Then and Now - puppy progress

[BG and Gavin]

With a number of members with brand new puppies, I thought a good way to support them is to share some “then” and “now” stories.  Everyone please join in!

 

Gavin is now 11 months old, but I remember the early “what have we done” moments.  I also remember being exhausted and stressed out over all the puppy issues.  But, just as everyone else said to me “the time you put in now is an investment into a great dog in the future.”  They were right!  Lots of exercise, exposure and training later...

 

Then:  taking him outside every couple of hours, endlessly walking around and hoping and praying that he would do his business

Now:  he rings his bells to go out, makes no mistakes in the house and eliminates at a designated spot in the yard and nowhere else

 

Then:  we provided constant eyes on supervision so he would not chew inappropriate things

Now:  he supervises us nearly constantly

 

Then:  had to be crated when we left the house

Now:  is currently transitioning from being gated from an area with the run of three rooms, to having free run of the house when we are not there

 

Then:  pulled on and bit the leash during walks

Now:  walks on a loose leash MOST of the time

 

Then:  jumped up and mouthed everyone upon greeting

Now:  sits or lies down to greet MOST of the time

 

Then:  snuck into the laundry room to steal sock, bras and underwear, then played chase for them

Now:  okay, he still does this, but now he more or less brings them to you and drops them

 

His positive behaviour has brought waves of compliments from friends and strangers alike.  So don’t be afraid to be bossy and have high expectations.  I often call him or give him commands “just because.”  We are a long way from perfect (especially under distractions) but training is a process, not an event.  I keep telling myself this ;)

[Jaime and Barley Barker]

Barley is now 7 months old. I posted a little over a month ago because I was exasperated at his behavior. Even as a 12-week-old puppy, he was never destructive. He hit the six month marker and went nuts: bras, shoes, underwear, table leg, area rug, heirloom teddy bear, poop disposal bag holder on his leash, our St. Bernard's cheek (he grabbed her jowl during play, bit down, and then pulled). Commands that he had down cold seemed to have been thrown out the window. He even had a pee accident in the house. I thought, "What have I done wrong? I'm the worst dog owner ever!" Many kind people from Doodle Kisses encouraged me and told me that he was going through puppy adolescence. I followed their advice. We went back to the basics and repeated, repeated, repeated them. I also found that I need to watch him constantly again until he is out of his phase. (I had started giving him independence.) This included tethering him to me again at times. I also increased his exercise by playing more and making our walks longer and more frequent...which really helped with the loose-leash walking. Well, it seems like he's turning a corner. His behavior is so much better. I'm more relaxed and more confident with him. We just finished a beginner Canine Good Citizen course. We're still working on it in order to take the test but we did a run through last night for practice, and I think he could possibly pass the test at this point. In fact, I think he did the best out of all the other dogs in the run-through, even the one-year-old. My trainer said that Barley has come a long way. All I can say is don't get frustrated if you feel like you have to start over again. Don't feel like a failure. Puppy adolescence is stressful and I've heard that this is the most common age to give up a dog. Just be patient and consistent. Set clear boundaries for your puppy and don't set him up for failure by allowing too much freedom too fast (like I did!) Don't give up. Barley's still a baby, but I think he's going to be a really great dog. There is light at the end of the tunnel!

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Ah yes, those early puppy months! So frustrating, so tiring, so challenging! Lucy, too, has come a long, long way in her development to now (8 months old today!). She still has her 'moments' and we're constantly working on not jumping up (especially with strangers, but with us as well on occasion), and leaving things alone on the kitchen counters, but all in all she is a well mannered dog. I still can't imagine a day with leaving her alone with the run of the house, but know that day too will come. Lucy's gone through so many passing phases, I still keep reminding myself that whatever challenge I'm facing with her, is just a phase. One thing that we've found that remedies a thousand ills is EXERCISE. A tired dog is a GOOD dog! Lots of training too, and socializing. She LOVES attention and PEOPLE and DOGS... she's a social butterfly in dog's clothing. We're blessed to have her and every month that passes we see the reward of all the time, effort and money spent on developing a well behaved dog. I too can see she's going to be a very good dog someday... heck, she's half way there already!

[Jaime and Barley Barker]

I agree. A tired dog is a good dog. For me, going to classes really helped me keep on top of the training. We went through puppy kindergarten, advanced puppy kindergarten, and basic obedience. So, he's been in class since he was 14 weeks old. I'd recommend that to any new puppy owner. It was great for the socialization.

