Re: Does it get better ? Honestly hang in there. I think until about 4 months old we found Amber very tedious. Thank god for live pause on sky because we were up and down all evening. As she ran around and repeatedly asked to go out just to mooch in the garden and pick up stones. We used to give her crate time just so we could catch up on our favourite TV shows. A big rawhide chew was the first way to get her to settle, kept her occupied for hours as a pup. Now they only last 20 mins haha. We were just careful to remove any swallowable pieces. I think it was at about 5 months where she would curl up on the sofa with us and for a few weeks we would sit silently so as not to 'wake the baby'. She still normally gets up to follow me about if I move but re-settles quickly after. Now at 10 months we have a sofa hound, a 24kg lap dog. Definitely do the training sessions that others have recommended. Teaching Amber a new trick for about 20 minutes I think is equivalent tiredness to an hours mediocre walk. Also playing with other dogs is a sure fire way to get a sleepy pup, after an evening out at my friends for dinner where Amber played with her two collies she was like a zombie. I also agree don't be afraid to put the puppy out or away in order to relax. We did that all the time. You can't be calm and consistent in your training if you're exhausted and stressed. Also pups need to learn alone time to avoid separation issues. It is so important your life doesn't revolve around your dog because there will be some days or stages in your life where they need to be more independent which will be harder if hey are used to 100% of your attention. We were at our wits end with biting for a long while, argued more than we ever had and did talk about giving her back but she is so rewarding now and we are both besotted with her. It will happen for you too.
Re: Does it get better ? Have faith they do end up cuddly!! Ps. It helped me to remind myself, sometimes daily, that there must be a reason labs are so incredibly popular!! http://instagram.com/p/x1lEbxnJB2/ http://instagram.com/p/x1k65GnJBi/
Re: Does it get better ? So sorry you're having a bad time. Please hang in there.... I absolutely promise it will get better and you will be so glad you did! How old is Millie now?
Re: Does it get better ? [quote author=Holliesmum link=topic=8854.msg136881#msg136881 date=1421193584] Hey, sorry you're not having a great time, can I ask what food she is on? Some ingredients can make them hyperactive? ??? They only time hollie is 'naughty' and won't settle is when she needs a bit more food.......I know they are 'always' hungry but hollie isn't greedy and sometimes leaves a meal or part of and other times eats it all and searches for more. Hang in there it will get better [/quote] Thanks. She's on Burns dry puppy food
Re: Does it get better ? [quote author=A.Causer link=topic=8854.msg136924#msg136924 date=1421227695] Honestly hang in there. I think until about 4 months old we found Amber very tedious. Thank god for live pause on sky because we were up and down all evening. As she ran around and repeatedly asked to go out just to mooch in the garden and pick up stones. We used to give her crate time just so we could catch up on our favourite TV shows. A big rawhide chew was the first way to get her to settle, kept her occupied for hours as a pup. Now they only last 20 mins haha. We were just careful to remove any swallowable pieces. I think it was at about 5 months where she would curl up on the sofa with us and for a few weeks we would sit silently so as not to 'wake the baby'. She still normally gets up to follow me about if I move but re-settles quickly after. Now at 10 months we have a sofa hound, a 24kg lap dog. Definitely do the training sessions that others have recommended. Teaching Amber a new trick for about 20 minutes I think is equivalent tiredness to an hours mediocre walk. Also playing with other dogs is a sure fire way to get a sleepy pup, after an evening out at my friends for dinner where Amber played with her two collies she was like a zombie. I also agree don't be afraid to put the puppy out or away in order to relax. We did that all the time. You can't be calm and consistent in your training if you're exhausted and stressed. Also pups need to learn alone time to avoid separation issues. It is so important your life doesn't revolve around your dog because there will be some days or stages in your life where they need to be more independent which will be harder if hey are used to 100% of your attention. We were at our wits end with biting for a long while, argued more than we ever had and did talk about giving her back but she is so rewarding now and we are both besotted with her. It will happen for you too. [/quote] The first part of your post is exactly where we are at the minute. I can't remember the last time we watched a TV programme uninterrupted. It's a constant cycle of work, stress with the dog, lack of sleep with our 1 year old daughter and repeat ad infinitum. Just hope things improve
Re: Does it get better ? [quote author=Rosie link=topic=8854.msg137068#msg137068 date=1421262937] So sorry you're having a bad time. Please hang in there.... I absolutely promise it will get better and you will be so glad you did! How old is Millie now? [/quote] She was born Sept 2nd so still a baby
Re: Does it get better ? Just keep going. It will be ok. Give yourself the breaks you needs and don't feel guilty if you really enjoy pup free time. Go out for a few hours. Find a playmate for your pup to get rid of some of the energy. Enjoy the good moments. Savour how cute she is at this age. Take lots of pictures because it goes quickly. Before you know it you'll be curled up on the sofa with a warm labrador and all the drama will be a distant memory.
