Puberty?

[brutus'mother]

Brutus is 4 months old and is starting to act like my 16 year old son Is this adolescence starting? Today we were working on heel training (he had been doing great) and he decided it would be more fun to be practically up my rear and give me a few nips on the butt! Redirecting, luring, lead corrections all failed...we ended up doing a 30 minute down and then returned to a few minutes of heel training, ended on a positive note but I was more than alittle frustrated. He has also developed a fascination with an indoor hibiscus tree, pulling leaves off and then taking off like a bat out of hell with the leaf in his mouth. I refuse to chase him because it appears this is exactly what he wants and he will run through the house, eventually "leave it" semi works and I remove the leaf. He is never out of my sight so there have been times when I am able to redirect before he gets the leaf with succes. But when he is quick enough to get one he seems to be delighted. I have moved the tree on top of a small table and he continues to be determined to eat those leaves. I am tempted to keep him on lead at all times for a few days to prevent the running off. Lastly, when he goes "crazy" running around, I put him in a down, he complies but also gets what I describe as an attitude with some back talk-looks at me makes a cross between a bark and a growl, then lays his head down and gives me the "i'm a sweet puppy" look, I don't fall for it and hold my ground...am I on the right track? I am pretty strong willed and as determined as he is, we use NILIF and are in a puppy class. Any suggestions?

[Sharon Marples]

Only 4 months old and you are doing that type of training? That in itself is good if it is done with lots of fun and good treats.

He is a PUPPY! These are absolutly normal behavior patterns for him.

Patience, patience, patience! Don't expect him to be acting like a two year old, you have months and months of puberty to go through and wait until he reaches his "teen age years" (at around 9 - 12 months of age) when he will forget all you have taught him for awhile The puppy class is great, keep it up and go on to the other classes offered after it or go through it again just to keep him in some sort of class for the next several months.

When you can't get him redirected, then go to something else that will take his mind off things, but still work him, such as chasing and retrieving a ball, the "come and get it game" or any other such game that will tire him out, but still mentally challenge him. I would try keeping him tied to you and at this point I think his back-talk to you is just his way of being a puppy and acting out his frustration at being in a "time-out" position.

To me, a 30 minute down is way too much for a youngster of this age. I'm sure that others will chime in here with lots of other information to help you out in this, but just remember that he is a puppy and I would not expect him to be heeling and remembering all the commands you want him to until he is more in the 6 - 10 month range.

Have fun with him and keep it fun for him!

[hokisteph5]

I think keeping him on leash when you're inside is a great idea and shows good instincts on your part. Also, instead of using "leave it" once he has the leaf, you might want to think about using "drop it" or "give."

Last, I think what you're seeing isn't so much a teenage phase, but a playful puppy. He is only 4 months old and he's still trying to figure out the boundaries. The teenage phase (IMO) is once the dog knows the boundaries and begins to test them to see if he can get away with crossing them.

In terms of him running around "crazy" you might be seeing the zoomies. Gretchen gets them more than Samson and they usually occur when she's playing. She runs around full speed, with a goofy grin on her face, ears flapping. It makes me laugh watching her!

[catrine01]

Gabi has been acting like that as well. She tears around the house at times; jumps on the furniture; jumps on the kitchen counters hoping to find something; chases the cats (who she loves); and tears at my big palm plant. She is 5.5 months and it is trying at times. I just figure she needs more exercise outside to get rid of this pent-up energy. Also, I try to redirect her energy when a walk is not convenient. Her latest act is jumping on us and visitors especially. I forgot how much time and patience it takes with a puppy.

[brunie's mom]

I agree with Sharon...don't try so hard.
I know that you read about all of the scarey things that can happen when people do not train, and allow their dogs to get away with things...and then we want to to control too much.

I think with a pup this young...the most important thing to be doing is having fun while training...when it's not fun for the pup anymore...quit for the day.

Sounds like you are doing a great job at being a responsible puppy owner. Just remember to be consistent....and always follow through.

Somedays...puppies are just puppies...everything you think they know...they have forgotten.

Gina

[brutus'mother]

Thanks for the input. I really do make a concerted effort to keep training fun for Brutus. I re-read my original post and it sounded a little harsh, in reality I am not working him that hard. The 30 minute down I have been doing is on lead, I simply sit in a chair and give him enough lead to sit or down, I do not give any commands, he has been very good about laying down next to my feet and usually falls asleep. I try to do this atleast once a day. As far as other training, I keep it short, no longer than 15-20 minutes at a time twice a day, we do random sits, downs and come when we are just around the house and he is always rewarded with treats, toys, and lots of praise. Is this too much for his age?
Gina-I think you are right, I have read so many horror stories and maybe I am trying to control too much. I do love working with him and he has been such a great pup in his short 4 months but I don't want to burn either one of us out.

[Gunsey'sMom]

I cannot agree more with Brunies Mom on being consistant and following through. Amen to that. That is always critical but especially at this young age. It sounds like you are being very diligent-give yourself a break. I agree Brutus is being a puppy. The teenage years are not far around the corner, but its sounds like you are preparing very well.

