Barking when Husband at work

[dacky]

We got our retired grey in August, for the most part he’s been good and settled into family life well. Recently he has started to bark at me and my youngest child after he gets in from school usually while he is sat down on watching tv or playing computer games and I am making dinner. He usually starts by going in to play stance and biting his toys and bedding and then barks at us while wagging his tail. He has also started to try and take things from my sons hands such as controllers and headphones. Just to add he is walked longer and later when my husband is not there so I don’t think it’s to do with exercise. He adores my husband and I have asked him to ignore him on returning to the house and greet my son instead, which seems to have had little effect. Also my son is 12 and taller than me.

[gvgeam]

Hi, congratulations on your newest family member.

I say it takes at least 6 months for a rescue dog to start to feel at home, so his quietness etc have all been part of that. Now that he feels more relaxed, he's showing you more parts of his personality and what you've described sounds as though he simply wants to interact with you (in a game), especially if he's been alone during the day. At that time of day, everyone's home doing things and he wants to join in.
I would encourage your son to spend some time with him - perhaps play a game of 'hunt the treat' or outside if the weather's ok - great for bonding and training.

[dacky]

Thanks, my youngest probably does spend the least time interacting with him, will try getting him to play as soon as he gets home and hopefully this resolve. I will do an update in a week or so.

[ragsysmum]

He just wants to play and those actions are all his way of trying to communicate that.

[dacky]

Just an up date, things are escalating a bit , he is now trying to nip or nit my son, the behaviour is now happening both at breakfast time and tea time. He is also being a bit destructive but again only when someone is with him, stealing cushions and kindling . Again mainly when husband is out or on nights i.e he doesn’t remember he is in the house. We are going to take him to basic training and hopefully this will solve the problem. We do want to give him lots of attention but at appropriate times . We are going to invest in some new toys that dispense treats as he doesn’t seem interested in the kong and lick mat even if we use tasty stuff.

[alfiemoon]

Have you spoken to the rescue your grey is from, they might be able to tell you if they saw this behaviour and maybe give you some advice too? Are you concerned about the nipping (I can't tell if you are)?