I guess I should have named him Trouble

[Steve D]

Maxwell turned 16 weeks today. Today has been one of those days. Max is big enough now to jump up to reach things on the counter, my computer desk, tables, etc.. I have moved things up higher and higher and I am running out of places to put things. So far today he has gotten a hold of the tv remote, a pair of tweezers, mysterious pieces of plastic, napkins, a container of treats, plants, and a full package of pasta. With each of these things he is well aware he is not supposed to have them and all the commands such as sit, stay, and drop it fall on deaf ears. When he jumps up he knows and usually obeys the Off command but a minute later he is back up. The trouble really starts when I have my back turned. We have the living room arranged to where I can open the gate to his crate to create an enclosed area but since he can jump up on the couch that has now simply become a launching pad to freedom. He has a large variety of toys and things to chew on that are kept in rotation but none of these are as fun as the forbidden items. Help!!! :)

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Oh, Thak Heavens. I thought my doodle was the only one doing these things. She is a mini, 13 wks old, but man is she FAST. She can hop onto things (our closet is her favorite) and she even hid in a shelf while I was getting dressed. She couldn't figure out how to get back down though. It was hilarious. But I HAVE to quit chasing her, don't I? She used to bring stuff to me, but when she started stealing socks, sandals, etc. I started going to get them so she wouldn't chew them. That has now transferred to not obeying come at all, which she used to do. It's now like a dare game. What can I get, then zoom from Mom. And I KNOW better, this ain't my first rodeo with dogs. She is a mini, so food doesn't motivate her much. She hardly eats anything. Back turned means "can poop" even after I've taken her out umpteen times, done walks around the yard, etc. She just wants to play, play, play all day. I'm exhausted. But she is so adorable that sometimes I just have to laugh--she jumped into the shower going full blast two days ago--she's wet, I'm naked, its freezing (we live in IL). We have a daycare that you can take your pet for just an hour or two. But I'm afraid to take her--she only weighs 6 lbs. But she was a complete basket case at her first puppy class. Forgot everything she KNEW and just wanted to play with the other dogs, could have cared less that they were 17 lb golden retrievers!! Who were calm!!! And I downsized from a labrador retrievers, but they were busy pups too. Just glad to hear others are going through the same thing. Off to bed for me (Sheila got put to bed earlier so I could read some DK stuff and she had just pooped on the floor AFTER I had just taken her out). Will we live through this?

[Steve D]

Oh my it sounds like you do have your hands full. Extreme smartness seems to be a double edged sword at this age. Thankfully we have not had too many issues with the potty training. Max is doing great at ringing the cow bell hung on the back door when he wants to go outside (thanks DK!!). We had the same issues at the first puppy class. The second went a little better. Max believe Max has selective deafness because he sure doesn't listen when he doesn't want to.His eyesight is just fine though because he absolutely knows when my back is turned lol. Good luck. We will make it through. Despite everything we wouldn't trade them for the world :)

[Steve D]

OH My! Just caught Max running around the house with a sharp knife in his mouth. The boy is dangerous enough without a blade. Yikes!!

[Lynne B]

As far as counter surfing, my dogs aren't allowed in the kitchen. The house is an 'open floor plan' so there isn't a door to the kitchen, just two large openings into other rooms, but when they would set foot in the kitchen I would body block them and walk them out by redirecting any movement except toward the doorway, all the while telling them 'OUT!'. When they were out of the kitchen I would praise them. It takes persistence but it's doable even with an older dog. All 3 of the dogs sit outside of the kitchen drooling when I cook, the most they will do is try to inch in toward the kitchen but when I see them I just tell them 'OUT' and they move back to the other room.