Darwin Has Entered the Teenage Phase.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I knew it would happen, and I thought I had prepared. But it's more frustrating than I expected. He seriously, was an angel up to a month or two ago. Then, things he seemingly knew perfectly started to go out the window. Like, um, COME. Yeah, major problem. He now looks at me, evaluates whether or not he WANTS to come, then goes from there. You can probably guess what he usually decides. <sigh> I am desperately trying to be patient and consistent like I should be... but it's hard not to get frustrated. He has started trying to outsmart me... which is entertaining and angering all at the same time. For instance, the "down" command. He will lower an inch or two at a time, refusing to completely lay on the ground until he knows he absolutely has to. Why? Because he can. He was always extremely prompt with all of his commands before... and I pray he will be again...

Oh well. I just need to keep telling myself that this will pass, and to be consistent. The casualties of his new found naughtiness have been fairly low, unfortunately he knows how to pick the things that are hard to replace. I have comprised a list. Keep in mind, he has been super good about not chewing anything since he was four or five months old. So these items all came as a surprise to me.

- My favorite running shoes.
- A quilt my grandma made me when I was little... (quite the heartbreak I assure you.)
- One of our couch slip covers
- The battery cable for our laptop

And of course a few items from our garbage. Since a couple of them made him sick, we have been putting our garbage can in the bedroom with the door closed... oh the shame!

He did all of these really sneakily. He knows he's not allowed, so of course he wouldn't dare if we are looking. But if I get into my homework, or I'm watching a good chick flick... bam.

Oh boy, tell me this is just a stage!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Peri is 11 months and doing some similar things. She is not being destructive, but we do still keep her crated if we are not home. I just don't trust her enough yet. All in all, the more she approaches 1 year old, the better she gets. We have some bad days, but not so many any more. Isn't Darwin a month or so younger? That was Peri's WORST phase.
And it will get better! By the way, we left Peri at my parent's for 4 days this weekend - mom said "Peri has been suprisingly WELL BEHAVED". I was as shocked as she was.

[Jelane Hurst]

How old is Darwin? Mocha does the same thing when told to lay down (except at school) , we call her the dog with hydrolics! Mocha also went thro a phase (and we too called it the teen phase). If we called it any other word it would not have been polite!! And like you, it was truly frustrating and hard to keep from killing her...joking of course on the killing. She, however, has had this hydrolic problem since she was little. Thank heavens she, so far, has not had any regression on chewing etc. I shall keep my fingers crossed that Darwin will stop this nonsence and become your perfect dog.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

An entire Planet Earth video set - a few at a time 'cause DS kept leaving them down; books - again!

[Missi]

This could have been my story! Lizzie also got a case of the selective hearing/adolescence/winter blues. Our casualty list included
-A blockbuster DVD
-A pair of strappy stiletto heels (She chewed a matching pair at least)
-A candle that was in dbf's nursery as a child (woops)

Mind you, she has had free roam of the house for months! Lizzie bought herself a ticket to stay in her kennel while home alone for about a month. We also tried to get her more exercise and continued to be consistent with her obedience training. It will pass!! She is 15 months old and doing great now!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

when Samantha started the selective hearing game around 8 months the trainer told me that they all do that until about a year of age. I didn't think I would survive it but we all did - tho it was a close call for Samantha! I was ready to ground her until she left for college - oh right, that was my human girls but it felt the same! I am glad to report that YES it does pass. Just stay consistent with your expectations and pray!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Darwin is almost ten months. It didn't start up until about a month ago. It really isn't too bad... minus all of the casualties. And his refusal to come... Hopefully this goes away quick! I suppose we had it coming. He has been so easy with everything, he didn't even chew things while he was teething! We just had to face a bad stage sooner or later. Oh well.

[Anna and Achilles]

How old is Darwin? I am scared!

[Holly Doodle]

This sounds like my post from a few weeks ago, isn't it frustrating!? We just signed Holly up for another obedience class to help us get through this darn adolescence. As we speak she is counter surfing which she hasn't done in months! I'm sure it will get better soon, just be consistent and don't let him get away with being stubborn :).

[BG and Gavin]

Wait til he starts missing curfew and smoking cigarettes ... then you will have real problems :)

[Camilla and Darwin]

We do take him to doggie daycare a few times a week now because of the snow, but you are right. He hasn't been getting as much exercise. I hadn't even thought of that. Thank you!