needing some encouragement...

[Lindsey & Lily]

Hi everyone!  vcg

I picked up Bingley (7 1/2 weeks) yesterday and I love him to pieces! However, he is a handful and I knew he would be. I take him to potty what seems like 20,000 times a day and he is always trying to chew/ bite on my fingers and toes. I watch him like a hawk throughout the day. He is a sweet boy. All in all, I am just needing some encouragement to help work through it and wondering when this stage ends. Also I am worried that He will become this wild dog that I cant control and is poorly trained.

 

Thanks!

 

 

[Lori]

The waterbottle works well for nipping too - Just squirt him in the face each time he bites...give a loud "NO" or "no bite!" and then ignore him. It will all work out in the end...Casper is SO incredibly good - I wouldn't trade him for the world...and he started out a nippy little puppy too!

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

Look thru this site for tips on biting and jumping and potty training, check out your area for puppy play classes, read about games you can play with your dog, A lot of us have been thru the wild dog stages and it does get better especially after the adult teeth come in around 4-5 months.  It seems like all of us get discouraged at this stage.  Hang in there!!!

[Angel Schilling-Putnam]

Hang in there, tough love and calm energy. He's just figuring out where he stands in your family arrangement, and by our standards, he's just a child. You'll get frustrated but it will pass. Everything I've read/learned is that is it is super normal for him to have potty mistakes. You and he will be fine. A regular schedule and exercise are hugely important! Don't worry, it will all be good:-)

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I would suggest these first few days try to set aside as much time for you puppy as you can, so he can adjust to your home and you and your family.  My breeder gave me instructions of what to expect and gave me a list of what to expect at what age.  This information comes from the International Doodle Owners Group Doodle Development Periods.  You may be able to find it on the IDOG website.  If you do not have a copy, I would be willing to email you a copy.

As far as him nipping at your fingers and toes, remember he just came from being with his mom and siblings and that is what they do to each other.  Just gently redirect that energy to a chew or squeaky toy to take his attention off your feet and hands.  As time goes on, you will see that they only want to please you.

Also, if possible, order "The Puppy Listener" by Jan Fennell (Understanding and caring for your new puppy).  It is a fantastic book.

Please do not lose heart with your little one.  I bet he is just so cute and lovable.  Time goes by so fast, I am sure you will look back on his puppyhood and laugh like crazy.

[Cathy w/Shiloh~Cody]

You have only had him one day-I would take some deep breaths and try to relax. He can pickup on

your nervous energy and become worse. The calmer you are-the calmer he will be.

For nipping, make an exaggerated "ouch" noise so he thinks he has hurt you and that will help.

Get a puppy training book-there is a good one "Monks of New Skete", that show how to raise a puppy

that is really good !!! Good luck!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I just sit here and think back to when our Gracie Doodle was a baby and it all comes flooding back...well most of it!  I have been hearing quite a few DKers lately who seem to be at the same stage you are.  We would call our hands "handburger" because of all the nips and tooth marks...nails too!  Gracie would hang on DHs pant legs and would take a ride around the room or yard hanging on.  She would attack him the minute he walked into a room.  I had to start wearing shoes and socks because she loved to attack feet.  I too was so worried that we had the tasmanian devil living with us!  We called in a trainer and because we didn't know what to do.  We were relieved to know that this is just puppy nature and it's what they do.  They get wild hairs and go crazy and it isn't just the zoomies.  It is attacking and chasing you too!  Pretty much everything was "redirect" her to something other than our foot or hand.  Have a toy and shove it in her mouth.  Turn away.  Stay calm when they are worked up.  Don't encourage...etc.  I know we did everything and then one day it just stopped.  When we look back it seemed like it took forever but it really was only a few months and so much of it is the teething I think.  There will be other phases of Doodle antics that come up for a few years.  You get them all trained and they behave perfectly and then one day they look at you, walk away and when you call them they just sort of "flip you off" and continue to walk away.  You are always going to be tested.  Training is a constant daily thing for the rest of their life. You don't just train them and then think you are done.  You are constantly reinforcing and refreshing them all the time.  The rewards are uncountable though...every minute of it is worth it and then one day you will say...that wasn't so bad after all!!!  I do know the one thing that really helped was the fact that we had two Springer Spaniels who were a few months older than Gracie in our neighborhood.  From the first day home with Gracie the three started to play and they played every day throughout the summer twice a day.  The timing was perfect.  It was summer and the owner was a school teacher and the pups were both "safe" dogs and didn't go to dog parks and weren't exposed to unsafe dogs.  This twice a day play really wore Gracie out and she spent a good part of her time chewing and biting the pups rather than us!  Gracie had a perfect childhood now that I look back!!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yep, it is kindof like having a child.  First all of the care when they are infants, then the terrible twos, and then when you start feeling relaxed they hit the teenage years.  The stages are something that you should expect, but try to make them liveable for all of you.   Play times are essential and if they don't get times with other dogs, they will try to "dog play" with you.  Enjoy!   It is over soon.

[Jayd (Dempsey)]

Nancy, I love your advice here!  You gave me hope too!  Now I'm looking for 'safe' dogs too!  I'm becoming a human chew toy!  Oh and what is a zoomie?

[Helen & Kirby]

Ah yes.....I remember the first weeks with the new puppy.  My neighbors all started kidding me because any time, day or night they would look out their window -- and there I was walking the dog. 2PM there I was -5PM  yes that's me again--2AM there I was again!    I literally took her outside every 3 to 4 hours, round the clock, and was up most of the first few nights.  So I relate to your saying you must take him out 20,000 times a day!   Rest assured, it does get better.  You might be exhausted, but it does get better.  Go to a puppy class as soon as your vet allows it.  Puppies need the socialization, and that is one place where they learn to inhibit that biting stage.  Your pup needs to learn what it can bite on, so have some puppy kongs ready.

[Adina P]

He won't be poorly trained unless you avoid training him =)

 

This phase seems to take forever, but he'll calm down, naturally with time until that infamous 'teenage' period hits around 6 months and then he'll probably try your patience once more.  But if you've got him in training then and are consistent and work him regularly he'll come out of it as an awesome dog! 

[Lindsey & Lily]

Thank you for all the advice!

However, I have made the hardest decision EVER to give him up. I am a college student and I just got my schedule yesterday and it is ALOT more than I was expecting, I also just found out that with my major (Language and World Business) I have to study abroad in order to qualify for graduation. On top of all of that I am going to working alot. I just want the best thing for him and feel that I am not it... I have cried my eyes out all morning. I knew that he was going to be alot of work and time consuming and I was excited to get to know him, but I only have a month more of summer before I go back and I don't want him to feel alone or abandoned and I don't want to feel guilty for being busy. I feel so bad but I know he will be fine. I just feel like the most irresponsible person for doing this and not realizing how my schedule would be next fall. I guess I am just trying to rectify that by doing what is best for him and not trying to keep a little pup knowing that he won't get all the attention that he needs through out the day. I am lucky that my breeder understands and is sweet enough to realize my issue. 

Thank you all for the suggestions and support. It has only been 2 days but I am already in love with him. Hopefully in a few years, when I get out of college and have a more stable routine,  I will be able to have a pup. :'(

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

I think you have made a good decision.  It is very smart to be aware of your realistic situation and also what is best for the pup.  They are so much work and it is mature of you to realize it.  He will be fine.  You will be fine.  And you will make a better decision next time.