HELP! ENERGETIC PUPPY/TEEN STAGE!

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Where do I begin?  Let me start with a list of things she does that I feel like I have NO control over and not sure how to make her stop.

1.  chewing the sprinklers

Zoe likes to go outside and chew on the sprinkler heads.  there are about 3 of them broken and so that part of the grass has dried out.

2.  chewing shoes

3.  chewing dining table chair, desk, office chair

She doesn't really chew any of the other furniture except the office desk and chair when my husband is working and the dining room chair while we eat dinner.

4.  jumping on people

I just read that we should turn our back.  I will try this

5.  pulling at my pant legs or socks

this is so annoying and it hurts because she nips to grab my pants or socks and accidentally bites me in the process.  She thinks everything is a toy!  

6.  constantly ringing the potty bell (can't tell when its potty or play)

this makes my whole night really stressful.  I get home and up until the time we go to bed shes ringing the bell every 30 minutes.  it means the following 1.she has to potty, 2.she wants to go outside just to go outside (she likes to sit on the deck and relax), 3.she hears something outside and has to be a part of it.  I really wish she would just relax at night.

7.  takes items from office desk to chew

She's a mini but quite tall if she's stretching to reach for something.  SHe rarely does this but she likes to grab stuff from the office desk to chew.  I'm not sure what it is about the office desk, maybe it's because that is the door she goes through to the back?

8.  super hyper for walks so is jumping when I try to put her collar on her

Can she learn already that if she just stays calm that I can get her collar on faster and that we can get outside faster?  

Please help!  Any suggestions would be helpful.  I mean Zoe is such a super sweet dog and I love her happy go lucky personality but her "puppy" habits are starting to feel like just habits that she will not grow out of.  I realize she is only 7 months old so she is still young therefore I want to teach her the proper manners early (I guess its not EARLY but the sooner the better).  Thanks Everyone.

[Adina P]

The #1 solution to all these problems (though it won't be immediate) is to enroll in a GOOD training class so you can effectively train her to be a reliably obedient dog.  That means she won't just learn what 'sit' and 'stay' and 'down' and 'come' mean in the English language.  She won't just learn HOW to do those things.  She will learn TO do them on command, reliably. That is what I would look for in a training class.

In the meantime, while you are working hard on obedience training, don't let her do those things.  Some are easier to control than others.  If she chews things up when outside, don't let her outside unsupervised.  If she chews stuff around the house then keep her from those things, keep those things out of her reach, or confine her in her crate when you cannot keep both eyes glued to her to stop her before she gets into something.  The training will work...but in the meantime you'll just have to be vigilant.  And give her something else to chew that is appropriate for a dog to chew.

When you take her out for the potty rings..take her out on leash.  Wait 5 minutes and then bring her back.  If you know her potty schedule and when she goes potty you can eliminate the potty bell for now and then just give her regular breaks.  The potty bell means "I want the door to the outside to open for me" -- that's all it means.  My youngest dog does exactly the same thing...constant ringing.  However, because my older dog only uses it for potty (mostly) I keep it up for his sake.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I definitely agree that formal obedience training is the ultimate answer.  Also, how much exercise is Zoe getting...real exercise that will tire her out?  Remember she has tons of energy and if there is no way for her to release it, she'll find a way.  She needs a good long walk (or two) every day IMO. 

[Cathy w/Shiloh~Cody]

I would try and wear off some of her puppy energy, play fetch a lot or if there is another dog that would tolerate her they could run together. The bully stick helped curb our dogs chewing-they sell them in pet stores, or if not that- something else that is okay for her to chew. When you take something away that she should not chew, replace it with something okay to chew. The chewing gets better when they get older-the teething time is really difficult. Good luck! You can also get some type bitter spray from pet store and put it on things you want her to stay away from.

You may have to take the bells away and try what Adina said, along with her other great ideas-when she gets older and a little more mature they may work better.

