At my wits end with puppy

[nonononononnoon39382920]

Sorry, long. Right. So I'll start by saying that I am tired, exhausted and having constant fights with my family because I brought this puppy into this house.

He's a 7 month old french bulldog who has severe (people and dog behaviourists seem to think is normal puppy behaviour, whereas I DON'T) behavioural problems. Please trust me when I say I love him to bits. I need to mention that he's doing classes with a behaviourist, he's taking him out for walks to teach him how to properly walk on a leash with his head up, and when he's gonna be stable enough(is that going to happen I wonder?!) we're gonna do sessions together.

Now please have a look at my issues.

1. He BITES! Mostly at night, this behaviour has improved, it's been much worse when he's been younger. But when we go into bed at night he JUMPS at us, BITES (when I say bites I'm not joking) and won't be calmed down. This happens sometimes during the day, not so often. At night it happens regularly, the second we get into bed.

1. He drags us everywhere when in leash, walking. He's been doing puppy classes, no improvement, still working with a behaviourist. With him walks just fine, with us not really. Also his head is always on the ground, never walks with his head up, and eats a shitload of crap from the ground.

1. Fussy eater. Always needs something mixed in his dog food (like carrot, beef meat), and even then sometimes he won't eat.

1. His behaviour is so crap even at the vet, he'll have to sedate him so he can have a look at his ears (a bit of otitis we suspect, waiting for results)

1. He knows basic commands like sit, etc, but only does them if you have food in your hands and he sees that.

I am at my wits end. I am the one who's blamed all the time. I have done the best I could. Walked him 5-6 times a day (bear in mind I have a full time job), mainly he goes potty outside but accidents have happened in the house as well (not bothered about that, I do realise he's a puppy). I am exhausted and don't know what to do...

Please, help. And if you can't help, please give me a hug

Anyone, any advice regarding the fact that he won't be nowhere near obedient at the vet? I feel so sad, I can tell he's scared, I tried offering treats while there, however he won't take them.

He struggles so much and needs to be held by 3 people (vet, nurse, myself). cringe

He's scared? What does he do exactly?
Can you desensitise him? Visit. Treat and leave.

I'm a vet. I bet your veterinary practice would help you with a plan like this:
Pop in to the practice occasionally. Weigh the dog, give him a treat, sit quietly in the waiting room for a few minutes before leaving again. Bring him with you when you go in to buy wormers or flea tx or food. Ask if the nurse or vet would handle him for a moment. No aversive examination or treatment, just in, check, treat, out.

Definitely get him out of your bed. And you're walking much too much, I reckon.

Yes you need to get him to have some nice experiences at the vets and the advice above sounds spot on. I would at least take him in frequently just to say hi to the receptionist and give him a treat to start that positive association then build up to them stroking him etc. Fortunately mine is still ok with vets despite them hurting him ( through necessary exam/treatment) and I think that is a lot due to them cuddling him and giving him treats after so he still has some positive association.

Also on the vet thing you can acclimatise him to the various holds and checks at home. Hold/restrain for a second, then release and treat with lots of praise. Same with things like nail clipping, teeth and ear inspections. Build it up gradually and lots of treats and praise for even the tiniest moment of acceptance.

I've also had amazing success using t-touch with puppies. You can do classes, but I found a couple of you-tube videos covering the basics and went from there. It's really about what feels good for pup and you.

Agree with over exercise comments - exercise releases adrenalin which then takes time to subside - it sounds like your pup is not getting a chance to calm down and the adrenalin dissipate. It can be a vicious circle, people thing pup is hyper and needs a walk but that actually makes things worse. Try scaling walks back to 1-2 a day.

I have to say I think your behaviourist is ripping you off, every trainer I've come across have the mantra that they are training the owner not the dog. You need to be the one who is teaching him to walk on the lead etc.

