I can't afford to lose anymore clothes!

[Laura & Chewie]

Chewie (4 months) has a couple true, crazy puppy moments daily. Most of the time these are quite entertaining...running around the house at breakneck speed, etc. Something else he does that is not quite so entertaining is jumping up and grabbing our clothes, running away, coming back, playfully growling. Unfortunately we are wearing the clothes when he does this...LOL. I know it's his way of playing, but he has ruined a couple pair of pants and a shirt because ot this...those sharp baby teeth get stuck on the material.

I have tried ignoring him, standing still, turning my back, but when he's in this crazy mood, it doesn't seem to deter him. I frequently will tell him to sit, give him praise for that and he often will settle down. but this doesn't always work...depends on how wound up he is. Suggestions???

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

when he is this way...have tug toys available...make it a game..you start it..and you end it....on your time...he will learn what and when is his time...

[1xar0x2rcx0li]

If the passive training methds are not working you (which I would always recommend to try first) maybe you have to try something more firm. When this behaviour starts, grab him by the scruff of the neckand hold him still, say a stern "NO" (communicate that this makes you angry so they know its bad behaviour) and then in a calmer voice say "settle" and hold him until he settles. He needs to know that behaviour makes you upset and then the game is over. Some people dont like the hands on training, but you are bring firm, not mean, and you are not hurting him, or hitting him, or making him scared of you, just firmly stopping the behaviour. If you saw how a mama dog keeps her pups in line when they get unruley with her, you would see that we are pussycats in comparison.

[Laura & Chewie]

I do try to grab him, but he is usually jumping, running away and back so fast that he makes it almost impossible to get ahold of him. Will keep trying. He's actually very funny, but of course I don't want him to know I think that!

[1xar0x2rcx0li]

If your pup has a behavioural issue, he should be on leash at all times, so that when he does something he shouldn't, you can grab the leash and reel him in and do training. If not, and he gets away with it, the fun of the game reinforces the bad behaviour and he will NEVER learn. I say leash him up. It wont take long in comparision to the 10 years of a well behaved doodle. If you want to let him run in the yard, put him on a 25 ft rope. it will drag behing him fine while he plays, and you can easily get it to reel him in when he is naughty.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

I'm glad you asked this question. Finn does the same thing. I have grabbed him and put him on his back until he settles but as soon as I let go, he starts again. I turned my back on him and he ripped the back of a new T shirt this week. If he's not going at me, then poor Yankee is the target.

[Tammy & Gracie]

I feel your pain. All my summer clothes from last summer have little holes in them. It was a rough puppyhood. The sharp puppy teeth will fall out. At least I can assure you that he will grow out of it and then you can buy new clothes for next season! (Maybe he is just living up to his name?)

[sandy b]

We had the same problem with Max. We tried everything and like you sometimes it worked, sometimes not. We too had ruined clothes so decided until this phase was over that was all we wore in the house!! I think he outgrew this by 6 months and from reading DK some puppies are more mouthy and persistent than others. Max certainly was. We also kept him on a leash. Hang in there and just wear your old raggedy clothes a few more months!!

[Libby & Bentley]

I read this method in a book...I'm loudly saying "Ow!" and then ignore my pup for about a minute not making eye contact and sometimes leaving the room. When this happens..kinda like many recommend you to do when they bite you...I'm doing this as I believe that biting on my clothing is equally bad as biting me..It sometimes takes a few "Ow!" but he eventually will lay down and give me this pouty face..but usually settles down for a little while.

Goodluck!

[Lorraine Bromley]

I have heard about the long lead use in training all the time but never see one in any pet stores. Where do you get them.
Secondly I did the yelp and ignore. It depends on how wound up he was though. I also took him by the snout and squeezed his lips down against his teeth while firmly saying no biteing. Not hard or violently at all just firmly held little squeeze for seconds as those little teeth are like little razors.
Neely still does mouth but doesn't bite. I am bad as I allow this interaction with him. Gross as it may sound Neely likes his tounge petted or the top of his mouth ribs.This actually settles him down with the mouthing. Also rubbing his little black lips. I don't mind puppy slobber so I'm ok with all that.

[1xar0x2rcx0li]

I used a rope from Home Depot and tied it to a standard leash to hook up the the collar. Looks a bit country, but I so do I.

[Laura & Chewie]

Both Petsmart and Pet Supplies Plus sell the long leashes. I know they're cotton and go up to at least 30'.

[Phoebe's Mom]

I, too, feel your pain. We lived through a very similar stage wih Phoebe. We tried all the methods and sometimes--only sometimes--did they work especially when she was in a 'zoomie mode.' I thought we would never make it through but we did. She is now 8.5 months old and she rarely zooms around out of control anymore. Of course, it might be nice if she stopped the occasional jump and growl while leash walking now but I suppose this , too, shall pass in time...with proper training, that is! Good luck!