Good for you for not giving in to his game of chase-this is the age where thay learn "fun " games like htat and how to "reward" themselves with attention like that. Good idea also keeping tempting things out of reach-you will find yourself doing alot of that. Try also trading things that he doe happen in ot with something that is appropriate to chew-like a favorite toy.

[brunie's mom]

Don't feel bad...I remember when Baxter was a pup, and we had someone post about being bitten by their dog...and I did the same thing. I stepped up the training...and started sounding more like a drill sargent.

You see the mistakes people make by being lax with their pup's...and then you think if you get really hyped up with training...and they bite you in the ass. by tuning you out.

I think your pup is probably too young to be doing two sessions of 15-20 minutes of training. It's fine when he is older and can concentrate longer...right now...5-10 minutes twice a day is fine. You want to keep it fun, and exciting...and try not to repeat the same exercise over and over. If he does it twice per training session, that's enough.

Gina

[toby01]

I suggest removing said hibiscus tree and more exercise.

PS-The whole story gives me a smile. Just picturing a pup running around with leaves in his mouth and then bonking you in the butt. I guess I'm smiling because it's not my dog, or my butt!

Good luck.

[LauraL]

Thanks for putting a smile on my face

I have that same picture in my head as Toby01, little devil haha

I agree with hokisteph5 with regards to him running around crazy, i think his body is being taken over by the Zoomie monster
Kiera does this when she's had a bath or been swimming, the zoomies are great fun to watch, it's like bursts of excitment or enjoyment, that cant be a bad thing now can it ,

And as a few people have mentioned here, you will get up one morning and they act like you have never taught them a thing, we are going through this stage as we speak, she will look at you but you can see in her eyes that she's thinking no i am not doing it, what you gonna do now then mum hahaha

Keep up the great work with the training and as long as its fun then i am sure he will be fine

[zorro13]

Originally Posted by brutus'mother

I have read so many horror stories and maybe I am trying to control too much. I do love working with him and he has been such a great pup in his short 4 months but I don't want to burn either one of us out.

This is a natural reaction to reading horror stories. Here is the reality of many situations. When someone gets a pup, they usually start out right, do all the right things regarding training etc, then they stop. Or, when that dog reaches 18 months, 2 years, or whenever, a test or challenge is put to the owner. Testing/challenging is very very common, and it can be just a little type challenge that doesn't require too much from an owner to correct or it can be bothersome to another owner, that they stop, hesitate and sometimes don't know how to handle it--here lies where the problems begin. A situation that will arise, that may involve a growl will certainly be very different coming from an adult or a young dog vs. that puppy growl back at 8, 12, or 16 weeks. An adult rottie putting to test their owner, will set back some people. I will tell you to never fear your dog. If an adult dog knows something, and willfully (probably not the right word) defies you on that, that is a test you must pass and sometimes that can involve a simple reminder in a lesson and sometimes that will require an on-the-spot correction. The main problem probably is that growling, some people feel fear and will not approach their own dog to work on that at that moment. So, don't over burden yourself and your pup with worry. Keep your training positive and fun and continue training throughout the dog's life.

[hokisteph5]

The main problem probably is that growling, some people feel fear and will not approach their own dog to work on that at that moment.

I know for me it took a conscious decision to not being afraid when Samson growled as a puppy. My moment of clarity was when he was about 5 months old and he chose a pork femur bone after his one and only professional grooming, but snarl growled when I went to take it so I could pay for it. That bone was taken away when he got to the vehicle and then given back, but it was a wake-up call.

[Gunsey'sMom]

And dont forget to take LOTTTTS of picture too!!!! Thats important because they grow up so fast!

[LolaLaRue]

a 30 minute down sound like too much, after awhile the pup probably forgot he was in a command and went to sleep, there should always be a beginning and an end, a competion heel takes a long time and a lot of focus, I started my pup at 8 weeks just for fun, I have an older female in comp. obedience training, so we were just priming him, at 9 months, I still dont ask him to focus for more than 5- 10 minutes. I stop all training before he gets bored or I get frustrated. If I get frustrated he can tell, I dont want him to associate training with Mommy getting mad. He has the attention span of a knat. I make everything a game, I say PLOTZ and FREE as soon as his elbows touch, 2 quick one long (10 seconds) 1 quick two long, I constantly vary so he never knows how long to hold the position for and just when hes having a great time I end the session, its all about having fun and keeping them guessing, and at 4 months, just as he learns a behaviour and you are certain he knows it, at 6 months he will look at you like he has never heard the command before. You have his whole life to perfect his commands, and work up to longer stays but during these formative puppy months keep it light and fun.

[LauraL]

I agree with Gunsey'smom

take lots and lots and lots of pictures, they grow up incredibly fast one minute there like little babys the next there like grizzly bears (well maybe not quite like grizzly bears but you get what i mean ) i love looking at the pictures of Kiera as a puppy it's hard to believe that she was ever that size