[Jessica]

oh no!...say it isn't so!! we just got over the hurdle of naughty baby puppyhood and have been enjoying the good behavior and more independance of a 4 1/2 month old!! Guess we've still got a ways to go...we start basic obediance this month...I'll enjoy it while I've got it!

[Jaime and Barley Barker]

That's what happened to me. I was shocked. Around 4 or 5 months old, I was patting myself on the back thinking "Look what a wonderful puppy I've raised!" Pride comes before a fall I guess. Then I got really confused when he started getting wild. I think maybe I got complacent and expected too much too fast. I became really diligent again with his training. Barley is now seven months old. Knock on wood, he seems to improving! So, if your pup begins to get crazy, keep the faith and know it will pass. At least I hope it's in the passing stage with Barley. Approaching month 8...

[Laura Deutsch]

This is a great thread and idea. Molly is the first puppy we've ever had that is a "typical puppy". I guess we were lucky with our Goldens and Labs. Never jumped (off a couple of times worked) never bit (no bit worked right away). We're clicker training and I'm constantly amazed at how quickly she learns things. It's the puppy behavior that 's driving me crazy. If she would walk on a leash and we could go for long walks, that would be great, but it's totally inconsistent. I know it's alot to ask of a 14 week old pup to walk outside, but believe it or not, sometimes she's great and goes for very long walks with us. Most of the days though, she goes outside and just sits and looks around. When I let her off leash in our yard (fenced in) she goes right for the wood chips (of course) and likes to play, "catch me if you can". If she's on a long lead, she gets crazy, pulls, and then of course it gets wrapped around constantly. We're starting puppy class next Sunday. I'm going back to work in a couple of weeks and worried about that. We need her to be able to walk by then!!!!!
Today I'm going to try the clicker and chicken outside. She loves chicken.
Anyway, I love this website and am thrilled to be a part of it. Back to puppy craziness: lots of people have said, "but you were 12 years younger when you had your last puppy". Truly, it's not that. It's just that we must have been very lucky to have very calm puppies. Although, for the past half hour, she has been amusing herself in the kitchen with a ball, and a rope. Oops...have to take her out now!!!! Any thoughts much appreciated.

[Carrie B and Maggie Goldendoodle]

GREAT THREAD!! I am in it! Maggie, 11 weeks, all and all is wonderful. She does amazingly well with her training BUT she has a pee accident EVERYDAY. Now I know it could be worse but its making me nuts, its never the same time of day OR SPOT!!
So good to know this will someday be a funny little Maggie as a puppy story!
Carrie (and Maggie)

[Carrie B and Maggie Goldendoodle]

by the way, its much more that I can never figure out when or where that makes me crazy, not that its happening ;)

[Jaime and Barley Barker]

I don't know if this will help, but I always took Barley outside as soon as I let him out of his crate. It was always hurry, scurry, let's get outside now! Also, after playing (especially really vigorous playing) I learned that Barley would need to pee immediately. So, I started taking him out right after he was romping around. For the first few weeks I had him, I tethered Barley to me by his leash when I had him out of his crate so I could observe him and learn to read his behaviors. I also would take Barley out every hour or two as a pre-emptive strike when he was out with me and not in his crate. Of course there were a few accidents, but I think staying on top of him lessened the amount. We only had occasional accidents a few times a week.

I'm glad so many people are doing the puppy K. I think it really helped me with Barley and gave me confidence. He's the first puppy I've raised on my own. In fact, I took him for CGC testing on August 14. He passed at only eight months of age! I credit the classes and our trainer. Of course, now he's just turned nine months old and is being obnoxious again. I'm afraid someone from the A.K.C. is going to come by and take his CGC certificate away. Ah, well. I think it's because my mother just got a new puppy (now 11 weeks old) and Barley is a little jealous. He's regressing a bit.

[Betsi]

Congratulations on getting your CGC so soon!!! I start puppy K with Kirby on Sept 2nd. He will be 10 weeks old. I plan to have him ready to pass his therapy dog test by the time he's 1...fingers crossed, lol!! You are my new hero ;)

[Jaime and Barley Barker]

Thanks so much, Betsi! I was surprised and overjoyed that a dog Barley's age could pass. If Barley passed, I'm sure Kirby will too. Actually, I was thinking of doing therapy dog preparation with Barley as well. I'll definitely be keeping my fingers crossed for Kirby!