silly puppy, hyper puppy

[Puppy Madness]

First a cute puppy tale, and then a vent.

Cute puppy tale:  we've had Ruby for 1 1/2 weeks and housebreaking is still a work in progress (jealous of you, Becca! ;-)).  I can't tell when she comes over and sits so politely if she's saying 'take me outside', 'feed me more treats, this dry stuff sucks', or 'pick me up and snuggle me'.  Today I bought a bell and attached it to a ribbon at the door and started making her touch it when we went out.  She hadn't yet done it on her own, but tonight she's in a silly mood and will creep up to it, ring it quick, and run away really fast.  It's pretty funny to watch.

The vent:  Ruby gets in these really hyper moods.  Most of the day she's sweet and mellow, but at least a couple of times a day she is really manic... nipping at everything and everyone, running around like a crazy girl, chewing like crazy on top of the nipping, etc.  At the moment my husband is out of town and getting through the morning routine with 3 kids to get to school when the dog is out of control is no fun.  Today I stuck her in the crate for a while becuase she kept repeatedly biting my feet while I was making breakfast and she got so frantic that she got her teeth and jaw stuck in the bars of the crate.  (When she's not in the crate, she has free reign of the kitchen plus family room.  I suppose I could shut her in the laundry room which is bigger than the crate). 

Anyone have any advice for managing the manic stages?  Is this something she will outgrow soon?  FYI she does get walked every day once a day in the morning, and we play in the backyard frequently.  

thanks!

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Ruby is adorable:) In our house we call that craziness the zoomies. How about giving her a special treat or chew toy to keep her occupied. There are lots of ideas for treats, ie filled kongs in the food group.

[Smita, Ollie and Juno]

I know exactly what you call the manic stage! Ollie has a couple of those every day. I have learned that tiring him out in the backyard helps. So does putting him in the crate for a forced nap. I found that out thanks to the wonderful people on this site. Now I don't feel guilty about it because he comes out after his nap, sweet as ever! :-)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

How old is Ruby? Only 9 or 10 weeks? Hang in there and start training her. Remember they are technically puppies for 2 years! Peri is 20 months and is calming down, but it takes lots of training and patience. Already work on sitting, staying, etc....and enroll her in obedience when your vet says it's okay and she is vaccinated.

Typically what happens is they go through a calming stage around 4-6 months. Then all heck breaks loose from 6 months to a year or so - their "teenage" years. You must train, train train. And walk her more times per day if possible....and do daycare 1x/week if it is feasible. Ruby could be much easier, but I didn't want to sugarcoat anything because doodle are so smart and unfortunately smart dog=more troublesome puppy because their minds are just going, going, going (they get BORED).

[Brooke and Zenyatta]

Anita, I'm in the same boat as you. We've had Zenyatta for a week and also notice her puppy crazies about twice a day. My hands were hurting last night from all the nips. We also have two kids to get dressed in the morning. We have a puppy playpen for her in our kitchen. When it's time to feed the kids, she goes in the playpen for her breakfast. After she's eaten we will give her a bully stick. This gives us enough time for everyone to eat and get dressed. (plus we don't have to worry about accidents and accidental chewing while we don't have our eyes directly on her) Then after my older son goes to school I can play with her and my 2 year old. By then she is much more calm and less likely to nip at us like crazy. You might try baby gates and limit her to just the kitchen while you are getting the kids ready.

Good luck..just know you aren't alone. We started on clicker training to stop nipping. http://www.clickertraining.com/node/168 I'll let you know if we have any luck!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

The X-pen or playpen is the best money we spent. I still use it now when I foster and have one that is spayed or neutered and I need to keep them quiet for a little while. When they were puppies and we couldn't keep our eyes on them constantly, they went in the x-pen. Would be an excellent place for in the am when you are getting the kids ready. Just put some toys or a chew in there, or even feed while the kids are getting ready. Make it a "happy place" and it will be a great help. Also, with regard to the potty training, my philosophy was "when in doubt, take them out". So, if she comes up to you and you aren't sure, take her out. That way she will start to associate coming to you, and going outside to potty. If you incorporate ringing the bell on the way out, she should eventually get it. The good news is the crazies go away, as do the puppy teeth. And, the time goes by so quickly. You will miss the puppy days so enjoy them as much as you can.

[Julie and Bochy]

Anita, we are getting one of Ruby's brothers on Monday. I am so excited. We will be driving to San Francisco to pick him up. He was "Teal Boy" from the litter. Which one was Ruby?
Julie

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

We're bringing home our new puppy tomorrow. We're in San Mateo!!!

[Julie and Bochy]

What size, color, gender?? Do tell! Monday won't come home fast enough for us. We live in Grass Valley. Lucca is adorable. I love the video you posted. Nice to know other Doodles who are Giants fan: We are naming our boy Bochy ;-) We will be a two dog family now. It will be fun to keep in touch with you and hear about Lucca and your new one.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Bochy is adorable. Love the name..we thought of that name if it was a boy. We are getting Lucca's girl cousin. There were 4 in the litter. 2 girls/2 boys. #' 1 and 2 want the boys and we had originally wanted a girl this time around. So she will be the same size as Lucca (medium) only more golden in color. They're Goldendoodles. Where are you getting yours from? We're thinking about either Lia or Layla as names. We keep flitting. No one seems to agree on this!! I can't wait until tomorrow:) Monday will come fast!!! Are you ready? I've spent all week RE-puppy proofing our yard!!!

[Julie and Bochy]

Bochy is coming to us from Spring Creek. He is a medium Australian Labradoodle. I wish I was home to prepare more, but I am away at a conference. I am mostly ready though - at least as ready as I can be to start getting up at night and early in the morning. I like both of your names. They go so well with Lucca. (Posey was our girl name - but it went to the parakeet ;-)

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Posey...that is so funny!!! We thought of that for a boy when the Giants were playing:)

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

I can't wait for that point. The one thing I'm not looking forward to are the middle of the night potty's. Our crate is in the kitchen so I use a video baby monitor. I can see and hear the puppy!!!