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Subject: How to calm GSP puppy before bedtime?

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schnack

Posts:2

01/31/2012 7:41 AM
My, dog (9 week GSP female puppy) is the most "wound up" and aggressive just before bed, what can I do to manage this? Daily Schedule sleep in bed 9:30p-4:30a exercise/food 4:45a-5:35a (1-2 mile walk) nap in crate 5:35a-8:00a play time/potty/snack 8:00a-8:30a alone, crate or confined laundry room 8:30a-12:30p potty, lunch, play 12:30p-5:00p snack, exercise, 2 mile walk 5:00p-7:00p dinner, play, nap in crate, maybe short walk 7:00p-8:30p TORNADO MODE 8:30p till bedtime Thanks

tgatto

Lake in the Hills, IL

MH
Posts:411

01/31/2012 7:55 AM
Hey Schnack! Welcome to the forum (I noticed this is your first post). I wish I had better guidance for you, but your schedule seems pretty robust. Just a couple of questions first: When your pup is in the crate, is she confined, or open-door? Seems like a lot of Play, which is good, is there work involved - structured games, obedience/training - what does "play" consist of? My pup is the same, although now over a year. Our schedule is pretty much the same as well. The only exception is that we work obedience pretty hard during walks - LOTS of commands - sit, come, heel, whoa, fetch... Thought being to work the GSP mind. Also our walks start as yours do - first thing in the morning, but the evening walk is usually in the 8:30 - 9:30 pm time-frame (during your "Tornado" mode). If I don't walk her at night, she gets... how do I say it... "nudgy". Last night, for example, I had work to do on my computer, so I did not walk her. For about an hour she would step on me (and my computer), pick up and drop her bone on our wood floors, cry for food, cry to go outside, drop her ball on my computer... Wasn't a very productive work hour... Part if it is being a puppy (expect it for, oh, the next Year and a quarter or so...). But you may take advantage of the "Tornado" time period and work obedience, or play during that time.

It is watching the dogs work that I thoroughly enjoy, and love. I could get by with just watching them work - if it weren't for all the training, and the joy they exhibit when they pick-up, and deilver to hand a bird that they pointed, and you shot. - Todd

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7843

01/31/2012 8:04 AM
My guess is you have an over tired puppy. When she goes in tornado mode (my name for it Crazy Halos after one of my girls who took this behavior to the extreme) take her out to potty if you think she needs too and they quietly put her in her crate. She may bark or whine for a few minutes, but she will settle down and probably fall fast asleep. You only need to leave her in their for about 30 minutes and she will probably nap and calm down. Or you can let her sleep until bedtime, but I would recommend you take her out one more time to potty just before you go to bed. Just don't play with her again or you may get her rev'd up. She is still a baby and you have her on a very full schedule. Puppies need lots of sleep. BTW mine still go into tornado mode from time to time. My 4 YO and my 1 YO did last night when I was helping my nephew study for a Latin exam. I just grab the both of them and put them in their crates. Let them out 30 or so minutes later and they were fine.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

smatulewicz User is Offline

Michigan

MH
Posts:1190

01/31/2012 8:12 AM
I found Bella started becoming more used to bedtime with age (she is five months now and settles well in the evenings). However, before that we would start settling and she wasn't ready and would protest by whining, getting into anything possible and as a last resort would beg to go outside for potty (even if she had just been) and squat because she knew it would buy her atleast a few moments of attention (she has grown out of this now). We train and do things indoors in the evening that get her mind going but allow her body to settle. This seems to work well. A good puzzle toy may be an idea if you need to get things done but it is not quite bedtime. A good doggie massage can do wonders too

smatulewicz User is Offline

Michigan

MH
Posts:1190

01/31/2012 8:18 AM
I also agree with Texas Belle. Bella used to run her "crazy eights" in the evening when she should have been her most tired. I would allow her to for a few minutes (because if anything it gave us a good chuckle) but then I would call her over, have her "down" and onto her side (a more calming position than just down) and I would softly say "settle" and calmly doggie massage until her breathing calmed and then voila... Everytime she was out like a light lol

