening to bring the dog for a walk' 'have you brought the dog for a walk this evening'. To no avail.

As I'm not there all the time I can't do it for him

neil_hosey wrote: »

you said the dog gets no stimulation or is ever in the house? how often is it walked and how far?

I hate to see someone getting a dog and just leaving them to rot in the backgarden for 15 years

borderlinemeath · 27-08-2012 10:21am

Pippy1976 wrote: »

Yes, I've said all this to my partner. The situation hasn't changed though. He has a dog because he does love animals, genuinely - he's taken a dog in from a rescue centre etc.

I'm not in my partners house ALL the time so what can be done about the dogs behaviour. I'm browned off suggesting bringing the dog for a walk but he doesn't.

Am I right in saying that it's not the dog that needs retraining, it's my partner???!! I'm not a dog person but I do understand a dogs needs and base requirements for keeping a dog.

Yep, your partner does need retraining:D.
What breed of dog is it do you mind me asking? Some breeds or types can be a lot worse if left unstimulated (Collies for example) so the situation may get a lot worse if left to fester.

Pippy1976 · 27-08-2012 10:30am

It's a terrier. Not sure of exact breed.

I know the dog needs exercise, regular stimulation and attention but as the dog isn't mine it's hard to get that across to someone who isn't that bothered. I can't take on the dog myself - and it's not my responsibility anyway!

borderlinemeath wrote: »

Yep, your partner does need retraining:D.
What breed of dog is it do you mind me asking? Some breeds or types can be a lot worse if left unstimulated (Collies for example) so the situation may get a lot worse if left to fester.

Wyldwood · 27-08-2012 10:30am

We had a King Charles who would do that if he was left outside for more than 5 minutes alone, essentially a house dog. If the dog is small & you have another access to the back garden besides the patio door then buy two long window box type planters and plant them up with heathers or the like and place them in front of the doors. A small dog can't jump over them. This stopped our dog from scratching doors.

However, the dog should not be locked outside for hours it will get bored and do damage. Dogs are like humans & need company!

VictorRomeo · 27-08-2012 10:31am

neil_hosey wrote: »

you said the dog gets no stimulation or is ever in the house? how often is it walked and how far?

I hate to see someone getting a dog and just leaving them to rot in the backgarden for 15 years

It's incredible really. And quite a disgrace. The dog is going effing stir crazy!

The dog wants out. Out, not just to walk and run but to sniff and smell and lay scent.

@OP - you need to spell it out to him that he is seriously damaging the mental health of his dog and his lack of excercise is incredibly cruel. The unwanted behavior is not the dog's fault, it's your partner's.

A dog needs to be walked every day - without compromise or fail. If he won't do it, get him to pay for someone who will....

nbar12 · 27-08-2012 10:32am

time to put the dog down, absolutely outrageous behaviour

Pippy1976 · 27-08-2012 10:37am

Thanks! I tried this before but the planters I put there were too close to the patio door so no-one could get in nor out! The dog was bouncing off the walls then instead anyway.

It's not the glass in the doors I'm worried about... even though it looks atrocious and it's scratched to hell... but watching the dog do this really makes my skin crawl. It's terrible.

How can I suggest the walks every day, and make sure they're implemented, without sounding like a bossy cow!

Wyldwood wrote: »

We had a King Charles who would do that if he was left outside for more than 5 minutes alone, essentially a house dog. If the dog is small & you have another access to the back garden besides the patio door then buy two long window box type planters and plant them up with heathers or the like and place them in front of the doors. A small dog can't jump over them. This stopped our dog from scratching doors.

However, the dog should not be locked outside for hours it will get bored and do damage. Dogs are like humans & need company!

fatmammycat · 27-08-2012 10:44am

This is the most depressing thing I've read all day, that poor dog. You know OP, your partner is most surely not a animal lover if he treats the dog this way. Dogs are social creatures, they need exercise, mental stimulation, training, to be socialised. What you describe is a dog in solitary confinement who is slowly going crazy with boredom. Frankly he should rehome the poor beast.

Pippy1976 · 27-08-2012 10:47am

I know all this but re-homing isn't an option.

