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NixiesMark User is Offline

Texas

MH
Posts:120

12/13/2012 3:50 PM
Okay, so I'm having some problems with Nixie. I haven't been able to afford obedience training but for my birthday I received some money so I'll be enrolling us for January but in the meantime I wanted to see if anyone had some suggestions. Nixie's been acting like a toddler lately. I'm sure it's a multitude of things including myself but it just seemed off for her. She's been doing rather well. Not jumping up as often on people, listening better but the last few days she's jumped excessively and I'm trying to redirect her and praise her when she obeys. It doesn't seem to be working as well anymore and in fact I'm worried she's going to hurt someone because she's so big now. It doesn't help that not everyone in the house is on the same page and I've tried to explain what to do when "x" happens. I've tried the holding the paws until she moves back but she never pulls back, she starts jawing at my hands. I'm thinking of the shock collar but it's my last resort. I think I read on here not to use it on puppies though? She's 8 months tomorrow. Most of all I'm worried I'm going to get frustrated with her and I don't want that to happen. Would appreciate any suggestions or feedback!

kpwlee

Raleigh, NC

MH
Posts:998

12/13/2012 6:55 PM
8 months is doggy adolescence and is the age in which dogs are given to shelters. They can be tough to live with for sure. I suggest trying different techniques (may be do some clicker training to continue to build your relationship) and being really patient. Try to not let her see/sense your frustration as hard as that is. I thought I'd go insane in that phase and I too had people in the house who weren't on the same page really unhelpful at this point. wish you luck!

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

smatulewicz User is Offline

Michigan

MH
Posts:1197

12/13/2012 7:19 PM
I had heard 5-7 month range was when "puppy dumbs" was common but Bella like Nixie hit a little later. I found myself having to go back to scratch with my expectations and not allowing her to get away with things. It was tough to do because in my mind it was aggravating because she knew how to behave and listen and what the expectations were and was just being sassy. Well that was exactly it, but we could either give into it and have the stage never end...or go back to staying commands only once and making sure we could absolutely reinforce them and make sure she knew we meant business. The training will help a lot! Patience and consistency will too! Hang in there!

Splat

Illinois (Northern)

MH
Posts:3136

12/14/2012 5:29 AM
How is she with a spray bottle of water... that is what I used to teach mine to stay down and away from the door when people come over... mine love swimming and playing in their pool but not getting sprayed

everbell

Kanata, ON

MH
Posts:3166

12/14/2012 5:59 AM
Yup, 8 months sounds about right for her to forget everything. Deep breath, back to square one, and she'll be through this in a couple months. You will survive!

Joce and Rich Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs) Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats) The Everbell Adventures

cynthiarose User is Offline

COLORADO

MH
Posts:133

12/14/2012 11:36 AM
Yep, sounds about like Havoc as well. Havoc has always been a jumper and very very strong-willed and independent. We started working on the jumping thing before he was even 5 months old. We tried a loud NO putting hands out in front, we tried the Knee them in the chest trick, we tried just turning our backs, or walking back out the door/room if he jumped to greet us. After nearly 5 months of trying every training tip we were given and talking to a lot of people we decided to borrow a friends e-collar. We've only had it for about 3 weeks but the progress is amazing. It has both a tone and a zap. He's been zapped a total of maybe 5 times. We tested it on my little brother's arm first lol (don't worry he's 23 and has done a lot more stupid things than that hahaa). We turned it up one notch past where my brother said it stung and put it on Havoc. We left, came back, he jumped, there was a loud No, the warning tone and Zap and he hasn't really jumped on anyone since. He still acts like he's going to, but he rarely raises above waist height and doesn't put paws on you. I'm not saying that the e-collar is the absolute answer- obedience training might really do the trick. We waited until he was just about 10 months to give it a try after nothing else was working. I really didn't want to go that route, but for Havoc it was the answer. It also helped stop his biting habit (another one of the zaps he got), and his recall off-leash is now near 100% (the result of 2 or maybe 3 more zaps). He responds to just the tone of the collar now without needing a zap (again, I'm not the biggest fan of shocking my dog).

NixiesMark User is Offline

Texas

MH
Posts:120

12/15/2012 2:49 PM
Yeah, I had read that 5-7 months were the terrible two's for pups so that's why I was a little worried about the 8 months now but thanks for the reassurance! Splat, I tried the water bottle and it surprised her at first but after a few times, she thought it was a game. My little water nymph (what her name means)! Thanks all of you for the encouragement and suggestions! Cynthiarose, thanks for sharing. It's definitely something I want to use as a last resort but that's great it worked for Havoc! She's been acting strange in general and not eating as much. It's like she's sick of her food. She still likes her treats but the food she won't eat until she's really hungry. :-/

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7855

12/15/2012 3:08 PM
I call this stage the puppy stupidest and it usually occurs in shorthairs around 7 to 12 months. The timing and severity varies from dog to dog. I have found that if you continue your training as normal, don't make a big deal out of it, and stay consistent it passes pretty quickly. Just like teenagers though they will test you during this phase. Just know that it does pass and your smart puppy will be back soon enough.

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

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