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Puppy Survival Thread: surviving into 2022

999 replies

LadyCatStark · 12/01/2022 16:18

The other thread is full and I can’t see a new one! Hope it’s OK to start one. I’m actually barely surviving puppyhood, actually teenagerhood, this week 🤬😡😭.

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SirChenjins · 02/02/2022 20:54

We’re just back from puppy training - it was awful 😢 ChenPup gets so over-excited and doesn’t listen to a word I say. He and one of the other dogs spend the whole hour barking at each other to the extent that one of the two trainers have to help us keep them quiet and focused so the rest of the class can hear what’s being said without their dogs being too distracted. I’m feeling absolutely rubbish - esp as two of the other dogs look like they’re serious contenders for the ‘world’s most obedient dog’ competition.

Goawayangryman · 02/02/2022 21:09

@SirChenjins you will find your people here. :) It's just like the school gates where people are obsessing about reading colour banding etc.
Ours is bananas at training too. It isn't you. Some just have a really hard time coping with the stimulation of a new place and new people and other dogs.

We mostly don't do classes.now for that reason altho we are doing Kennel club bronze with someone who I trust and there are only 4 other dogs.

certainshepherdpups · 02/02/2022 21:10

Sending strength vibes to everyone who is struggling.

Sorry to hear that the training didn't go well @SirChenjins. My pup was also overexcited at his puppy classes. He desperately wanted to play with the other puppies but it was never allowed (some weird rule due to Covid?). All the other puppies seemed much calmer and quieter in comparison. But mine was the star of loose lead walking. Grin Actually the classes were mostly a waste of time for us and I chose not to continue beyond the beginner level. I hope yours are useful and that the next one goes well.

Blahblahblah40 · 02/02/2022 21:10

I really feel like I’m losing my mind. 😂 Hands are scratched to bits. He won’t sleep at all properly during the day (I think because he isn’t stimulated or tired enough). We have a busy household, I wfh, and am a lone parent so I can’t just drop everything and give him all the attention despite really wanting to. Doesn’t help that Blahpup is still crying and howling even if I leave the room to make a cuppa. It’s all just testing my patience to the absolute limits right now.

No he was definitely over tired/over excited and doing the ‘aggressive’ attention seeking play with me please. DC wasn’t even touching him. Can’t seem to nip that in the bud at all with sit/wait commands and distractions so have resorted to isolating for really poor behaviour. I can deal with the slipper nibbling as they can be replaced but won’t stand for nibbling children I’m afraid.

Blahblahblah40 · 02/02/2022 21:13

We haven’t ventured to puppy classes yet. I’m too scared! Car journey is traumatic enough 🤣

Sounds silly but have you tried getting there first so pup isn’t walking into a room full of other dogs? That way can speak to who he needs to and get the anxiety out before it all begins and he has to concentrate?

Askawayyyy · 02/02/2022 21:17

@SirChenjins you are with your people here Grin

Fellow pup who also spent the first lesson barking. I got very frustrated and upset which def didn’t help and I think dpup picked up on that.
We practised lots at home and the next session was so much better so hang in there! They will all start to focus more and be less distracted by each other as the classes go on to

Goawayangryman · 02/02/2022 21:18

Isolating is absolutely fine. According to me, not that I am a behaviourist...

They do need to learn that bad behaviour leads to consequences. They are smart cookies. This won't damage them and you're doing nothing wrong, you are trying your absolute best. I hear you about being the only adult in the household, and working FT. it is brutal. I can only hope that we turn out lovely dogs in the long run.

GuyFawkesDay · 02/02/2022 21:19

Mine varied between class swot and total loon at classes. He just wanted to PLAY all the time. It's hard. And we were in a very echoey church hall so the barking was LOUD.

Starting bronze classes next week. Now FawkesPup is ok on the leg and I will hopefully be less busy with work. Luckily the trainer has 5 classes on different nights and locations and we can do in and out until we meet the standards. Flexitime training!

FawkesPup needs loads of work as we are back to jumping up and biting the lead on walks. Annoying as hell.

Askawayyyy · 02/02/2022 21:19

We also had the worlds most perfect pup in ours who walked in on a loose lead and just sat starting contentedly at their owner the whole session…… it was the youngest too.
Few weeks later it was the devil pup they all have their moments

Goawayangryman · 02/02/2022 21:20

Yes to the pup that turned. Ours was an angel until the hormones.