Re: Does it get better ? Found our first tooth on the floor today. Soaked her kibble to make it easier to eat as her mouth is obviously sore. Chew rope soaked and in the freezer. Kong filled with peanut butter and stuffed with little treats likewise
Re: Does it get better ? It gets better but it also gets worse but they are so worth it, I don't regret it for a second even tho I'm up half that night!!!!!!hope things improve for u
Re: Does it get better ? Hi all - Millie is now nearly 6 months and we're still getting manic evenings with her. Having read exercise articles on here I'm wondering if we are over exercising her. During the week when I'm at work she gets a 30 min walk in the morning, 15-20 mins at lunchtime and then another 20 mins around tea time. Thing is she still seems like she has a massive amount of energy. She's in her crate for 3 hours in the morning and then probably 3-4 hours in the afternoon before my wife gets home. Are we over compensating ? Like to have her out in the evening so we can socialise with her but that's when the craziness starts
Re: Does it get better ? Hello there 6 to 7 hours in a crate is a long time for a 6 month old pup...and does she sleep in her crate too? If so, that's 15 hours in her crate a day? That's a lot... Whether you are over exercising her depends on what she is doing in her exercise time, really. You might want to think of activities for her a bit more broadly. So not just how much exercise she gets, but how much training, play, interaction. All these things are useful in controlling excess energy in a boisterous young dog. Best of luck with it.
Re: Does it get better ? Thanks for the advice. The excess crate time is only Tuesday-Thursday as my wife works part time. We always make sure there's plenty of interaction before we go to work and when we get home. How do other people manage this if they work ?
Re: Does it get better ? We decrated Harley during the day at about 5 months old. I work 30 hrs per week. Mornings I'm gone approx 3 hrs. I pop home every lunch time for 1-2 hours to let her out, train, play etc before leaving again for approx 3 hours. My dog walker takes her twice a week so she gets a long walk then. All the other days she either gets walked at lunchtime or when I finish work. We started off with her having the run of the kitchen. By about 10 months old she had the run of the living room and still does. It's about finding a routine that works for you. Harley never took to her crate so de rating was really simple for us, but not all dogs are the same!
Re: Does it get better ? Bella has the crate open and has half the kitchen cornered off with a baby gate so she's free to get out and stretch her legs etc. ;D
Re: Does it get better ? So we're at nearly 7 months now and I think we've made progress. we're still having problems getting Millie to settle when she's tired in any room apart from the kitchen. Training seems to be going well (ish) although she is very destructive at the minute (cushions, doormats being particular favourites). I just have to remove her from the front room some times when she's going mad for both our sakes. I'm not crating her but time out with a chew on her bed in the kitchen helps her to settle and gives me some downtime. Is there light at the end of the tunnel ? Some days yes, some days no and I can see why a lot of labs get rehomed between 7 and 8 months. Let's hope that glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel isn't a train coming
Re: Does it get better ? Deep breaths; things will get better!!! Just keep chipping away at the training, don't lose the faith, you will get there.
Re: Does it get better ? [quote author=badgerstuta link=topic=8854.msg149432#msg149432 date=1426335706] Let's hope that glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel isn't a train coming [/quote] Ah I'm taking that sentence as written in humour,not desperation!, ;D you sound like you are managing the 'busy' times well.It it does get better ,you are going through quite a bumpy time. At this stage Your dog is growing in strength and size but the brain isn't ready to leave puppyhood just yet
Re: Does it get better ? You are not alone. Bouncer is 7 months, nearly 8 now & I have renamed him "Destructodog". He has always been a bit crazy but now he is a loon. I make light of it & when he has been perticularly devious in his destruction I usualy post the details on here to amuse the membership. eg http://www.thelabradorforum.com/index.php?topic=10170.0
