A little puppy help

[Susie Vetter]

"I am new and need a little help

I have my wonderful new little girl, Jersey, 3.5 months old right now.  Suddenly she has gone from cute and cuddly to asserting herself by jumping up, grabbing clothes and growling like I am one of her tug toys. I am at a loss. I say "no" and she just growls louder.  She was housebroken in a week and crate trained in two days. She is by all rights perfect, but this is making be crazy. Anyone have thoughts?

By the way, thanks to all of you for your welcoming thoughts and comments. They were very much appreciated."

[Remington & Maggie]

hello! My springerdoodle is the same age as jersey and she is showing those exact same behaviors! I am a new dog owner so i am in the same boat as you. I have been telling her 'ouch' when she nips and 'off' when she jumps up. I would love some more advice from more experienced doodlers! Thanks guys for any advice. Maybe this is just a puppy stage????

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

I think it is just a puppy stage and a way of testing the waters. Keep up what you're doing and it gets better. Not too early for puppy training classes if she has her shots.

[Susie Vetter]

Thanks so much. The time outs seems to be working. She has her first training class tomorrow. We shall see!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Susie, Welcome to puppyland...LOL. It is a stage and will pass. Many times when our Fudge was being a brat, she was tired and I would put her in her crate for a break and she would go to sleep. Bully sticks were my best friend at this stage because it occupied Fudge and seemed to satisfy the need to chew, etc. A puppy class would be a big help and find things to do with her to burn off all that energy...throw a ball, training, dog toys, even doggie day care if she is old enough. A tired puppy is a good puppy. Good luck!

 

One more thought.....join the Puppy Group here on DK.

[Susie Vetter]

Thank you thank you. I have my first traing class tomorrow.  The "time out" seem to be working. he is getting better! What is a bully stick?

[Kathy, Harley & Roxie]

it is a strip of dehydrated bull penis, or a part of it anyways.  Harley LOVES the spiral ones.

[Coco Chanel and Cheryl]

It is a puppy thing, but turn your back or time out in the crate for 3 minutes. Puppy class may help with that, but at the least it will help with training!!

[Christine & Shelby]

Ah.... I remember those days!

 

I highly suggest a time out.   I gave my Shelby a clear "Ouch", picked her up and took her to the laundry room for a quick 2 minute (you be the judge of time) timeout.   When she came out.... I would pet her, and allow play to resume.  It only took a few times for her to understand that the biting/nipping resulted in a timeout.   I chose not to do timeout in her crate as I wanted to keep the crate a positive place.

 

Also... I tried tethering.  Attaching the leash to me and having her follow everywhere I went.  It was great in terms of her being in my sight at all times, but also let her know that I was in charge and what I say/do takes priority.  I was skeptical of the benefits, but I saw some significant improvement and it increased our bond!  

 

Good luck.... p.s.   I celebrated the day Shelby lost her first puppy tooth.... they are sharp!!! 

[Susie Vetter]

Thank so much. Time outs seem to be working. Puppy class starts tomorrow.  Uh-oh, I just heard something drop in the kitchen......just a plastic bottle. Anyway, she is getting better and I agree with the time outs.  Can't wait to see how she grows up.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Puppy games...we put ours in the kitchen with a gate when they did this and it gives them a chance to calm down and learn the correction. Chloe had a vey long nipping stage and I was the target so many times-she grew out of this thank goodness. We always had to have a toy by us to shove in her mouth to replace the behavior. Good luck! Myla went to puppy class at 10 weeks.

[Susie Vetter]

Jersey is on her way to puppy class tomorrow!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Two words: obedience training.

Everything you are experiencing is normal...10000% normal and training helps.