Really struggling with puppy!

[Munkeyface]

10 weeks old.
First dog.
I have literally no idea what I am doing with him.

He is sleeping overnight so I'm not overly tired.

Had a 121 with a trainer last week who set me up with a regime.
It's very strict and very Gina ford. 3 hours awake 3 hours crate time during day.
So I am getting a break from him.
Toileting is going ok, very few accidents.

The hours that he is awake I struggle with. He runs around the house, rarely stays in one spot. Doesn't seem interested in any toys. I play with him stroke him etc, we have taught him how to sit.
Tried to carry him down our road earlier but he started barking so came back after five minutes.

The children spend most of the time away from him as he growls and mouths them constantly. Rarely lets them stoke him.
Luckily it's been nice weather so we can go in the garden and he roams around.

I am not naive, I understood it would be hard work but I honestly thought he would be slightly more interactive.

I spend the 3 hours counting down to when he next goes in his crate.

I'm just not enjoying him.

Am I supposed to spend every minute playing with him?

I am just going through the motions everyday - seems relentless!

So after a relatively good day. Puppy just had a crazy hour. Lots of biting and growling.
Came downstairs and he was sat at the bottom barking. Every time i started to move he seemed to lunge towards me.
I was literally trapped 😬 no toys in sight.
Eventually I had to move with him following nipping at my heels!
My heart was pounding!
He didn't seem tired. Literally came out of nowhere.
Anyway he's in his crate fast asleep literally as soon as he went in.
Another day over!

@Munkeyface google puppy witching hour! It's an actual thing lol!! Usually not long before bed they go completely dolally!!! Just let them go bonkers and get it out of their system and then they'll sleep through the night.

Don't worry! It's normal!

Oh and never let him think he can stop u moving. Always walk firmly where u want to go even if he's right in your way!! It's YOUR space! Own it and ignore him. He's just playing and wants a reaction.

He probably missed you! Think of when your children were small. They had no idea that when you went to the loo, you'd come back. The puppy doesn't know that you've popped upstairs and you'll return. His special person has just disappeared.

Could you get a puppy playpen for the garden? They quite often pop up on Facebook. You could use it indoors too, to allow him some safe freedom.

It is really tough. The puppy blues are a thing. I kind of wish we hadn’t got ours and I felt no love at all for the first few weeks. She was just a constant presence, seeing, pooing, biting machine. She’s adorable now.

When they start with the crazy nipping I see the crate as a nap, not a punishment. Just calmly pick pup up and pop her in for a snooze. I think she’s probably overtired and doesn’t know what to do with herself so you have to show her. Rather than seeing each behaviour as good/bad, define it as a chance to reinforce what you want and nip the bad in the bud by redirecting, in this case for a snooze!

What is the best response when the dog is zooming around growling, nipping and biting at everyone?
Do we just ignore? He was clearly tired as passed out now!

@Munkeyface

What is the best response when the dog is zooming around growling, nipping and biting at everyone? Do we just ignore? He was clearly tired as passed out now!

Yes, or straight out into the garden and just follow him at a distance. Remember he isnt that big, he has little teeth if you have shoes and long trousers on he isnt going to do any damage. Just stand tall and ignore get on with what you are doing or if you put him outside follow nonchalantly as if you have no interest in what he is doing

Just put him out in the garden if it’s secure and let him be a dog.

Divert his attention. Garden, get a toy or treat and get him to do something you ask, do some training. Anything really.

You do understand the growling and nipping is play don't you? Why are you scared of this?

His chasing your feet etc is how he would play with his siblings. If you don't like this way of playing and nipping you need to give him a clear signal that he's gone too far (just like his mum or siblings would) and provide him acceptable alternatives that he's allowed to play with.

Having a puppy is one of the hardest thing I have ever done. It was nothing like having a newborn that I was told it would be. She was very bitey and grabbed socks, tea towels which I found so annoying . Every morning I would have a sinking feeling that we had purchased her and our peaceful home was tense and unhappy. I was stressed so everyone was stressed, and deeply regretted having her. I really wanted my old life back. I used to wear thick gloves when taking her to puppy classes so her teeth couldn't penetrate them.

Our vet said to ignore bad behaviour and, if necessary us to physically move away. We even stood in the utility when she misbehaved.

And little by little, she grew out of it. Before long, I realised I wasn't expecting to be bitten that day, and then finally, she stopped nipping my 10 year old. I think it was around when her baby teeth came out. She is very laid back now at 9 months and has a lovely character and now I can see how she is a wonderful part of our family.

It does get better, this stage doesn't last forever. I wish I had taken more photos and videos. I think because I was so stressed, I couldn't think of capturing those moments when she was tiny.

All very well saying it's play I understand that.
The reality is that you can't sit down without being mauled, can't walk away without being jumped at or bitten on the ankles.
Puppy is growling and snarling anytime you go near.
It's not that easy to redirect to something else or start some training.
Or is it, maybe I'm missing something.

@Whattheworldneedsnowislove

Having a puppy is one of the hardest thing I have ever done. It was nothing like having a newborn that I was told it would be. She was very bitey and grabbed socks, tea towels which I found so annoying . Every morning I would have a sinking feeling that we had purchased her and our peaceful home was tense and unhappy. I was stressed so everyone was stressed, and deeply regretted having her. I really wanted my old life back. I used to wear thick gloves when taking her to puppy classes so her teeth couldn't penetrate them.

Our vet said to ignore bad behaviour and, if necessary us to physically move away. We even stood in the utility when she misbehaved.

