Just wanted to jump in here. She sounds like she can be a wonderful dog with some work. There have been many great suggestions mentioned here, let's focus on the positive can we? A few suggestions of my own, sorry if some have already been mentioned. And sorry if you've already made your decision, I wasn't sure and decided to post any ways.
First of all, she's a springer with a ton of energy. Most of the behaviour problems (of course this could be your boyfriends fault lol) are coming from all her pent up energy. She is bored and her mind could be going crazy. You need to make sure you are exercising her mentally & physically. Get her some interactive treat balls, and put all of her food in it. So for breakfast put her food in them, then again at dinner. In the wild, they hunt down their food, kill the food, then spend their time getting the meat off the bones. Interactive treat balls are a lot of the same. It gives them a challenge and as they are chewing on it, they let out stress and frustration. It challenges their mind. Very healthy for them, and keeps them busy for a while. There are many choices out there. 2nd, more walks. At least 45 min. a day if possible. Or if she enjoys to play fetch, take her out and play for at least 15-25 min. Try an get her out exercising more. If you can, maybe get into agility or something. I'd get into an obedience class or something to get some obedience in her. As for manners in the house, we realize you can't watch her 24-7, that's where the crate comes in. lol this is how we meant to use it. While she is out, have her on a leash. I'd suggest leather, or a chain so it's harder to chew. You can spray something she doesn't like on the leash, then watch her. When she goes to chew on the leash, tell her NO and redirect her attention. This would be another good time to give her a bone, kong, or interactive treat ball. This will keep her busy. When you see her chewing or interacting with one of her toys she CAN play with, mark the behaviour with a YES! and give her a treat. Praise her. Even when she is on the leash with you, you still need to keep an eye on her. If you need to do something or Can't watch her for a little bit, put her in the crate. When you get done, let her out and take her straight outside. Stay out there for like 15 min. Don't walk her, walk shouldn't be the time to go. Stand around and wait for her to go. If she goes, reward big time, and stay out there a little bit longer and maybe reward her for something else she's doing good like staying by you, coming when called, sitting, looking at you... etc... Or give her a toy. Then take her back inside. This way she doesn't think once she goes to the bathroom, outside time is over. Dogs that figure this out sometimes wait as long as they can to go to the bathroom so they don't have to go back inside. This lets them know they can go to the bathroom and then still get to be outside. They will start going faster rather than longer. Now, if the dog doesn't go in 15 min. Bring her in and put her back in her crate. Wait 15 min. Then take her back out. Repeat this until she goes. Repeat the outside stuff, then bring her in. Once she's back in, keep her on a leash once again and keep an eye on her. As for jumping on furniture and such, teach her an off comand. And if you want to allow her on furniture, then teach her it's okay to get on them, but only when You say it's okay for them to. This should all help tremedously in her training, and you'd be on your way to a well behaved dog. You get what you put into a dog
. This behaviour can be changed, you only have to put the time into it. I can understand the whole boyfriend thing and him not helping. You have to make sure he knows either to take part in the training, be consistent with you, and be on the same page, or don't ever let him be alone with the dog. You take control. I sure hope this helped!!! And if all else fails, find her a good home
. Good luck.
EDIT: Also wanted to add to start rewarding Everything you see her do that You Like. So if she is sleeping, reward her!, If she's laying down being good; Reward her!, If she is sitting instead of jumping all around; Reward her!, chewing on an acceptable toy; Reward her!, Gets off something when you tell her to: Reward her! ....etc..... Many examples here, use your imagination. It's amazing how much good a dog actually does when you look for it. Think about what You Do want your dog to do, not what you don't want them to do. Instead of jumping on the Table, what would you rather her do? Go lay down on her own dog bed? Get on the couch instead? Lay in her crate? What steps could you take to get towards that goal? Need help? Contact me
~Amy~
