A few questions and observations for my 12wk old mini goldendoodle

[Kim & Rosie]

I've been trying to read as much on here as possible and it has been very helpful. I feel like a list newly at times. Rosie is extremely nippy. If she's awake, she's nipping at me. Nothing holds her interest but bully sticks, but how long is ok to chew on them? Hours? I try to play with her in the yard, fetch, chase, but all she does is sniff for bugs and try to eat the mulch. It's very hard to wear her out when she won't play. She has been awesome in her crate at night and when I'm at work. I was thinking to use the crate as a calm time out but don't want her to associate it with something bad. How do you all feel about a calm time out in a crate? I guess I could use the laundry room but wordy about her scratching at the door to get out.

An observation, she never lays or sleeps in the same room as the rest of the family, she always goes off by herself in the hallway and sleeps or lays by herself. If we bring her in with us, she always leaves and goes off alone. Does this seem odd? There is no longer any snuggling we can do with her, she just nips at us. Any advice would be appreciated!

[Chris & Abby]

This is exactly how my Abby behaved at that age. She was a constant biter and my hands and arms were shredded. Horrible. We had trouble playing outside too. I'd throw her favorite toy and she just wanted to dig up my flowers and eat mulch. Something happened at about 17 weeks and the biting nearly stopped. Maybe the new adult teeth coming in helped. I used the bathroom for time out and luckily she never destroyed anything. I rarely time out any longer. She has really changed to a calmed, sweeter puppy. It will get better for you. I think you're in the worst stage of puppy development right now.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Calm time outs in a crate are perfectly acceptable according to research I've done! Loads of trainers say as long as your actions are calm, then it's a very safe place for "removal from the action/fun" which is the punishment part (as opposed to the location itself). I had a great article on it too, if you like, I'll look for it.
Promise you it gets better with training, leadership, and especially time! Check out Doggy Dan's training vids, too! The calm freeze, and Stop-start-change direction were tricks I loved at this stage. Good luck!

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

As frustrating as it is, it all sounds very normal. Bully Sticks were a life saver for us! If it doesn't bother her tummy, I say let her chew on them as much as she needs to. :-)  We had trouble getting rid of all of Winnie's "puppy energy," too, because she hadn't yet learned to fetch or walk decent on a leash. Any attempts to play with her were a disaster because she would just bite my arms or pantlegs. That seriously all changed at around 16 weeks. Now she is a joy to have around! One thing we found very helpful was taking her to Doggy Daycare a couple of times a week once she was fully vaccinated.

Winnie, too, likes to nap by herself. I don't see that as a bad thing because I prefer to nap by myself, too. :-)  In some ways I look at it as being a good sign- she is content to be by herself. So, when she get's older she might be less likely to develop Separation Anxiety when you are gone. 

Hang in there! It WILL get better! 

 

[Dexter Doodle]

That so sounds like my 13 week old. I'm so glad that I am not the only one that feels like the play in the yard doesn't work either. I can get him to fetch a ball maybe 2x and then he is off eating grass and just laying down instead of running.

He also likes to sleep off alone. Once in a while he will sleep at my feet, but that is rare.

As for the nipping it makes me crazy! I can't help but feel insulted at times especially when he does the snap at my face. It is when he is overexcited and trying to get my attention. It is a total game is over for us. Once in a while he knows how I get insulted and will act remorseful with a lick or 12. So I think he is starting to understand, but also has little self control.

Hang in there.. I'm trying the best to do so myself!

[Nikki & Charlie]

Although Charlie was easily distracted with toys, the nipping drove me mental. He would bite alllll the time!! Sometimes I would be brought to tears in frustration lol. It gets better!!! The transition with the adult teeth makes a huge difference. Now he only nips if he's EXTREMELY hyper.  How is she with treats?? Does she respond well to food? If she is food motivated, you can try buying toys that you put treats in. Or peanut butter if she likes it. Charlie often sleeps in the hallway while we are in the living room, I think it has more to do with the cool tile though. Stay calm - it does get better!

[Kim & Rosie]

I have been brought to tears as well. I hope the adult teeth help. We stopped with bully sticks as she was WAY too aggressive. She likes her kong and ice cubes. She is 14 weeks now and I'm looking for some improvement. She is great with sit, down and getting better with stay. The no bite...NOTHING seems to work. I'm sore and frustrated. I've never had this with any other dog we've had. I can't even exercise her and she doesn't like walks or playing in the yard, she only sniffs out bugs and eats mulch. I really hope this gets better soon!!