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Puppy really getting me down

56 replies

Thisislifefornow · 02/03/2021 18:18

Hi, I hope this doesn't come across that I'm cold hearted as I'm far from it. We got a puppy at 9 weeks and knew it would be tough after owning previous dogs from puppy stage. However the last few days I've been in constant tears. From day one he has been a excessive biter but we have been muddling through it even though my poor children have took the brunt of it. We are very firm and he tends to respond when we tell him no. Over the last few weeks things have ramped up and I'm getting more and more upset. He is now 24 weeks, he's walked for a good amount of time daily, fed a good diet, played with , cuddled, kept busy with challenges but things are getting worse. He climbs all over the table, skirting board and now tonight jumped in the counters and eaten all the meat for dinner. He's ripping carpets up, eaten dining chairs , dug huge holes in the garden , scratched the sofas to death. I could go on and on. I'm not soft on him at all and I remain firm but it changes nothing. What do I do?? I'm completely miserable so the dog must sense this too. I spoke to a dog trainer but there's not much inside help at the moment because of COVID restrictions. Please help

OP posts:
Thisislifefornow · 02/03/2021 21:30

@SpringersLoveSofas

The examples you gave are all things, at that age, I would expect to physical prevent.

Jumping on counter with meat? I wouldn't expect to leave a young dog capable of that alone with the meat on the side?

Digging in the garden? Supervision and a lead, if needed.

Ditto jumping on tables or chewing furniture. At that age, I wouldn't necessarily expect to be able to leave the dog alone with furniture he could chew, especially if he was scared to be left (which he might be).

Some dogs, sure, are more mature at that age and more trustworhty. But many not.

Is he doing all these things because he's not being watched, do you think?

Extremely shocked myself he could jump that high, but he does have very long legs and constantly jumps so has managed to succeed today.
OP posts:
Thisislifefornow · 02/03/2021 21:32

[quote MrsPnut]Join this group, read all the help units especially the puppy ones and if you are still having problems then you can ask the trainers for help.
www.facebook.com/groups/374160792599484[/quote]
Thank you. I have requested to join.

OP posts:
SpringersLoveSofas · 02/03/2021 21:35

Extremely shocked myself he could jump that high, but he does have very long legs and constantly jumps so has managed to succeed today

Ha ha! I suspect the challenge you'll have now is that he has learned how to do it and been rewarded handsomely for his efforts. He won't forget the reward of free counter meat for a looong time!

That's part of why physical prevention is important. You don't want them to ever have an experience in which they succeed. Smile

Thisislifefornow · 02/03/2021 21:36

@sunflowersandbuttercups

He is now 24 weeks, he's walked for a good amount of time daily, fed a good diet, played with , cuddled, kept busy with challenges but things are getting worse.

Firstly, puppies need about 18 hours of good sleep each day. About 8-9 hours a night, and the rest in good chunks throughout the day. Is he getting that amount? Too much stimulation is not the right way to go - you need to find the balance between exercise, training, feeding, sleep and play. At that age, I would be doing 2 x 30 minute walks per day to include a mixture of off-lead time (if possible, or on a long-line if not), training and slow sniffing. Puppies shouldn't be playing rough, so avoid things like throwing balls and tuggy if possible.

He climbs all over the table, skirting board and now tonight jumped in the counters and eaten all the meat for dinner.

What are you doing to prevent it? I would be using baby gates, a pen and a crate to limit where he's got access to - and you shouldn't be leaving him in any room alone at that age, really - more for his own safety than anything else. You don't want him to bite/chew something like a wire.

Mine is three and we still use a baby gate to keep him out of the kitchen!

He's ripping carpets up, eaten dining chairs , dug huge holes in the garden , scratched the sofas to death.

Where are you when all this is happening? Can you not crate him when you need to leave him alone?

I do feel for you because the puppy months can be really hard, but I feel like a lot of this could be prevented if you put the right measures in place.

The house is small , he is pretty much always in the same room as me. It can be a simple task such as putting a hoover away which would see him seeking an popularity to chew the stair carpet. If I load the dishwasher he may then rip the kitchen chairs. All very normal everyday tasks that if I was to crate him for he would never be out. As soon I see him doing these things I intervene with no, distraction etc . I don't let him get on with the destruction he is causing but you can see the dilemma if I can't possibly carry out your everyday tasks without harm.
OP posts:
Thisislifefornow · 02/03/2021 21:38

@SpringersLoveSofas

Extremely shocked myself he could jump that high, but he does have very long legs and constantly jumps so has managed to succeed today

Ha ha! I suspect the challenge you'll have now is that he has learned how to do it and been rewarded handsomely for his efforts. He won't forget the reward of free counter meat for a looong time!

