Bad Behavior

[Alex]

Hi all. I was hoping to get some advice and see if what I am going through with Charlie is common. Charlie is now 7 months old and he seems to have forgotten all of his training. He no longer comes when called, he spills his water bowl after he is done eating, he will no longer come out of his crate when it's time for his walk, etc.

He really appears to be acting up. Is this common that at 7-8 months the puppy no longer responds to commands and starts to act out? Does anybody have any thoughts on how to deal with this stage for Charlie?

Thank you.

[Victoria Goodhew]

Mine developed the attitude bad and it was the same it just happened out of nowhere!!! He would chomp his teeth at us if we told him to do something and even got to the point that he was biting and nipping. I have started using a spray bottle and have only had to spray him a few times. Now the minute I grab the spray bottle he runs! :) hehe I swear they are like little kids!!! I guess it's good practice for if I ever have children. lol 

[Sally S Miles]

Hang in there, adolescence is not for wimps.  There is a reason why service animals don't get to go to work until a certain age -  and I do agree with the aforementioned time line.  They just don't have the focus, it's truly rare. 

Puppies are a hoot, and a lot of work - then comes the rebellious stage - much like kids.    Hang on, stand your ground, and above all remember that this too shall pass.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree with everyone that 7 months is a perfect age to start a serious training program.  I'm wondering what you do now when he disregards commands or "acts out"?  You need to decide what the "rules" are going to be, teach him those expectations, and define your strategy for when he decides to disobey those "rules"....and then implement consistently.  Good luck.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Ahhhh.... the teenage period... he is just testing the waters and don't give into him.  Be consistent with the training and this too will pass.

[Victoria Goodhew]

I hear your pain. I have a 10 month old doodle and all of the sudden around 8.5-9.5 months old he decided to become completely obnoxious. He would just stand and bark non stop at us if we sat down in the evenings and he also started the awful habit of nipping and biting. He wasn't doing it out of being mean but rather playing and for attention. He has been in obedience for the past two or so months and has completed that. The lady who I did that with suggested that I have a small spray bottle which I keep on the coffee table near the couch and spray him in the face with it. It helps! He runs the minute I pick it up and I hardly even have to spray him now. Might try a spray bottle for your case as well. :)