Puppy is a disaster

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you to all who offered suggestions. We will work harder. We had a trainer come to our yard at the beginning and that gave us all the basic commands. He is a pretty good loose leash walker and we continue to practice that skill. A group puppy class we took was all the same basic commands and sort of a waste. I would be up for puppy day care but I am not sure he would like being dropped off in a strange place. I think it has been a combo of his adolescent defiance. He knows he is not supposed to put his paws on the table or try to break in to the toy area so that is what he is just waiting for the opportunity to do. He is not into kongs and we got a bunch of food puzzles but he solves those super easily. He likes bully sticks and other natural chews in the evening (ignores nylabones, rubber chews) when he just hangs out with us but we have to mix those up or he gets sick of them. I am surprised at the backlash on the crate time since that is really what all the books and trainers recommend. He is used to it so we can safely leave the house to grocery shop or go to doctors appointments. I think also the dark and bad weather has made it so we spend less time in the yard playing fetch or kicking a ball around. Think it is frustration with all the negative behaviors we are getting despite the effort. But obviously the message is more effort, more stimulation, more attention.

There is daylight from 7AM-6PM, more or less, at this time. Your kids should be outdoors playing with the puppy at every opportunity, and your DH should get with the program too.

You are crating him too much and engaging with him too little.

Expect these needs to continue for a couple of years.

[Anonymous]

Don’t worry about crating, op. If he’s happy in his crate, you’re fine. My dog likes his crate and will often go in it on his own when he’s done for the day.

[Anonymous]

OP, I answered earlier with some suggestions. I want to reiterate what others have said about having your dog play with other dogs. We don't doggy day care but I do play dates with other neighborhood pups. We schedule them or have a routine. Half an hour of a good romp with another dog or too is thrilling and exhausting for my pup.

[Anonymous]

That amount of crate time is fine (assuming the dog is exercised and paid attention to during non crate time) - no idea why you are being criticized for that.

I echo the doggy daycare suggestions. Even a few mornings a week or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you to all who offered suggestions. We will work harder. We had a trainer come to our yard at the beginning and that gave us all the basic commands. He is a pretty good loose leash walker and we continue to practice that skill. A group puppy class we took was all the same basic commands and sort of a waste. I would be up for puppy day care but I am not sure he would like being dropped off in a strange place. I think it has been a combo of his adolescent defiance. He knows he is not supposed to put his paws on the table or try to break in to the toy area so that is what he is just waiting for the opportunity to do. He is not into kongs and we got a bunch of food puzzles but he solves those super easily. He likes bully sticks and other natural chews in the evening (ignores nylabones, rubber chews) when he just hangs out with us but we have to mix those up or he gets sick of them. I am surprised at the backlash on the crate time since that is really what all the books and trainers recommend. He is used to it so we can safely leave the house to grocery shop or go to doctors appointments. I think also the dark and bad weather has made it so we spend less time in the yard playing fetch or kicking a ball around. Think it is frustration with all the negative behaviors we are getting despite the effort. But obviously the message is more effort, more stimulation, more attention.

There are many books and trainers that do not recommend locked crates.

[Anonymous]

OP, I just wanted to say that, having had several puppies, I do think your puppy is extra challenging. Our pups were not engaging in that type of behavior at that age, and you are giving it sounds like 2+ hours of exercise a day, which is not unreasonable (although evidentally not enough for your pup). I have noticed that a lot of these doodle type dogs are higher energy and less trainable than the average pup -- I think people think they will be easier because they don't shed, but they are active and easily bored, so I think in the end, they are often harder. I'd rather spend 10 minutes a day vacuuming up our mellow golden's hair!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you to all who offered suggestions. We will work harder. We had a trainer come to our yard at the beginning and that gave us all the basic commands. He is a pretty good loose leash walker and we continue to practice that skill. A group puppy class we took was all the same basic commands and sort of a waste. I would be up for puppy day care but I am not sure he would like being dropped off in a strange place. I think it has been a combo of his adolescent defiance. He knows he is not supposed to put his paws on the table or try to break in to the toy area so that is what he is just waiting for the opportunity to do. He is not into kongs and we got a bunch of food puzzles but he solves those super easily. He likes bully sticks and other natural chews in the evening (ignores nylabones, rubber chews) when he just hangs out with us but we have to mix those up or he gets sick of them. I am surprised at the backlash on the crate time since that is really what all the books and trainers recommend. He is used to it so we can safely leave the house to grocery shop or go to doctors appointments. I think also the dark and bad weather has made it so we spend less time in the yard playing fetch or kicking a ball around. Think it is frustration with all the negative behaviors we are getting despite the effort. But obviously the message is more effort, more stimulation, more attention.

There is daylight from 7AM-6PM, more or less, at this time. Your kids should be outdoors playing with the puppy at every opportunity, and your DH should get with the program too.

You are crating him too much and engaging with him too little.

Expect these needs to continue for a couple of years.