That's part of why physical prevention is important. You don't want them to ever have an experience in which they succeed. Smile

When he next attempts this trick , he will find no food. It actually very rare for me to have anything out but we just starting my sons cookery project for school hence why it was there.
OP posts:
MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 02/03/2021 21:41

Beagles are a more difficult breed than the ones you've had before, but all puppies respond to consistent training eventually even Springers. Hang in there Thanks

missbridgerton · 02/03/2021 21:42

A family friend has just rescued a beagle OP, they are very experienced dog owners and very practical/sensible.

This dog is close to tipping them over the edge of their sanity.

I think you need to find someone who is really experienced with the breed for some practical help. I'm on lots of FB spaniel groups and they've been invaluable as mine have grown. I'd try and find some Beagle owners Grin..... and fwiw, I desperately wanted our sprocker puppy, took me years to talk DH into it, and by the time she was 6 months old, I was really down and low with it. I posted on the puppy survival thread on here and it was so helpful to get some solidarity and support from others saying exactly the same thing.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 02/03/2021 21:50

@Thisislifefornow of course!

So there are two methods - one is where you install a tether in the wall so she can be attached to a short lead. That way she's not in her crate but she still has a limited range of movement. It's a good way to teach her to be calm while, say, you're eating but she can't get into trouble either!

The other method is literally tethering her to you - clip a lead onto the waistband of your jeans and she can't go anywhere without you being there too. It is a bind but it means you can interfere and stop what she's doing before she gets too much enjoyment out of it!

With the food I would never leave a puppy alone in a kitchen even for a second if there's food about 🤣 they're determined little buggers. Mine stole half a loaf of bread off the table at a similar age when DH turned his back to get a spoon!

sunflowersandbuttercups · 02/03/2021 21:55

I've just read the full thread and seen he's a beagle - mine too! Wink

They do get there but they're a nightmare as puppies. If you're on Facebook, look up the Beagle Lady. She has a group and gives fantastic advice. Beagle Banter but Better is another great place for advice and funny beagle stories Grin

Mine is three now and fabulous but he had me in tears several times as a puppy. Here he is now though!

Puppy really getting me down
Motorina · 02/03/2021 22:09

Speak with Beagle Welfare. They're the breed experts, and have a beagle behaviourist who can advise.

To me, a lot of this sounds very normal for the breed, but I do wonder if the destruction is worse when you leave him? If so, there may be a seperation anxiety component, which is very common in beagles.

NoSquirrels · 02/03/2021 22:10

He is a beagle so the upper end of energetic, I previously had a Yorkshire terrier and westie who we had no issues with at all so maybe I was extremely lucky on those occasions.

Oh - a beagle. Yes, that’s more of a challenge than the terriers! Mine has some sort of beagley hound in her (she’s a rescue) and she’s food obsessed, stubborn and loves to sniff and chase squirrelly things.

As others say, try a house line so puppy is attached to you at all times, and I would make sure you’re harnessing the greedy tendency with doing clicker training for food to shape behaviours like calm and redirecting attention. Kikopup is good as mentioned for an explanation of how to get started.

DoubleTweenQueen · 02/03/2021 22:24

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow I take umbrage at your prejudice to Springers! Mine is a complete angel! Grin

OnlyToWin · 02/03/2021 22:43

Just caught up on thread and read your puppy is a beagle! It all makes more sense now - I know beagles that have eaten, not just chewed, actually eaten whole dresses, pairs of shoes, full Sunday roasts, tights, socks etc. They’re a handful of a breed but although I have known some wild ones, I have also known some really well-behaved ones. The owners I know that have the well-behaved ones are super-strict with them, more so than I had to be with my puppy. They also have a place (high sided pen) to put them for safety. Wishing you all the best OP.

Cecillie · 02/03/2021 22:49

You have given yourself a challenge with a beagle .
We had one when I was a child, I remember my dad and his brother spending all Saturday putting up a fence across the garden to contain her in one area, let her out and she just took a flying leap over it Grin
Teenage stage, things will improve but get some help now . Kiko pup on YouTube is helpful and most trainers will do zoom calls . Outdoor training one on one should hopefully start soon as well .

