Our "bucket of naughty" puppy has had 5 good days
He was chewing everything, biting everyone, barking constantly, running from one destructive experience to the next and never sleeping. When he was due to come to us (about a month ago) my husband was supposed to take his holidays. Then, I would have July and August off (I teach) and could take over, so that he'd have a good chunk of time to adjust to his new family. Instead (at the last minute) his boss overruled the vacation time, and instead sent him away on business four days per week during that month, leaving me alone with a new puppy and a full time job I could NOT take time from. My parents, my husband's parents, and a close family friend all took turns puppy sitting him, and he was always in really good hands, but I really thought deep down (okay, desperately hoped) that it was just too much change for him and that THAT was what was causing the problems. Well, Friday was my last day of school. Saturday by noon he had stopped barking and shrieking, and by Sunday he was very calm. He still plays, but he's been NAPPING from time to time, and the nipping is almost all gone (a few over excited nips when he's playing, but no more chasing my feet, ankles, arms, everything as I go by). He's even started crying to go out when he needs to go potty. (Not a hundred percent yet, but you've no idea how much I appreciate the effort.) So, now he's napping in the next room (he just recently went out, and I can hear his tag jingle when he moves, so I know he's not moving at all) and I just checked on him again. I can actually see his cuteness! Others spoke of it, but I just saw evil and badness. We've been doing a little obedience training (five to ten minutes a few times a day), and he's got sit, down, and stay (sorta) coming along nicely. What a change! I feel like there's hope! We actually napped on the couch together. There was no biting or nipping, barking or peeing! I know he's also getting a little older, but I think that this poor puppy really needed some consistency and routine. Boy, did he respond beautifully to it the second I was able to give it. And we've still crated him a few times and had to leave him for an hour or so, but he's not going hysterical when we do. I just needed to share this because I've never ever had the kind of problems we were having with him with any of our other dogs. I was literally at the end of my rope. I realize that there will be times where we'll see evil puppy again, but I am just so grateful for this progress! Thank you Hudson! 
I feel like the sun just started shining again for the first time in a long time. (I know this may seem over the top, but his behaviour problems had me so down it was unreal.) |
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traciels28 wrote: I feel like the sun just started shining again for the first time in a long time. (I know this may seem over the top, but his behaviour problems had me so down it was unreal.)
Not in the least over the top. Puppies in and of themselves are exhausting. Living with one on a constant rampage is over the top. So happy he's starting to settle. You're right - routine helps immensely. I came home so exhausted last night I fed the dogs and fell asleep (I hadn't intended to mind you). Three hours later I wake up - ohmigod!!! Puppy was loose all that time - ack!!!!! The house was still standing. Whew! Relief, right? 
Kristine |
| Yay! |
| CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am so happy to hear about you and Hudson's progress.
I think you are right in assuming that you: Quote: ... realize that there will be times where we'll see evil puppy again
But for now, enjoy the happy, healthy well-adjusted puppy that is sleeping in the next room.. They are so much like little children in the way they take 1 step forward, 2 steps back but all the while need our love and positive reinforcement. We have all been where you are and have made it out sane and whole  ....
My Heart is 13 months. She is the girl with the curl and has been very, very good lately...but when she gets bad..........( I tell everyone here on the forum....  ) |
| i am watching my pup sleep oh he is such a good boy!! until he wakes up!! lol just hang in there i tell myself and you , it will get better.. |
| having a puppy was harder than I ever imagined it would be, and there were times I thought I had ruined by life.
You are right once a routine is established everything gets better!! Hope everything just gets better and better from now on. |
| now try having TWO.
What in the name of heaven was I thinking? ...oh yeah; that when they grow out of this stage, which they will (provided I don't kill them) I will have twice the enjoyment! Hang in there! You know its worth it!!!!! |
| "Bucket of Naughty" - I love it. I hope the calm remains with you! |
Darth Snuggle wrote: now try having TWO.
What in the name of heaven was I thinking? ...oh yeah; that when they grow out of this stage, which they will (provided I don't kill them) I will have twice the enjoyment! Doesn't always work that way - believe me. I always said the second kid was five times the work than having an only child and I think it applies to dogs too. Two sheepies are much more work than one and two nearly the same age means two going through coat changes at the same time (that lasts until they are nearly three), two being jerks at the same time when they hit the teen age years and the list goes on (do I hear Sunny and Cher?) |
| Last time there was a puppy in the house, we had two of them (littermates). They played with each other all the time, and you never ever heard a peep. Housebreaking was a little on the tough side, but our two (Portage and ThePas) were so easy.
Hudson has been more trouble than all our past puppies combined and multiplied by six. But we love him anyway. On the down side...day before yesterday and part of yesterday he started vomiting his food immediately after eating. I called the vet and he said bring him right in. We did barium and x rays (one more to go) and he hasn't found an obstruction. We are on antibiotics plus another med. He seems better now, and has kept a bland diet down nicely for the last twelve hours or so. So, things are looking good for him. But...has my five days of gloriously good behaviour simply been a side effect of him being ill? If so, what a horrible doggie mommy that makes me. I'm hoping he's one hundred percent back to normal soon (tummy wise) and that the behaviour change really was personal growth rather than simply him being sick. Poor puppy! Tracie |
| We went back to the vet today for the final x ray. Yep. He ate something. It's all tangled up in his colon, but the vet says it's passed the danger point and will pass soon enough, likely without incident. We just need to watch him - just in case.
I saw the x ray, and it's third in "the cue" so to speak. He's definitely feeling better already. Lots more energy and less napping. (Still not much evil, except for the poor vet tech who was playing with him, oooooing and aahhhhhing and wrestling with him who got a chin nip.) She told him she still loves him anyway. So, we're cautiously optimistic here. And we're inviting family and friends to guess at what will come out. I think it's rawhide personally. My husband is one hundred percent for it, and I am one hundred percent against it. If this is what comes out, I think I will have won the battle once and for all. Now, if it turns out to be yarn (my addiction) I'm toast, so I'm really hoping for something I can blame on my husband. Think good thoughts for us...and feel free to register your vote. (Truly, he's watched 24/7 so I really don't know what he could have picked up.) I'll just be glad when this is all over, and he can go back to his normal food, routines, and (shudder) activity level. Tracie |
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