10 week old puppy - very cute, but totally crazy.

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Hello!

I am so thrilled to find a forum for Doodles! My boyfriend and I have a 10 week old Goldendoodle puppy named Indiana. We got her as a companion for our older puppy Kodos, who is a lab/terrier mix. They get along fine and don't seem to have any problems with each other at all.

While she is very cute, she is somewhat of a terror right now and I am hoping for a bit of a sounding board here. We've signed her up for puppy classes, as well as socialization, both of which begin this weekend. 

Her energy level is OFF the charts, she is extremely strong headed, and can be extremely aggressive. She gets excessively yappy and is often just a massive challenge to be around. She doesn't have any interest snuggling with humans; in fact, I'm pretty sure we're just here to make sure she gets food, etc. She doesn't really react a lot to human affection, she gets into serious "biting human" moods (more so than normal puppy play), and gets REALLY fired up and angry when you stop her from doing something she likes. She latches onto your hand or toes with cranky intent that really does not look (or feel!) like playing and she's drawn blood on more than one occasion - just for swapping a toy, or stopping her from eating a spider, etc.

If I pick her up to stop her doing something dangerous (eating bad things, etc) she throws herself around in my arms whilst being very vocal and yapping (sounds like I'm hurting/abusing her when I'm absolutely not) - just totally freaks out - and tries to bite VERY hard while screaming to get down. She also likes to charge people with her mouth open and smack into them with her little fang teeth, retreat, and wait to see what happens. I don't think this is play time, though, because if you try to engage her in play while this is happening, she just backs away, and then tries again.

We are getting no sleep - she can't be in her crate for more than 2.5 hours without using the bathroom or she sleeps in a puddle of urine all night, which she likes to drink sometimes.  Crate in general is not a problem, she will calm down and be okay in it, but I would like to know if anyone has had luck with crate alternatives for the entire day as I don't want her to associate her crate with being in jail.

We are having a very hard time managing her (even as experienced dog owners), and I just wondered if anyone else has had these same issues or has any thoughts to offer - I would totally appreciate anything. She is not really a pleasant little thing to be around right now and we would really like to get to the point of enjoying her company and having her soul be a little more peaceful, because at the moment it's sort of like a storm.

[BG and Gavin]

When we got her (6/5) weeks old

 

I think you just hit on the reason why your puppy is lacking in her social skills.  Puppies should not leave the litter prior to 8 weeks of age.  In fact it is illegal to sell pups that young in many states.  It is very important time for socialization and in particular bite inhibition.  They learn from their litter mates how much pressure is too much.  You will have some work ahead of you to bring her up to where she should be in this regard.  Maybe knowing that it is not her just being wilful will be helpful to you.  The first thing that worked for me is to knot up a cotton tube sock and stick that in her mouth before attempting to do anything with her (including petting her).  When she bites call out loudly, fold your arms and ignore her.  If she persists, put in in another room (time out) for a few minutes then give it another try.  If you call out and the puppy releases and looks at you - give her a treat.  It will take time and patience but she will come along.  Also try tethering the pup to you during the day so that she has to follow you.  This will establish you as the leader and solidify your bond.  It will also help because you are right there to correct her if she goes for something she shouldn't.  Good luck.  Hang in there, we will support you.  Please update us as you go along.

[Janice Sutherland]

I am in full agreement with BruceGirl. She has missed out on some very important lessons from mom and litter mates. There are very important emotional stages that are met in these few weeks prior to being separated from her first family. I like the idea of having her attached to you for several days. This will help to bond her with you as the pack leader. Once she does that she should become more settled and then she will respond to praise and correction more readily. I would be careful with too much correction right now until she bonds. Pick your battles. Work on only the essentials for now, and lots and lots of love! Good luck.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

First of all my empathy to you.  She sounds like an energizer bunny. Like my Roo.  Roo was as hard or harder to train than any Siberian Husky we ever had.  He was absolutely worth it though as he is now just the best ever dog, cuddly, loving, but still energetic and tests the boundaries!

 

Ditto Adina's trainer suggestions - she needs a pro.

