One step forward, two steps back

[Andrea, Belle and Honey]

Belle will be 6 months old on Saturday, and I'm not sure if she is just an ultra stubborn teenager or I am doing something wrong with her training.  Some things she always does, like sit at the door and wait for me to release her after I am outside, and "watch me." Other things she seems to learn then after a few months, during which we keep on practicing, she stops responding to those commands, like "down" and "stand." And the jumping - OMD the jumping - Belle is a canine pogo stick. I finally convinced her not to jump up on the front of me or others, but then she started jumping on our backs. Not only is this uncomfortable, it is alarming, because you have no idea she is about to pounce.  I have been using Doggy Dan's method of just silently pushing her away, to no avail. Several times she startled me so badly that I screamed, but she wasn't fazed at all. When I am carrying something that attracts her (eg, my little terrier Honey, cat food, paper towels, plastic bags, newspapers, mail, etc, etc.) she jumps up and tries to grab it, many time successfully. Also, although she is a bit too small to counter surf, she has entered into an unholy alliance with one of the cats, Sophie, who after 11 years has suddenly decided to climb on the counters where she is not allowed and throw things off to Belle, who is adept at opening or biting through containers (eg, canister of flour, tin of tea bags, bottle of seltzer that was left out by accident, small cuisanart I use to grind up Honey's kibble, fortunately without the blade, cordless phone). I don't leave food on the counters, but I don't have enough cabinets to put all the non-edibles away. I have to put Belle in her crate and lock Sophie in the bathroom when I am cooking or food goes missing whenever I turn my back to use the sink or open the refrigerator or the oven.

We are going to be taking a class for adolescent puppies after the holidays, but I don't know how much good that will do, since some of the commands she has "forgotten" were learned in puppy class. I should add that most days we practice commands for 5 or 10 minutes at a time at least 4 times, sometimes many more.  I use a variety of treats with values ranging from tiny pieces of chemical free hot dogs to freeze dried chicken to CloudStar Tricky Trainers to pieces of her kibble. Although Belle was doing "down" both with and without treats, now she won't do it even with a high value treat - she just gives me a look that says "I don't care what you say, I'll do what I want."  At that point what should I do?  I don't want her to conclude that she doesn't have to respond to my commands, but a time out doesn't seem to be an appropriate training strategy?

[Bonnie and Kona]

I wish I had some helpful suggestion, but I have to tell you this is one of the most entertaining posts I have read (because I don't have a puppy right now, just adult dogs who also get into trouble). My favorite line was: she has entered into an unholy alliance with one of the cats, Sophie. When you described your 11 year old cat tossing things off the counter for Belle I laughed out loud!!!

I will tell you that we have a black doodle who is extremely compliant and eager to please. The other is white and the complete opposite. Kona was remarkably easy to train and could not bear to have a voice raised at him for anything. Owen is three years younger and a hellion. He has needed a very firm hand and finally at age 5 is starting to settle down. The thing that has helped me more than anything with Owen is "tethering". If he is doing something he is not allowed to do, I put a leash on him and attached him to me. If I am sitting he has to lie at my feet. If walking, he has to be at my side. The most recent use of this method has been for his barking out the front windows. It also works well for jumping dogs.

I hope you find the key to unlock your adolescent Belle's behavior soon. (The cat story is killing me!!)

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am sorry to be laughing at your hardship. I just read it aloud to my adult daughter and she said, "We need a video of those two working together!"

[Ally Harney]

I apolgize for laughing too but that is too funny.
Quite the statesman to get a cat to break the rules for him.
God only know if that heart and soul was in a human !

[sandy b]

Like Bonnie, sorry to laugh but can't help picturing Sophie throwing things to Belle!
Max would lose interest when training and our trainer pointed out that it was me! When I acted positive, upbeat with a smile in my voice Max responded.

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

I think you nailed it when you wondered if she was being an "ultra stubborn teenage"!  Winnie went through a very similar stage when she was that age. Jumping all the time, grabbing mail from my hand when I took her out with me to get the mail, "forgetting" commands, etc.

I think even more important than practicing commands at this stage is reinforcing that you are her leader and you aren't going to give into her. Make sure you go first through doorways, up/down stairs, etc. and that she has to "work" for everything. She has to sit for her food, sit before she plays ball or with a toy, sit before you give her any attention or any other fun. And, if you give a command, always make sure you reinforce it. Even if it means that you have to backtrack and physically put her in to a sit or a down in order for her to actually do it. We also found it really helpful to have a leash on Winnie at all times when she was that age so that we could have more control of her.

The "unholy alliance" with the cat... hilarious, but I'm sure frustrating for you!! :-)  Can you put up any gates to keep her out of the kitchen for a while?

Hang in there- she is at a tough age, and your persistence will pay off. We found that Winnie really started to settle down more when she was about 10 months old. By Spring I bet you will have a whole different dog!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am sure you are frustrated, but you really entertained me!  My doodles are 7.  One is a trash digger and a counter surfer when can, even though he is a mini. The other wouldn't dream of getting into things. I guess I am lucky that I don't have a cat to help out or my counters and my trash would never be 'safe.'

[Melissa & Harley]

I remember Harley doing the EXACTLY same thing. I kept wondering how he suddenly forgot "sit" and "down"! And I would totally get that look like "Nope. Not happening today!" from Harley.

I can say that we survived and I really do think it's the teenager behavior. He sits for everything now (as in "please") and he has calmed down a lot, now at over 1 year old.

Hang in there! "This too shall pass!"

And, I too laughed at loud at the descripting of your cat and dood working together... it made my morning!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

First of all, Belle is at a really difficult age now....and she's being a real brat.  If you've followed Doggy Dan, then you know all about the "rules" which are key to her viewing you as a leader.  The jumping on you is a sign that she is not fully accepting you in that role.  I would say reread those rules and be sure you're following them consistently.  She wants to take over that role which IMO is why she's resisting the "down" command.  That's a submissive position for them and it they think they're "the boss" they really don't like to do it.  Don't let her get away with it...insist that she obey when you give the command and wait until she does...no matter how long it takes.  Use a leash and real high value treat.  Tell her "down"...show her the treat...and wait.  If she tries to move away bring her back with the leash.  I would not stop the exercise until you get at least one "down"...then lots of praise and reward.  As for the jumping from behind you may pose that question to Doggy Dan.  My Guinness was a jumper...but always from the front.  My guess is that you handle it the same way.  He was doing it for attention so he always got the opposite response when he tried it....I calmly ignored him and moved him into a gated area with no access to me or anyone else.  Is there any way you can close or gate off your kitchen when you're not able to watch to prevent the Doodle/Kitty counter surfing?