Help!! I have a teenager!

[Shy]

The dog trainer refers to month 5,6, and 7 as the teenage years. Sophie just turned 5 months. Since then she's losing her teeth biting and nipping like crazy and jumping on us. I'm hoping this is because of the teething. Also, she has become so stubborn. I take her out to go potty and she won't move. When she sees the leash she walks away and when I do get out there she just sits or turns her back to me and sits. This is even happening after being in the crate all night. She has began to jump up on the counters. We continuously say off. My 8 year old is terrified of her because she has these episodes of barking and biting at him. The trainer have us some tips and I thought we were doing well, but this week has been very hard and frustrating. Any advice? I can't stand dragging her around the yard to go potty and the biting has got to stop!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

How much exercise is she getting? Some really hard running off-leash usually helps tire them out, and the cliche "a tired dog is a good dog" is very true. 

Looking back at your past discussions, I see that some of these issues (the biting, the refusal to walk on leash, sitting and turning her back) have been going on since she was 16 or 17 weeks, so probably not related to her being a "teenager". 

[Shy]

She's so stubborn, but very true. When she's tired she's so much better behaved. She's at a doggy day care today which always tires her out. The biting was good for a couple weeks but with these teeth falling out it has increased

[33bn7f8evnuyd]

This sounds familiar!  Lucky went through the exact same thing post teeth loss at the exact same age.  Lucky turned 5 month a few weeks ago.

1. Mouthing: He became very mouthy prior to the canines emerging and it came in very very fast. He became very mouthy so I was advised to squeak to let him know it was too much.  Unfortunately, this didn't work, it just excites him more. So what I did is everytime he mouths my hand i push my hand in more and this induces a gag reflex and he lets go. At this stage in his life, I would try to sooth the swelling in the mouth.  You can try a putting treats in your kong and put it in the freezer.  Lucky loves ice and the cold kong. I think it helps to alleviate the teething discomfort. 
2. Jumping: He still jumps on my other dogs who are 5 and 6 years old.  They still hate him.  In terms of the jumping, just turn your back to him every time he jumps.  If he gets too nutty put him back in his crate until he calms down. My dog is most crazy in the morning right after coming out of his crate and at night right before his walk. I expect this so i taught him to sit in order to be let out of the crate.  Now he doesn't come out of the crate running or jumping. He knows to sit if he needs to get anything done. 
3. Energy: I've noticed a huge energy jump when he turned 5 month old. He gets more into mischief.  There are definite more yelling of No's. haha  It is very important at this point to never let him get away with anything. If you do it once, they will remember and do it again.  

[Shy]

Thank you very much! It's nice to know that someone else has "been there." I will be consistent and try those tactics. My neighbors dogs don't like her either. Before she would sleep all the time, now she's crazy!!!

[Leslie J]

As a mother of 3 human teenagers, I can at least assure you that dogs finish their "teen" time fast, and (unlike human teens) if they're really driving you nuts you can put them in a crate!

I would keep Sophie tethered to you or something near you when children are present so she doesn't bother your kids. Then they can pet her when she's being nice, and move away if she's jumping or nipping.

[33bn7f8evnuyd]

I forgot to mention that indoors, Lucky always has a leash on her just in case he is doing something naughty.  There is a 6 inch leash. 

[Shy]

Ok yes! I will keep it on from now on. Thank you

[33bn7f8evnuyd]

*Sorry Lucky is a boy.  My previous dog was a girl. You know what is funny? Lucky is going nuts right now. He gets bored very easily and likes to pounce on our other dogs.  I posted on the doodle training group and tried all the advice given and he is still bad.  Like you said, once the teeth came off, he has been going nuts.  

[Shy]

Thank you!! I will start tethering her tonight. im glad it's for a short phase too!! Lol