HELP!!! What to do when a puppy is being bad?!

[Samantha & Charlie]

Tonight has made me lose it to the point I'm crying. Charlie (4.5 months) has been acting up like crazy today.

 

It all started with Charlie's training class. We had to cut it short because he was not listening and did not want to do any of the commands.

 

Tonight, I took him out for his nightly walk and it was a disaster as usual. He does not listen during the walk and I thought if I got him a gentle leader, it would help. Wrong. He always tries to walk extremely fast to the point its not even enjoyable to walk him. All he does is choke himself basically. This has been going on for a few weeks.

 

When we get inside, he pees 3 times within a 15 minute span. He NEVER has accidents anymore, and if he does, it's like once a week. He didn't even alert me that he needed to go. He just went in the same spot for each of those 3 times.

 

Then he just starts acting BAD. He got crazy hyper and started running around the house super fast. I don't know where he got all this energy because he has been super tired all day since after his training class. However, he walks completely normal at training but is horrible when we walk around our community.

 

Is there anyway to discipline him? He needs to know this behavior is not acceptable. My husband thought we could get him a different crate (other than where he sleeps) to put him in when he acts up.

 

I hope this post doesn't trigger negative responses. I'm just at my wits end. Usually I can handle him but he has been super bad tonight. I'm not getting rid of him so please don't throw that out. I just have no idea to punish him correctly, or if that's even an option.

[Leo's Family]

I'm reading through all these comments because our quiet calm well behaved 8 week old puppy has turned in to an 11 week old crazy doodle.  He gets terribly wound up and especially around the kids, jumps on them, mouths them has torn several shirts.  I feel like all we do is say "no bite" "off" over and over.  And trying to teach "leave it" is also driving me bonkers.  Our yard is fenced and he likes to go out there often, and it has been fine, but now he ignores me when I call him to come in and runs the other way.  I don't want to go to only taking him out on a leash, as I feel like he needs the running around he does out there off of the leash.  I am super stressed, he makes bedtime for the kids, and getting out the door to school time really stressful and difficult for me.  I am home all day with him and try to only leave him briefly once a day (and crate him then, as well as at night).  Should I be crating him more often?  He prefers to nap on the kitchen or bathroom floor and doesn't mind the crate at bed time but does not like it during the day.  I am becoming a huge grump to my family because of how difficult he makes things some times.

[Linda And Loo]

During your stressfull times, kids' bedtime and getting them out the door in the am, I would put him in the crate and give him something to occupy his time, a toy, bone, something that he likes. If you are stressed,the dog will pick up on that and will probably act out and just add to your stress! After things calm down let him out give him some one on one with you! Good Luck!

[Gail and Bailey]

Very good advice!  I totally agree.  Use the crate for some down time for him and for you!  Make it a fun place to be with a special treat/toy that he loves and can safely be alone with.....like a kong with a bit of peanut butter and a few kibbles in it.

[Anita - Thunder, Noodle, Sparky]

Often we need to change our expectations in how well they should be behaving. I agree with the crating during stressful times. Just like our kids, he is a baby and needs to be taught right from wrong so your correcting him is what he needs. I could just say "AH" and he would stop and then I follow with a "good boy" and a little ear fluff or kiss. He will get it and catch on. I don't feel like it is always negative when I praise him for following the command. They are smart dogs, and sometimes they use their intelligence against us. Of course this advice is coming from a mom of a doodle that has eaten 4 beds, eats poop on occasion, and has not mastered welcoming guests into the home in a proper manner :)

[Tammy and Violet]

So good to hear all of this .Violet was that and much more....I will be working on the .....welcoming people into my house tomorrow .. wish me luck ...Hang in there Leo's family.. it DOES get better at one year old.....thank gawd ! th crate is everyone best friend ..do not be afraid to crate !

 

[Amy Galvin]

Gosh these comments have me calm down as today has been an awful day with Clara. Its been constant no bite, off and leave it. I wish the nipping would stop. It is an every day battle. She nips to get my attention, when she's mad or tired! I may sound awful as I do put her in the crate for timeout. I really have too because her nipping turns into hair standing aggression. Clara's biggest problem, I think, she doesn't know how to communicate her needs other than nipping. I'm not sure how to correct that. I keep telling myself it will get better and I'll be glad when it does. I want he

[Debbie and Belle]

I still have trouble with the nipping but it has settled over the last few weeks. What helped me with Belle was to have the trainer do an individual session with us at home. That way she could see what was happening, how I was handling it and how Belle was reacting. She suggested that for nipping I say off and if belle didn't stop I shake an orange juice jug with 10 pennies. That really helped, as very quickly she associated the command off with shaking the jug and would stop immediately after just saying off. Now she doesn't nip nearly as much.

[Amy Galvin]

Thank you Dbbie and Belle I will try orange jug