Murph's Going To Boot Camp

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm on my very last nerve with my Murph, and he's going to "boot camp". To all Murphy's wonderful "fairy godmothers" (yes, that means you, Karen), don't worry....the boot camp is right here at home. I will not be sending him off to some unknown trainer (although I'm not saying I'm opposed to that in some situations). My Murph has been "feeling his oats" for the past couple of weeks...challenging, testing, and just plain "misbehaving". So, I've been reading like crazy (because that's what I do). I have more training books in this house than you can even imagine...to say nothing of the DVDs (Adina, your recommended DVD just arrived). I feel good, because I now have a "plan" (again, that's just what I do). What I learned from all my reading is that he's just a normal adolescent puppy, and he needs a few things...exercise, discipline (or leadership) and training (not surprising). So I put my plan together today and here's what were doing.... my poor guy is going to be wondering what happened to the "gravy train". He is so different from his brother who never (okay rarely) tested me. I think some of it is due to his size and strength...Guinness always knew if he was doing something wrong, I'd just pick him up and it would be over. Murph knows that he is way stronger than me...he proved that today as he "dragged me across the soccer field (okay part way across the field)". I was totally mortified, but I held on to him with a death grip. Why did he do this....because he saw a "wild and crazy Lab" across the field, and he really wanted to get to him. So, Mr. Murph, get ready for "boot camp". Okay, sorry I digressed....here's what we're doing.
-He's starting intermediate obedience next Saturday with the same trainer I used for Guinness.
-I hired a "treadmill trainer" today who will come to the house to train him (and me of course). He'll be on that treadmill every day that is poor weather, or maybe just every day.
-I have decided to "bite the bullet" on my "germ/parasite" phobias and take him (just him) to run and chase the ball at our condo fenced dog park. Most of the time there are no other dogs there, so he'll get lots of exercise.
-I've been walking Murph and Guinness together. I'm going to start walking Murph separately once or twice a day, because I can better focus on his training.
-He's back to "waiting" for everything....food, water, going out the door, treats. I did that initially, but stopped a few months ago. It's time to begin again.
-He'll be going to Doggie Daycare once a week...he loves it there and he comes home happy and tired.

This is how I'm starting...and I'm really hoping it's the right approach. My plan is to totally "exhaust" him. At the same time, I know he just needs to understand exactly "what he's supposed to do", and that's where the training will come in. He's a big, wonderful "goofball" who lights up my life. He has been an amazing puppy who would do anything to make me happy. Well now, he's trying to see if maybe he can be "the boss". He never used to even care about that...he just wanted to be told how wonderful he was, loved, and given "lots of treats" for being such a good boy. Well now he's thinking...hmm maybe there's more. I'm hoping to teach him that he's not going to get by on his "adorableness" ...wish me luck, and I'll keep you posted on his "boot camp" progress. Please send any "words of wisdom".

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Ahhhh... Sounds soooo familiar. Tigger, my darling, mellow, just over two year old is having an extended adolesence to make up for his incredibly mellow puppyhood. He knows his commands perfectly well, but is at the "do I have to?", you can't make me stage. He either looks at me and smiles and cocks his head with ears alert saying, "Mom, I hear you talking, but it's all Greek to me." Or even more annoyingly looks straight through me, turns with a nonchalantly and goes about his own business as if I am in some other reality.

I have started locking him the computer room with me again, working on new tricks (his favorite thing) and generally have returned to "The Enforcer" mode. And he is so darn cute. Sigh!!!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Jane, sounds like you are off to a good start, you've recognized what it is that you have to do. I am a firm believer in training and there are times where my Murphy is so darn cute I just can't bring myself to reprimand him. My DH is the real softy though. His idea of walking the dog is putting him on a 10' rope and letting him go in any direction he wants cus it's " His exploring time, not mine".. I on the other have a harness on Murphy and a very short leash that I hold on to with 2 fingers and he gets jerked to the side if he veers more than a foot from me in either direction. And you know what, hubby is tripping all over himself and Murphy and I have very sweet, calm, fun walks together. We actually take many off leash walks( non traffic areas) and he stays right with me or comes right back to my side if I allow him a little distance.

We won't even go into the feeding from his (DH) plate and how I make him(Murphy) wait for everything.
For example, Murphy never goes through an open door before me, and just this morning I know I have a solid "wait" as I drove to the dog park, backed my SUV right up to the gate, tons of dogs running and playing and when I lifted the tailgate door from my drivers seat I made him "wait" until I got out and say OK, GO. And even seeing all those wonderful playful dogs running before him, he waited until I got his water, my phone, collected my coffee and said Go. I like the philosophy of them knowing that all good things come from me and doing as I say. Ofcourse I learned it goes hand in hand with them thinking: "What's in it for me?"

I must say DH is good about making sure Murphy gets plenty of exercise and play time with him. But I think Murphy thinks of DH as a pack member more than the boss. Not good. But we each enjoy him no matter what. You are doing all the things you need to do and Murphy's are just so darn smart....well all doodles are really, that he will catch on quick. He stills is the same little pup that wanted to please you all the time. He is just seeing what he can get away with, just like our kids will do if given the opportunity. Good luck. Oh, also the clicker training was very helpful with lots of things too. Please keep us posted?

[Donna K & Quincy]

The phrase at our house when a command is given and response is slow, is " that is not negotiable". Quincy doesn't know what it means but I do and that's what matters.

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

Hey Murphy - Clifford here, I just heard the bad news dood and it sounds like it is really time for us to hit the road. What time should I be there so we can get down to living life on the wild side at Alpha Doodle House??? I'm laying in the living room all by myself while that "F" sister curls herself around my mom's feet and takes a nap. Today she counter surfed and I thought for sure she'd be out the door but she only got a no no no...big deal! I always heard being the first born was tough but I'm ready to hit the road and start livin' large.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Maybe JD could open his own boot camp right here...Jackdoodle's Boot Camp. The slogans could be "We Specialize in Putting Big-shot Puppies in Their Place." or how about "Think You Could be The Boss? Think Again." I see a moneymaker here, and certain people doodles could start earnig their Orijen.
Jane, are you sure you really want to go through all this? Because I could probably take him off your hands...
(I do not need a puppy, I cannot afford a puppy, I do not need...)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

No words of wisdom here. We start round 2 next Monday Night ourselves.

I do say out loud all day long ( I think they think this is a command too because I say it so much).
" THAT WAS NOT A REQUEST--IT IS A COMMAND" or " I Did Not Ask You, I'm Telling You"

As Adina would say, " Every Day is a Training Day" :)

You can train him but send him to my house so I can spoil him

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jane, I am on the phone with my daughter and I just shouted in the phone "Murphy is going to boot camp" while reading the headline and she is like, who is Murphy? We get invested in these doodles, don't we.

I have been having some of the same problems with Vern, but mostly involving our cat and I have decided too that increased training is needed. He starts classes the end of the month. Good luck!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Can't wait to read the installments! Good luck to both of you!

[Anna and Achilles]

Good Luck, let us know how it is going.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Can Rosey come??? Sounds like just the right plan for her! GOOD LUCK!!