hi all, we absolutely adore oscar but omg we have previously owner a german shepherd and she was no where near as bad. He eats the walls, chews wallpaper, jumps up on anyone and everything. And from time to time for just flips and starts biting and growling at us for no reason. We are taking him to puppy classes and he can do all the commands, but when he gets home hes just out of control. We have tried spraying chew deterant on the walls it makes no difference. Can anyone suggest any help on how to train this little terror. Thank you
Re: terrible pup I tried the chew deterrent spray... and it didn't work for us either! Do you use a crate at all for Osca? We found it a sanity saver when Brew was smaller (she's 5 months now). The worst behaviour always happened when she was getting over-tired. Left loose, there was no way she would have given in to sleep, but if we popped her into her crate, she would be sound asleep in less than a minute. If this behaviour is happening straight after puppy class, then I would definitely suggest that it's a case of it's late, you're tired and you're showing off! A calm break in his bed / crate, and the lunatic behaviour will soon stop! (I hope!) : Clare
Re: terrible pup Agree with Clare that the crate should help you greatly. I take it there are loads of authorised items for your dog to chew ? The growling and barking if it gets any worse I would get some help with to be honest from a trainer or someone at your puppy class with experience. Its something I have never had to deal with.
Re: terrible pup Do read the 'Will things ever improve?' thread in the Puppy forum. We've all been there, and understand how you can sometimes want to tear your hair out with the things puppies get up to.
Re: terrible pup thanks all, Yes we have a crate but we have to use it all the time when hes in one of his moods haha. But we didnt want ot keep uses it and having him associate it with being a negative place, but it appears he hasnt as from time to time he will just go into the crate and sleep at night. But sometimes when hes in the ctrae he will cry and it just goes on and on until we have to let him go, or he will sit in the crate biting his bed (which he doesn't just bit he tries to eat- hes the only dog I've ever met that eats clothing and blakets). But I'm pressuming wiht him being 7 months we just have to stick with it and he will eventually calm down. I will definetly look at that thread as well. Thank you, all once again. Well get there eventually.
Re: terrible pup I know it's really hard but don't let him out of the crate when he's crying He'll learn that all he has to do is cry long and hard enough and you'll let him out. Even if he cries for an hour (or worse), wait for a moment of silence before you praise him and open that crate door.
Re: terrible pup awh i am sorry i don't believe in the crates,.....i had jasper in a crate up to 16 weeks,then give him the free run of the down stairs ......the worst we have had is a few burst cushions,.....in my mind i think this way the unknown they want to know, my son used to put him on lead if a bike was passing or a jogger,.....i put a stop to it, leave him off lead, he as no interest now in joggers, cyclist, children, people, still likes to say hello to other dogs,.......i just believe the unknown they want to know
Re: terrible pup I agree with the over tired puppy syndrome, they just turn into maniacs. I know the crate has been a sanity saver for me, especially with previously owned dogs...we got Simba when he was a year old and have used the crate a bit but never to it's full potential I fear. Anyway that's a different story. Do read that thread...it will ease your mind, hopefully!
Re: terrible pup Just thought I'd add something about the crate....they do need to come out for wee breaks though. Make sure your pup has had a wee before going in and be mindful of how long a little bladder can last (not that long).
Re: terrible pup thanks all yes we only ever put him in his crate if he is destroying the house (biting walls, pulling off wallpaper etc), i do agree you you Lisa i think he does do it when he is tired. Yes of course we are always ware of that; he usually just goes to seelp sometimes haha. Howver sometimes he does sctach the bottom of the crate does anyone else have this problem?
Re: terrible pup My mum always said having a puppy was like having a child. We definately had cases of over tired puppy syndrome when Pen was younger. Up until she was around 4 months old we would 'put her to bed' for an hour or so in the evenings. This seeme to help as she never would relax or put herself to bed. Even now she never goes in her crate of her own accord unless she knows it's time for us to go out. I definately recommend enforcing 'nap time'. Don't just put him in the crate when he's naughty or he will start to see it as a punishment. He needs to see it as the place he goes to switch off and chill out.
Re: terrible pup I agree with Penny, the crate should not be used as a punishment. We have used crates for all our pups, except years ago when we did not know better and the damage we had in the house was wall paper and plaster off walls, carpets chewed and even electrical cable. They need to treat the crate as their little home or refuge, feeding in the crate helps them to get used to it. I usually stuff a kong if we leave them for a while, chewing does tire them. If your pup is destroying the house, it is bored get some chews, Nyla-bones or Kongs don't forget they are teething so need somthing hard to chew. You need to intervene if you see it chewing something it should'nt, distract it with a chew. If it jumps up on you, do not push him down with your hands? Either use your leg or turn your back and walk away. By using your hands he is being rewarded for jumping up.
