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?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Fudge and Vern are on the pontoon boat and trying to find their way to your house. Turn the outside light on for them. I hope you live on the water :)

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

Puppies & dogs will pick up on your mood.  They know when you are frustrated and feeling out of control and they will run with it.    Staying calm and in control around your dog will make a difference.  Listen to your voice and notice how the dog reacts to it.  It is also so IMPORTANT that everyone in your household is on the same page when it comes to training and interaction with the puppy. 

Is your puppy receiving mixed messages?  That right there can throw them into a tizzy.  It is so important to have STRUCTURE and ROUTINE and follow through.   That way they can begin to know what is expected of them.  Exercise, exercise, exercise....find the correct halter or collar that works for them while walking.  I use what is called a SENSE-ible dog halter and it works like a charm for my dogs.  Walking is so important not only to the dog but for you.

Bring treats along for the walk and have them sit down and focus on you with the treat in hand when another dog or person walks by.  I understand this might not work for some dogs but it is worth a try.  I have had some foster dogs that were TERRIBLE on walks but with consistency along with my doodle helper Jake the results have been amazing.

I am sorry this is so long but when you bring a new puppy or dog into your household you will need some SACRIFICE on your part whether it be less sleep or less time for your usual extra curricular activities.  This way you can focus on this pup and turn him into the best doodle you can.  This dog is depending on you.  As a foster mom for doodles it is heartbreaking to have to go and pick up a dog that's being re-homed but I would rather have that dog re-homed compared to being dumped in a shelter.  And, I would also rather have that doodle adopted by someone dog savvy that really wants the dog and will do whatever it takes to make sure the dog has the best life possible.

I wish both puppy owners the best.  I have a new puppy that I have recently adopted so I know a little about what you may be going through:)

[F, Calla & Luca]

You have gotten tons of great advice. We all have had moments, and I still do on rare occasion, when you wonder what did I do? But then your dog licks your foot, or runs to you like you're the best thing on earth and you realize so is he or she.

[Jen St. Louis]

Ignore this please. :) Replied in the wrong spot, and can't figure out how to delete it.

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

Don't get discouraged. Hurley is just turning 8 months and is acting like a teenager asserting himself. Hurley braks at things that surprise us. What we do is take him up to the person or item in an excited tone telling him who it is or it is okay. He barks when he wants us to p,ah with him. He and I play tag around the house. Maybe he wants your DH to play with him. Hurley teases the cats more than he used to.

What I get from a lot of his antics is that he is bored and it doesn't matter how many walks or how much we play with him it isn't enough to keep him entertained. When he gets out of control I say kennel a couple of times and he goes lie down in his kennel. That does calm him down.

You are a good doodle mom because you care. Hang in there. The trainer will be a lot I help I believe. Let us know how it goes.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Everyone else has said it well, just wanted to chime in my agreement with their statements.

 

I cried so much Peri's first year - because she was a hellacious puppy.  There were many times husband and I questioned having her.  But we kept on training, kept on exercising, kept on loving and tried to be as patient as possible.  At age 2, she passed her canine good citizen.  At age 3 (currently), 15 minutes of ball play wipes her out, she follows me around the house, she is good enough to be left alone in the house during the day, she listens to me, she is probably the best dog I could ever ask for.  But we put in the EXTENSIVE time and effort with her in the beginning.  And didn't give up.  Please stick with Jacki and follow the advice given!

[Adina P]

First know that you're not alone.  Puppies can be like toddlers...adorable, funny, cute, but can make you want to drop them off at Grandma's house and never come back.  They are TRYING.  Luckily dogs grow up faster than kids so with good training you should be out of the puppy crazies sooner than later.  At 8 months your dog is capable of very good obedience if your training is good.  You said you feel ineffective as a puppy trainer. Maybe you are.  Now let me explain.  I got my first dog 6  years ago.  He was a horrible nipper.  I felt like a complete failure for the longest time! THEN, I found a better training program, a mentor and worked my booty off and I turned out a fabulous adult dog.  My point is MOST of us suck at dog training the first time around.  It's hard stuff.  You're not a professional.  It might be that you need a better training class, or a different trainer to help you fix problems and train obedience.  Don't blame yourself, just accept that you are BOTH new to this (you and your pup) and realize that good trainers of their own dogs are usually MADE, not born.  So you have a learning curve ahead of you, but man is it rewarding when you and your dog BOTH learn.  And YES there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  Join one of the DK groups for your geographical area and ask there for trainer recommendations.  You will find that with the right trainer you and your doodle can go far!   Good luck to you!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Cherri, my husband, when Daisy was 3 months old said "I wish we had our old lives back"...this was all news to me because she was the light of my life, 5 months later and I was on the same page about WTD? She was a little monster. 8 months = snot in our house. When you said she barked at your DH just sitting and watching TV I had a vivid memory of her doing the very same thing. This time did not last long, she was herself quickly as we just kept training the devil out of her.

Today Daisy is a calm, sweet and loving doodle. People are amazed at what a good girl she is. Since she comes to work with me every day people often think she is much older. She is so laid back and comfortable in her own skin.

Please, due diligence is necessary, I know you love her and want her to be the best dog possible, it just takes time, she will get there and you will be so happy (and proud) that you persevered.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Aha, Proof that Daisy was not perfect :) LOL

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

I suspect we can all relate to what you are going through and many of us are going through it with you.   Hurley bounces from one piece of furniture to the other and he knows he isn't allowed on the furniture.  I could go on and on with the things he is doing now that he didn't do even last month.  We spend a lot of time every day working with him and will continue to do so.  

We will be working with his trainer for the 2nd phase of his training starting in Aug.   That couldn't be soon enough for me.

However, at the end of the day, every time I walk in and Hurley comes running with that wagging tail and happy to see you look I melt.  Every time he licks my feet or my hand or rests his head in my lap, I melt.  At night when he curls up at the end of the bed I feel such comfort in knowing he is there and content.  Every time I see even small signs of DH's PD progressing Hurley is my solace, who I talk to, who I play with.   Hurley has changed our lives in so many beautiful ways that even when he can be frustrating I wouldn't change the decision we made to bring Hurley into our lives. 

[Denise & Sophie]

Sophie just turned one June 24. I have seen a big difference in just this last month. She is much calmer and isn't the SheDevil she once was. I am home all day with her but I was the one she would attack each evening while going through her(crazy time). I would actually sit and cry and ask myself why I got another dog. She would grab socks off my grandsons feet and before I could react she she ate it. In three days she would throw it up. To this day she still tries to sneak any kind of paper. As for walking her once her trainer introduced the prong collar I had a new dog. She is great on walks. She still demands attention when she wants to play but the biting attacking me has stopped. When I sit here and think about the last 12 months I don't know what I would do without her! She is my girl and I love her to pieces! Please don't give up the trainer will be a huge help and time will calm her down. Believe me you won't be sorry. They are great pets and family members !

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Eight months is truly a difficult period and can be very trying indeed.  Hopefully your trainer will give you some help.  I found that when Riley got naughty like that I put him in his crate immediately where he always calmed down. He didn't see it as a punishment rather as his safe place. I also tired him out and on days when he didn't get enough exercise he could be very difficult. The most important question you must answer is do you love her? I think you do and if so stick with it, don't give up on her as she definitely loves you.   All that behavior sounds like typical puppy stuff. You are not ineffective you just haven't found the way yet.  Riley is 15 months old and he is still quite puppyish at times but much better behaved all round and I wouldn't swop him for the world.