I've read several threads with situations similar to mine. My 9 1/2 month old Frenchie is generally very good and then really really difficult. First, let me describe my somewhat unique situation - My wife and I travel quite a bit in a 27' Travel trailer. We got the Frenchie because I read that the breed is one of if not the most desirable for this lifestyle. I was looking forward to having a 25 - 30 lb. lap dog/couch potato. Well Louie has turned out to be 42 lbs.!! He isn't fat at all - he's just VERY big for a Frenchie. His vet says he has perfect form for the breed and even recommended showing him. I digress. Overall he is a really good boy. He's totally housebroken and loves his crate. He travels with no issues - he just sleeps on the back seat and sometimes looks out of the window. He really hasn't damaged or destroyed much of anything to speak of - I understand that sometimes a puppy might get into something they're not supposed. So now the problem side. The barking, scratching and nipping are becoming aggressive, especially toward my wife. He is relentless. His bark is so loud that it gets painful. Then the jumping, scratching and nipping start. We try to ignore him in an effort to not give any attention to bad behavior but how does one sit on a couch and ignore a 42 lb. dog who is constantly barking, jumping and nipping? Even if I stand up, he continues. I can turn my back, fold my arms and not look at him. He just doesn't stop. It went nearly 2 hours once. In ignoring the dog, I also cannot do anything else because he will immediately be at me. I've been told to never use the crate as a punishment for bad behavior. Everything I read tells me to ignore the bad behavior and reward the good behavior. I guess I don't understand this. Am I to constantly feed him treats when he is NOT barking? I would go broke and he would get fat. Ignoring the bad behavior is killing us. The dog has drawn blood on my wife and she is starting to really dislike him. All he does is whine, bark, jump and nip when he's not being paid attention to. He gets plenty of toys and PLENTY of exercise. When we let him outside on his lead he mostly barks which we can't let happen because we are in a RV park. My wife never really wanted the dog. I selected the breed because i read and was told by several people how easy they are. I heard couch potato/low energy/easy to train several times. This being said, all dog care and training is solely mine. There have been times when I just need to stand over her as if to protect her from the dog as she sits and watches tv. Y'all need to respect this as she also has sever health issues and really doesn't want to deal with a difficult dog. I've read the 4 pinned threads. I feel like I need someone to help me start BEFORE. How do I get an out of control dog to stop let alone sit or stay?!?! MY GOD! Just as I write this my dog just attacked my wife for reaching for her phone. She's bleeding again and I had to pin the dog. HELP HELP HELP! I know that all he wants is her attention but that will NOT happen. I am preparing to re-home him is something doesn't change quickly.