And little by little, she grew out of it. Before long, I realised I wasn't expecting to be bitten that day, and then finally, she stopped nipping my 10 year old. I think it was around when her baby teeth came out. She is very laid back now at 9 months and has a lovely character and now I can see how she is a wonderful part of our family.

It does get better, this stage doesn't last forever. I wish I had taken more photos and videos. I think because I was so stressed, I couldn't think of capturing those moments when she was tiny.

Your post sums up exactly how I'm feeling. We have occasions during the day that he is wonderful but then he throws curve ball. As ridiculous as it sounds to many I am genuinely scared of him sometimes. Scared of being hurt, protective of my children, I do not want them hurt and sacred that my inability to deal with him will turn him into Cujo as he grows up! I desperately want to see these months through but finding it so hard.

He's a baby. Doesn't know you properly yet.
So many dogs in shelters, and first time dog owners with zero experience buy puppies, encouraging overbreeding and more dogs ending up in shelters, and expect them to be fully trained as soon as they turn up in their home.

@Munkeyface

What is the best response when the dog is zooming around growling, nipping and biting at everyone? Do we just ignore? He was clearly tired as passed out now!

This will go down like a lead balloon but have you tried actually telling it off, lowering your voice and booming at it NO! Do you know how a good bitch disciplines her puppies? She’ll growl and nip at them if they become unruly. She doesn’t divert its attention by engaging it in play, she talks to it in a language it will understand. Be fair, be firm, be consistent. Growling and biting is unacceptable behaviour, infinitely easier to correct now at such a young age than further down the line. Good luck

We just put our puppy in the crate at night or when we went out, it's odd to do it when you're home?

Why are u finding being able to redirect puppy hard?

Grab and toy, grab a treat and get his attention and SHOW him how u want him to play and interact with u.

Is he not responding when u try things like that?

I've had 2 pups. I know what witching hours can be like. I always had a high reward toy kept up out of reach so if I needed to redirect I could grab and know they would want to stop what they were doing and play with that

Puppies are v hard work though. No exaggeration. I was on the list to get my next one last summer but cancelled because I was pregnant. I put all in when I get a puppy to make sure I can turn them out well and get the adult dog I want at the end, and when I didn't think I could I postponed and will hopefully get one from the next litter

I hope I can reassure you that it really does get easier. I had no experience with dogs and only attended 6 weeks of puppy classes before lock down. I was scared too - no-one wants to be bitten. I remember not wanting to go home after work. It was very gradual but eventually, the good days started outweighing the bad days. Now, being greeted by her when we return home, is the best feeling ever.

There is a puppy support thread in "the doghouse" section and at the time, I could see that everyone was describing the same frustrations.

I wish you all the luck in the world.

Oh ditch all that rubbish!!!!
We have had lots of dogs, currently we have two JRT.
We let them out first thing for a pee then they come upstairs!!! Shock horror. Have a cuddle on the bed. We get up and dressed.
Feed them breakfast.
Dog walk and then let them play In the garden and kitchen (with the kids).
They tend to then fall asleep.
Puppy usually takes himself off to his basket the older dog opts for the sofa in the kitchen...
Puppy had lunch.
More Playing kids might go on a walk
Feed dogs around 6pm
They sit with us while we do chores, watch tv etc.
We cuddle them a lot!!
Carry them around!!!!
Teach them To sit, roll over, wait etc

I love my dogs!!!!!! 🐶

They are currently on my bed but will go downstairs to the utility room soon.
Enjoy your puppy

Your trainer sounds pretty hardcore. 3 hours in a crate at 10 weeks sounds brutal. When he is tired, I would have thought that would be the time for him to sit on the sofa and snuggle up to the legs of one of your children. To get used to the smell of his humans etc. To become happy and content with them when he is not full of wild energy.

When mine was ankle biting, he wanted to play generally or he wanted to be with us. Mine likes playing tug with a toy and a person.

I am a bad dog owner though, same family of dog. Mine sleeps in my bed

Your dc could try teaching him to sit for treats. He will likely learn it well and enjoy the treats and it's bonding.

I hope things are getting easier for you all now.

My pup only went in his crate at bedtime and he still goes in there quite happily - but only at bedtime! I wouldn't have dreamed of putting him in there in the day because he'd already spent the night in there. Daytime was for play and interaction. I had stairgates on other rooms in the house so I could put him somewhere safe if needed while I was busy.

Puppies are very hard work and they do nip, bite and growl but as they grow and as you train them and bond with them it naturally fades away and they learn what you expect of them. My pup is just coming up to 2yo and nothing like the puppy I brought home and then wondered what on earth I'd done to us all! He is starting to become the dog I had in mind when I got him.

3 hours enforced ‘rest’ in a crate in the day in one go is downright cruel for a puppy.
Have a look at ABSOLUTE DOGS training on you tube/ facebook for sensible ways of engaging and training a pup.

We are now nearly at 14 weeks of age.
I have relaxed a little on the crate time, although he did go in there for 3 hours the other morning as we went out. He was quite happy on our return and not in the slightest bit distressed.
I'm finding maybe 1.5/2hrs morning and same mid afternoon works well for us.
I have tried letting him sleep where ever but to be honest every time I move for instance he wakes up and follows me so hardly a decent sleep. This is fine if I'm watching tv or something but during the day if I'm home I'm usually pottering around cleaning, cooking etc.
Also crating him enables me to do supermarkets shops run errands etc.
It is working for us!

Ah congrats @Munkeyface that’s good to hear you are getting there ! Little by little . I still lose the rag with mine at 7 months some days but it gets much easier . X