Stella "hell on wheels"

[Jodi and Stella]

We have only had Stella home for 4 days (she's 9 weeks) and I am already at my wits end. She is very spirited and strong willed. Already showing alpha behavior. Where do I begin? She's very nippy when playing and gets mad and bites more when corrected. She goes crazy when in her crate. I could go on, I know it's still early, but it is frustrating. Our wonderful passed English Lab was sooo mellow and easy from the start. Any advice or words of encouragement?

[Nicole]

She sounds like my new little one...she is 10 weeks old...we've had her for almost 3 1/2 weeks...VERY nippy, gets really agitated when you tell her no. When I "yip" because she bites me it makes her bite harder. If I say no she lunges at my finger or whatever else is close. If I stomp off and leave her she just lays down on the couch like she doesn't care. I know she is just playing but it hurts! She got mad at me yesterday for correcting her and had 3 "accidents" in an hour (since day 3 we have been having 1 or perhaps 2 accidents per DAY)...Last night I went to kiss the top of her head and she practically pierced my nose. She did not like the crate until we covered it with a light sheet (it is placed in an open area between two open windows with fans going so she does not get hot. She seems to like this solitude but uncover it and she goes nuts :) So there is one idea you might try. My guess is you will find Stella VERY smart...Coco already knows here, down, sit, and off....as long as she sees the treat bag that is lol. But boy is she a handful...has been called a "spitfire", "spawn of satan", etc. but she also has her times when she's an absolute doll. It will get better :)
I, too, just lost a very easy-going and lovable dog. You might check out the group Rainbow Bridge if you would like to celebrate his/her life and encourage/support others who have lost a dog.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I think you will both find that your doodle will become "easy going" and "laidback" after they hit a certain age. With proper training, you will start to see this happen after they turn one and most people say their doodles are laid back after they turn 2 or so. Like a normal retriever!

[Jodi and Stella]

Thanks Nicole. It's so funny, the two "pet names" you mentioned for Coco I have referred to her as well. She does have her sweet moments too. Especially when she's asleep! ;-)

[Jodi and Stella]

Good advice Megan, thank you. About the crate thing, shes ok in there as long as she can see us, if not she feaks out. Any thoughts on this?

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Stella sounds like a completely normal goldendoodle puppy! I cried on and off the first few months we got Peri and thought the same thing - periodically thought "what have I done?". Start training her at home and enroll her in obedience when your vet says it is time. Make sure she is getting plenty of exercise. Do you have a sound machine to place on top of her crate? It may take time for her to like her crate, especially if the breeder didn't get her used to being in one. Also try crate games (search for this on Doodle Kisses and browse the discussions). Leave the crate door open and place kongs with yummy peanut butter or treats in it. Lure her into the crate and make her associate something good with going in the crate.
All doodles are different, but Stella sounds just like my Peri.
Encouragement: I thought she would never just chill out. We got into the swing of things within a few weeks. Peri was potty trained within that time also - amazing how smart they are. We had a breathing time between 4 and 6 months and then they hit teenage years and they start testing you. This is the most important time for obedience. We stuck with it - we literally trained her EVERY TIME she got out of control. I would get a handful of treats and take her outside or lead her around the house putting her in down-stays, shakes, comes, touches (so many...) and wore her brain out. They are smart and need to be trained, they yearn to be trained. They aim to please when directed (and trained), remember that.
She hit 1 year and mellowed considerably. I don't want to overwhelm you, but what you are feeling is normal. Just be patient. My Peri is a headstrong girl (sounds like Miss Stella) and at 17 months, the training is finally having a huge impact and she is probably the most coveted dog among ALL of my friends and family alike. Good luck and ask tons of questions.

[Jodi and Stella]

Thanks Alison. It' good to know I'm not the only one whose little puppy had her in tears! With the crate thing, she doesn't really mind being in it even with the gate closed...as long as she can see us. If we are out of sight it's like she get seperation anxiety and freaks out.

[Jodi and Stella]

sorry, I spelled your name wrong Allyson.

