Crazy in the evening!

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Gracie is not a calm sweet puppy. But, she is a very energetic ball of fur with teeth. Even though we would like her to be a lap pup - she's just not into that! We have really upped our own energy levels to keep up with her. When I say we, I mean me. I'm home with her all day and we work on training and manners continuously. I've come to the realization that this is who Gracie is. She has settled nicely into the schedule we have.
During the day she sleeps, eats, takes daily walks (10-15 min x 3), annoys her big brother, and trains with mom. After her 4 pm meal, she is a different puppy! Usually we have to crate her to get supper prepared and so that we can eat w/o worrying what she is doing. Afterwards, she goes out and comes back in a wild Tasmanian Devil (we are even considering changing her name!)

I feel bad for my husband and son (who is a young adult) that they don't get to see her at her best. I cannot do any training either in the evening because of how high strung she gets - when she becomes an alligator and will not stop biting no matter what. We've tried all sorts of things even letting her chew on us as long as it is not hurtful, but sometimes she just isn't calm enough to trust her to be nice.

She terrorizes Barkley more in the evening and he will give in and play with her a bit until he tires of her. Then he even becomes more agitated at her.
My husband would like to be able to interact with her, but she's so wound that it's no fun for anyone. We do a lot of treat trainig. (Using her dog food) and she's expecting treats because she seems to lunge towards my hand if I ask her to do something.

The evening is when we just want to wind down - but she is winding up! We would like to be able to spend a little time with her in the evenings without being attacked by a furry alligator Tazmanian Devil hybrid. ;)

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Lynda - that's what I'm missing a hot tub! ;)

I keep reading all of these horror stories that occur when the pups reach 6 months. I sit here and think if she is crazy at 3 months what am I getting at 6 months? Ha! Ha!

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Kristin, Awe. That's really good news!
I did just read that mouthy pups are really happy. Well, she must be one of the happiest!
I almost teared up reading this and Veronica's post.
Laugh away! And thanks. :)

[Kristin and Sophie]

Lyndy - I had totally forgotten but my husband bought us gardener's gloves because Sophie used to nip so much and it hurt our hands.  She wasn't trying to be aggressive, but she nipped all the time.  My step children got so frustrated with her because they just wanted to pet her and she wanted none of that.  Believe me, your patience will be tried and it will be tried, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.  And, again, I was laughing because I was totally in your shoes before.  And, the funny thing is  - is that when we first got Sophie she was 'lethargic' and we worried about her because she was so calm.  Little did we know that she was that way because of being separated from her litter and all that she knew.  She got over that fast and was not lethargic again.  LOL   Best wishes to you!  I promise you will get through this..... I attached a picture so you can see that we did in fact need gloves!  :)

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Hahaha! Just today I was thinking that I should put on my leather work gloves!
My youngest is 18 - so we don't have small children to worry about. But, he is excited when he can pet her w/o being bitten. :)

I also have to laugh because I keep telling my husband that this is all because he wanted a girl (Gracie was the only girl) and that we should have gotten the lazy boy that just laid there the whole time! Of course, I kept asking about him because I thought something was wrong with him. Lol.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Hahaha! Funny explanation. ;)

[Kathryn Clark]

I hope you're feeling better now with all these great posts! We're in the same boat. We have a major alpha doodle. I was just meeting our new awesome vet yesterday and during the visit he was like "WOW, he's testing you all the time, isn't he?!" Yes, great, thanks for noticing. Our Dewey is six months old and has settled a bit with a lot of training but still goes bonkers. I do four walks with him since we live in San Francisco. One is one hour and the other three are 20-30 minutes, every single day, ugh. I have no idea how I'm getting any work done, it's definitely changed my routine (but I'm also really fit now!). Perhaps because of all those walks, usually by 8:30 we have a ritual where we go sit in the living room and he gets a treat (yaky puff) and gnaws on an antler until he crashes at our feet around 9. Then he's pretty much out for the night. We even have to drag him back to bed. That has been lovely, having my relaxing evenings again. Just stick with the evening routine and increase the walk length or some heavy fetch and I think he'll grow into it soon. Good luck!

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Kathryn, how did you train him to walk if he's so strong willed? I'm wanting to get Gracie out walking more, but really want her to be able to walk w/o pulling. We did well a few weeks ago, but then this past week as soon as she saw we were headed in the long walk direction she would run ahead and pull. I did the stop and wait, but as soon as she was given the go - she sprinted and stop and wait again. So this past week we've only been walking around the yard. I'm giving her treats when she's heeling. We have had some great short walks, but once she gets it in her head its time to play - that's the end of a nice walk.
I haven't bought a harness or gentle leader yet. Just trying all the walking tips.

[Kathryn Clark]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9cpD6VFhTU

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Wow. I love that! I think I'm going to give that a try with Gracie. She is definitely food motivated. I usually just use her kibble and so far she takes the bait. Today she walked really well. My husband even walked her and thought she was doing great. This will help to fen tune the idea of heel. Thanks!

[Mary ann & Lincoln]

We went through that with Lincoln too. He was like a crazy Mako shark ( wished we had named him that!!!) We live in NE PA so too cold and snowy for long walks etc. We play fetch and with other toys. We found that chewing on a bone works ( we got a buffalo horn per our puppy instructor) and so do ice cubes. they were a life saver. He plays with them and rolls around wiht them and chews them up. He will sit in front of the refrigerator now to get one! I give him 1 at a time and after 2-3 he gets alitlle tired out. Not sure about time out - they need things to keep them busy like a small child. He is only 5 months and is getting better about biting ( only me- not hubby!) I must taste better LOL . Both our trainer and vet said it is perfectly normal for them to get the "crazies" at night it is a dog thing for hunting etc. Hang in there it does get better.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

I just ordered her some antlers. Hoping that will help. I will do ice cubes as well. I don't know why I haven't thought of that. Thanks!

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

Our labradoodle and puggle get crazy. The puggle pleads with me to do something (you can tell by his expression).  I take a large Kong bone and plug one end with string cheese, add kibble, plug the other end.  I do this on both sides.  It calms her down right away.  I also have a purple similar bone that I add kibble to the ends then plug with cheese.  Works great.  I also use this at night when she wakes up bored.

When your family comes home have they ignore her for awhile until she calms down.  I realized when we had a golden that I had taught her a lot of her bad habits.  I saw my husband ignored her and she didn't jump or block your path.  Cute as a puppy buy later not so much.

Because I am somewhat disabled I make any dog sit before I pet them.  I saw our boxer granddog yesterday and they can wiggle unlike any other dog - he never jumped though.