I think I have an adolescent. If so--HELP ME!!

[ladawn]

My dear, sweet, lovable, OBEDIENT Daisy has left me. Someone has switched her out with a equally cute, but disobedient and mischevious puppy. Is 5 months too early for this adolescent behavior? I do understand my failing in the example I'm about to cite, but still...Last night, I had not re-charged my cordless telephone. When the phone rang I had to go upstairs to answer it. I left my partially eaten sandwich on the dining room table. I was on the phone maybe 2 minutes when I heard the clanking of glass. I ran downstairs and there was Daisy, ALL FOUR PAWS ON TOP OF MY DINING ROOM TABLE FINISHING OFF MY SANDWICH! She was so engrossed in MY dinner she didn't even hear me walk up on her. I shouted "off" and shoved her toward the edge of the table so that she would jump off.

She takes her own sweet time sitting and talks back to me and overall is extremely vocal. She hardly talked at all two weeks ago, I had to teach her to speak!

In puppy class, she is an angel. Last week I told the instructor we had problems with recall particularly if distracted. We set up distractions and everything. What does Daisy do? She comes--no problem. Like I made the problem up. She obeys this command all 3 times in class. Not like real life. I'm glad she is such a joy in class, but I want her to be obedient at home too. I've steeled myself for all criticism. Give it to me--I want help before it gets too bad--this just started this weekend.

[Judi W]

I guess you just didn't realize that she had gotten tall enough to get up on the table until now! ;) and aren't you glad she's well-behaved in public and makes you look so gooood?

Certainly you don't expect all this perfection at that young age. If so, you are in for a couple of years' of disappointment. Cut both of yourselves some slack, she's just a pup. Keep training and teaching, it will get there.

[ladawn]

I think I just got spoiled. I'd hear others complaining about their dogs and Daisy was such a joy. I should have known it was too good to be true. I like to look good, but how can the instructor help me if she can't see what is keeping me from getting the desired results LOL? We're doing Basic obedience after this course. I've read some folks say that they don't tolerate anything less than an immediate response to a "sit" or a "down". Is it too early for me to expect this? If she doesn't respond right away, do I physically put her in a "sit" or a "down". The other major problem with the vocalizing is that I can't tell when she is just talking, or when she is being disrespectful--I would assume that any vocalization after a correction is unacceptable but getting her out of my sight is difficult, and now, given her size, increasingly difficult to find a spot where she can't get into something. I need a timeout room. Is it OK to use the crate if she already views it as her safe haven. She goes into the crate by herself now. I know when you are initially crate training it is not good to use it for time out. Thoughts please.

[cinde33]

Hi, my behavioralist told me I shouldn't use the crate as a time out. Then every time she's in it, she will think she's being punished. If Maximus (my guy) is really misbehaving, i.e. repeating something bad when he's told not to; I either put him outside or if I can't do that I leave or turn my back. I usually throw him outside though to let him know the partys over! :)

And so for a 5 month old pup, she'll learn more self control as she gets older.

At least my other rotten kid has that! LOL And BTW, Maximus did that to me in obedience too. Was perfect. Then we'd get home and he'd chew the carpet and wouldn't sit. Figures!

[ladawn]

I need to remind myself, she is only a baby, she is only a baby. She just doesn't look like one! I will never, ever leave my dinner unattended again though. Lesson learned. I'm reluctant to put her outside because it is harder for me to watch her and she likes to chew rocks. When I first joined this board, I read a post about the danger, and expense associated with dogs who swallow rocks. I don't know if Daisy would ever try to swallow one, but I don't want to risk it. I think I am going to make a time out corner and leash her to something in the corner.

[cinde33]

I only put Maximus on like 30 second to 1 minute timeouts. Just to prove apoint that he needs to rethink. I never leave him outside in the backyard unattended. After a minute, I go up to the glass sliding door and give him his hand signal for "sit". Then a hand signal for "wait". The I say, "Are you going to be a good boy now?" He looks up at me and waits for me to say "OK" and then he comes in. He probably just forgets what it was he was doing to get put outside, but it is a good thing to break up the chaos.

And I had to say it to myself ALL the time max was little, "He's just a baby, he will make mistakes. It's ok as long as he wants to be a good boy".....

:) Cinde

[Judi W]

Originally posted by ladawn
I've read some folks say that they don't tolerate anything less than an immediate response to a "sit" or a "down". Is it too early for me to expect this?

Yes. Not enough training and not enough maturity. Be reasonable in your expectations in this respect.

Originally posted by ladawn
If she doesn't respond right away, do I physically put her in a "sit" or a "down".

Yes. Being reasonable in what you expect her to remember and understand and have the maturity to respond to does not alter your responsibility not to lie to your dog. If you give a command, mean it or keep your mouth shut.

Originally posted by ladawn
The other major problem with the vocalizing is that I can't tell when she is just talking, or when she is being disrespectful--I would assume that any vocalization after a correction is unacceptable but getting her out of my sight is difficult, and now, given her size, increasingly difficult to find a spot where she can't get into something.

If you can't tell when she is giving you sass, then you are in trouble. That is your job, to learn and I'm sure she is giving you honest messages. Don't expect her to send you an email, she is telling you something. Just listen.

Originally posted by ladawn
I need a timeout room. Is it OK to use the crate if she already views it as her safe haven. She goes into the crate by herself now. I know when you are initially crate training it is not good to use it for time out. Thoughts please.

I think everyone is much too timid about using the crate. If you want her confined, confine her.

[ladawn]

Judy W.,

Is there anything I can do to hasten my understanding of her vocalization. For all practical purposes, this is my first dog and I'm 29 years old. I haven't ever really been around them--my family is not to fond of pets. I know that spending time with her will eventually lead to better communication between the two of us, but in the mean time, would the books on canine psyche be of any use? Maybe I'm not trusting my gut enough. The very fact that she is talking so much leads me to believe it is sass, she was so quiet before. But then again, I think maybe she has just found her voice and is starting to feel comfortable with me and recognizing my home as her home.

[Judi W]

Well, if while she is making all that racket, you can nudge her out of the door way, into a different room, tell her to shut up and go lie down....... and she complies nicely..... get the picture?