[BG and Gavin]

I feel bad that your experience has not been positive so far, but keep the faith. For the nipping, I would never even approach her for play or petting without having a chew toy in one hand. Stick it in her mouth before you do anything with her. Try to catch her being good. They are so smart. The minute she looks at you, sits, lies down, anything but nips, praise and give her a small treat. I mean really small, break off half a sliver of chicken wiener (a crumb really) so you can treat often without feeding her too much. Make her follow you around the house (tether her to you if necessary) so she knows you are the boss and she moves when you move. This will also help her to pay more attention to you. Again treat when she jumps up and goes along with you. Get her to puppy K as soon as her shots are done. Tons of good info on this site (and in this group) – enjoy the reading.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Jodi and Nicole...first of all remember..it sounds like you haven't had a puppy in awhile. I was there too. it is totally different from having an older dog!!! I promise you, it will get better. Continuity, patience and persistence will equate to an incredible dog down the road. The first 6 months will be extremely hard and challenging. But you'll get through it. We've ALL been there and this site is a GREAT support group!!

I am actually willing to go through puppy phase again...I must be crazy but Lucca will be 2 next week and we are getting another GD pup in Nov!!!

[Jodi and Stella]

Thanks Carla. You are so right. Good luck with your new pup!

[Laura Deutsch]

This all sounds very familiar. We got Molly 3 months ago and have Emma, a 12 and a half year old, extremely mellow and low key golden retriever. Silly us, we thought Emma;s laid back personality and need to please would rub off on Molly....no deal. Being a teacher, I spent 24/7 with her for the first 9 weeks we had her, until going back to work. It's easier not being here all the time!!!! We started clicker training her at 8 weeks and she learned everything so quickly I couldn't believe it. Only for a treat though. Now she will only listen consistently if we treat her. Thank goodness she's been a good walker. We have been using a harness and she doesn't pull at all with that. As far as housebreaking goes, it's been somewhat difficult because she peed constantly...I could take her out every 25 minutes or so and she'd go. She made it throught the night after the first week, though. Now , even at 5 months, she frequently has the puppy "zoomies"...especially at the end of a walk, or after going outside. Unfortunately, we can't let her run free in our fenced in yard because she puts absolutely everything in her mouth and refuses to be caught. Can't keep her on a long lead as she runs and gets tangled. On our walks, I am constantly taking things out of her mouth. She's like a vacuum cleaner. I think the long facial hair makes it harder to see what she's going from an adult stance. She'd counter surfing....something none of our dogs have ever done....she loves to get onto her hind legs. She jumps up when she sees runners or bikers and we're now working hard to get her to sit before they get to us. It's exhausting. IT's also very new. We;'ve always had dogs, but never contended with this super typical puppy craziness . If there's a sock around, she gets it. If there's paper around, she gets it. Thanks goodness we don't have any children around anymore. I can understand how so many families just give up. It's very challenging. Oh, did I mention how much we love her? How much she makes us laugh? How adorable she is? How we find the many facets of her personality, including her smarts, fascinating? How she puts her paw on us when she's near us chewing on a bone? We're starting our Family 1 class next week. One more thing.....she's a barker....never had that either.....it's an experience.

[Leslie & Sitka]

I am going to the same exact thing!! I just got a black labradoodle last week names Sitka and she is 2 months old. She gets very nippy as well and I have discovered a few helpful things! She is either reacting to correction that way because she is exhausted or needing to let out some puppy energy. When she is acting all crazy, I can see that she knows what I am saying but make a conscious decision to keep playing, barking and biting.
I first try to distract her with a toy--every time she bites me, I say "no bite!" and give her something to chew on. Last night, I was having a really hard time with her and I gave her an ice cube. This worked really well! I have her confined in a large bathroom and she was running all over chasing the ice! This let out a lot of her energy.
But when absolutely nothing is working I give her 2 more chances and after that, it's the crate until she can calm down--most of the time she just falls right asleep. This works for Sitka because she is already adjusted to her crate so this may work for your puppy at a later time. I would start feeding your puppy in her crate so she becomes more comfortable there.

I think the most interesting thing at this age is how you can see how smart they really are. When I am teaching Sitka a command, I can really see her trying to understand what I am saying. So cool!
I keep reading all about puppies to reassure myself that she will grow out of it and I just know she will eventually! Stay strong and even if she does not listen to your corrections now, she is still learning! Good luck :)