Possible cure

Hyper activity

Change diet.
Introduce a DAP diffuser.
Introduce toys that make the dog think. i.e. food stuffed Kong

Play biting

This is usually attention seeking. Basic training and give the dog a command such as SIT then reward.
Play biting can become a serious problem and if not resolved quickly seek professional help.
If the dog is less than 6 months old you can try giving a shriek (like a puppy) and ignoring the dog by going to another room.

Hanging onto trousers, skirts, sleeves et.

This is another form of Play biting and should be treated in the same way. Unfortunately many owners think it funny when carried out by a puppy and thus the dog learns that it is a game and does not understand when the rules are changed. Treat the problem with sensitivity.
Do not join in the game by shouting and tugging back. This only increases the fun aspect for the dog.

Grabbing the lead.

More of the above. Learnt behaviour because as a puppy the owners thought it cute.
Use another command such as SIT or DOWN to distract from the unwanted behaviour and then reward for a good behaviour.

Pulling on Lead

Probably the most common problem for all dog owners. The problem is that the dog believes that it works. Dog pulls – gets to the park – success. The dog does not understand that you’re going there anyway.
The extendable lead is probably the biggest culprit in teaching a dog to pull on its lead as the tension is always there. If you’ve one of these leads stop using it Now!
Get yourself a head collar such as a Halti, EasyWalker or DogMatic.
There are ways of training a dog to walk properly on lead but they’re too prolonged to describe here.
Get along to a class or make contact with one of the trainer/behaviourist’s listed elsewhere on this site.

Separation Anxiety

Barking when left alone.

Destruction or inappropriate chewing when left alone.

Often seen with rescued dogs. The fact that they’ve been around a bit they suffer insecurity.
Get along to your vet a buy a DAP diffuser. This is a device which emits the smell of the pheromone similar to that given off by the lactating bitch when the pups are born. It’s a pheromone which has a calming effect on the dog.
Make sure that the dog has its own bed and that it is in a place that the dog is happy with.
Train the dog to be alone by leaving it in its bed and going to another room. Without any fuss or signals leave the room and quietly close the door behind you. Leave the dog for a short while. Start with a very short period of say 30 secs. Return but make no fuss. Just pretend that nothing has happened. Repeat the exercise and gradually increase the time period.
Eventually get to the stage where you can shut the front door and walk around the block. At this point you’ve probably cracked the problem.
Leaving the radio on a talk or classical music program will help the sense of normality and mask out any other sounds that the dog may find disturbing.

Separation Boredom

Often this is “upgraded” to Anxiety when in fact it is just boredom.
Unfortunately whilst treating for anxiety won’t do any harm it won’t necessarily cure the problem if it is simple boredom.
Follow the tips given above for anxiety but if your dog is bored you need to find devices that can keep him occupied whilst you’re out.
See the “stuffed Kong”solution as mentioned above.
Make sure that the dog has a comfortable bed and follow the tips given

Training Classes

With rescue dogs it is important that you find classes and trainers that use KIND, FAIR & EFFECTIVE methods. Compulsion training techniques are old fashioned and in appropriate especially for bull breeds.

Look for classes run by members of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, many of which are behaviourists and will undertake One to One sessions.