How long has your "puppy phase" lasted?

[Alissa Edwards]

We're bracing ourselves for puppy terrors - and I hope we're pleasantly surprised. Our last vizsla we adopted when we were DINKS (double income no kids) and life was so different. We now have three kids, 7, 4.5 and 18 months, I work from home, etc. 

I'm wondering how long to expect to need to focus on potty training, nipping, chewing, jumping, etc. I know this varies by dog and breed type (we're getting a double-doodle (labradoodle/goldendoodle cross), but how long in YOUR experience have you dealt with these behaviors in your pup? (Or if you're still dealing with them, how have them improved and how old is your dog now?)

If you're one of those people that has had incredible success with the puppy phase in any category, please share what you did!

[Alissa Edwards]

You are lucky! I hope Farley is that way!

[Alissa Edwards]

we have a few big steps coming in from outside - should we lift him? He can make it up, though it's a struggle. 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

There is no harm in carrying him in or out.  My thoughts were, the time will come ( it has already come for us) when you will not be able to carry him....so enjoy it while you can!

[Julie and Max]

It's true that time comes, though I can still lift Max at 60lbs lol nearly breaks my back though!

[Kim kennedy]

Every puppy is different and with potty training we took Rudi out every 30 minutes for a week and brought him right back in as soon as he went to potty, this way he knew that outside meant potty. Within 2 weeks he was trained, now he had a couple accidents but that was our fault. As for biting we yelled loudly when he would nip and he stopped. As for chewing we have doggy toys all over the house and it seems to work.