Losing my resolve

[Diane Denney]

OMG my Doodle puppy has been so hard to handle the last few days (he's always been a challenge, but I thought I saw a light). I knew he was getting better because I wasn't constantly talking about what I was going to do almost in tears!!! I'm back to that point again. Is is normal for his behavior to go up and down? He's biting like crazy again, and testing me constantly. He's into everything. I have everything blocked off. He was biting me out in the yard again where I couldn't get control of the situation, and so I fled running yelling "NO BITE", and left him out there to stew, but I don't think that had any affect!!! He's been having separation issues as well even when we are only a few short feet away where he can see us in the living room. We ignore him as much as possible but it is so ear piercing!!! When he's quiet I give him a treat and tell him good quiet. I'm doing everything in my power (I think). I work with his training and he obeys so well for food. He's even learned drop it because every time he gets something he shouldn't I ask him to trade it for a treat and tell him to drop it. This has been a challenge and I find myself losing all resolve, and questioning myself why I got another dog, and I hate feeling that way!!!! Oh and he never stops scrapping with my older dog when I try and let him free (on a lead). I can hold on to him too well anymore as he is so much stronger than I. Thanks for letting me rant!!!

[Diane Denney]

18 months...noooooooooooooooo I want him to be able to run NOWWW!!!! LOL Alright then, there goes that idea!!!

@ Debbie - Well Lincoln has only drawn blood one time, and that was while I was outside with him. Although he did almost knock me out accidentally while outside too!!! lol I have to say though that he doesn't bite anywhere near as much as he did when I first got him. It truly is a game for him as he'll walk up go to pretend bite me and then run and hope I chase him. If I catch him he goes right in his crate. The game is not to get caught!!! So I really have to resist the chase!!! Truly a smarty pants. I've heard so many stories now about their Doodles turning one and just becoming awesome dogs so I'm holding onto those stories!!! Thanks for sharing them. It really helps. I put him in day care when I was sick a couple of weeks ago so that I could rest. It's really convenient when I really need down time. He just never seems to get tired. Although when I put him to bed at night he goes to sleep pretty good, but he awakes me yipping two hours later, and then I just leave him in the kitchen with a cookie and chew toy, and he leaves me alone until I have to get up for work. He doesn't wake up as much when I take him to day care. He sleeps in his crate in the kitchen, and seems okay with this. I would prefer him upstairs but I don't have the room for his crate!! Thanks again everyone...I look forward to the day when I can just talk about the fun things.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

It isn't that he isn't getting tired from all his romping and fun and games... it is that he has no guidelines, rules or self control. It would be like the days that I just let my 2 year old run free... he can be a maniac, running and playing inside and outside all day long (seriously!) but just because he doesn't stop doesn't mean he isn't tired. What I do notice on those days is that he has less tendency to follow rules and acts out the more the day goes on.

He needs structure! He needs an outlet. His outlet can not just be being allowed to run and hour or so in the back yard. It can not be doggie day care. Both of these will exercise his body but not his mind. Untrained dogs are exactly why we have books like Marley and Me.. .cute and it sold a million copies but only because so many dog owners could sympathize with the owner of Marley. In my opinion that is just sad... Not that Marley tore up a sofa or destroyed so many things in his life but that his owners failed him, not making him one of their family by not training him.

I get so tired of the same thread.. My doodle is crazy, My doodle is wild, My doodle is hyper, My friends and family wont come over anymore because of my doodle. I guarantee that if any of these owners got a different breed it would be the same issue...

This is the #1 reason for dogs in shelters!


OK off my soap box.

[Diane Denney]

I took Lincoln to training the first week I adopted him, and I have been continuing training at home every night, and sometimes in the morning. I have taken one of Cesear Milan's courses online, and have had a behaviorist in as well. He does not get free roam of the house and is on a lead when I do let him roam and he is promptly corrected when he does things that he shouldn't, and praised and treated when he does the things he should. All dog breeds are different. They have different characteristics and personalities. My dog Scottie was not as difficult to deal with as Lincoln, and is much more submissive. I want this dog to be the best he can be because I know his potential. I'm learning as I go along. I agree that not training a dog is a recipe for disaster. He is still posing quite the challenge.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

stop in at First Friends I think you will like the new Lincoln after 8 weeks of training.

BTW my post wasnt meant to bash you... I am just speaking in general.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Echoing other comments: One more thing that has helped us tremendously: training. We are finished with 2nd level of obedience at 7 months, but have not stopped training - I probably train one hour a day with Peri. Husband probably a little less, but he does help. If she starts getting a little crazy, I take her for a "training" walk. We work on heeling, sitting, down, high-5, etc....the whole time. This is not as much for exercise as it for brain work. We get back and she is exhausted. And she is turning into a much better dog for it. She comes at the dogpark now - WOW. It really does take hard work. And I agree with Noble Vestal's comment. Training takes a committment, but it pays off BIG TIME! Promise :)
I am also planning to do agility in early 2010 - just for fun, but they say it really helps establish owner as the leader through doing "fun" obedience.

[Leslie and Halas]

That's another cool thing about Rally Obedience. There are a lot of different exercises, and the dog doesn't know what will come next, so it helps with focus, along with being tiring. Working the mind can tire them out as much as running around can.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

My trainer does Rally-O also. We will end up doing that as well. I notice that Peri wants to learn and she is always much better when her brain is working. Otherwise she has too much time to think about how to get Taquito's food bowl down, how to tear apart a toy, etc...still a puppy, but a very well behaved puppy at that.

[Diane Denney]

Lincoln is not aggressive!!! He is very sweet!!! He was 4 months old and left in a cage to rot when I adopted him. He's a little behind in his maturity as a result. He does not get away with his behavior. I'm here to find help on how to go about stopping his bad habits and appreciate all the help.

[Diane Denney]

Lincoln started his Intermediate training today. He did very well. He was so well behaved!! This dog is not the dog I know at home!!!! I am bound and determined to make this dog the best he can be!! The trainer said he'd help me get him to Good Canine Citizen!!! One step at a time!!! BTW he told me to put two sided sticky tape along the kitchen counters to deter counter surfing. I also got so many other helpful hints for all his other issues!!!

[Tammy & Gracie]

My Gracie is always like that in public. We've had several classes. Gracie is always on great behavior there. When I complain about the monster I live with, trainers always look at me sayiong, she is perfectly well behaved, I can't imagine her causing so much trouble. Like you, the dog in class is NOT the dog I live with. LOL Hang in there. Gracie is almost 2 and out of trouble most of the time now.

[Diane Denney]

The trainer told me it's because of being on his own territory. It makes a difference.