 

Check for a UTI

 

I am not a professional trainer, but hear is what I would do.  Put a leash on her to remove her from her crate and immediately take her outdoors on the leash ( you can carry her) and put her down to do "business".  Praise and then exercise on the leash.  Lots of opportunities here - she can earn her food.  If she follows you on a loose leash she gets a kibble, to get another she needs to stay somewhere near your left side so you can reach her easily.  Occasional sniff breaks and back to following you.  This can all take place in a very limited space.

Any over the top behavior, biting hard, excessive barking, etc she gets a time out of 10 minutes in her crate. To keep from getting bit pick her up by the skin of her neck like her momma would and then place a hand under her but for support.  One sharp word only - No isn't the best choice as it sounds like to many other words.  Pick a sharp sound not use in normal speech, like "RRRR" or "EEHH". 

 Place her in the crate without any talk.  If she screams, and carries on in the crate, throw a large towel or blanket over it.  She does not get out until she is really quiet for a few minutes.

Anytime she is out of the crate she is on a 10-15 foot leash hooked to someone's belt.  This prevents having to chase her and will bond her to you.  When she is behaving nicely gently tell her good dog with a pat.  Hold off on energetic play with her until she has a little more respect for you.  Then gradually introduce more energetic play as she matures and has stopped her silliness.

Puppies are so funny it is hard not to laugh at their antics, but laughter seems to be taken as praise by most puppies, watch out for that - just don't lose all the fun.

The basic rule is that she must find out that all good things, including meals, and play time come directly from pleasing you with her good behaviour.

Puppies, like children, need a lot of sleep.  The hyper ones often have a hard time seeking sleep, they are just so happy to be in the world.  Help her get enough sleep, by ensuring enough crate time, and encouraging quiet play while not taking all the fun out of life!!

 

Good luck

 

[Veronica Z.]

Oh no! That sounds like my pup! She is 14 weeks at the moment and at least once a day (usually in the evenings but sometimes in the morning and afternoon as well) she just goes bonkers! I can see it in her eyes, it's like something just snaps. She seems to be angry, will nip and bite and try to chew on body parts or clothing, and will 'talk back' to you if you try to take something away from her or tell her not to do pretty much anything she feels like doing. It's funny and yet it's not funny. I saw someone on here describe their pup as a doodle monster and that is exactly what I've started referring to her as when she gets like this. I find that, at least for us, it seems to be attributable to a lack of exercise. We live in So. California so weather is rarely an issue but she isn't fully vaccinated yet and was operated on at 12 weeks which meant we couldn't even let her out in our own backyard for 10 days. It made her truly crazy and now we've noticed that if we play something very high energy with her when she's like this, then she gets distracted from the need or desire to attack us. Does your pup like fetching/retrieving? Ours seems to love games like this when she's wound up like that. Good luck! I'll definitely be following this discussion because I can always use more advice about my little doodle monster. :)

[Veronica Z.]

So glad to hear that it sounds like you're starting to get a handle on things. This group is so incredibly helpful. Happy Birthday to you (it's my mom's birthday today too!) and I hope there's lots of cuddling coming to you with Indiana! :)

[Veronica Z.]

BTW, just a note about UTI. The reason my pup had surgery was because of a bladder stone blockage, which was formed secondary to a UTI. Since you are training indoors and on pads be observant of the color and odor. A very pungent odor, cloudy color, and/or pink/red urine means you should head to the vet. We did not immediately notice the UTI, not until we saw blood in the urine, and had initially thought that the very frequent urination was just because she was a puppy. Never hurts to consult with your vet since you're going in regularly for vaccinations anyway. Your dog will not necessarily form stones as a result of the UTI but it would still need to be treated. The frequent urination should be a red flag if you find that she goes and then immediately has to go again and again but gets just a few drops out. I know most people frown on the puppy pads but I'm kind of grateful we went that route at first because we never would have caught the UTI and subsequent stone blockage had we been taking her outside. Inside it was so very simple to monitor color & odor and of course it was so obvious when she was unable to go despite repeated and long attempts. Luckily we spotted the signs and took her in to have surgery ASAP.

