Help! New puppy and uncontrollable behavior!

[Mary Minier]

We have a question about Goldendoodles' temperament and trainability, as well as the HOW of teaching her, guiding her to be more responsive to us and obedient.  Our Sunny is just 15 weeks old, so we understand she is a puppy with puppy energy and a short attention span.  However, she seems to "ignore" us, and has little interest in obeying when we just try to get her attention, come when called, or try to get her to stop doing something inappropriate.  Do doodle puppies (puppies in general...) "grow out of this", and reach a stage where they become eager to please, and eager to do things we command, listen better, etc? I wonder about maybe getting some professional help in training her, but want to try this on my own first. Any obedience training books you guys recommend?  My husband is also just interested in other people's experiences - is there an age that they become more able to guide/train in being obedient?

[Adina P]

My experience/opinion is that in general puppies are really quick to learn tricks and commands.  But all of that goes to pot once they hit their 'teenage' period around 6 months of age.  In my opinion these are the important things to teach before then:

• Accept handling of their bodies calmly (important for grooming, check-ups, and just general care and them feeling safe)
• Be well socialized to the world at large so they are comfortable in different situations, sights, sounds and around people young/old/big/small, etc
• Know where to go potty--even better if they can potty on command.
• Greet with 4 paws on the floor (discourage jumping)
• Accept confinement and alone time (train puppy to be okay in a crate or behind a gate without whining and yipping)
• Keep teeth off of people.
• Chew on only approve chew items

Honestly if you can accomplish THESE things by the time your pup is 6 months you've done A LOT.  That's not to say that you should avoid teaching commands or tricks, but *I* think they are unnecessary since the work you do starting around 6 months is going to be the work that actually makes commands STICK.  Before that they are like parlor tricks that get forgotten as soon as puppy realizes he can choose to obey or disobey and either will probably be okay.

Here on DoodleKisses.com, Doggy Dan is a preferred vendor.  We have recommended his training program and have had many members who have found it very helpful.

Depending on how obedience oriented you are, I love David Dikeman's command performance training.  It is all video/DVD based and you will have excellent results if you follow it--but I wouldn't recommend it before 6 months.  That is basically what we did with all of our 4 dogs and have been very pleased: http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum2/topics/david-dikemans-command

Most people, and you might not be 'most people', do best by attending training classes with your dog and going through the complete series of classes from beginner to advanced. 

But no matter what you decide to do, remember that the training you do in your home environment will only train your dog to your home environment.  Whether you do it on your own without a trainer's assistance, or attend classes, you will need to practice the training with your dog in many environments and around harder and harder distractions in order for your dog to generalize the training to all situations.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think this is great advice, and I love the Doggy Dan training program as a starting point.  I think the Puppy classes are also a great opportunity to begin to socialize your Doodle.  From my experience they don't do much in terms of actually "training" a young puppy, but they do provide an opportunity for your dog to appropriately interact with other dogs.  I totally agree with the need to train your puppy in ALL different environments with lots of different distractions.  That's one reason I think obedience training classes are only a starting point.  You may teach your dog how to follow commands in that setting, but having them do it in the park when there are bikes, squirrels, and other dogs is a different story.  The most important thing is your own commitment to helping your dog learn how to behave in lots of different situations.  I used different methods and trainers and found the journey to be so rewarding.....and even fun.  Good luck.  Maybe you would be willing to share your experiences here...that would be helpful to others I'm sure.

[Michele Kiss]

We started training Fenway at 10 weeks, in his first puppy class. I'm not sure why you seem to be hesitant about getting help, but unless you are an expert in dog training, puppy training classes are intended to help teach you the "how" of training your dog. They don't train the dog, they train you how to, and you train them.

If your expectation is that dogs are automatically "eager to please" and will do what you want because you're their owner and they want to please you, that's probably the first issue. Dogs do what they want to, what's in their best interests! Using treats and positive reinforcement you teach you dog that they should perform some behavior when you ask, because there's something in it for them.

Honestly, just enroll in puppy training class. I wouldnt be waiting for her to hit some magic age where she's going to obey your every command. You have to TEACH her what to obey and why it's in her best interests. Doodles are smart and they do train well, but it starts from you knowing how to motivate them.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think this is perfect advice. 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Another really great thing about going to classes is that it forces you to do your homework.  When you are trying to do it yourself you don't have any incentive to practice each day like you do in class.  Everyone wants their dog to be the best in class so therefore you practice more each week.  I also agree that the classes are more about teaching you rather than the dog.  I couldn't how dog stupid I was until I went to my first training class.

[Tobi Brenner]

Unfortunately, the switch just doesn't flip one day. You have to learn how to flip it.  My puppy is 10 weeks and I just went to my first puppy class today.  Honestly, I went because I didn't know what the hell I was doing and I needed to know how to help him understand what he should and shouldn't be doing. Clearly, one class isn't going to do it, but it already helped me figure out what works for both of us.  He is super smart and this breed learns so fast. And the list above of things to learn before 6 months... those are exactly the things I am having issues with and trying to correct now.  

Good luck!  

[Deborah Brown]

If it makes you feel any better, our puppy Penny was nicknamed "the hellion" because she was such a little terror.  We've had other dogs and I thought Charlie had been a busy mouthy pup but Penny went above and beyond to cause trouble.  She is almost two and has turned into a wonderful companion.  There were a few months that I thought she'd never bond with us humans but sometimes that ones that take the most work turn into the best and most loyal dogs.

You will get a lot of good advice here!