I want to remedy the problem... maybe I just need to take this on myself: walking, exercise, human interaction ... as well as interaction with other animals out in a park or something

fatmammycat wrote: »

This is the most depressing thing I've read all day, that poor dog. You know OP, your partner is most surely not a animal lover if he treats the dog this way. Dogs are social creatures, they need exercise, mental stimulation, training, to be socialised. What you describe is a dog in solitary confinement who is slowly going crazy with boredom. Frankly he should rehome the poor beast.

UDP · 27-08-2012 10:49am

Are you sure he is not just going after flies?

Solair · 27-08-2012 10:54am

Have you tried putting a tape line across the glass in a dark colour?

Dogs don't have great eye sight and some of them don't really seem to 'get' the concept of glass.

Pippy1976 · 27-08-2012 10:55am

Absolutely. It's constant / repetitive bouncing ... twirling ... bouncing ... twirling.

Awful to look at.

UDP wrote: »

Are you sure he is not just going after flies?

Pippy1976 · 27-08-2012 10:56am

I tried putting obstacles up but she just took the behaviour to another flat surface - garden wall. We couldn't get in or out of the patio doors so it's a bit impractical to have something stretched across it.

I'm in agreement with other posters: the dog needs to get out of being surrounded by those 4 walls. I'd be bouncing off the walls if it was me. I know exercise will definitely ease the issue but I also think a bit of retraining (coupled with exercise) would combat it completely.

Solair wrote: »

Have you tried putting a tape line across the glass in a dark colour?

Dogs don't have great eye sight and some of them don't really seem to 'get' the concept of glass.

VictorRomeo · 27-08-2012 11:07am

Pippy1976 wrote: »

I tried putting obstacles up but she just took the behaviour to another flat surface - garden wall. We couldn't get in or out of the patio doors so it's a bit impractical to have something stretched across it.

I'm in agreement with other posters: the dog needs to get out of being surrounded by those 4 walls. I'd be bouncing off the walls if it was me. I know exercise will definitely ease the issue but I also think a bit of retraining (coupled with exercise) would combat it completely.

It's not just the physical side of a good walk, in fact the part of a walk that tires a dog out the most is the mental stimulation recieved from sniffing....

There are other things that can be done - simply - to stimulate the dog indoors...

If he is fed dry food, get a small plastic bottle(you can buy toys that have a similar effect but a bottle will do for now) and put some food in it.... the dog will have to work, and think - about getting his food.... It will keep him busy for a while and tire him out somewhat....

Also, I don't know where you are in the country, but there a few good dog parks in Dublin that are great to help keep dogs socialised....

Pippy1976 · 27-08-2012 11:15am

We're in Dublin. Like I said though, I don't live with my partner and am not around the dog all the time so my involvement in this is limited. I don't know why my partner isn't more proactive at bringing her out... with so much free space on his doorstep.

Granted, the exercise thing could work but I have a feeling the window habit will be hard to break. Any suggestions on how to begin remedying this?

VictorRomeo wrote: »

It's not just the physical side of a good walk, in fact the part of a walk that tires a dog out the most is the mental stimulation recieved from sniffing....

There are other things that can be done - simply - to stimulate the dog indoors...

If he is fed dry food, get a small plastic bottle(you can buy toys that have a similar effect but a bottle will do for now) and put some food in it.... the dog will have to work, and think - about getting his food.... It will keep him busy for a while and tire him out somewhat....

Also, I don't know where you are in the country, but there a few good dog parks in Dublin that are great to help keep dogs socialised....

UDP · 27-08-2012 11:17am

Yes as VictorRomeo posted, sniffing really tires out a dog. If you are stuck inside with the dog because you dont fancy going out in heavy rain etc you can play sniffing game with the dog by hiding food in different places and encouraging the dog to go find it.

You can buy a kong for really cheap. If you want to slow the dog down from getting out the food too quick you can freeze the kong after filling it with food.

If your dog has not been around other dogs much he may start barking etc around them. Don't pull back the leash when approaching other dogs as that will make the dog think there is something wrong. Just make sure to bring plenty of treats with you to reward for good behaviour around other dogs and plenty of praise.

