What to do with a crazy dog?

As you probably know, all that dog needs is to be worked with. He needs to be trained so that he can learn what is and is not allowed. And since he is still a puppy, it's a perfect time to establish the dog's boundaries with him. Training a puppy/dog is all about patience, remaining calm, and persistence.

As for doing stuff like eating paper, your friend needs to immediately correct the dog when he does this. When she sees him going after paper or eating paper, she needs to calmly yet sternly address him. Just a simple calm yet stern "No" or "Hey" will let him know that such behavior is not wanted. Also, if he is a stubborn dog that has trouble listening, then a gentle yet still firm touch can help to snap a dog out of such a trance (never, ever hit the dog, though...)...if the dog does not verbally listen to your friend, then she can try to gently but firmly touch him on the neck, for example (this is one area on a dog where another dog would touch him if he was out of place); such touches are what can snap a dog out of a trance during which they are performing an unwanted behavior. This will take patience, and some dogs won't get this on a first try, so tell your friend to be patient and calm when training her dog. (Also, tell your friend to try not to use the dog's name when disciplining it - dogs' names are supposed to be a word that has a positive connotation, so yelling at them by using their name is not really a good idea, even if it is instinct to yell the dog's name when it is misbehaving).

As for jumping up on people, etc., this will take training and patience as well. The first thing I suggest is that your friend possibly practice by having people enter her house while the dog is on its leash; maybe you could help her with this. Your friend can put her dog on its leash, but she does not need to hold the dog's leash the whole time. You (or someone else) could enter your friend's house, and when the dog goes to jump/attack the person, your friend needs to say "No" or "Hey" and then very slightly yet sternly snap his leash. This again is something that snaps the dog out of the behavior he is performing - some dogs just need a stern word or tug of the leash to let them know that such a behavior is not wanted. Essentially, what your friend needs to do is wait until her dog is in a calm, relaxed state (such as sitting or laying down) before she even opens the door. If she opens the door when the dog is already excited, then it will be even more difficult to get him to calm down after the person enters...So, your friend needs to be patient and continuously practice something like this. It will take time and practice, but eventually, if she goes about training him properly, the dog will learn that jumping up on people, etc. is not a wanted/allowed behavior. She also needs to work teaching him a command that tells the dog to get down if he jumps on someone (such as "Off" or "Down"...).

And as someone said earlier, exercise is a key ingredient to having a behaved dog. Dogs need exercise on a daily basis in order to diminish their energy levels, which it sounds like her dog has a lot of. So, tell your friend that her dog needs at least one long walk a day, if not more, in order to let him run down his energy level.

You mentioned Cesar Millan, so you could get your friend one of the dog behavior books that Cesar Millan has written. I have never read any of his books, but I do watch his show. And while I don't fully agree with all of his techniques, I know that that is his style, and Cesar Millan does know a lot about dogs and their behavior. Also, you could get some of Cesar Millan's Dog Whisperer DVDs for your friend to watch, so that she can see some ideas for how to go about training her dog. There are a lot of episodes with dogs that have trouble with people coming to the door, etc...

Also, obedience school is beneficial to a dog and its owner. People become dog trainers for a reason. So, if your friend has continous problems with her dog, then obedience school may be a good idea for her...

Best wishes!

Cesar Millan won't help - not only would you have to pay thousands just for a phone call, his methods are borderline insane. Only his theories on energy, exercise, and dog body language are useable by the general public. Alpha rolls and harsh corrections will get the regular dog owner bitten.

As far as the problem at hand - that's all typical schnauzer behavior. Typical puppy behavior too. All pups jump, bark, nip, and scratch. All pups eat thinks left lying around too (and a few things not lying around.) Just keep things out of reach, keep bathroom doors closed, confine the dog into one or two clean rooms. It will help.

Have your friend keep the dog on a leash. Any visitors should ignore the dog no matter what noises it makes, until the dog is calm. Your friend should keep the dog at her side or train the dog to wait in another room (or back from the door) while people come in.

Schnauzers are smart dogs. They learn quickly. If she can't take the effort to train the dog to not "attack" visitors then crating the dog when people come over is the next best option - but she SHOULD let the dog out when it is calm in the crate.

Obedience school is the best place for this dog and it's owner. Classes will show her how to properly handle the dog, how to train the dog, and can give tips for dealing with puppy related behavior. More exercise will also help with the general energy level - two walks a day, 20 minutes or more a piece would do it!

When you enter the house ignore the dog. I know that may be hard when he is jumping all over you, but it sounds like if he is not doing it to cause pain he is doing it for attention. By giving him attention the owner is only reaffirming the bad behaviour. My dog used to chew paper towel and toilet paper as well to the point we could not leave the bathroom door open. Whenever we saw him with paper we would take it away, say Bad Doggy and give him something he is allowed to chew on. After a few minutes of chewing a toy we would praise him for chewing on someone he is allowed to. Eventually, he stopped chewing paper all together and you could give him a roll of toilet paper and he will not chew it. It may take a while, but the dog will catch on. As long as the owner is consistent there shouldn't be too many problems.

it is mostly because of poor disipline and because she is a puppy. she needs a lot of excercise. as far as the bad behavior just get the dog on the leash and when he does something wrong correst him with the leash and then ppraise right after. an the crate is a really good idea. it isnt bad, the dog needs a sorda safe place to go.

My dog woz the same when she was a puppy.She is 3 now and she has grown out of it and she is a lovelyyyyyyyy dog.u just have to be strict.teaching my dog to sit really helped.

smack him