Frustration Mounts--or Growls...

[Phoebe's Mom]

I am one frustrated doodle owner right now. Phoebe, I suppose well into her tweens at 6.5 months and exercising all 'tween rights', is driving me insane with the growling and the biting of her leash on her harness--not to mention all the barking in the house that she has started to do. Our fun walks have turned into power struggles as least until I re-establish Alpha with her as we round the corner. This morning, with three of four children in tow (boy, would I like to be the one at camp to miss this!), I had to physically put her in a 'sit' (she will not comply during these outbursts), tell her 'no bite' and wait until she calmed down before continuing. After a few of these reprimands, she walks along on her merry way as though nothing transpired. I, on the other hand, am bracing for the next one as they seem to come out of the blue plus, I am frustrated and cranky that we 'need' to deal with this habit each and every time we walk (which is frequently throughout the day). I wish for simpler times when all I had to worry about was trying to stop her from piddling in the house a few dozen times a day---HA! Those were the days...

[Kyoko]

I have to laugh....
These new development of teen behaviors!!! Thing is that, they are much bigger and more powerful which makes it difficult. Charlie's thing now is that she wants to jump from one sofa to the other like this is a playground or something, tossing and catching her favorite toy of the day. She does get plenty of out door walks and exercise, too.
As far as leash walking, we are on our way to accomplishing this goal.
I carry treat bag with a cup of kibbles in it both AM and PM walks.
I walk with her and give her kibbles when she is right next me walking nicely, while giving her the marker word.
( Remember the stuff at the puppy K?) And, this amount of kibble is substracted from the daily consumption of her food, so she is not getting any extra food. Basically, it's like she is eating on the go.
My trainer said that it takes 500 positive experiences for the behavior to really stick. So, I am thinking it will take 250 days before it become really solid. I have been really faithfully doing this for about 2 1/2 months or so now....I also use this leash called "Bungee pupee" http://www.bungeepupee.com/ It supposed to give them weird sensation when they pull since it is made of strong bungee cord like... Don't worry it does not bounce around the dog or pull them back super bouncy or anything,,,

[Chris & Boys]

BTW, weren't you going to start the next session of training this past Monday??

[Chris & Boys]

Well, your fiesty little girl is following Fozzmonster to a "T". Remember my post about him jumping and grabbing/biting the boys? I found we had to start treating again with the simple commands, and the kids were the ones that really had to do it. On walks I take the retractable leash and just give him enough leash so I don't choke him. The other thing that worked for me is putting the leash around the outside of his left leg and out in between his front legs. It really kept him from pulling. I agree, these teen months are awful. I have seen a lot of behavior that is new. He is chewing everything. If we leave anything in the sink, he takes it out! Yesterday before I left for work, I had left a brand new tub of freeze dried liver on the washing machine, and I will let you know, it is the big tub, when I got home, the empty tub was on the floor and Fozzy was a farting machine! EWWWWWW!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I love the prong collars for my doodles. just having them on results in better behavior with hardly any pulling needing correction. this goes for the puppy too who is 6 months. I ordered collars with easy open/close fasteners added on.

[Phoebe's Mom]

I so agree. Phoebe is perfect in training but as soon as she is alone with us, she is a wild woman these days. Oh, the barking and the jumping/biting--I thought (ha!) I had nipped this in the bud when she as little. As I said, a definite work in progress!

[The Berry Oaks Doodle Ranch]

I feel your pain, we are still going through the jumping & biting...my HB is still training him but at times its' worse for the wear....it makes me want to say please grow up...and be calm.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

When she is barking or biting, use either a shaker can or water spray bottle, you can carry these along also when your walking and give her corrections....at 6 almost 7 months you can also use a choker collar to give her the corrections to sit...has she had any obedience classes...you might want to start her in a class.