[Janice Sutherland]

Wow, that must have been very scarey. I am glad you caught it and she is okay now.

[Veronica Z.]

Thanks! Yeah, it was pretty scary but luckily that's all it was and now she's doing much much better. :)

[Veronica Z.]

Thanks! Yeah, it was scary but hopefully our scare will help other to avoid this type of thing completely. Hope Indiana is making progress! :)

[Ginny Nightingale]

OH BOY! Where to begin--first, who sold you a pup at 6 1/2 weeks old? They should not leave the litter until 8 weeks--they are little monsters at that age and learn not to bite too hard from momma and siblings! If she is biting hard, you need to say OW in a loud screechy voice that will get her attention--similar to the squeal a sibling would make.

Also, you need to start positive reinforcement immediately to get her to follow your commands and look at you--use a very tasty treat--even bits of bacon or hot dog --try this first--have her smell the treat and then hold it up to your eyes  (you should be standing so she does not lunge at it) and say "watch"-when she is calm and her eyes follow your hand with the treat to your eyes, say "good watch" and give it to her as soon as she makes eye contact. It is the first step towards training because you need her to watch you and care about what you are asking before you can ask her to do anything!

  Keep using the treats to get her to trade toys or to let you take her bowl of food away. When you take the food away, put a treat in it and then return it----you have to teach her to trust you and to want to please you--most people do not have to work that hard on this, but their pups were older when they came home and MAYBE they had a better environment with the original breeder.

She needs socializing badly--i would say that this pup might not have been in a home as a baby and thus has not learned to relate to people--I had one like that (a terrier) that I bought from a pet shop before i knew about puppy mills--he had a lot to learn!)

And NO water after 6 pm!!

You are not leaving her in the crate all day are you? I see you said crate alternatives for the entire day--a puppy that age needs to be out of the crate every few hours---if you have to work all day and can not make an arrangement for someone to come let her out, feed her lunch, play a bit and put her back into the crate, then you will need to attach a pen to the crate or somehow confine her in a very safe space that she can not get out of--and I guess you would be forced to keep using the puppy pads--although, I hate those things. When the puppy pads are not used anymore, a lot of dogs go right for the rugs since they have been taught to go in the house on a pad...if she is shivering when outside, get her a coat--I raise pups and have had young pups outside in the snow--they run around, go potty and come back in without a problem. But I have taught them words for going potty--like "go pee"--I did that by saying "good go pee" whenever they relieved themselves and very quickly, they learned to go on command.

Most doodles are smart and learn quickly--but I think your girl first has to learn to relate to the humans in her life--it will take time, but do what you can to get help soon and find some techniques that will win her over--I wish you the best of luck.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Hi Anne.  Sorry for taking so long to respond.  Looks like the group pretty much fleshed out the issue.  The good news is there's still time to fix it if you start right now.  If I were you, I would run, don't walk, to somewhere that she can safely be around other dogs and puppies as much as possible over the next few days and weeks.  Not regular puppy classes, but a situation where she can play, learn to be a puppy and hopefully make up for some of the socialization that she missed.  Ideally that would include puppies her own age but you will have to do the best you can.  I would bet in a city like San Fran they have puppy day care you could put her in where she could play with other puppies for most of the day.  Or maybe you could find a local breeder or rescue group that is trustworthy and who would let your pup just hang out (please be careful, of course).  The main thing is that time is of the essence.  She probably is just around the end of her first fear imprinting stage, so every minute counts.  For now I would focus on damage control and not worry too much about specific behaviors.  You will have some work ahead of you with this dog no matter what but that will be made easier by whatever positive socialization you can get during this critical time.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Anne, I just went on Yelp and searched for "puppy daycare" in San Francisco and found a number of places that purport to offer the kind of service I describe above and which received four and five star ratings.  I live in Chicago and don't know anything about any of them (sorry, that is probably the lawyer in me talking) - but it seems like if you do some research you shouldn't have trouble finding a place you are comfortable with.  Best of luck.