SirChenjins · 02/02/2022 21:27

[quote Askawayyyy]@SirChenjins you are with your people here Grin

Fellow pup who also spent the first lesson barking. I got very frustrated and upset which def didn’t help and I think dpup picked up on that.
We practised lots at home and the next session was so much better so hang in there! They will all start to focus more and be less distracted by each other as the classes go on to[/quote]
We’re on week 5 😢 We got there first tonight too - he was barking before we even got into the hall and then proceeded to greet every dog as it came in with squeals and barks and cartwheels. Mortifying.
We practise at home and he’s doing pretty well with his commands etc - but it’s like he’s possessed by the devil at the classes.

Glad we’re not alone though - I feel so much better reading your posts, so thank you everyone 😊

Blahblahblah40 · 02/02/2022 21:29

@Goawayangryman

Isolating is absolutely fine. According to me, not that I am a behaviourist...

They do need to learn that bad behaviour leads to consequences. They are smart cookies. This won't damage them and you're doing nothing wrong, you are trying your absolute best. I hear you about being the only adult in the household, and working FT. it is brutal. I can only hope that we turn out lovely dogs in the long run.

That was my thought process. Can’t help but feel I’m traumatising him doing isolation though because he really hates being left alone. My house isn’t even that big either, he can still see/hear me when I go from office to kitchen so I can’t work out what I’m doing wrong… weird thing is that he sleeps absolutely perfectly at night in the room I try to leave him in during the day. Happy as Larry in there in his bed!!

It really is soul destroying some days trying to split myself in three. Think I feel most sorry for my neighbour though with all the crying/howling etc. Although he is very old and very deaf so just hoping he doesn’t hear too much.

SirChenjins · 02/02/2022 21:33

Graham Hall (who I defer, to along with you lovely people Smile) says time out is absolutely fine - they need to learn that there are consequences to bad behaviour and that it means time away from you. Once they stop the bad behaviour you bring the love and treats back to them. Easier said than done though - I sympathise.

Goawayangryman · 02/02/2022 21:42

@Blahblahblah40 it seems like it will be forever that they cry and bark when you go to the loo etc..it will not. Mine was uber-attached again until... Hormones. Suddenly she was transformed and it was actually quite weird. She will now do what we call "the huff" ... Which goes "aw-ooo, bark, whimper, grrrnnnh, hufffff ( meaning 'I give up'). It takes about 15 seconds from start to finish. Proper to this, she followed me everywherE, cried when I left her in the car with the kids to pay for the petrol, when I put the rubbish out... You get the idea.

Askawayyyy · 02/02/2022 21:50

@SirChenjins sorry if you’ve done this/ your trainer said this.
But what do you do when you are out for walks etc? Is chenpup allowed to great everyone and say hi? We were told to rethink that After our first session with an overexcited pup who just wanted to play. Trainer said we would never be more fun that another dog so they can say a quick hi if we must but nothing else. That way it doesn’t become a thing.

We also use daily food allowance for training and make sure we don’t do anything to close to training so dpup is a bit more motivated by food. Just thought I’d share as this really helped our pups focus both our training and walking Smile

SirChenjins · 02/02/2022 21:59

[quote Askawayyyy]@SirChenjins sorry if you’ve done this/ your trainer said this.
But what do you do when you are out for walks etc? Is chenpup allowed to great everyone and say hi? We were told to rethink that After our first session with an overexcited pup who just wanted to play. Trainer said we would never be more fun that another dog so they can say a quick hi if we must but nothing else. That way it doesn’t become a thing.

We also use daily food allowance for training and make sure we don’t do anything to close to training so dpup is a bit more motivated by food. Just thought I’d share as this really helped our pups focus both our training and walking Smile[/quote]
Our trainers are very big on not letting them say more than a quick hello to other dogs, providing the owners are ok with it. He’s still on the lead because his recall is non existent (surprise surprise) so I try and move him on fairly quickly but calmly once he’s said hi. He’s just so excitable, but hopefully he’ll calm down in time. He doesn’t get a big meal before training either - again the trainers explained that they need to be motivated by the food and they should be high value. ChenPup needs to reread the memo I think.