zef · 27-08-2012 11:23am

My neighbours dog went stir-crazy years ago. Got as a little Lab puppy, so yer man, a builder, built a tiny puppy size pen out of bricks in the garden, no shelter on top, just a brick 'pen'.
Bought as a present on impulse for a teenaged kid who lost interest within days.
The dog would go round n round in her pen, and bark.
I was fed up going in complaining a few times per week, so rang the dog warden several times.
One day i'd had enough , and when i called to their door they said 'we are getting the dog put down tommorrow, are you happy now?'
I asked for their permission to take the dog , to save them the vets bill (thats the way they think) and ended up with a crazy full grown lab who was too wild to be walked even.
A friends brother has a farm in Cavan so luckily she got a decent home the next day instead of being pts.
The repetitive bouncing/ slamming behaviour is what she would do. Relations have been a bit frosty with said neighbours since, but my only regret is i didn't manage to get her out of there sooner.
Could you talk your partner into rehoming ?
What is most sad about this story is that the poor thing has been a rescue dog already.
OP i do understand some ppl are not dog-ppl, I am more of a cat person and it was not practical for me to take-on and train a dog that was under severe stress.
I hope you can find a solution to help your partners dog

Pippy1976 · 27-08-2012 11:25am

The idea of food in a bottle to keep the dog occupied, whilst also tiring the dog out through sniffing, is good. However, this dog would rip that bottle to shreds in 10 seconds flat... game over!

UDP wrote: »

Yes as VictorRomeo posted, sniffing really tires out a dog. If you are stuck inside with the dog because you dont fancy going out in heavy rain etc you can play sniffing game with the dog by hiding food in different places and encouraging the dog to go find it.

You can buy a kong for really cheap. If you want to slow the dog down from getting out the food too quick you can freeze the kong after filling it with food.

If your dog has not been around other dogs much he may start barking etc around them. Don't pull back the leash when approaching other dogs as that will make the dog think there is something wrong. Just make sure to bring plenty of treats with you to reward for good behaviour around other dogs and plenty of praise.

reeta · 27-08-2012 11:33am

Pippy1976 wrote: »

Yes, I've said all this to my partner. The situation hasn't changed though. He has a dog because he does love animals, genuinely - he's taken a dog in from a rescue centre etc.

I'm not in my partners house ALL the time so what can be done about the dogs behaviour. I'm browned off suggesting bringing the dog for a walk but he doesn't.

Am I right in saying that it's not the dog that needs retraining, it's my partner???!! I'm not a dog person but I do understand a dogs needs and base requirements for keeping a dog.

OP I appreciate what you are trying to do, but get one thing straight your partner is not an animal lover as no animal lover would do that!. Because of him the dog is literally going out of his mind. Your partner should be so ashamed. The only solution is to get the dog rehomed (how can you say that is not an option, the dog is having a miserable life). If I knew where the dog was I would rescue it immediately!!!! Please show this forum to your partner, maybe then he will see how cruel he is being !!

UDP · 27-08-2012 11:40am

Pippy1976 wrote: »

The idea of food in a bottle to keep the dog occupied, whilst also tiring the dog out through sniffing, is good. However, this dog would rip that bottle to shreds in 10 seconds flat... game over!

The dog would find it very hard to rip apart a kong though. Its very tough rubber made specifically for dogs. Most pets stores should sell them or you can buy online from Dog Training Ireland's website here.

Pippy1976 · 27-08-2012 11:42am

I'd rather this thread didn't become a 'partner bashing' thread so all opinions on him should be kept to yourselves.

At this moment in time, re-homing is not an option. Therefore, all ideas / suggestions on what to do IN THIS CURRENT SITUATION would be gratefully welcomed and appreciated.

So, we've come up with the walking every day thing - which I will begin to implement with my partner. Hopefully he can keep this up, daily, when I'm not around.

Secondly, the bouncing thing is the next issue to deal with. Can anyone help with this? I may see a remarkable difference once she's walked every day but I have a feeling this little habit will take more work than that.

reeta wrote: »

OP I appreciate what you are trying to do, but get one thing straight your partner is not an animal lover as no animal lover would do that!. Because of him the dog is literally going out of his mind. Your partner should be so ashamed. The only solution is to get the dog rehomed (how can you say that is not an option, the dog is having a miserable life). If I knew where the dog was I would rescue it immediately!!!! Please show this forum to your partner, maybe then he will see how cruel he is being !!

Pippy1976 · 27-08-2012 11:49am

Cool... is this to keep the dog occupied (described in a very simplistic way!) ? Is that the idea of it?

UDP wrote: »

The dog would find it very hard to rip apart a kong though. Its very tough rubber made specifically for dogs. Most pets stores should sell them or you can buy online from Dog Training Ireland's website here.

Dog jumping at patio door window

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