A night with Bandit

[jenwilson]

I am SOOO glad my B was approximately 1.5 years when I adopted her. A teenage/adult/or senior pet is ideal for someone wanting to skip those hard puppy years. BRAT often has adult B's for adoption.

[JazzysMom]

Oh! I wouldn't trade those puppy days for ANYTHING! We had so much fun.

But then again, with my children the years that everyone else calls the "Terrible Twos" were my favorite years, so maybe it's just me. LOL

[Quercus]

Alot of great advice…again, I ditto, ditto, ditto what Brenda said. Try to set them up for success. I try not to use "no" too much, because it doesn't give the dog very much information. I try to give them something that they can do, instead... "off" "leave it"

I also like the technique described by Jazzysmom for mild growling. Holding onto them during a temper tantrum until they relax is a gentle way to let them know you are in charge, and growling won't work...ever.

[Duke]

2 more suggetions advised by friends to me (before I new Duke was Basenji that really worked!)

Lemon juice (fresh) in lieu of Bitter Apple - rub the lemon on things you don't want chewed . . . even works on your hands and arms!

A simple rolled up newspaper! I thought for sure this wouldn't work on my boy, but I when I tried it to get his attention to stop his behavior, I smacked my hand with it and boy did Duke stop and hide under the chair fast! I have never, ever touched him with the roll - yet - he respects that sound more than my voice. Go figure. Now that he's older, it's not necessary, because he will listen to my tone of voice most times. But when he doesn't, I find a newspaper!

[lauralopez]

We call it puppy proofing the house. At 11 weeks, you have to really make things difficult for a puppy to reach. I would suggest creating a section to put the puppy in as a time out. Use the baby gates and section out an area. No growling of any kind should be tolerated (no matter how cute it might seem).

Enjoy these times..however difficult they might be. The time passes by so quickly….

[Quercus]

A note about Bitter Apple. I have had quite a few clients that said their dog didn't respond to it. A trick that usually works is to open the dog's mouth and spray it right in, once. After that, even the most drooly lab seems to avoid the smell of the spray.

[Quercus]

@JazzysMom:

Oh! I wouldn't trade those puppy days for ANYTHING! We had so much fun.

But then again, with my children the years that everyone else calls the "Terrible Twos" were my favorite years, so maybe it's just me. LOL

I agree! I love the puppy stage…but it is tiring

And Jazzysmom...would you like to take an adorable, almost three year old boy off my hands? Of course I am just kidding (don't call children's services!) He has just reached that 'melt down with things don't go your way' stage...but the rest of this age is completely enjoyable!

[JazzysMom]

LOL, I'D do it in a heartbeart Andrea….but let's just say that particular stage was never my husband's favorite! LOL
As as matter of fact, the puppy stage wasn't exactly his favorite either!

Like they say, "Opposites Attract" . LOL

[Bandit]

LOL I must say that with each week passing, I am becoming more in tune with Bandit and his adorable puppy ways. What do they say "Patience is a Virtue!"

When I surface in the morning to start the day, I just love the way Bandit and Alfie run to greet me after I say "Good Morning Boys!"

Wouldn't trade that for anything!!!
Take Care
Angee

[ChaseandZahrasmom]

Angee,

You are so right about the good feeling you get when you wake up to those happy wagging tails. When my husband is deployed it really makes waking up in the morning bareable!

It is great when I get home from work too.

I dropped them off at a kennel today because we are going on a few days vacation before my husband deploys, we are leaving tomorrow but dropped them off today so we could get some running around done. It is so quiet sitting here right now without them. I don't think I could handle this house alone without the dogs!

Jenn