Oh the biting and the chewing...

[Melissa Hazlip]

I know it's normal, I know it takes patience and training... But my goodness, the biting and chewing, and lack of obedience is tiring sometimes! Luna is the sweetest dog, but she has two parts of the day where she just goes crazy! She doesn't seem to respond to any cues to stop biting or chewing on things. She is SO smart, and I know she just gets excited and wants to play. I am not sure if this post is for advice, or just to vent... haha. I certainly welcome any suggestions or encouragement!

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

"the lack of obedience is tiring sometimes".  have you started working with a trainer?  I looked at your page but couldn't tell how old Luna is right now.  Have you worked with her at all to teach her not to bite and chew?  Check out the puppy madness group, i'm sure you'll find a lot of helpful tips there to get you through this stage.

[Melissa Hazlip]

we haven't started working with a trainer yet. we have to wait until she finishes her shots. i cant afford private training, but we will do group puppy training when she is fully vaccinated. she is great with everything else. she sits, lays down, rings the bells to use the bathroom, and sleeps through the night. we are doing everything we can to teach her not to bite and chew... times outs/taking toys/ignoring her. our breeder said her personality was stronger than most of her siblings. she is about 12 weeks at this point :)

[Leslie J]

Luna is adorable!  It will get better as she matures :).  I had to keep Cocoa on a leash and tethered to me or the furniture when she went through this stage or she would treat my kids like puppies and try to play with them (as in jumping and nipping)!  Then if she was playing nice they would visit her and if she wasn't they could stay away.  I always kept her in the same room as me so I could also teach my kids (who were young at the time) how to interact with a puppy and make sure they were playing nice!

The good thing about all that chewing is that my kids learned not to leave toys on the floor or Cocoa would get them and chew them up!  Hang in there!

[Becka]

Leslie, you sound like such a good mom--doodle and human alike. I really like the idea that you took the time to train your kids and the puppy at the same time to make sure that everyone played nice.

[Leslie J]

Thanks!  It worked out well- now they all are wonderful together!  It is SO worth it!

[Melissa Hazlip]

Your post is encouraging because I have a 1 1/2 yr old and a 4 yr old! My youngest has worked it out and ignores Luna almost constantly, unless she wants to pay attention to her. So Luna completely obeys and leaves her alone. My 4 year old seems to want to hug and kiss Luna all the time, but Luna thinks she is wanting to play like a puppy and starts nipping and jumping. My 4 yr old wont listen to me when I try to tell her what to do, and then starts getting upset because Luna wont sit still. Just hearing that it will get better as she matures helps so much! That is the main thing I need to keep telling myself! It's just a season, and we have years together where this will not be the case! Just like infants who dont sleep through the night ;)

[Donna Ross]

I don't know how old your doodle is, but Chloe now 4.5 mths was terrible at biting when we first brought her home at 8 weeks. We acted hurt and let out hurtful sounds with a firm no! I read this is how puppies play with one another- they nip and bite until they hear the yelp and know they have gone too far. It worked for us. Chloe doesn't bite anymore. Good Luck!

[Melissa Hazlip]

she is 12 weeks! we def yelp and say no... those little teeth hurt ;) We will keep trying! Thanks!