Doddle Bad Behavior Help wanted!!

[CElizabeth Stevenson]

ANYbody who could comment on this would be greatly appreciated....

I'm having behavior problems with my 7 month old Doodle.  I am SO good

to her that I don't understand it.  I've taken her to "Doggie Class", I take

her to Daycare once a week so she can play with other dogs....at home

she just thinks everything is "Hers" and runs away with it whether it

be kleenex, envelopes, toilet paper, cd's....YOU NAME IT!!!  The "leave

it" command HAS helped, when she decides "ok, I'd better fork it over",

but it's driving me nuts.  Plus she's "bitey" to my husband and I and we've

tried the big "Ouch"- no luck, we've tried holding her mouth shut and she

quits for a time...and then the mood passes.  It seems like she's hyper

to me!

Any suggestions out there???

Thanks

Cady's Mom

[CElizabeth Stevenson]

Ok, will work on training. I'm the one who has done the gigantic "Ouch"... she looks at me like, 'Awww, too bad'...
I've gotten some good suggestions on here that I will try. Uffda.

[Phoebe's Mom]

Phoebe was a terrible biter/nipper at that stage as well. I thought we might never make it through. The loud/shrill 'ouch' seemed to have no effect on her but isolating her for a brief time--either in her crate or in her ex-pen--did seem to help her re-focus. Don't despair, once Phoebe turned one year old, 99% of that behavior faded. I also found, as most everyone will agree, more exercise is wonderful both for the doodles' behavior and your own sanity. I good game of fetch or merely running around with the pup outside works wonders sometimes!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

good point - physical AND brain exercise is needed.
Do both of those and the next few months will fly by and you will be AMAZED at how much better your sweet girl will be.

[CElizabeth Stevenson]

Yes, I have thought that she has too much energy especially when it's not Puppy Daycare Day!!! then she runs with the big dogs.
Thanks so much for telling me it's going to end cause sometimes it seems like it isn't ever going to end.

[CElizabeth Stevenson]

I replied to you but doesn't seem to be showing up...anyway, I thanked you mightily for giving
me hope that we would make it through! Sometimes it doesn't seem like it, sometimes it seems
as if I will have to sell her.... and then I happen to look at her!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

We have had terrible floods in TN and I have been out of pocket for days now. I do have a reason for mentioning this - I am out of my routine. The pups are out of their routine. No walks in 5 days. I have been helping friends and am beat when I get home at night. Last night Peri went CRAZY and honestly, I didn't have the energy to deal with her. But I totally understand that she needs more exercise (those daily walks have not been happening). Today I am doing my best to be able to go home after my first full day back in the real world and TAKE HER FOR A WALK! Peri is 13 months tomorrow and is generally very well behaved. But this just shows you what a lack of exercise and changes in routine can do. You have hope, trust me. Just exercise her body and mind!

[CElizabeth Stevenson]

Sorry about your floods!! And I totally agree- exercise and playtime with other dogs is VERY
important and necessary for Doodles. I'm going to train her into our invisible fencing and
she'll proably run herself ragged- which is good. She's also a "hole-digger". Sheesh!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

You mention that you've taken her to "Doggie Class". Is she still in some type of formal training? What does your trainer say? It does sound like she doesn't quite understand that "you're the boss". The fact that you're "good to her" really doesn't translate into behavior. She can't put together in her mind that you're doing lots of things for her, so she should be "good" to repay you for that. She needs to learn that at home everything belongs to YOU, and that YOU are deciding what she can and can't have. At seven months, the biting is no longer just "puppy behavior" (in my opinion). This sounds like her attempt at dominance with you. If the "ouch" isn't working, than you'll need to do something a little stronger. I would consider giving a firm no, withdrawing your attention, and if it continues, I'd give her a "time out" in the crate until she calms down. If she does stop with the firm "no" I'd immediately give her a treat. A trainer can definitely help you with all of this. Keep us posted, and good luck!

[CElizabeth Stevenson]

Thanks so much for your input!

[Kyoko]

Charlie was mouthy at one point as well. Her trainer told me to wear a wistle around my wrist at all times, and blow it when she mouthes. As you wistle, say nothing and leash her up. The leash should be connected to the door or something, long enogh for her to sit, but too short to lay down. Charlie hated it so much, I only had to blow a wistle for twice or so. The mouthing stopped right up!! It was amazing!!

[CElizabeth Stevenson]

Wow! I'm going to try it! Thanks so much for your input!

[Sally loves Maple & Lucky]

that sounds like a quick fix for any bad behavior. Thanks!