Is something seriously wrong with my dog Riley?

[Andy Benstead]

As most of you know, Riley has been the naughtiest Irish Setter in the whole world from birth.

Over the last few weeks he has been acting very strange and we are a bit scared. When we tell him to stop doing naughty things, he stops. When he is up at the table or worktops and we tell him to get down, he does. We can even sit at the kitchen table and eat our dinner without him jumping up and stealing our food even if it is before he has had his dinner.

What is going on with him and how did this happen.

Have any of you Setter owners experienced this strange behaviour in any of the dogs you own?

He seems to be changing into an obedient dog, well almost. (Or at least getting much better).

What should we do about his strange behaviour?

Have you heard of this happening with any other dog before?

Any help or advice you can offer will be welcome.

Andy

[Andy Benstead]

To be fair to him. He did last about 3 weeks. lol

[Angela Roberts]

Umm, still waiting for this little obedient lull in behaviour, and that's in my 6 year olds! 

[Andy Benstead]

I like that Angela. lol

[Sherry Miller]

ahh the joys they hold in that bag of tricks....and the laughter they bring into our lives makes even the naughty ones loved even more.  I do believe they lull us while they think of what trick to teach us next.  Glad Riley has reassured you he is still a true Irish Setter lad!

[Andy Benstead]

You are right Sherry. Only had the one slip in the last few weeks when he stole the ham. He has been so good today. Very strange.

[Dee Rance]

Hope the ham is 'through' him now..and that he will be back again to his normal self....And Sherry you are so so rite...they do seem to be thinking of the next thing that they can get up to...Andy perhaps he is just having a good long think of something really good to get up to......so maybe it is the lull before the storm lol....

[Andy Benstead]

Quite possibly Dee. He has been very good with the grand children today. He has been known to knock them over as he is like a bull in a china shop. He is not at all nasty, (how many setters are?) but he tends to be a little clumsy at times. He kept all four feet on the floor today, so we are very pleased with him. We need to drum into him that not every dog he meets on our walks wants to play with him. Because of his size, other dogs may see him as a threat, some threat! Today he met a very small dog, (no bigger than a cat) that was not on a lead, but Riley was. Riley did his normal thing and started jumping about, but as he lowered for his next jump the little dog jumped on him. Riley just rolled onto his back and gave in to it. He can be a big silly lump at times. As soon as the other dog got off him he was back jumping about again. The other dog was a friendly one, but you can never be sure.

[sue morgan]

Ha Ha Enjoy it while it lasts ..............bless him

[Andy Benstead]

He has been good again today Sue. Perhaps Cassie had a word with him!

[Jennie Benstead]

He may have stole my ham......but he did jump into the car without being lifted ...pulled...pushed...was not sick and did not drool...so I forgive him for the ham....love him

[Angela Roberts]

Jennie, perhaps you have found a new travel sickness cure, a big pile of ham.  

[Lois McCullough]

Don't think we'll be next in line to try it - just in case!!