Terrible Twos?

[Jennifer and Jack]

It would seem that Jack (who is going to turn two on March 6th) has lost his puppy sense.  We have gone through three different levels of training, which he passed with flying colors. Now, it would seem that he either went deaf or he is just plain old being rebellious. Though if I have a treat, I can whisper the word sit and he will do it.

 

Anyway, has this happen to anyone else? I call him to come to me and he sits there and stares at me. I tell him to sit and he pretends like I am speaking in tongues or something. We are in training currently, in class he does what he is told, at home he is being a booger head.

 

Also, he is going peeps in the house in the middle of the night!!! His urine was checked and he is fine. Should I put him back in a crate at night? Do I limit his water again so that he is cut off by a certain point??

 

I heard that some dogs do go through the terrible twos. I want my good listener back!!!

[R Ullrich]

What a relief!  I thought Buddy had lost his mind or something.  It is good to know that others are having these issues.  Our Buddy was always incredible.  He always obeyed, was a breeze to train, never did anything naughty.  UNTIL 2.  Now he ran out the front door and down the block twice.  He is jumping on people, won't sit or lay down, whines.  We are bewildered.  He is like a toddler looking for attention.  We don't know why, he gets plenty of attention.

[Debbie and Thomas]

I don't think it is the terrible 2's....I think it is called "adolescence"!!.  Yes we like to think of our dogs as kids and 2 year old children can be rebelious and a handful at times.  But try to think back when you were 14 or even better when your brother was 14.  They were clumsy...rebellious...and just plain STUPID !  My brother used to take the family car out for a stroll after all of us had gone to bed.  Teenagers are pretty much 'brain dead"  and perhaps that is what is happening to our dogs.

[Jennifer and Jack]

At least we know we are in this together. Going back the basics is helping me a great deal.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Update- I started Advanced Obedience with Peri last night - first formal class in 1 1/2 years.  She will be 2 soon.  The first 20 minutes were terrible - she was trying to play with friends she new, not listening, etc...

The last 40 minutes she did a 180!  She started concentrating on me and was almost perfect.  So, it will take me working with her daily, but I think things are quickly "clicking" back into place and I am sure Jack will be the same!