My Stubborn Nightmare

[Binny P]

Two days ago, our dog was the nicest, most compliant, amazing creature (except when he had the zoomies, when all bets were off). He has been coming into work with me and mostly doing a great job of napping and playing with his toys or chewing his bone, with occasional potty walks around the block and training times. Yesterday, he discovered that our back alley at my office is full of delicious and disgusting snacks. And today he is a nightmare.

This pup has followed me around from the day we brought him home a month ago. He has never shown the slightest bit of stubbornness. He will do *anything* for a bit of kibble. And my partner and I, newbie fools we are, have been crowing to each other, "We got such a good one! He is so smart! So funny! So compliant! All our friends with poorly behaved dogs clearly just aren't doing it right! See! Look! Let's make him spin again! Spin puppy! Oh good puppy! Winnnninnngggg!!!"

Today...well today he is a new dog. He has done nothing but bark and cry since we got into the office. I have taken him out, we have walked, we have played. My partner came and took him out. They walked, they played. He napped very briefly but then, back to barking and dissatisfaction with life. When we are out walking, he now just sits down if I don't let him eat the tasty treat he found on the ground. (Also, pro-tip:  "Your dog is so cute!" and "Your dog is eating puke!" sound *very* similar on a city street, as noted my partner's earlier experience today...)  He sits down and refused to move when we get back to the office. He is holding one-dog sit-ins all over town, it would seem. 

It is like he went from sweet baby to defiant toddler overnight.

What gives? Is something developmentally happening at 15 weeks causing this? Has he just discovered that attempting to eat gross things outside is way more fun than being inside, not eating gross things? Is it related to his giardia/the Panacur (he is not, btw, using these opportunities outside to poop -- so I don't think it is bathroom related necessarily)? Is he mad at me that I wouldn't let him eat the used sanitary pad he found outside yesterday and now he is forever broken and going to try to defy me? 

Help! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I can tell you it has nothing to do with the giardia/Panacur/bathroom issues. And he is not broken forever.

However, he is definitely going to try to defy you. All dogs do. There is a point at which the desire for whatever it is he isn't supposed to do/have is much greater than the desire to please you, and that's going to get stronger as he gets older, just like with human children. There is always a need to assert independence and test the limits. It's a normal part of growing up. That's where training, training, training comes in. Time to start formal leash training, and work on his "leave it!" command, along with all the basic commands. Forget about making him spin and amusing tricks, that's not important. Time for the kind of formal, serious, basic training that helps him be the dog you want and need him to be, for life. 

[Binny P]

Thanks! We start puppy class on Saturday and it can't come soon enough. He is doing well with sit/down/stay (with the cute tricks in there just to make sure he doesn't get bored), but we have a *long* way to go on leave it/off/leash training. Seriously looking forward to getting some help from the trainer! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm glad you're signed up for puppy classes. Training is for life, and the earlier you start, the better. It makes life with dogs so much easier. :) 

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

First, I am sorry that the diarrhea thing is still happening, and that your puppy is drawn to disgusting "edibles" outside.

But I must say that your posts are spectacularly written! I can appreciate your frustration, as well as your wit and command of words!

All of these puppy challenges will pass, and pudding poop and gross tasty treats will soon become faint memories. 

[Binny P]

Thank you! We are looking forward to that day (though I will miss his little squirmy puppy cuddles!!)

[Dolly Dykhouse]

Ahhh, welcome to the stage also known as "the newborn honeymoon is over, here's your real child" phase. It's funny/not funny.

I echo everything Karen states. Henry has been through the same parasite issues that you are now experiencing with your baby. If anything, I noticed as we started winning the war over the parasites and Henry started feeling like the healthy puppy he was supposed to be that compliant, easy going, love to lay around puppy disappeared and stubborn, willful and mischievous Henry emerged. We waited for professional training because of the parasite issues and being so afraid to contaminate outside our own backyard and cause another puppy owner to live through the misery we were going through...and each day/week brought behaviors seen in a stubborn 14 year old teenage boy; testing boundaries, ignoring commands, planting his butt in the middle of a crosswalk because HE was DONE. I thought I was going to lose my last nerve and what was left of the 23 hairs on my head! First Giardia/Coccidia and all it's lovely complications and straight into teenage rebellion with a 40lb puppy?!? WTH?

I can confirm, as Karen states, training, training, CONSISTANCY, and more training. I have seen a huge change since we started private training three weeks ago; the minute his training collar is on, he straightens right up and puts on his "go to work' face. In fact when he even sees the collar/leash come out now he immediately goes into a sit by the front door he's so anxious to get out even knowing (and maybe because he does?) that he is in for a good 45 minutes of sit/stay heel, loose leash, come here work and then the reward is getting his zoomies out playing in the grass at the park and playing with other dogs if they are out. The difference from 15 weeks to now is significant in his behavior and I truly believe the training had everything to do with it, and maybe a bit of maturity as well. 

Don't get me wrong, Henry P Doodle is far from perfect...we still can't seem to shut him up during the 5-7pm zoomie/crazy period, our poor puggle must be deaf in one ear by now from Henry's insistent "play with me NOW" barking. He is very alpha male and wants everyone to know he wants to be in charge so some things are a battle of wills at the moment. As our trainer/groomer/vet told me, at this age/stage they think the world revolves around them so don't despair it is completely normal. I know with consistency and training and maturity we will see the wonderful doodles we hear so much about and made us fall in love with the breed. 

[Binny P]

Thank you! It's good for me to remember that he is still learning -- when we are on a midday walk and I'm rushed and stressed, it is easy for me to forget that this is actually training and I can't expect him to suddenly behave like an adult, well trained dog! I have also gotten in the habit of leaving his harness on in the office -- good reminder that taking it off will signal "inside time" and it coming out again will signal fun outside adventures!

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

I echo what others have said. Training and patience.... and be prepared for another setback when he officially gets into the "Adolescent Stage."

BUT, what I really wanted to say is that I LOVE your sense of humor in your writings! I noticed it in your previous posts, and it always makes me chuckle. Keep it up! Having a great sense of humor will help you get through this puppy stage and a lot of other difficult things in life.... :-)

[Binny P]

Thank you! I think my partner and I are both trying to just breathe deep, recognize this is a chapter, and have the most fun with it that we can, even when when we want to pull our, each other's, or sometimes the puppy's hair out! :) 

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Just another thought......

Sounds like you have some good basic training in him, but it NEVER stops.  Tigger, at nine, still steals things off the counter in the kitchen occasionally, after weeks of not going near it.  Usually means I have been lazy about reinforcing where he should be when he is in "the kitchen".

As your puppy ages he will need more physical and mental exercise to stay more "manageable".   A nice long walk before work with some basic command work will calm him down until noonish.  Mental stimulation is even more tiring and can be portable to some extent.  There are dozens of premaid "solve it" toys available.  Keep one or two at work that he has to work at to solve.  He should solve the easy part at home first.  Keep trading them out.

Be prepared for this "difficult" part to resurface, often at eighteen months and again around three.  Boredom and lack of exercise are your worst enemies with a puppy.