Slightly Depressed Doodle Mom

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Where have I gone so wrong?  I feel like a total failure at this dog training stuff.  Stuart is out of control at the moment and despite my best efforts seems to be getting worse.  I want need Stuart to not jump into the pool whenever the mood strikes him, it needs to be invitation only as he picks the absolute worst time to drive in.  He goes berserk whenever he sees another dog or a human, jumping for joy - he will be 6 months soon could this be a stage?  He has started pulling on leash.  Rooney who is so very well behaved is losing his ability to keep a down stay due to Stuart's bad example.  Rooney walks around with dripping wet ears because Stuart is constantly licking them, what is up with that?  I'm having trouble handling them both at the same time.  I hang my head in shame as I know that it is I who is the problem.  Back to the "in home" sessions with the trainer but I think I'm losing the battle.   Then to top it off - someone didn't give mom the message that they had to go out and I woke up and then stepped in diarrhea on my dining room carpet.  Granted someone was sick but still.  I used the little green machine but I am going to have to round up some help and get the carpet out from under the 300 lb table (I just had to have that marble border - insert eye roll), roll it up, try to fit it in the puppy hauler 2011, drive it 30 miles to the rug store and have it sent off to be cleaned.  I'm so glad at this point that NONE of you live near me - so that no one can see how poorly I am doing at this.  I'm usually so upbeat but I just am so down in the dumps - haven't sent in any photos for the calendar - what is my problem?   :(

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

Oh Jane, Stuart is still a very little kid, and he is acting like little ones act. You're a good mom, and consistency and patience will pay off. Zach who is almost 4 months can be described now in a single word - obnoxious! He just realized that he is tall enough to surf several surfaces and is enjoying all the interesting things that I now need to relocate to a higher level. I think I said "leave it" at least 40 times yesterday!

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

Jane stick with it.  Things will definitely get better.  Stuart is still young and still learning.  Cubbie was beautifully trained and passed his CGC with flying colors a year and a half ago.  Then about a year later he suddenly decides that he wants to jump and bark every time we pass another dog while we are out on a walk.  It is frustrating beyond belief but just keep working with them.  Rooney knows the commands; he just needs a little reminder.  Try working with him separately sometimes when Stuart isn't around and see what happens.

[Christine & Shelby]

Jane... hang in there, it will get better.  Little Stuart is testing you.... be patient, stick to your training (maybe take it up a notch) - I did training with Shelby 2-3 times a day for about 15 minutes during this age.   I can't imagine having two Doodles... right now I have Shelby - she will be 2 years old next month and she is so active... I get worn out wearing her out!   You are not a bad doodle mom, maybe an overwhelmed and exhausted doodle mom... and believe me - we have all been there.  Bummer about the carpet.... can you do a doggie door?   I got one out of pure need (pre-back surgery) - don't know how I ever did without it.  I have a 6 foot fenced yard and the gate is locked with a padlock.  If you can do the doggie door... it might help with the middle of the night sickies.  I hope the doodles are ok - any idea which one got sick?

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

THis is the worst stage in a puppy's life in my opinion.  Peri was a holy terror, a little shi*&%$, I thought I couldn't live with her.

HANG IN THERE and keep training.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I think it's this terrible teen stage that Stuart's going through too.  My first child was so well behaved and never gave me an ounce of trouble, I thought it was my superior parenting skills, that is until my second daughter came along and I tore up the rule book.  I think Doodles and children are not unlike in that there are many challenges and there are sometimes days when you throw your hands in the air and shout "I can't do this anymore".  But you do and it does get better.  Hang on in there...this too shall pass.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Six months is a really tough stage you know. So work with the trainer, give it some time and things will settle down. I would clean the rug as best you can for now because a new accident may be a regular thing for a while too and you don't want to do the take the rug to the cleaner too often. Stuart's a puppy and they take more time and effort than we remember or no one would get another one. Rooney is falling down on the job. He's supposed to help show Stuart the ropes. But it's fall a little seasonal down in the dumps may be creeping in too.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Your "problem" is that Stuart's a teenaged boy!!!  Hang in there, Jane, it WILL get better!