Losing my resolve

[Diane Denney]

OMG my Doodle puppy has been so hard to handle the last few days (he's always been a challenge, but I thought I saw a light). I knew he was getting better because I wasn't constantly talking about what I was going to do almost in tears!!! I'm back to that point again. Is is normal for his behavior to go up and down? He's biting like crazy again, and testing me constantly. He's into everything. I have everything blocked off. He was biting me out in the yard again where I couldn't get control of the situation, and so I fled running yelling "NO BITE", and left him out there to stew, but I don't think that had any affect!!! He's been having separation issues as well even when we are only a few short feet away where he can see us in the living room. We ignore him as much as possible but it is so ear piercing!!! When he's quiet I give him a treat and tell him good quiet. I'm doing everything in my power (I think). I work with his training and he obeys so well for food. He's even learned drop it because every time he gets something he shouldn't I ask him to trade it for a treat and tell him to drop it. This has been a challenge and I find myself losing all resolve, and questioning myself why I got another dog, and I hate feeling that way!!!! Oh and he never stops scrapping with my older dog when I try and let him free (on a lead). I can hold on to him too well anymore as he is so much stronger than I. Thanks for letting me rant!!!

[Diane Denney]

I do have a prong collar for him. I didn't find it worked so well and he was choking himself and I don't want to hurt him. I do the hustle him into his crate when he acts up inside, and it has helped. I don't have a crate near the outside. I would have to run him into the house, and that would be a bit of a struggle in the momentary lapse of reasoning.

[Adina P]

He chokes himself with a prong? How do you use it? Those don't get tight...they just poke him all around with those prong teeth.

[Diane Denney]

Yeah he pulls so hard that the little prongs poke his neck too hard. He is a real puller. Stronger than an ox!!! I will try it again and see how it goes. I might be an overly worried Mom too though. As I mentioned earlier he even manages to pull me with the gentle leader. He should be head of a dog sled teem...no joke!!

[Adina P]

So how does he manage to pull...are you hanging on to the other end of it the whole time? Or is he dragging the leash? I wouldn't hold on to it unless you are able to keep slack in the leash. Then use that slack for a quick POP correction...never let him get to the END of the leash on his own...you have to make the correction while there is slack so the only time the leash is tight/pulling is that second when you purposely give a pop to the leash. So let's say the leash is 6 feet long...don't let him get 4 feet in front of you before you give the quick pop. Do it sooner...as soon as his mind gets on to a 'naughty thought.'

Although, personally, at his current age I'd do my best to work HARD practicing sit, down, stay, heel, etc DAILY (just you and him) and plow through that as your best defense against this. It will take time, but you'll have control sooner rather than later. But don't practice it IN THE MIDDLE of his fits. Do it on purposeful training times where you go out to the park or down the street or backyard (anywhere) and work only on that ONLY with him. Do you have a training plan you are following?

[Diane Denney]

I do not let Lincoln get ahead of me when walking. I have taken the Dog Whisper course, and I do not give him much slack. I use treats to keep him heeling beside me as we go, but if he gets going he just keeps pulling with or without a pop of the leash. I am trying to "Master the Walk" as Cesear puts it. I also use the change direction technique too so that he learns what I want him to do. I have been doing training almost every day for the basics so I'm doing the right things as far as I know. I do not have a training plan. I just train off and on during the evening or day for 10 to 15 minutes each time.

[Adina P]

I should have been more clear. By getting ahead of you I didn't mean literally during your walks (tho that applies too) but when he's wearing the lead around the house be sure the lead isn't tight and all pulled taught BEFORE you correct. You WANT slack in the leash prior to a correction so that there is all this loose leash between you and the dog and only your correctiive pop OR the dog blasting ahead toward the naughty behavior makes the leash taught. But you don't allow the dog to blast ahead because you correct before he gets to the end of the leash. He can only pull if he's at the end of the leash, right? So don't let him get there even around the house...if he's wearing a prong. Hope that makes sense. I wish I could draw a picture instead of type.

[Diane Denney]

Ah I get it. Oh he is most certainly getting to the end of his leash, but that is just with his wide collar. He has so much hair that it's hard to know if there are enough links or not in the prong, and where/if it's sitting correctly. I'll try the prong again. I need to use it double looped at the beginning until he gets used to it right?

[Adina P]

I should have been more clear. By getting ahead of you I didn't mean literally during your walks (tho that applies too) but when he's wearing the lead around the house be sure the lead isn't tight and all pulled taught BEFORE you correct. You WANT slack in the leash prior to a correction so that there is all this loose leash between you and the dog and only your correctiive pop OR the dog blasting ahead toward the naughty behavior makes the leash taught. But you don't allow the dog to blast ahead because you correct before he gets to the end of the leash. He can only pull if he's at the end of the leash, right? So don't let him get there even around the house...if he's wearing a prong. Hope that makes sense. I wish I could draw a picture instead of type.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I'd go to the pet store and have them show you how to use the prong collar correctly if this is your collar of choice. We had a husky in one of our training classes that was pulling its owner all over the place and the trainer put a prong collar on the dog, fit it correctly, and it was instant. The lady even had people stopping her on the way out of the store asking her about it.

I'd also get into some training classes sooner rather than later. Lincoln is going to get too large too quickly to have him misbehaving ..... he could actually cause injury to you or someone else if you don't get him under control quickly.

I feel your frustration, but exercise exercise exercise, and training (for both you and Lincoln) are going to help your problem greatly!

[DeeDee and Sheila]

My relatives and I always had (have) alot of labs of different ages in the house. The puppies wear the older dogs out eventually, so in my house the rule was that the older dog got to go to my bedroom AWAY from the puppy to rest. The dogs that needed to rest appreciated it. You are in Noblesville, right? I know that the owner of Noble Vestal Doodles (your breeder maybe?) has a very good trainer. It might be worth it to have a trainer come and watch the family dynamics and give you some tips.

[Diane Denney]

Thanks for the info. Diane. I will be signing him up for courses soon. I had a behaviorist come in, but it didn't amount to much. Just told me to keep a gentle leader on him in the house, and outside when playing with him and to treat him when he was good and redirect him when he's bad. She really didn't see much of the dynamic really. The dogs always behave differently when someone new is around. She never even followed up with me after she charged me $ 90.00. I really want this dog to excel in behavior and training as I know their potential. If I can just get past this stage. I hate it when I make mistakes with him. Like tonight he was yipping and whining in his crate so I let him out, and then kicked myself for it after. Oh well I guess we all make mistakes!!

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

Thanks for the referral. I spoke to Diane today and recommended First Friends (our trainer). All of our local puppy families go to FF!
Always happy to help!