CorianderBee · 02/03/2021 23:09

Haha I had a beagle growing up. Constant howling and crying in the night, food refusal, would only sleep ON my mum (like a baby), bolting off, stealing and eating clothes. Stubborn as a mule.

He chilled out after a while with heavy training. Although, he would still look at you when you called his name, roll his eyes and ignore you.

We adored him though, the cutest, grumpiest little man.

blowinahoolie · 03/03/2021 06:18

Good luck with the training. My puppy sounds sedate compared to a beagle 😂

Landlubber2019 · 03/03/2021 06:33

Did you watch dogs behaving very badly this week on channel 5, that include a highly intelligent and energetic breed who was thieving food and causing mayhem, might be worth watching on catch up for some tips!

chocolateorangeinhaler · 03/03/2021 06:44

There is a lot you can do, stop making excuses.

Stop rewarding poor behavior with attention for a start. In a dogs brain attention is attention. They don't know what you don't want unless you teach them.

What breed is the dog? I have a six month old that has always been really easy. Prior to that I had a Rottweiler that was very challenging every day until she got to about. 3 years old.

speakout · 03/03/2021 07:02

I am sorry things are so tough OP.

Having had puppies in the past it is all flooding back to me.
My family- DD and OH in particular are giving me a lot of pressure to get a puppy, but they are out all day and OH works away a lot.

So far I have held firm.
You have just helped to strengthen my resolve.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 03/03/2021 07:02

@blowinahoolie

Good luck with the training. My puppy sounds sedate compared to a beagle 😂
I think all puppies are sedate compared to beagles 🤣

They're an absolute horror when they're young - I think it's why they're so cute! However mine is currently curled up under the duvet with me having a nice warm snuggle and I forgive him all his sins Grin

Frenchfancy · 03/03/2021 07:03

That sounds like very hard work, mine doesn't do half of that but I still find it really hard.

Dog behaving very badly on channel 5 is definitely worth a watch. The back episodes were on YouTube but they've been taken off this week. Consistency is the key, as is making it easy for the dog. No food left out ever. Easier said than done though.

Thisislifefornow · 03/03/2021 07:11

@chocolateorangeinhaler

There is a lot you can do, stop making excuses.

Stop rewarding poor behavior with attention for a start. In a dogs brain attention is attention. They don't know what you don't want unless you teach them.

What breed is the dog? I have a six month old that has always been really easy. Prior to that I had a Rottweiler that was very challenging every day until she got to about. 3 years old.

Excuse me!! What excuses have I made? I'm asking for genuine help, as I'm willing to try and do not want to rehome our puppy. If you have nothing nice to say, do not comment.
OP posts:
smellyolddog · 03/03/2021 07:22

Such good advice.

I have a 6 month pup as well and I've written a list of good and bad traits and I'm working through the most important bad traits with training right now.

So I found it helped me focus, bad trait, snaps when offered high value treats that's getting dealt with first in case we are out and he grabs from a child etc - bad trait barking at gate. Etc.

So one by one I'll tackle each issue.

I also have a counter surfer, who will now just have a good sniff but won't dare jump up. His mum has form for stealing as well.

blowinahoolie · 03/03/2021 07:45

sunflowersandbuttercups I wasn't meaning to be smug, as we all have our moments with these puppies, but in comparison a giant breed seems more relaxed around the home than a beagle. Not sure my nerves could handle it😂She does have her restless moments but she gets a natural chew like a trachea or turkey neck to chow down on. Keeps them entertained.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 03/03/2021 07:56

@blowinahoolie

sunflowersandbuttercups I wasn't meaning to be smug, as we all have our moments with these puppies, but in comparison a giant breed seems more relaxed around the home than a beagle. Not sure my nerves could handle it😂She does have her restless moments but she gets a natural chew like a trachea or turkey neck to chow down on. Keeps them entertained.
Oh I definitely didn't read it as you being smug, don't worry!

Beagle puppies are a law unto themselves 🤣 I love mine but I absolutely wouldn't recommend them to someone who was out of the house a lot.

As puppies they can be noisy, destructive, anxious and very mischievous! They do settle around 3 years old but it is a hard slog to get there, especially if you have one with strong hunting instincts so off-lead work is harder.

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