Frustrated today...tomorrow will be better?

[Droid]

Today started with Meadow waking me at 6 AM (7 AM is my usual time to get up) howling like a Banshee. OK I get it...new home, away from Mom & sibs...that's not the problem...the day progressed well at the start. She went out to do her biz, no probs. I had a couple of coffee's, she went out ( I pay attention to the signs ;) ). She had her breakfast, drink...out for her biz...no probs...then.

I went out (the wife was home with her) came home & all Hell broke loose. During dinner (ours) she wouldn't stop pacing, makin' me think she had to go out, which I took her only to get a dribble. I would keep her out there just to make sure to no avail. This happened a few times.

Then my wife & daughter went out shopping...now the FUN begins. The pacing & whining became worse (side note: she had her de-worm pill today) no matter what I did outside with her she became more & more aggressive & because it's a little chilly here still & with no one else to take over on the next round I was getting frustrated which I think she sense. Only to maybe heighten her "frisky" mood.

This didn't change once my wife & daughter came back home in case your wondering. We have only had Meadow here now for three days & I know the first few are an adjustment for all but, is it normal for her to become aggressive & totally opposite from one day to the next? She has been so good with the outdoor training the first two days & today was a bad day.

If I sound like a newbe...I'm not...it's just been 12yrs since I've had a pup in the house & maybe I've lost some patience & basic knowledge of being with & training a pup. Right now she's sleeping on the floor looking so gentle & angelic I can't see why I was so angry earlier.

Please don't think that I'm a bad guy or wanted to or did hurt my baby...I would'nt or did. I would just like some help or maybe assurance that this might be normal new baby behaviour & it will pass or it's just a power struggle that she needs to get over.

Any & all comments & suggestions are totally welcome...otherwise why would I post this here ;)

Thx!

[Judi W]

Consider yourself reassured! She's getting comfortable enough to let loose a bit. Enjoy the show.

[MARYDVM]

I'm not sure what you mean by aggressive? Biting, growling? Could simply be a bored puppy, with lots of energy to spare. She's used to rough play with her littermates, so you will likely receive the same until she learns better. Puppies at this age certainly don't stay "nicely" inside for long. They are in to everything, and keep you running until they collapse from exhaustion.

[Droid]

Originally Posted by MARYDVM

I'm not sure what you mean by aggressive? Biting, growling? Could simply be a bored puppy, with lots of energy to spare. She's used to rough play with her littermates, so you will likely receive the same until she learns better. Puppies at this age certainly don't stay "nicely" inside for long. They are in to everything, and keep you running until they collapse from exhaustion.

I meant outside while she was supposed to be doin' her biz (sorry if that wasn't clear). We play inside & try to keep outside (for the time being) for biz. Is that incorrect on our part? The into everything I get...that's not the problem...just the sudden mood or should I say behaviour swing that concerned me (us). Thx...

[SABELLESMOM]

Well. like any baby, she's more interested in playing around than biz. Frustrating as it may seem, "just keep on (doing what you are), keeping on." She's obviously a verbal girl, and she's getting comfortable...but YOU are doing fine!

[poohbearsmom]

Why not play with her outside AFTER she does her biz?

[Chantal]

This is a young puppy? I think I remember her cute pictures from a few days ago. I'm surprised you can make it until that time in the morning. I use to let mine out sometime in the middle of the night when they were that young. The first few days of having a new puppy, i remember being very exhausted. Just keep on going. They will get better. Mine even sleep in on the weekends now until we get up!!

[Brielovesmrbootie]

ooooooh, the good ol puppy days. My boy use to drive me INSANE, SO INSANE! But now, 3 years later with tons of paitence and love and training, we have almost all of the kinks worked out. You are doing fine and everything will work out. Puppies can be a blessing and a curse, but when you've raised a wonderful, well manored, obeident dog, you'll know you've done a good job! keep your chin up!!

[eva247]

Hi and welcome to the forums!!!

Well if its any consolation I hadn't had a pup for ages until I got Kane 8 weeks ago. Everything you're going through, I've been through and its a whole learning process for me, my family and the little mite!

I know how you feel re the waking up so early, Kane did that the first few days. Are you crate training her?

The first few days, I felt sorry for him and kept getting up when he whined and howled but then I thought, hey, of course he's gonna continue doing that because he gets what he wants at the end of it. So, I just ignored the howling and after a couple of days he stopped as he realised I weren't coming.

Now, unless I get up early myself Kane will sleep from 9pm right through (on the best days) till 10am (on a bad day) 8:15am. Like clockwork

When I come downstairs in the morning and he hears me he'll start moaning for me to let him out but still I don't, I'll make myself a nice cuppa, he stops moaning and after about 10-15 minutes I let him loose. I think this does help as that way he realises that when he moans he doesn't get what he wants but when he's a good boy and doesn't moan, he gets rewarded for it.

Re the behaviour, same with Kane. Once he got used to his surroundings it was like he was testing the water to see how far he could go and get away with it . My problem was, as it had been so long that I had a pup, I gave into him quite a bit at the beginnning bc of feeling a bit sorry for him in new surroundings. I would start how you mean to go on.

Oh one more thing which I learned the hard way! Don't give her any of your old clothes or trainers to play with. I gave Kane some of my old jumpers (I had this silly thought of him being more at ease if he had my scent when I wasn't around) and old trainers. Lets just say, they can't distinguish old from new and when my brand new £100 boots got torn to shreds, all I could do was blame myself!

Good luck with your puppy!!!!
Eva

[xdaniel67x]

Are you crate training? That helped immensely with my dog.

[Droid]

Yes we are but I think I need to do some research on it. We have only used it for night time sleeps. I'll do a search here for info on crating.

[Brooke&Ryan]

When we brought Julius home we took him outside & said, "Go potty." There was no fun or games until AFTER he went to the bathroom.

Then we would race around the yard, play tug & just have fun.

Enjoy!


Brooke

[Droid]

Originally Posted by Brooke&Ryan

When we brought Julius home we took him outside & said, "Go potty." There was no fun or games until AFTER he went to the bathroom.

Then we would race around the yard, play tug & just have fun.

Enjoy!


Brooke

That's what we have been doin'...work before play although that's not always her idea

[Brooke&Ryan]

Oh, & it wasn't Julius thought either. He wanted to romp, play, & munch on the leash. I just didn't give in & eventually he went potty. Also, this was in 10 degree January weather. Never again....


Brooke

[xdaniel67x]

well from what I have learned about crate training (I might be mistaken though)
is that anytime the puppy is not under "direct supervision", it should be in the crate. I know it might sound harsh, but I did it for 5 months and now my dog can have free run of the house, as he is pretty much completely housetrained. I just gave him a rawhide or something while he was in the crate and made sure he got plenty of excercise and he has turned out beautifully :)

p.s. it also really helped in the puppy not chewing up random things. I'd recommend putting the puppy in the crate during more periods than just at night, but honestly, that's just from personal experience.