Too early for adolescence?

[diane silver]

Emma is now just about 5 months old and I was wondering if anyone has had the same issues that I'm now having with her? And if you are, I welcome any suggestions on how to deal with them! The past couple of days, she jumps up at the kitchen counter, scratching on the cabinets, crying, etc. She's been fed and given water, so I really can't imagine what she wants. I've even lifted her up to show her that there is nothing on the counter for her, but she continues to exhibit this sort of "OCD" behavior. Also, sometimes she will fixate on an object on the dining room table or on my dresser and barks or cries for my attention. It's getting really frustrating and I don't know how to handle it. I've told her no, made noises, shaken a can with coins in it, but nothing seems to be helping. I am wondering if she's beginning adolescence and is just being a brat, or if this is a normal behavior? Thanks all.

[Sandy]

My Toby does that now, and he's only 3 months old. He wants whatever is on the counter, especially if it concerns a plastic bag, or peanut butter. He wants on the couch, and we're trying to keep him off, so it takes a quite a few times of "No Toby, down" for him to relax. I haven't found a solution yet, but I share in your problem. :)

[Ali]

Yep, that sounds like adolescence to me. Right now, I think I read, your dog is trying to get your attention in any way possible, if even the attention he/she gets is negative... it is still attention. The best thing to do is to completely turn your back to them, literally. If your puppy is jumping up on you, fold your arms across your chest and look up at the sky. Sounds stupid, but it works. Also during this period, you may want to step up the training a bit, show them who is leader of the pack, make them work for everything. If the ignoring the bad behavior does not work, give them your full attention and make them do a lot of "doggy push-ups". It's kinda like saying,"oh so you want my attention, okay I'll give it to you, lets do work." Basically, pups at this stage are testing your leadership, if you are not going to give instructions and only pay attention to them during good behavior, your pup will step up to be leader of the pack.

I hope this helps. All the information I got is from Puppies for Dummies, it is a really good book to get and goes over puppies different developmental stages and things you can do at each stage, and suggestions for training at each stage. Good luck with everything. My puppy is 4 months, so I will get there soon.

[Sue & Willy Babe]

I am glad I read that book too I just have to re-read because I believe Willson is getting into adolescence now too, He will be 5 months on Thursday, he likes grabbing pieces of paper, I have stepped up the training too.