Default Jekyll and Hyde
My sweet 4 1/2 month old labradoodle was just moving along quite nicely. She graduated from puppy obedience two weeks early. Smart as a tack. Aside from the occasional bird or dog, she walked very well on a leash, and generally would respond to commands.
Then? All hell has broke loose. I was told about this relapse, but I had no idea that it would be this bad. The reason I say that is.....I am early retired, and I have been with her from the first day. She gets walks everyday and has close supervision. She also would go into her kennel with no problems. She'd sleep all night without a peep.
One week short of her 5 month stage, she has turned into a wild beast. She chewed the corner off the coffee table. (never chewed the furniture before, because she has plenty of chew toys). She barks at any movement out our yard into the park. She lurches at the birds, dogs, and humans. She no longer responds to commands....unless it is to her benefit. She know barks and barks and barks....loud mind you....just to hear herself bark! Very demanding animal. I ignore the barking most of the time, when it isn't to go to the bathroom or wanting a drink of water. Now she complains about being kenneled at night when initially put in for the night. Last night she whined and barked for about 20 minutes. She never use to do that.
My wife comes home and cannot understand why I am so flustered. I now have a true appreciation of how new mothers feel stuck at home with their 2 and 3 year old kids allllll day long!!!!
I don't know if this is a typical stage that she will eventually grow out of.....or I just happened to have purchased the demon seed....I mean, she is black.
20 years ago, I had a golden that was a dream to train....guess I was spoiled.
My sweet 4 1/2 month old labradoodle was just moving along quite nicely. She graduated from puppy obedience two weeks early. Smart as a tack. Aside from the occasional bird or dog, she walked very well on a leash, and generally would respond to commands.
Then? All hell has broke loose. I was told about this relapse, but I had no idea that it would be this bad. The reason I say that is.....I am early retired, and I have been with her from the first day. She gets walks everyday and has close supervision. She also would go into her kennel with no problems. She'd sleep all night without a peep.
One week short of her 5 month stage, she has turned into a wild beast. She chewed the corner off the coffee table. (never chewed the furniture before, because she has plenty of chew toys). She barks at any movement out our yard into the park. She lurches at the birds, dogs, and humans. She no longer responds to commands....unless it is to her benefit. She know barks and barks and barks....loud mind you....just to hear herself bark! Very demanding animal. I ignore the barking most of the time, when it isn't to go to the bathroom or wanting a drink of water. Now she complains about being kenneled at night when initially put in for the night. Last night she whined and barked for about 20 minutes. She never use to do that.
My wife comes home and cannot understand why I am so flustered. I now have a true appreciation of how new mothers feel stuck at home with their 2 and 3 year old kids allllll day long!!!!
I don't know if this is a typical stage that she will eventually grow out of.....or I just happened to have purchased the demon seed....I mean, she is black.
20 years ago, I had a golden that was a dream to train....guess I was spoiled.
Just stay consistent throughout, the positive training that worked before the hormones kicked in will work after, it's just a bumpy road in between. I stayed the "reward the good, ignore the bad" course until we were through the storm, and then began more advanced training. Just keep at the basics through the rough patches, falling back on known successes when necessary. And exercise, exercise, exercise. Then exercise some more. A tired dog is a quiet dog.
