7 month old puppy - where are we going wrong?

[anchovies]

We got our lab cross at 11 weeks, she was so easy, I can count the number accidents she had inside on one hand, she settled in her crate from the first night, got on with our 2 year old lab fantastically and the dcs all loved her. Started training classes and she was great, clearly very food motivated and picked things up very quickly.

Fast forward to now, 7 months old. She jumps up at everyone, chews everything that happens to be near her, gnaws on the kids and grabs their clothes, legs it if you open the door, harasses our other dog constantly and completely ignores us. She is not bothered about food treats if there is something more interesting that has taken her fancy. I constantly remind everyone about saying ouch and stopping playing when she gets over excited and bites or turning away if she jumps up but she is like a coiled spring and doesn't seem to be learning at all. She is slightly calmer for a couple of hours after she has been out but the rest of the time (including after any training we do) she is just ridiculous. She has lots of chew toys, I am constantly refilling kongs, freezing carrots etc etc. We are not currently going to training classes, there has been a break over the summer but hopefully they will restart soon.

I am sure she is just being a puppy but am wondering if anyone has any tips or ideas on getting us through this bit with the hope of ending up with a well behaved, well adjusted dog in the end?!

How much exercise is she getting? Labs are very active dogs. How many walks/miles is she getting daily? A adolescent lab needs tons of galloping about.

Sounds like you are keeping her mind and mouth busy with the kongs and carrots etc but this could also have the side effect of reducing the interest in the treat rewards when you are trying to train.

She is a teenager! My only advice will be to continue to be consistent and firm and you will come out the other side!

My dog was a nightmare for the first 3 years of his life, now at just 5 he is a well adjusted well behaved dog! I just had to 'smile and wave!' we got through it And I am sure you will too.

When you say you are constantly filling kings etc is this everyday and is this how she is fed?

To be honest when I said filling kongs I would only freeze her regular dry food (deducted from what she has morning and evening) or maybe a smear of peanut butter something or occasionally a frozen banana or whatever. She also has some antlers that she loves. Just wanted to make it clear I am doing my best to keep her busy! She is still food motivated if her attention is on me but the minute she makes a break for it/spots another dog/has pinched something that looks exciting etc it's like we don't exist.

She currently has Simpsons fish and potato, previously on fish4dogs but the price has increased massively. I had a thought that the protein content was causing some of the craziness, is this possible?

Currently she goes out for about an hour in the morning (off lead) was worried this is too much according to the 5 mins per month rule but struggle to take both dogs separately. She also loves to swim and swims in the river most days. She doesn't often go out with our other dog in the evening as I was under the impression this would be too much, would be grateful for an opinion on this though? We also have a big garden where she spends a lot of time (digging, chewing up plants and generally causing havoc!)

Is your dog a working dog? How about looking into agility/flyball for her? Some dogs have more energy than others. And lets not forget she is a teenager.

Keep enforcing the 'rules' and just because you arent going to training classes doesnt mean you cant train yourself.

I would be taking her out alone - I understand it isnt always practical, but when training a puppy it is definitely needed.

I think an hour per day is enough running/swimming, off lead exercise, you need to do some on lead training, heelwork, recall, manners etc. the 1/1 you put in now will continue for a lifetime.

Imho it sounds like your puppy gets to do as she pleases or could be bored.

I would give her two walks a day personally - but that is only because every lab I have ever had has needed lots of opportunity to run off as much energy as possible, and I am not aware of any veterinary advice not to do this.

Whether to take out with your other dog or not, to keep the training on track, depends a lot on the older dog and their relationship. I have had some puppies who have virtually 'trained themselves' because they have been heavily influenced by a very obedient older dog, so the older dog can help rather than hinder, but you would probably have a better idea whether it would in this case or not.

You're right. There is a recommendation/guideline of 5 mins of exercise per month and although it is just a guideline, it is worth bearing in mind. At 7 months there is still a lot of growing and forming to be done.

Can you split the walks into half an hour in the morning and half an hour in the evening! That would help a lot.

If she were mine, I'd be coming down on her like a ton of bricks for some of the behaviours. Nipping for one. It has to stop. Ow and turning away would not cut it for me. Mine would get a very firm and stern no and a complete disengage.

She has learned that she can ignore what you say. Completely. She needs to be reminded that a command from you HAS to be obeyed and that will mean some training, with just her for 10 minutes a day. It also sounds as though she is getting over stimulated and frantic. I wonder if she is frantic because she can't do right for doing wrong. If you listened to yourself, would it be one long round of no, no, no without telling her exactly what to do to please you? It's an easy trap to fall into.

Make sure you give positive commands, and praise when they are followed. Make sure she does what you ask, when you ask and make sure you don't repeat a command. As soon as you do, you teach her to ignore what you say.

Start with one command and get it bullet proof. Sit would be a good one.

Can anyone point me at the exercise limit advice please - am interested. Ta.

I'm guessing the 5 mins of exercise a month is a typo though!

Jenner - the "5 minute rule" for medium/large breed dogs came from John Weller (JohnW) gundog expert who posts on the Labrador Forum if you scroll half way down you'll see a post from him explaining how he came up with it.

Jenner: it's 5 mins per month old the puppy is i.e 5 months = 25 mins walk per day, 6 mo = 30 mins etc rather than 5 mins per month :) - we were advised that by breeder, vet and trainer for ours, we have a retriever.
OP: would it work to keep food treats just as rewards for a bit, rather than as a distraction?what I mean is, that she only gets food when she's done what you ask e.g. sat/ watched you/ lain down etc? I do agree with daisy re nipping- totally ignore & leave room, or failing that, try a big big shouty no & haul off to the kitchen. We were also told to walk into our dog's space if he jumped up, rather than turn our backs, as our puppy thought this was a fantastic game. And no attention at all until he has all 4 paws on the floor, not even a hello. I sympathise with the digging as well.. ours has a thing for bulbs, grass roots and my herbs.

OOOooooohhhh - yes I see now. Was thinking 5 minutes a month would be tough to do unless you nailed its paws to the floor! Arf!

Thanks for pointing me in right direction.