Oh the biting and the chewing...

[Melissa Hazlip]

I know it's normal, I know it takes patience and training... But my goodness, the biting and chewing, and lack of obedience is tiring sometimes! Luna is the sweetest dog, but she has two parts of the day where she just goes crazy! She doesn't seem to respond to any cues to stop biting or chewing on things. She is SO smart, and I know she just gets excited and wants to play. I am not sure if this post is for advice, or just to vent... haha. I certainly welcome any suggestions or encouragement!

[Melissa Hazlip]

Yes, morning and evening! It's like the witching hour of puppies! I feel so worn out right now! We can't run in the yard with her because it's been raining almost non-stop since we got her last month. The yard is completely flooded with mud puddles!

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

The crazies!  Meg is pretty much past that but when she gets like that everything gets picked up, no toys, no play, no attention, nothing to stimulate her attention.  When one of my oldest granddaughters was a toddler once she got worked up there was no getting her under control, bedtime or going someplace could be a full on nightmare, the same thing that worked for her pretty much works for a pup.  Love them like crazy but sometimes, well they are just like a kid after all.

[Becka]

This is a great idea--just turning your back and ignoring them until they can wear themselves out. Of course, sometimes with Sadie the backs of my legs were proof that there was just no ignoring her! It's an exhausting and sometimes frustrating time, but you will be amazed how quickly it goes by.

[Melissa Hazlip]

hanging onto the hope that i WILL be shocked at how fast it goes by. it seems like this week has been worse! the ignoring seems to work! the only problem is my 4 year old doesnt follow our instruction to ignore her too, and gets the dog all worked up.

[Melissa Hazlip]

What age did she seem to get past it? She is about 12 weeks old at this point. We crate her and do a time out, which sometimes works. It's true though, she is just a "kid"... I keep reminding myself that out of all the years we will have her, this is a very short season!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Time out is the best advice. In her crate or leashed to a doorknob. I bought Luca a metal leash got just that or he'd chew the leash. After a short nap he was fine.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

All normal.... both my doodles went thru that crazy biting, chewing puppy stage.  Both turned out to be amazing doodles... its a puppy thing I swear !!!!  It will pass.  When my Sasha got to that biting stage I would leave the room and go behind closed doors for about 45 seconds every single time... so after a while she associated the biting with me leaving and she stopped.  With my Oliver his biting stage did not last long at all because I had the help of my precious Sasah.  Hang in there it will pass.

[Melissa Hazlip]

you have no idea how much the encouragement helps! especially since this week seems like it's been worse than others! every time i read that it will pass i feel a bit more hopeful ;) we have been following your advice, which seems to work. however, i think i dont follow through ENOUGH. with two kids running around, i sometimes dont do it. i need to be more strict!

[BG and Gavin]

All good advice.  We called it the "witching hour" when Gavin was a pup.  Usually between 7:30-8:30 he would turn into a total land shark.  If we put him in a "time out" he went to sleep.  With persistence and patience, the stage does pass quickly.

[Melissa Hazlip]

Thank you! we will keep at it!

[Sue & Lily Grace]

It is funny what a few weeks can do.  I wrote the same thing a month ago and today I have an entirely different doodle.  Looking back I think that time and maturity makes all the difference in the world.  Don't give up, time passes so fast and you will be looking back in no time and wondering where the biting went.

[Melissa Hazlip]

What age if your doodle now? Ours is 12 weeks! Sometimes i forget we have only had her 4 weeks! That puts things in perspective. It really is like the struggle I have with my toddler... when I want her to understand things well beyond her age level. I look forward to the day that i wonder when the biting stopped!