Is this normal?? Koda seems to never want to entertain himself. Here's a brief example of our day -- get up, let him out of his crate, feed him breakfast, then out to the bathroom. When we come in, I eat breakfast. But he barks at me the entire time. So I put him back in his crate until I'm done eating. When I'm done, I let him out and take him for a walk. We walk for about 25 minutes and he's panting when we get back so I know he's getting enough exercise, but he gets worked up at that point and nothing settles him down, so back in his crate he goes. After a little while I let him out again and if I don't constantly entertain him, he barks at me. It seems the only time he DOESN'T bark at me is when I'm outside with him or he's in his crate. He used to play catch in the house but not any more. He ONLY wants to be outside (we live in NH. This could be a problem in the dead of winter). And he wont retrieve anything any more either. Oh I can throw things, and he'll run after them, and then he continues right past them to something else. He wont play tug any more -- just wants to be outside digging or chewing on sticks. And trying to get him back into the house? It's a nightmare. He fights me with every ounce of strength he has (and it's getting to be more and more every day). He can't be an outside dog - it's just not the right climate here. Besides, I don't want an outside dog. But he never wants to be inside and never wants anyone else's but MY attention. When my husband gets home from work at night, he sits on the floor with Koda, scratches his chest, and Koda gets all comfy on the floor and then lays there looking up at my husband. I'm the one that listened to his stupid bark all day yet my husband gets the good behavior and adoring eyes! Ugh. I feel bad that he's in his crate so much but I honestly don't know what else to do. I can't give him undivided attention all day. I have things to do - -even something as basic as emptying the dishwasher - he stands there and barks at me while I do it. It's a 3 minute job! How can I get this to stop?
Hi there, sounds like he's bored! A five month old dog has lots of energy, both mental and physical. A 25 minute walk just isn't going to be enough to keep him busy and happy. I suggest thinking of some things that will engage his attention - can you take him to a dog park to interact with other dogs? Play searching games with him, where he has to use his nose to find treats or a favorite toy? Sign him up for some classes with you, take him out in the car to new places he hasn't been before - just make his life more varied and interesting. I have a five-month old puppy too, and I understand about the boundless energy!
Oh I get this! I definitely get this. My dog is 3 years old! I play games with Coco to try and increase his focus on me, (I'm using the Leash Off Game On DVD from Absolute Dogs)and he does look to me to do stuff with him. Trouble with this, is at the moment he wants to do stuff all the time and is barking to get my attention - (we've just come in from 10 minutes good retrieving in the garden & now he's barking for attention). But he wants to do stuff with me, not run off digging, which is positive. Perhaps training him to go to his mat/bed could help you get 3 minutes peace to empty the dishwasher. He'll enjoy the training and you'll end up with a very useful behaviour.
I started training Quinn to sit and not sniff/lick when I empty or open the dishwasher from when she was a tiny puppy (only because i think it's gross). She gets a treat for sitting politely and waiting...she still rushes over when she hears the dishwasher and sits, waiting for her treat! It's helpful to get things done in the kitchen (she will sit as long as the dishwasher is open without moving)! I think you should train a go to mat/bed cue like @edzbird mentioned, as this would be a good alternative to the crate during meals and may help with the barking. What about interactive toys like kong wobbler? Pop some kibble allowance in there when you have something to do? I also put my dog in a stay and hide treats all over the living room...keeps her busy for ages making sure she didn't miss one!
I'd change my morning routine, take him out before his breakfast and use this as a chance to practice recall using the food as a huge reward. Only feed him half then make your breakfast and practice keeping him on his mat while you eat using the other half of his breakfast as reward slowly building up the time he has to stay. Maybe while he's out practice 3-4 retrieves to tire his mind a bit. He also sounds like he needs a bit more exercise. If he's smart he'll get bored easy but also he'll be easier to train to not be a nuisance. Barking is a bit more involved, I don't know you or your dog but if all his basic needs are met and he doesn't want anything like water or toilet then he's barking at you for attention and you're probably giving it to him so in his mind barking at you gets a response so he's winning. We totally ignored all barking. Left the room, turned our backs, ambled around the house slowly and his bark phase was very short lived but we got lucky. A few small changes can totally make your time together much better. After Duggan ( my boy ) gets his food and play and training sessions he just lays down now cause he knew we had things to do and we weren't gonna acknowledge him for a few hours. No crate, just sent him to his mat and he had a nap. I think that's your goal. Hope this provides a bit of food for thought. They are all different.
Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions. I'm reading them all, plus a bunch of other stuff I"m finding, and testing out things here and there. He was certainly better today for a little while. I know it's a long process but there are some days when I just want it to be DONE. But logically I know that's not possible.
