Puppy aptitude testing

[M. and Mila]

Did you have your puppy temperament tested before adopting him/her ? Fast forward now,how do you think that helped and did your dog grow 'true' to it ?

Would love to hear your stories !

[Deborah Brown]

I'm sure you'll get a lot of good advice and this could also be an adjustment phase for her.  BUT I have a puppy like that too and have lived through what you describe.  I'm sure training will help some of this but my first thought it that she needs more rest.  She sounds like a very over tired and over stimulated pup.  I'm hoping you are crate training her.  Make the crate her home and only play with her for short periods of time.  You can use that time for training games.

It always gets easier.  :)

[M. and Mila]

Deborah,I know that having a small kid might raise a flag but really not the case here.My son is actually affraid to provoke her as he's been grazed now so many times.Plus,he's out for the day at the daycare and coming back at ~18.

She has plenty of rest,both at night and during the day.Her crate is in our bedroom and she already sleeps through the night without problems.During the day there's always someone with her at home and until now only been crated twice for 1-2 hrs tops.Time out is in the crate and for 5-10 min but I am thinking to get her a play pen and put her there when she's going out of control..because right now for example she' s in time out and barking a LOT.

She seems very excitable and my main concern is that it may be an inborn trait.I hope I'm wrong but she displays the same temperament that I remember seeing in some poodles,that kind of nervousness,of getting out of control and not being able to listen/connect at all.We don't play much,maybe 1-2 hrs max a day.The rest of it is sleep,eat& walks.

[Deborah Brown]

My advice has nothing to do with your child.  If you are only crating her to 1-2 hours during the day, then she is not getting enough rest.  I read recently that dogs need 16-18 sleep per day.  Puppies probably need more.  If she is as excitable as you say, then she probably is not curling up and sleeping under your desk all day.  

She needs to be in her crate where she isn't being stimulated.  It may seem counter-intuitive to you but you should have her nap BEFORE she gets crazy.   Give her a couple hours first thing in the morning to play, potty and eat and then have her rest for awhile.  She may not like the idea the first day but give it a chance.

[M. and Mila]

I will try,yes,it didn't crossed my mind to crate her during the day for sleep because she usually sleeps a lot at my feet.Under the desk,yes:) She naps for 1-1.5 hr at a time.

[Deborah Brown]

Also, crating her during her naps will give you some freedom.  Our pup slept under my desk while I worked too.  I'd get to the point where I was afraid to move - go to the bathroom or change the laundry - because it would wake her up.  You'll be happier and will cope with her better if you're not on edge every day.

When she is up, go through your training exercises. Give her lots of praise of sitting nicely and interacting gently.  If she is jumping around, turn your back on her.  If she is nipping, squeal like it hurts so she'll understand she has gone too far.  She is very young and needs to learn.  Redirect her to her toys.

If she does turn out to have a high strung temperament, you are doing the right thing by trying to get control early.  I think, though, it is hard to tell in the first week.  She is still adjusting and finding her place in her new family.

[M. and Mila]

Thanks for the advice,it makes sense now and I think it's a great idea for having a good routine.

I started this morning after playtime,feeding&co and put the crate by the desk.She hates it and bawls her soul out:(( At night she doesn't bark at all-during daytime however it's another story..10 min for today so far.

 

[Deborah Brown]

Where does she sleep at night?  I wonder if you are a distraction.  If she can see you, she wants to get out and play.  She is definitely not relaxing.  I'd try the crate in an isolated spot draped with a blanket/towel to make it dark and calming.

Believe me, I understand that as a new puppy mom you want her near you and you want to bond.  It is hard to crate her in the kitchen (or wherever) when you are home.

My Penny is a wild girl too.  The first few months were really rough.  (I don't want to scare you!)  Right now your pup is treating you like another puppy.  She has to learn new behavior, ie no more nipping!  Always have a toy available to put in her mouth instead of your hand.  Cry out if she nips you.  

[M. and Mila]

The crate is in our bedroom and there's absolutely no problem with going to sleep at night.She sees us sleeping nearby and aside from the potty breaks(whimpers a bit to wake me up) she sleeps very soundly.

I just took the crate and put is beside my desk because I thought I would follow the same idea-she sees me,she settles down..It's a plastic crate,the one she flew in here.

I have many toys-different types,and treats as well-I make her sit multiple times just to calm down.What do you mean by "really rough"? I definitely need to know what to expect:)

I noticed I was making a big mistake with the nipping-I was doing the yelping thing but  I was looking her in the eye,that tendence to take over and be in control.Didn't work! Starting this morning we said ouch but turned away and ignored her.She's so funny and sweet,wagging her tail.Definitely only wanting to play but needs to learn the new rules.

 

[Deborah Brown]

Well, every dog is a little different.  I hope you find a place where she can settle down.  It is quite an adventure, eh?

"Really rough" - she is a strong-willed independent dog and was very determined to have her way.  She wasn't really house broken until 6 months of age.  I had to watch her every moment she was loose in the house.  It was exhausting.  She is an unrepentant counter surfer and will steal/chew anything she can get hold of - shoes, clothes, remote controls, mail, hair brushes, carpet.

She is 13 months now and it is only the last couple of months that I've seen anything like remorse from her.  She has had a LOT of training but also has matured a bit.  

Unfortunately, Penny is still mouthy.  She is very gentle but uses her mouth to get attention.  <sigh>

[BG and Gavin]

I agree with Deborah.  Gavin was a land shark when he was a puppy and now he is the sweetest, calmest boy going.  He got worse at night and like a baby needed to be put in his crate because he just wouldn't give it up.  Once in his crate he would pass right out.  A good schedule of exercise, crate time, feeding, crate time, exercise etc. works wonders.  Join the puppy madness group as they have tons of discussions on schedules and crate training.  Do a search on this site as well using those keywords.   Keep the faith, it will improve.

[M. and Mila]

Oh,you give me hope! Was Gavin jumpy as well? Mila jumps a LOT and on everything(she likes stealing stuff too:),that and the continuous nipping make her really hard to control now.

[BG and Gavin]

Oh yeah!  And now he is a therapy dog.  Part of his appeal is his zest to meet people and get attention.  Once you harness it, it is all good.  Make her drag a long line around, so you can keep control of her or better yet tether her to you for parts of the day.  This is a great exercise.