New Privileges equal Horrible Naughtiness??

[Sandy]

It seems that when we allow Toby access to something new, i.e. the living room while we're in there, he goes berserk! He barks, runs, jumps, nips, and generally makes life miserable for all. Currently he stays in the kitchen/eating area and front hall. We moved a small t.v. to the living room, because he can't handle being down in the rec. room. Every time we have him down there he goes crazy, and pees on the carpet. So....in an effort to actually watch t.v. together in the evenings, we put a small t.v. in the living room. Truly, we want to integrate him into the family living spaces gradually, but he's making it very difficult. He's 13 weeks old today.

[Adina P]

It's a new environment that he doesn't consider his 'home' and thus no reason (YET) for him to not pee there. Perhaps you can introduce him to the new environment after a hard day of play where he's super tired and will be at his lowest energy level. Have you introduced him to the new rooms on leash as well as off? I would wait till either he's super tired or you know he's had several pees outside and no water to drink since. And do it on leash. Also, what about taking his crate into the REC room while you watch your large television? Let him get used to being in that space without having full access to the space.

When you say he runs,jumps and barks, in the new space, is he doing all of this toward you or to the environment?

[Sandy]

He is jumping at us, and barking at us. I presume because we're sitting on a couch, and he can't come up. We're having a lot of trouble with jumping up on us and on things right now. He's not tall enough to GET up, but he jumps up. It's tough breaking that. The nipping is improving, I think, It's hard to tell when I'm living in the situation. :)

[Ali]

When introducing a pup to a new environment it is important to stay on their level. This may sound silly but I read it is good for you to crawl around on all fours with the pup to explore with him the new environment. I did not use my couch for weeks when I first got Lola, so maybe it will help a bit. Try bringing familiar things in to the room with you as well. Things that have their scent and make an area for them in each room. I use towels and old blankets to mark "Lola's" space and put her toys on top of them in each room. I live in a medium sized apartment so this is easy for me. Just some ideas. Hope it helps. Good luck

[Adina P]

Block him with your body when he jumps toward you. You have to anticipate it some... And when he's getting ready to jump, and your head is held high, walk into him. Or, if he is about to jump onto the couch, body block him. Just stand up and move into his space. Think of those movies where two men are about to fight and one man puffs his chest out and walks forward as if to say "try me!" Or " you wanna piece of me?" You don't have to have the same bully attitude, but you get my drift.. GET IN HIS WAY. Make him back up. Do it over and over because it will take a repetition. You don't even have to say words because right now it's not the words that matters. So, when he jumps don't back up... Make HIM back up and get out of YOUR way.