Frustrating behavior at 6 months!

[Deb]

After having a wonderful experience with crate training, house training , socialization etc. we suddenly have hit a bump in the road. Boomer is 6 months old now. Puppy teeth are gone...but he is now really mouthy. He bites down HARD! I have black and blue marks on my hands and arms. I can't figure out what triggers it. He does it regardless of whether he's tired, rested, bored, active...he just suddenly starts to attack my hands and arms. He's a little better with my husband. I am the primary caregiver. I have read all the things about what to do...nothing is working. I know it's puppy behavior but it is so trying! I feel like a failure all of a sudden when everything had been going so well! We've tried yelping, crating, restricting him with a leash, offering chew toys etc...HELP!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Has he been neutered?  Is he on some sort of obedience training program? 

[Deb]

Yes, he was neutered before we got him at 8 weeks. Not in obedience because I am caregiver to my husband who has Parkinson's. It's hard to get out alone for any amount of time. And he would tire too easily to go along,

[Adina P]

Rosco (8 years now and an awesome dog) was that way from 9 months till about 1 year!!!  I also tried everything.  I think the problem was that I was trying 'everything' and it was kind of fun for him to see what my next reaction would be. 

1) He's hit the 'teenage' phase of puppyhood.  He's going to test everything and be a bit of a jerk for a while.  Puppy training that you do prior to this period is more of a placeholder...more for getting him used to the world and doing something together.  But what you do starting NOW will make the biggest impact.  So forget whether you've done obedience 'already' -- start again, review, sign up for classes...do something that is concerted, focused, and daily.

2) Jane asked if he's in any kind of obedience program.  YES!  He needs one.  This was about the time I started Rosco in a very focused, boot camp like obedience training program.  I hit a rough spot, quit temporarily, found a mentor to help me and then resumed.  By the time he hit the year mark he was a new dog and one of the best behaved 1 year old dogs!  By 19 months he passed both the Canine Good Citizen test and was a registered therapy dog :-) 

[Deb]

I agree about trying everything. I think he enjoys seeing me try to outsmart him!!

[Bren & Reagan]

Please don't feel like a failure, you are not.  It sounds like you are a very loving doodle owner.  A friend of mine has a doodle who is 8 months and going through the same thing, just like it was overnight!  Can Boomer be calmed down enough if cuddle and stroke her neck and back?  I'm sure you have tried all of the "no" firmly.  Do you have anyone in your house that does the "rough play" with him?  My friend's family did until the past week when I noticed and assured her that wasn't helping, rather encouraging.  (Dad was rough housing after work.  When I noticed Hope biting/mouthing my friend, I got my hand wet and sprinkled enough water from my fingers to startle Hope.  I asked my friend to move away and turn her back at that moment.  She has done it the last three times and immediately turned and walked away.  (First saying no firmly of course)  

I also agree with Jane asking if Boomer has been neutered.  Obedience training even if it's group in the beginning is great too.

[Deb]

We avoid roughhousing and tugging games. Sometimes he can be calmed down with petting or talking quietly to him. Tonight he was getting crazy...we were going to put him in his crate.He realized it and calmed down. He's napping now! lol

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Daily off-leash exercise (full out hard running) helps a lot. 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Hi Deb....from everything you have mentioned on FB and here....I think Boomer needs to ALOT more exercise!  I mean, run until he drops type stuff.  A good investment is a ball thrower (catapult).....minimum effort on our "old" arms, but gets the pup up and running.  We found just long walks, while seems to tire us out, does nothing for Enz.  She needs the stimulation of the chase and retrieve, and good runs on the property.  This will help with the "mouthy" gnawing on you both.  A good puppy is a tired puppy!

  Obedience classes would be a huge plus as well!  Catching all of these little bad habits NOW is key.

[Deb]

Thanks, Ro. I'm sure you know Boomer well by now!! lol  I just read an article today about a catapult. That will be my next purchase!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

This is what we have:
http://www.amazon.com/Chuckit-Classic-Launcher-Colors-Vary/dp/B0000...

[Deb]

Yay,, ,and Amazon Prime!!! lol

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

The ONLY way to shop! ;)