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?

[Stephanie]

I read through some of the posts but not all of them…so I apologize in advance if anything I say sounds repetitive.

I understand your frustration.  I also don’t mean to sound harsh, but it sounds like the dog just lacks training.  It’s up to us to raise happy, healthy, and sound dogs.  It also sounds like you have been trying your best and perhaps getting such a high energy dog may have not been the best choice for your situation.  Again, I don’t mean this in a negative way.  I work in a grooming shop and almost EVERY single Doodle that comes in as a pup to young adult is very very high energy.  Luckily, after they pass that terrible stage they seem to calm down quite a bit.  I can usually tell the age of a doodle right away after meeting them.

I hate to hear about owners giving up a dog, but things happen!  I don’t think anyone should hold it against you if you choose to re-home your pup as long as you do it the proper way and make sure to do research on the family you choose for him.

Did you get your dog from a breeder?  Many breeders will gladly take a puppy back and re-home them, or often have a waiting list of people looking for a doodle.  Also, local Standard Poodle or Golden Retriever breed specific rescue groups often take doodles in.

I think you just need to ask yourself some serious questions.  Make lists, do the pros/cons, talk to other experienced dog owners (posting here was a great idea!)

Another thing you may or may not have considered…talk to your vet.  Sometimes there are underlying issues that, believe it or not, can cause behavior issues! 

If you decide you do want to keep the dog I suggest starting over from the basics.  Go back to crate training.  My Goldendoodle is only 13 weeks old..but with my German Shepherd she was pretty much crate-bound for her first year of life.  We took her out ONLY when we could supervise 24/7.  She was never allowed out of her crate until she was calm, she didn’t walk out the door on a leash until she was calm, she didn’t get food until she would sit patiently, etc… the list goes on.  I believe dogs learn through repetition and they need structure/balance to live comfortably.  I now own a wonderful German Shepherd and she’s an excellent example of the breed.  I see people with unruly Shepherds all the time..and while Doodles are almost always friendly, social even when high-strung..Shepherds are often mean, unpredictable and aggressive without training..so it was extremely important that she get the proper training growing up.  Even though she’s older now we still make sure she’s calm before clipping her leash on, or anything like that.

Nothing in life is free.  It’s the most important lesson you can teach your dog.

[2yquw7nw5ikx1]

The puppy is a baby. She needs exercise and LOVE. Of course she chases the cat. She's a puppy.

She is now part of your family and you should have done at least basic research to know that puppies, especially doodle puppies need exercise and attention.

Training is something you need to do every day. And your dog needs to train in a group of other dogs so she learns to listen even with - especially with - distractions.

You would be making a selfish and cruel decision to throw this puppy out now. She's a baby. The best advice I was ever given about my puppy came from my vet who said "Don't get angry at him, he's a baby." Do you get it? They don't start out perfect. You have to teach her, love her, guide her, and put up with her. 

Exercise! Lots of it. 

[Cherri Lynn Kading]

Thanks to all of you for the cute stories, training advice, constructive criticism and tough love. It is all much appreciated. I can feel the passion all of you have for your doodles. I do love Jacki and I will take things a day at a time. After all, I can't believe she is already 8 months old so I'm sure these terrible twos will be over before I know it. I just get frustrated at times when I teach, teach, teach and I can't get a result. I have learned so much since I joined this site...I will keep you posted :)

[Cherri Lynn Kading]

WOW, WOW, WOW! What a difference a trainer makes! Jacki is making such great progress. She is a joy to take on a walk. She no longer chases the cat and her jumping and barking are getting much better. She doesn't even eat the bark around the tree anymore! She also sits on her pillow the entire time we are eating dinner. I cannot believe it! She still needs some work on her problem of getting overly excited around new friends but I am confident that she will overcome this also. I am so thankful to have such a great trainer!

[Bonnie and Kona]

This is so exciting, Cherri! Wonderful news! 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Yes, please share.  This trainer must be amazing if he/she corrected all these issues in 8 days. 

[Cherri Lynn Kading]

My trainer is from SitMeansSit. They use a remote collar and positive reinforcement. The first night, Jan came over and spent about the first 30 minutes getting to know Jacki and her disposition. She then showed me the collar and laid it in my hand so I could feel the impulse. It is basically a little "nudge" that gets your attention. She then put the collar on the dog and between the collar, the treats, and lots of loving words she had Jacki walking with a loose leash, sitting, and going to her pillow to stay. I literally watched with my mouth hanging open. We then went outside and walked. Even with all of the new outdoor distractions Jacki was able to listen to me and walk the way she should. I have practiced 2-3 times per day, about 10 minutes each time. The most amazing thing is that all of Jacki's other bad habits have basically gone away without any help from me! She no longer eats inappropriate things outside, she doesn't chase the cat, and it is easy to control her barking. I would not have believed this could happen if I wouldn't have seen it with my own eyes. Jacki seems so much happier and calmer now that she knows what is expected of her. I realize some people don't believe in the remote collars but when used appropriately they are the best tool ever.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Cherri, I am awestruck! This sounds completely amazing. Congratulations on finding a trainer that meets the needs of the family and the dog. 

[Dawn]

I'm so happy to see this thread and to read that there is hope for a 'slow down'.   Lucy is 11 months old and has more energy that she knows what to do with.  Most days we take her for 2 good walks and play catch in the yard a couple times.  It's never enough.  Even when it's obvious she is so tired, she wants more and will not leave us alone.  She's really good at telling us what she wants.....pushing tennis balls towards us, dropping toys at our feet, etc.    I do bring her to daycare about once a week but she comes home ready for more play.     We do get frustrated because it's hard to get things done at home.  She'll stand by the door because she wants to go out but she won't go out unless someone goes with her.    She is very much like a child who just wants you to be next to them while they play on their own.   

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

I can relate.  Sometimes Hurley is a puppy on steroids and speed.   He only slows down when he is sulking or is completely worn out that he just drops.   He gets daily walks twice a day and we play catch and retrieve until my arm is so tired I can barely lift it and still Hurley can keep going. So DH takes over.  He gets to go swimming in our son's pool at least 1-2 times per week and play with their dogs.  At our place we have a children's play pool for him and he definitely enjoys it.  He goes with us on errands whenever it is feasible to take him.  He and I play hide and seek around the house and the 9 year old twins come over about once per week and play with him until they drop.   When I try to study he has the cute way of bringing his toy to me and laying his head with the toy in my lap.  I melt.  I give in.  When he is so wound up he is completely out of control we send him to his kennel.  He will go in it and stay there until we release him even with the door being open.  

But we wouldn't change a thing.  He will calm down as he ages so I am taking the puppy stage all in, even when I am trying to get stuff done around the house or concentrate on something.  Like you said, our puppy doodles are like children in so many ways.

Lucy is a couple of months older than Hurley so I will be curious as to when you see her calm down a bit. I think our son's doodle started calming down after a year to 1 1/2 years if I remember correctly.