[Marta Gibbs]

I highly recommend Cesar Millan's book Hot to Raise The Perfect Dog~Through Puppyhood and Beyond.  He has other books too, but this one stresses puppyhood and adolescence.

I've done the obedience training and it does work.  However, no one but the dog whisperer teaches you how to form a bond with your dog that is beyond compare to anyone else out there.  He truly understands dogs and what they need.  He teaches the humans how to act more like the pack leader and to learn how to use calm assertive energy with their puppy.  Many of the issues you mention he directly addresses in this book. Sounds like the first place to start would be the pack walk 2 times per day.  The leash/collar is never even put on until they are calm.  

I understand your frustration.  The whole thing "puppyhood" can get out of hand really quickly, unless they view you as the pack leader.  We become that by being calm and assertive.  Cesar teaches you how.  

You can check out his website and tv shows/DVD's as well.

www.cesarsway.com

Patience and Perseverance~ :-)

Marta

[Karen Kramer]

I second this!  We have learned SO much from watching Cesar Milan...and now we have two (almost) perfect dogs  :)  Our puppy is 7months now and he still tries to do some of these things (biting at pant legs, grabbing magazines and running, etc) but he knows he is not suppose to...we say "HEY!" and snap our fingers and he drops whatever and moves on.  You have to let them know who is in control in a calm, assertive way...very important!  Cesar Milan products, whether they be his show or books, are a great resource.  

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I've also found his books and shows to be helpful.

[BRADY GOOSE MOORE (Mini Doodle]

How old is your pup? If possible I would leash him to go outside....if you can,t go with him, tie him up to go potty. Leash him at all times in and outside. Freedom has to be earned by right behaviour. Inside can you crate him when you are not able to be right 'on' him. I think you want to make it very difficult for him to do the wrong thing. I thought the biting/ nipping would never end and it surely does before you know it. All the best with your doodle love!

[Heather Martinez]

We had some of the same problems with Teddy when he was younger. 

For chewing the sprinklers, our trainer recommended a product called Boundary http://www.amazon.com/Boundary-Indoor-Outdoor-Repellent-Spray/dp/B0.... He told us to cover the dog's eyes and spray a little in front of their nose. They don't like the smell. Then spray it outside where you don't want the dog to chew. The smell makes them leave it alone BEFORE they start chewing. This is the key to why it works better than bitter apple. We used this to keep Teddy from eating bark on our patio. I would also recommend supervising her or keeping her tethered outside so she is not tempted to get into things. 

For chewing inside, she shouldn't have access to the areas where she is chewing. Until Teddy was about 10 months old he was tethered whenever we weren't playing with him. We tied his leash to a piece of furniture or railing, or you can install attachments on your wall. We used furniture that he was not interested in chewing. We would tether Teddy in the same room as us and he had a bed and plenty of toys to play with. When we were eating dinner, Teddy was tethered away from us and he always got a bully stick or frozen Kong as a special treat while we ate. As he got older we tried letting him be independent (playing in the living room/dining room while we watched tv in the evenings). From about 10-12 months old he got better and better until he no longer needed to be tethered.

For being hyper when getting leashed. Once she learns a down stay, start having her "stay" while you get her leash ready. Make her stay while you put her leash on and for a few seconds afterwards, then release her to go out. Gradually she will be able to stay for longer periods. You should work on her stay other times too. I used to work on it every night with Teddy while I was making dinner. He was required to lie on a mat in the kitchen. Now he works his down stay while we eat dinner. He's required to lie in a specific place until we call him to come be with us when we're finished eating.

I would agree with removing the potty bells. Teddy never used them. By 7 months she should be able to hold it for a long time. Just take her out at scheduled times for potty.

Zoe sounds like a sweetheart and I hope some of this is helpful!

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Thank you everyone, this was very helpful.  I guess we just gave her a little too much freedom a little too early!  We have removed the potty bells and she now just scratches at the door (glass door), so it's easier on the ears.  

Heather I will try the boundary spray.  We actually tried bitter yuck and another brand and she likes it!  SIlly pup!

Patience... Thanks DK friends!