weerubbertummy User is Offline

Ayrshire, Scotland

MH
Posts:726

01/31/2012 8:45 AM
We've done the same with Keely (14 weeks) as we did with our previous girl, Kintra. We give her the opportunity to toilet then up to bed at 10pm (sleeping in our bedroom in a crate with the door open) and basically ignore her (easier said than done when she's crawling around commando style under the bed) until she tires herself out. We use this time to take advantage of the fact that she cant get onto the bed to harrass us, and hopefully by the time she is big enough to get up she will be pretty settled into the routine anyway. As smatulewicz said, a little bit of massage also goes a long way. Keely (and Kintra) got into the way of cuddling in on the sofa for some clapping, after that she's pretty chilled and ready for bed.

Miss you forever Kintra baby xxx

pixie bee

MH
Posts:4450

01/31/2012 8:51 AM
Welcome to the forum. I gotta tell ya - this is a 2 month old pup - if you think this is hard to handle - just wait until 7 months old Your schedule is fantastic you have a wonderful puppy but wait wait until....... she's got some weight behind her life in tha fast lane baby shoulda gotten a 2lb poodle Bet you didn't know you needed to be strong to own a dog???

"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle

Rose

MH
Posts:362

01/31/2012 9:19 AM
Posted By tgatto on 01/31/2012 7:55 AM If I don't walk her at night, she gets... how do I say it... "nudgy". Last night, for example, I had work to do on my computer, so I did not walk her. For about an hour she would step on me (and my computer), pick up and drop her bone on our wood floors, cry for food, cry to go outside, drop her ball on my computer... Wasn't a very productive work hour... I can relate. My GSP sometimes gets pushy like this too. Lays his head right on the computer desk.

schnack

Posts:2

01/31/2012 10:56 AM
Thanks for the comments, in addition I read through some older posts - found a lot of consistent messages. @tgatto - play can be structured at time with fetch, sit, come, heel, down etc. (I also work items into walks) @ smatulewicz - more puzzle toys and a good massage we'll try. @pixie bee --- It gets overwhelming for sure, once she packs on the pounds I'm sure that will be even more of a challenge!

weerubbertummy User is Offline

Ayrshire, Scotland

MH
Posts:726

01/31/2012 12:55 PM
lol pixie bee - it's all coming back to me now! i've actually got no right to be on this thread recommending IGNORING that behaviour You've just reminded me how difficult it is to ignore a 25kg "puppy" having the "crazies" - floor rugs flying everywhere, large divots being churned out of the lawn and lovingly scattered throughout the house, a liver and white ticked bullet careering around the walls and sofa at 90 degrees and 50 mph regardless of any human who gets in the way, FOUR-PAW counter surfing, obsessive attention-seeking, etc but all so worthwhile

Miss you forever Kintra baby xxx

Max2

Oneonta NY

MH
Posts:1111

02/01/2012 5:32 AM
Posted By pixie bee on 01/31/2012 8:51 AM Welcome to the forum. I gotta tell ya - this is a 2 month old pup - if you think this is hard to handle - just wait until 7 months old Very true ! Keep a cool head and it will all come together. 2 month's Holy Cow it's an infant ! & welcome also

Chris

kpwlee

Raleigh, NC

MH
Posts:994

02/01/2012 5:37 PM
Lol tornado mode - hehehehehe I used to call it devil dog hour - I agree with Bev, your pup is likely OVERtired! At 9 wks that is a packed day I would crate her. We still laugh at how if we could stop the devil dog and get him into his crate he would fall asleep instantly Also be mindful that if you exercise her 3x a day now, she will always expect it, at least that is what happened to us! Use her mind to tire her at least as often has tiring her body! I am not saying to reduce exercise just saying that as tgatto said they can certainly be expert nudges when their expectations aren't met

It's Bugsy's world... http://dailyzoomie.blogspot.com/

Splat

Illinois (Northern)

MH
Posts:3134

02/02/2012 5:30 AM
All the different names for this behavior are so funny! Just like an over tired toddler...just means it is time for bed...

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