Behaviour changes in puppy

[sebcat]

hi. I'm new here and was hoping for some advice.

I have a lovely 6 month female crossbreed (mum was springer spaniel cross collie, dad was Staffordshire bull terrier). we got her when she was 8 weeks and she was really well behaved. she learnt commands quickly, got on well with the cat (they would sleep together) and people. she had a nipping issue but now her teeth came through that stopped 6-8weeks ago. she was basically an ideal puppy for the first 4 months.

however, in the last 2 weeks she has changed. she's started biting at our clothes and feet, going after the cat, ignoring commands, chewing furniture (which she never did when teething) and not returning when I let her off the leash.

we've never had a puppy before so I don't know if they go through a 'teenage' phase as they grow. the other thought was she still hasn't gone through her first season and even though she isn't showing any physical signs I was wondering if her behaviour changes could be an indication of her going into season soon. any help or advice would be must appreciated as the situation is getting frustrating very quickly.

thanks

 

[goldenbear2013]

Welcome to adolescence!!!

A wonderful joyful time that all us dog owners must endure! :wacko:

to set your mind at ease she is perfectly normal!

The teenage phase will last up until she is around 18 months, sometimes it can go on longer, sometimes not so much, so just be ready for a very testing time.

They will go from adorable puppy who is excellent with commands to not even knowing what their names are so don't respond to ANYTHING YOU HAVE TO SAY! They end up selectively deaf! A bit like men really! (sorry if you're a guy!) lol! (w00t)

Anyway! You need to set clear boundaries on what she is and isn't allowed to do. Be consistent with your training, get a long 10 meter lead so you can let her run around safely knowing you wont lose her until he recall is solid and just brace yourself!

Getting her spayed will help sort out her hormones but not every dog/bitch changes once they have been done. its mostly for health reasons but the mood swings may slow down and even stop once she has been done, so speak to your vet about getting her booked in.

If you don't already get her booked in for obedience training. this will help a lot with her training and for you to take on the role as the boss!

She needs to learn fast that you will stand for no messing. Even if this requires a telling off how you see fit every now and then to show her you will not tolerate her behavior.

My lab was a total nightmare through his teenage years! To the point where I was in tears a lot and constantly talking to my trainer about " where did I go wrong!!!!"

people that will respond after me will probably say they have been in tears over their dogs too.

This is the time where the owners will really show how much they love their dogs and power through. This is why you see so many young dogs in kennels as they change and all of a sudden the owner thinks they are untrainable or uncontrollable or aggressive when all they are doing is going through their teenage years.

She will test your limits and boundaries to the point where you cant take anymore (slightly melodramatic but you get the jist!) but trust me, if you stick to your guns, you will come out on top and with a very well balanced, loving dog who will do anything for you!

I wish the best of luck!

Sophie x

 

[sebcat]

thanks. I'm glad to know it's normal. she'll be spayed after her first season which is the earliest the vet will do it so hopefully that will calm her down a little. I'll definitely look into training classes.

thanks

jennie

 

[Raven oaktree]

Ohhh goldenbear2013 you give such good avice !! @sebcat , spohie gave me very similar advice only a few weeks ago about my lovely sweet puppy that has suddenly turned into a monster..my GSD xMONSTER has just turned 9 months old .and what Sophie says is sooooo right .and i think it helped me because i knew others had gone hrough it but at the moment .she is pushing the same buttons as yours..i think we have just got to resign ourselves to a few months of tears, jack daniels and frustrations..and hopefully we will come out of it unscathed with a beautiful well behaved young dog...so for now, i think i will keep he jack daniels and tissues handy..but above all be as patient, as fair and as consisent as i can be so she gets good clear messages about what is accepted and what is not so she learns to be the dog i know she is going to be ..good luck and keep us posted..we could start a new post about puppy antics..compete with who has the naughtiest puppy..trust me you would be very thankfull that you havent got my puupy hahaha

 

[eingana]

Yep, she sounds like a normal puppy to me too. They go from being so sweet and lovely into being monsters pretty much overnight, and the big answer to it is consistently applied rules.

I worked in cat rescue for a long time, and I have lost count of the 'um, don't suppose you can help me, could you? I think my kitten is demonic' type messages and phone calls that I've had over the years. It's an age thing, it's really predictable but most people will have forgotten by the time they next have a puppy or kitten quite how much hard work the last one was, so they're taken by surprise all over again.

Apply the rules and boundaries consistently, give her plenty of exercise (as much as she can have for her age) and lots of stimulation in terms of training sessions, meeting other dogs, scenting work, schooling with other humans, interactive toys etc etc so that her day has lots of structure and things to do. This will reduce the amount of spare time and energy that she has for making trouble and also mean that she's more likely to rest calmly when she's not fully occupied. Don't forget that mental stimulation can tire them out as much as physical exercise.

Above all else, learn to pick your battles and go and put the kettle on the rest of the time. She won't be able to follow all of your rules all of the time, even if you do everything perfectly, so choose which ones you're going to work on at any time, then chill out about other things. Having a bitch to someone else until you're calmed down is a genuine coping skill

Good luck

 

[Raven oaktree]

I agree with everything eingana says...honestly read my thread about my naughty girl...both Sophie and eingana gave some cracking advice. We have now started with a behaviourist as some of willows problems were due to her being hand reared and not having enough time wih mum...other problems were down to the fact she is young and with calm consistent training hings will get better..id probably go with eniganas advice about the kettle too...otherwise you could turn out like me and be hiding in the greenhouse at 2pm with jack daniels hahahahaha x

 

[gypsysmum]

Seek the help of a good dog trainer. The best are members of the APDT. They will come to the house if you would like one to one advice. You will not regret it.