Help! I am getting very discouraged :(

[Cherri Lynn Kading]

I was seeing slow but sure improvement in our training but it seems like the past week Jacki (8 mo) has gotten so stubborn and hard to handle. She barks at my husband for no reason while he is sitting and watching TV in the evening. She chases the cat any chance she gets. She jumps on me like crazy when I get home from work, then bites my hands when I try to pet her. I am tired and my patience is wearing thin. I walk her in the morning and evening (she's not very good on the leash and she tries to get at every person that we meet). I take her outside to play ball whenever she gets too crazy but nothing seems to be working. She must know that I am frustrated because she came up and put her head on my arm while I am writing this!!! I have a trainer coming to the house on Thursday and I am very tempted to ask her if she knows of anyone that would be interested in taking her. I feel so ineffective as a puppy trainer! Anyone else ever feel like giving up?

[Jen St. Louis]

Absolutely been there - sometimes I still feel like giving up, even though Mindy's now over a year and a half. ;-)

When we had Mindy in puppy classes, our trainer told us that six months to a year is the most hellish time for pups. It's also the most common age range for dogs to be given up. She assured us all that the pups would out-grow the insanity, and to just hang in there.

So that's my advice to you: hang in there. Jacki is just being a normal, bratty teenager, and will get over it eventually. :)

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

I couldn't agree more :). We have 3 doodles and our youngest is 7 months old. He is most certainly going through his "terrible twos" LOL. It has been our experience that they all come out of it at about 18 months. It's like a switch goes on! Getting a trainer is a wonderful step. Hang in there! It's no different than raising a baby ;)....we all wondered how we'd ever get through some of their stages! I don't know your work schedule but if it permits I would suggest hiring someone (even a neighborhood high schooler or college student home on break) to pop over and play with you puppy during the day :).

[Bob Johnston]

"They are smart, and smart dogs get into trouble without direction."

I have been telling someone this for weeks now. He seems to think a smart dog means a good dog when that couldnt be further from the truth.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am so sorry you are having such a hard time. I can sympathize. Our Owen could be such a handful. That was a really difficult age. I have two suggestions:

1. exercise, exercise. exercise When your doodle gets plenty of exercise he will be much more manageable. We are fortunate to have a large completely fenced park where my DH runs the dogs every day. We have standards so they require a lot of time running free and jogging along side of him. We also bought a Kong treat dispenser to feed him his dinner. It keeps him engaged for a long long time. Physical and mental exercise help tremendously.

2. Step up the training. I see that a personal trainer is coming to your house. We had to step up our consistency with Owen at that age. We thought we had things down and weren't being as consistent as necessary to let him know what was expected. If you look in the training group there are many discussions on training ideas. 

Best of luck to you. It absolutely gets better. I hope you are encouraged that we have all made it through.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Cherri...Bonnie and I went through this at the same time with her Owen and my Izzy who are both the same age and are our second doodles. Our first ones were mellow. I can also say to hang in there. It gets much better. Izzy is turning 2 in Sept and she is a joy. She is still "lively" but much much easier to handle

[Jennifer and Jack]

I agree a tired puppy is a good puppy.. Can you have a dog walker to come in and give her a good walk? If she is home all day she has most likely slept. I used to take Jack to daycare at that age. He came home so tired....

Don't give up.....they want to please you, make you happy...they just need training, exercise and purpose.

[Bob Johnston]

LOL zen like calm, unless everyone is asleep thats not gonna happen in our house. If your not already doing time outs I would try that. when jacki starts barking and doesnt stop after being told to stop and ignored its over to the crate for a time out. Covered up 20 to 30 mins depending on when she settles down. Not only does it give her a chance to reflect on why she is in there it gives you a break. Sophie I think laughs at us when we ignore her bad behavior. she will ring her bells to go out then after we open the gate and start walking out she lays down or jump up where we were sitting and stares at us, hides in the bathroom. we went and got filled bones like the ones here http://www.redbarninc.com/products/dog-treats/filled-natural-bones/ so far we have chicken, peanut butter, and a sweet potato it will keep her occupied for over an hour maybe longer if we didnt make her go out and go potty so there isnt an accident. they can be refilled to with a soft style treat. we just smush it in the bone from each end and they are good to go. We also spend a ton of time outside running her around to the point she wont chase anything and lays down. It does eventually get better.

[Joyce Orland]

You are not alone. I wonder what I got myself into! I am having a very hard time with Lucy and her biting. We have a trainer and honestly I can't remember half the things she says to do. Lucy has also had very very loose bowls...all over my kitchen, she has been on meds and different foods, not much is working and my patience it fried. I want to try and keep her, but I just wonder if I got tooo active of a dog for our lifestyle. My friends have an older doodle and I love her, I just hope I can get to that point of owning an "Older" doodle.

Keep in touch and let me know what you decide, I need to make a decision before we all become too attached.

Joyce Orland

[2yquw7nw5ikx1]

My Doodle has a sensitive stomach and what worked for us is switching his protein to one he'd never had. He used to have bloody stool all the time: horrifying. Now he eats Orijen 6 Fish dry food and Instinct frozen raw lamb and he's been great for 3 years.

Doodles are difficult puppies. They are setting their molars at 8 months and they become chewing machines. Two walks a day are NOT ENOUGH for any puppy. A puppy needs at least 4 walks a day. Didn't you do any research about this breed, or dogs in general, before you got a puppy?!

But here's the bottom line - there is no amount of walking that's going to substitute for your puppy running with other dogs every day. A good dog is a tired dog, and a happy dog plays with other dogs.

You are dealing with a baby. Babies need care. And in the case of baby dogs, they need exercise. That is your responsibility.

[Cherri Lynn Kading]

A little harsh but I understand what you are saying.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

O.K. time for some tough love here Sherri and Joyce.  These doodles are now a part of your family - YOU made that promise to THEM the day that you took them home, remember you chose them - they didn't chose you.  So now that the going is rough, and who may I ask ever said it would be easy, you are tired, your patience if fried?  Give me a break people - these are puppies who HINT - are a lot of work - something you should have know before you let this precious dog into your home and lives.  These doodles think YOU are their pack - the fact is that YOU aren't doing what you need to be doing.  Sick doodle - yep many of us have been there and done that, keeping working with your Vet and breeder - things will get better.    We've all had times when we questioned our choice, were frustrated, etc.  Me included with my rescue Stuart - I'm telling you to stick with it - the reward will be a whole lot of doodle love.  Please remember - these dogs are not just "things" that you can give away if it doesn't work out - but if you do go that route - please contact Doodle Rescue so that the next home these poor puppies have - will be with someone who will be their Forever home.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Amen Jane.