Crazy Bob - Is there an end in sight? When did your's calm down?

[Abby Christos]

Hey everyone,

I'm sure there are a million posts about this, but here's another. Bob is a crazy man 95% of the time. He. will. just. not. sit. down. ever. The only time he lays down for more than 30 seconds is when I'm cooking in the kitchen and he's waiting for food to fall or if he has a rawhide/bully stick. And it's not just the activity. He occasionally darts down the driveway and out to the street. He will not stop for anything. I worry he's going to get hit by a car when he does this! Also, when he gets zoomy, he gets a little aggressive and snarly if I try to put him in his pen to calm down. 

So, I guess I'm looking for a little encouragement here. I'm much more patient with him, but my husband brought up re-homing today. Now, I'll never let him give my baby-dog away but I wish it wouldn't get to that point. I keep telling him to be patient and it's just a rebellious phase. BTW, Bob is a little over 9 months. 

How old was your doodle when he/she finally settled down?

[Marie and Hoka]

Not sure, but I think I remember reading that between 9-10 months is the highest incidence of re-homing (all dogs- not doodles).  They are at their peak teenage punk-ness.  It is like that for a month or 2.  Exercise, training, and patience!!!  

Now I know we have all thought about "re-homing" our actual teenagers, but at least dogs do not drive or have parties!! :)

[Abby Christos]

Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement and advice. I know we just need to be more consistent in training. We've admittedly let it slack a little because in his teenage years, he doesn't seem to be listening anyway. But, I know that's not the right approach. 

I think more interaction with dogs will also help. And as soon as the ground thaws, we are going to install an overhead trolley system (with a harness). I won't ever leave him alone outside on it, but at least he can play out in the backyard without the fear of him bolting away. Thankfully, he only runs every once in a while when he sees a neighbor, but it still will not be tolerated. 

As far as the snarls, I think just need to be more firm. He sees right through me and he knows I'm a softy!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

'A tired doodle is a happy doodle' this should also read ' A tired doodle=a calm doodle'. I have one higher energy than the other in our pack and we work on lots of exercise which is a combination of day care, dog walker and us taking him for runs in a local park where he can run free. These dogs need lots of activity and also lots of mental stimulation. Training also tires them out and is so good for them. You may need a trainer to come to your home. A couple of sessions with a good trainer is really worth it.

[Jen & Hudson]

I'm in Chicago (Lakeview) and I know how frustrating it is to find safe places for my Hudsondoodle to play. We go to Belmont and Montrose beaches, the fenced-in archery area in Belmont harbor (when it's closed obviously), and a few of us responsible dog owners meet up at the school after dark a few times a week. Chicago dog parks can be a bit dangerous and unpredictable, so I stay away from them.

 

If you ever want to have a doodle meet-up, let me know. Hudson is a crazy 7 month old with lots of energy to spare.

[Julie and Max]

Max is quite high energy but I find as long as I exercise him religiously every day in a variety of ways I can keep him pretty calm. I think training for calmness helps too, like if I see him just chilling on the mat, he will get a treat and a good boy but if he's jumping all over the place I ignore him, this takes a long time to work, but it does eventually start to work. Good luck Max is nine months too, it's a hard age, I compare it kind of to myself being 15 :)