Either very good or very, very bad

[Dexter Doodle]

I feel like my 13 week old mgd is either being very good or very bad! I see so much on here about making sure puppies get that energy out, but I find the better rested my puppy is the better behaved my puppy is. Dexter gets so bad if he stays up too long. He stops listening, starts biting more, starts humping my leg and chases the cat. I just took him out to go potty knowing he needed a big nap and I ran into my neighbors. He was an absolute maniac flipping around on the leash trying to get to them. I tried everything to calm him. I held the leash to stop jumping and that didn't work. The kids were trying to go up to him and he kept nipping at them. I basically had him pinned down. I then picked him up and he turned and bit my ear. It was embarrassing and frustrating. He came in and I tethered him to me while I sat on the couch. He tried to run around and play more but being tethered and ignored he finally just collapsed and is now in a deep sleep.

I pray that the sweet, rested puppy is the same guy I will when he is grown. Sometimes I still ask myself if I can make it to see that day. Can't wait for our new trainer to come on Tuesday. I certainly need help!

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

Just like kids...when they're overtired, they get wild, sweat, & go crazy :) he'll be delightful when he wakes up & you'll think he's adorable !

[Susan and Bentley]

you definitely need a trainer because it can be very frustrating not knowing what to do.  We went to 3 levels of puppy class which helped so much.  But everything he is doing is because he is a puppy, it's normal behavior.  Your trainer will help.  It's a tough first year with our puppies but they do get a lot better!    We walked Bentley in the backyard and training to walk right takes a long time.  We were told to keep a treat in your hand by your leg, which teaches them to walk next to you. If they start to pull, you stop walking. If you stop to talk to someone, step on his leash so he can't go anywhere.  He will have not choice but to sit or lay down.  Praise, praise praise - and lots of treats.  We used his kibble as treats for the first few months, and sometimes cheerios.  And night time was always the worst.  We spent a lot of time the first few months with him in the kitchen bc I would not let him in my den because he wasn't ready for that.  It takes quite a while before they will just sit and hang out with you!  Hang in there - it's all normal behavior!

[Dexter Doodle]

Yes, I plan to train as much as I can to get the results I want. I am hoping she can also help with the nipping, cat chasing and other concerns I have. So when everyone says it is a tough first year, is it this tough the whole year? Right now I feel like a the need to watch him like a hawk even when he is playing on his own to make sure he doesn't potty or chew or chase a cat is making me unable to just feel relaxed..ever! It makes me so nervous when I hear people say it gets harder as time goes on with adolescence. Then again I heard that with my son who is a well behaved teenager. I believe that is because just like with Dexter I am willing to put the work in now and just reinforce it as time goes by. Then again, I am much more confident in my abilities to work with humans than dogs!

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

No, it gets better much more quickly. Training is key and can tire them out more than exercise! Your confidence will grow with training help (in meantime, check out www.theonlinedogtrainer.com) and as he learns and grows. Expect a lot, cause these pups are smart and can do it! Train him, otherwise he will train you!

[Dexter Doodle]

Thank you. I did try that website but ended up canceling because it wasn't working with my ipad. I have a trainer coming in on Tuesday who is spending 1 1/2 hours evaluating and giving us what to start with. Then, we continue through all of obedience with her. It was a lot of money, but I really like her style and have seen her results. I know I am the one that she really needs to train!

[Kathryn Clark]

I hear you! Our 11 week old puppy seems to get frantic when he's overtired AND just before he needs to go potty. One of the things my trainer told me about is to pick them up when they're like this and hold them tight until the go limp. Oftentimes, they'll even let out a sigh. She says it's a puppy tantrum and you just need to contain them when they're like this. I watched a friend of mine do it to mine the night before the trainer came and it worked like a charm on ours. Good luck!

[Dexter Doodle]

My husband did that recently and I remember the huge sigh! He was on a business trip and I completely forgot to try it. Thanks for reminding me.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

This reminds me of how Doggy Dan says if you want your pup to be able to " switch off" you need to do no eye contact, no talk, no touch... They totally feed off your energy/frustration, etc. and it's hard to stay cool when they act like maniacs. But, you will quickly gather your bag of tricks.
Also try the "calm freeze" which helped us - hold his collar near the tags, palm up, without looking nor talking to him, facing same direction. Stay calmly there together, for thirty seconds. My DH calls this the "re-set switch." :) best,

[Marie + Marshall]

Wow. Thank god for this site!! This is exactly my 13 week old GD. He gets the crazies and bites, barks and just gets out of control. I notice it is worst when he's over tired. He gets his last round of puppy shots Monday and we will finally get into training classes. We are not alone apparently :)

[Dexter Doodle]

Thank you for also making me feel better. Feel free to message me anytime! I like to know that someone is where I am and can truly understand!