I would really discourage having him in your bedroom and would agree with others on here that a crate might be best. You're going to have to be strong though and keep it up as he will not be happy at first.

I have a 12 month old pup and his name in the house has been 'the little shit' good job we all adore him.

You love him and that is THE most important part of owning a dog.

Gosh this takes me back to the puppy days! Our cocker at that age had 2/3 30min walks. I found the puppy training classes that we went to were to train us really. Our pup got to socialise and we learnt how to train her consistently and we made sure we spent some time each day doing so. 7m is still young, ours calmed right down when she got to one :) good luck and don't give up!

@Wolfiefan he seems to be scared as in sometimes he s even shaking. :(

Oh op,I'm sorry but I giggled slightly ready your post I remember the early days !

Frenchies are sooo stubborn,so cheeky & they will run away with you if you let them !
They need a lot of mental stimulation as well as exercise & love to chew & sniff.

You (not a trainer)need to train,train & train some more.
Get him on a soft chest harness for walks & crate him in your room at night so at least you get some sleep.
Fill up kongs,give him antlers & other chews.
Play hiding games as they love to sniff!!

I have to go off for a bit but here is my once naughty boy,who is now much better behaved.

@villainousbroodmare I actually believe yours is a fabulous advice! We shall do that, thank you!

Right. Reduced walks it is. I'll bring it down to MAXIMUM an hour a day. Need to reconsider or route

Our route,
Sorry

@Catinthecorner much appreciated! ❤

@babyblackbird I am afraid I believe it still needs to be at least 4 times due to potty training but message understood! Also was thinking exactly like you said so much appreciated that you have taken the time to explain why long walks won't help.🌷🌷🌷

@purpleprincess24 I swear to God I have tears in my eyes from so much laughing at the "little shit" comment. I'll steal that, sorry😂

@purpleprincess24 i do agree he's fucking ripping me off. And believe me is does not come cheap. Around €300 monthly.......... 4 times a week each time 30 mins

@caffeinequick 🌷🌷

@WatcherOfTheNight ohhhhh hey you adorable piggy!❤❤❤ sorry, that's how I call frenchies due to their funny noises and body shapes lol

Thanks! How old is your lovely one?

You gave me hope!🌷🌷🌷

Ours is 3 & 1/2 his nickname is piggy lol

He used to steal stuff & bring it to show me before running off!
He drove me to distraction
He's still a cheeky thing now but very very funny & loveable with it.

There is definitely hope,be consistent & keep him occupied.
Mine is so loving & loyal now he's a grown up

@WatcherOfTheNight i feel like booking myself a place in a mental health hospital and be tied. I love him so so so so much and I'd never consider to rehome him, cause that cheeky bastard with his cow eyes.... hrrrr

Here's the enemy.

@WatcherOfTheNight did he ever bite though?

How was/is his health? I know they're quite hard work health wise! Thank god we didn't have any major problems yet (just an ear infection and allergy)

He looks a stubborn one also!
Mine nipped but nothing other than the puppy nips,he will learn.
A sharp loud no & put in his bed is what we did.
They mouth & chew everything when young & their teeth are like needles.
They need to lose baby teeth,you will probably start finding them shortly.

We used to soak old cloth or flannels in water,twist or knot them up then freeze them. It gives a bit of relief to sore mouths.

Luckily I had an idea of what we were in for as my aunt has had frenchies for over 20 years,way before they became well known so I knew a bit about their quirks.

Ours is in excellent health,nothing other than a sore paw so far.
I know they can suffer allergies though but I believe a lot of that is down to diet.
Ours are on 80/20 & nutriment mostly.

Mine are complete a**eholes but then the give me the sad eyes and damn it, I forgive them!

@WatcherOfTheNight so what is he eating? What type of dog food&what treats? Sorry if I m asking too many questions!

@sotiredbutworthit awwwwwwww!!!!!! Little angel 😇

Please people, do feel free to show me your babies! ❤ I love seeing them!