Askawayyyy · 02/02/2022 22:19

Ha don’t they all!! Grin

GuyFawkesDay · 02/02/2022 22:25

FawkesPup has been, if I am honest, a total PITA with following and howling for me.

Gradually he has chilled out quite a bit. Doesn't follow me to the loo now, especially in the evening. Doesn't bother when I go upstairs as much. He's 8 months this week, and i am hoping he will continue with this. He's a typical people focused spanner though, and a bit of a mummy's boy.

autienotnaughty · 03/02/2022 06:32

@SirChenjins

We’re just back from puppy training - it was awful 😢 ChenPup gets so over-excited and doesn’t listen to a word I say. He and one of the other dogs spend the whole hour barking at each other to the extent that one of the two trainers have to help us keep them quiet and focused so the rest of the class can hear what’s being said without their dogs being too distracted. I’m feeling absolutely rubbish - esp as two of the other dogs look like they’re serious contenders for the ‘world’s most obedient dog’ competition.
I think it's like babies some are easier than others. So you can do all the right things but if you got a hard one it's not just going to happen. I have so much good dog envy 😩 my lab is like Marley
Autumn101 · 03/02/2022 08:23

Arghhh manic morning with puppy and I’m now in tears…….

He is so so crazy he just leaps and jumps and grabs at EVERYTHING, any hope of training has gone out the window as a sniff of a treat and he’s like a rabid wolf so how on earth I can get him to sit is a mystery! Once he’s had one treat he will just constantly claw at me for more.

Still 2 weeks until his second jabs, still waking up 2/3 times a night and I’m just drained mentally and physically

Please tell me it’ll get better??!!!

SirChenjins · 03/02/2022 08:32

@GuyFawkesDay

FawkesPup has been, if I am honest, a total PITA with following and howling for me.

Gradually he has chilled out quite a bit. Doesn't follow me to the loo now, especially in the evening. Doesn't bother when I go upstairs as much. He's 8 months this week, and i am hoping he will continue with this. He's a typical people focused spanner though, and a bit of a mummy's boy.

Oh here's hoping....he never moves further away than about a foot away from me and howls if I leave the room. He's 5 months today, so fingers crossed he'll settle down in time. Outside the house when there are other dogs etc to focus on he doesn't care where I am.

@autienotnaughty - Marley was very lovely though! Smile

SirChenjins · 03/02/2022 08:42

@Autumn101

Arghhh manic morning with puppy and I’m now in tears…….

He is so so crazy he just leaps and jumps and grabs at EVERYTHING, any hope of training has gone out the window as a sniff of a treat and he’s like a rabid wolf so how on earth I can get him to sit is a mystery! Once he’s had one treat he will just constantly claw at me for more.

Still 2 weeks until his second jabs, still waking up 2/3 times a night and I’m just drained mentally and physically

Please tell me it’ll get better??!!!

It does get better, honestly. It doesn't feel like it ever will, but after a while the night time waking settles down and you get a full night's sleep - it's fantastic. Is he sleeping in your room?

In terms of jumping up, what works for us is a firm no, arms crossed, turn away, and look at something other than him. Repeat as necessary. Immediately he stops jumping we reward. He still jumps up when he's excited, but less so now thankfully. Our trainer also suggested to feed treats slowly to get him to slow down, and we do the 'wait' command - so a treat in a closed over fist in one hand, let him sniff it and try and grab it. Say 'leave' and don't feed it. As soon as he backs off for a moment, feed the treat from the other hand. Repeat. Gradually they will back off more quickly as they know they will get a treat from the other hand. ChenPup has got the hang of this when we're at home, but less so out of the home - when everyone is watching, of course.

SirChenjins · 03/02/2022 08:43

Wait command - say wait, not leave. Although I don't suppose it matters?

tizwozliz · 03/02/2022 08:47

We have tree surgeons in today taking the tops off some trees. Ada is furious she can't be out in the garden with them

Autumn101 · 03/02/2022 09:03

Good tip with the wait SirChenjins for the treats, will try that later!

He’s in a crate downstairs, goes in for bed about 10pm then is awake around 1/2 for a wee and/or poo then wakes again around 4/5 and normally just one of us sitting by the crate and a shush is enough and he settles in about 10 minutes then up at 6.30am. I’m finding it hard to sleep in between times as I’m waiting for him to wake up!! He will nap in the crate during the day but goes ballistic if he’s in there awake 😂