You know, OP just accepted responsibility and said they will try harder. What is the purpose of you criticizing a well-meaning poster who accepts responsibility and is nice?
You are the one that needs some reevaluation about how you can't stop yourself from being negative. You criticizing op does nothing to help her out, it is a way for you to feel better about yourself by tearing someone else apart. How insecure are YOU?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you to all who offered suggestions. We will work harder. We had a trainer come to our yard at the beginning and that gave us all the basic commands. He is a pretty good loose leash walker and we continue to practice that skill. A group puppy class we took was all the same basic commands and sort of a waste. I would be up for puppy day care but I am not sure he would like being dropped off in a strange place. I think it has been a combo of his adolescent defiance. He knows he is not supposed to put his paws on the table or try to break in to the toy area so that is what he is just waiting for the opportunity to do. He is not into kongs and we got a bunch of food puzzles but he solves those super easily. He likes bully sticks and other natural chews in the evening (ignores nylabones, rubber chews) when he just hangs out with us but we have to mix those up or he gets sick of them. I am surprised at the backlash on the crate time since that is really what all the books and trainers recommend. He is used to it so we can safely leave the house to grocery shop or go to doctors appointments. I think also the dark and bad weather has made it so we spend less time in the yard playing fetch or kicking a ball around. Think it is frustration with all the negative behaviors we are getting despite the effort. But obviously the message is more effort, more stimulation, more attention.

There is daylight from 7AM-6PM, more or less, at this time. Your kids should be outdoors playing with the puppy at every opportunity, and your DH should get with the program too.

You are crating him too much and engaging with him too little.

Expect these needs to continue for a couple of years.

You know, OP just accepted responsibility and said they will try harder. What is the purpose of you criticizing a well-meaning poster who accepts responsibility and is nice?
You are the one that needs some reevaluation about how you can't stop yourself from being negative. You criticizing op does nothing to help her out, it is a way for you to feel better about yourself by tearing someone else apart. How insecure are YOU?

I am not that poster, but someone needs to speak out against the American practice of keeping puppies and dogs in locked cages for hours, even during the day. This is cruel. I know people say my dog loves his crate. That’s fine, but keep it unlocked.

[Anonymous]

This thread has persuaded me not to get a puppy. Unfortunately it’s really hard to adopt a rescue now that is safe for kids at home. (Based on my searches)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you to all who offered suggestions. We will work harder. We had a trainer come to our yard at the beginning and that gave us all the basic commands. He is a pretty good loose leash walker and we continue to practice that skill. A group puppy class we took was all the same basic commands and sort of a waste. I would be up for puppy day care but I am not sure he would like being dropped off in a strange place. I think it has been a combo of his adolescent defiance. He knows he is not supposed to put his paws on the table or try to break in to the toy area so that is what he is just waiting for the opportunity to do. He is not into kongs and we got a bunch of food puzzles but he solves those super easily. He likes bully sticks and other natural chews in the evening (ignores nylabones, rubber chews) when he just hangs out with us but we have to mix those up or he gets sick of them. I am surprised at the backlash on the crate time since that is really what all the books and trainers recommend. He is used to it so we can safely leave the house to grocery shop or go to doctors appointments. I think also the dark and bad weather has made it so we spend less time in the yard playing fetch or kicking a ball around. Think it is frustration with all the negative behaviors we are getting despite the effort. But obviously the message is more effort, more stimulation, more attention.

There are many books and trainers that do not recommend locked crates.

+1

Including ours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread has persuaded me not to get a puppy. Unfortunately it’s really hard to adopt a rescue now that is safe for kids at home. (Based on my searches)

But you are thinking through the difference between taking in a puppy and a mature dog. Obviously all new additions to a household will have an adjustment period but there is a big difference between getting a puppy and an adult dog.


We dog sat for several years before we adopted out own puppy. Thi can be a good solution to having a dog in your life part time without having ll of the stresses. Even tugh people are not traveling now, perhaps a neighbor has a dog that they would like to have come visit your house for a few hours a day.

[Anonymous]

try a supervised tether inside the house, too short for where you do NOT want him to go. I do this when my dog goes outside. I stand there and watch him, however, as it is a choking hazard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you to all who offered suggestions. We will work harder. We had a trainer come to our yard at the beginning and that gave us all the basic commands. He is a pretty good loose leash walker and we continue to practice that skill. A group puppy class we took was all the same basic commands and sort of a waste. I would be up for puppy day care but I am not sure he would like being dropped off in a strange place. I think it has been a combo of his adolescent defiance. He knows he is not supposed to put his paws on the table or try to break in to the toy area so that is what he is just waiting for the opportunity to do. He is not into kongs and we got a bunch of food puzzles but he solves those super easily. He likes bully sticks and other natural chews in the evening (ignores nylabones, rubber chews) when he just hangs out with us but we have to mix those up or he gets sick of them. I am surprised at the backlash on the crate time since that is really what all the books and trainers recommend. He is used to it so we can safely leave the house to grocery shop or go to doctors appointments. I think also the dark and bad weather has made it so we spend less time in the yard playing fetch or kicking a ball around. Think it is frustration with all the negative behaviors we are getting despite the effort. But obviously the message is more effort, more stimulation, more attention.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For anyone wondering why rescues are hard to deal with, this thread is a perfect example of why.

?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For anyone wondering why rescues are hard to deal with, this thread is a perfect example of why.

?

I assume the PP is implying that the OP didn't really understand the amount of work and responsibility and that rescues, who are concerned that the animal not be brought back, make things to difficult to ensure that the adopter DOES understand what owning the pet will entail.