Does it get worse befor it gets better?

    • Gold Top Dog

    Does it get worse befor it gets better?

    Hercules is now 3 months old.  Tonight was another one of those nights were he was a handful.
     
    Sometimes his behaivor seems to get worse.  Is this typical in puppies?
    • Gold Top Dog
    Yes.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Sure is.  Think of it the same way you would with a child.  It's called adolescence:-))
    Pups are usually at their most obnoxious between the ages of 4 and 11 months of age (and that's when many owners dump them).  Hang on, keep training, and you will have a good dog - later:-))
    • Gold Top Dog
    Yet another, "oh yes".  Just when you think you've got something taught, that you might ALL survive this, they come back and "bit you in the bite" with some little thing.
    • Gold Top Dog
    It sure does.  i was in the same boat and around 6 months i was asking myself "did I make a mistake in getting this dog? Will he ever get better".  They do.  With proper training and you setting the rules of the house your dog will get better.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Thanks for the responses!  It is great hearing other peoples experince so I know that I am not alone in this.
    • Bronze
    It will get better, it just feels like it never ever will.  Just keep being consistent, training every day and it will all pay off.  And one day the puppy that you had to take out every hour, that kept you up at night, that you couldn't leave alone for fear he would destroy anything in his path, will be 2 and have the routine down, be well behaved and a whole lot of fun![:)]
    • Silver
    ...
    • Gold Top Dog
    It will definetely get better!  Duke was HORRIBLE until almost a month ago (maybe less than that)!  And as soon as I started trying to take control, it got worse!  But after much persistance he is now so good! (Most of the time)!
     
    Good luck, and hang in there!
    • Gold Top Dog
    I just wanted to add another "Yes."  I feel that getting a puppy is a commitment to 10-12 months of hard work.  There's alot of good stuff involved but that 10 months of work is crucial.  It does get alot better, but there's usually a storm before the calm.  That storm is called adolescence.  It's filled with, for some of us, alot of contemplation, asking ourselves why we do this, and after we have that emotional moment our dogs walk over and snuggle with us or nudge us with their nose or whatever.  And that is why we do that work, that's why we put up with the inconvenience, that's why we re arrange our social lives, that's why we spend our evenings at the dog park, or get up hours before we go to work.  We do it for the look in their eyes that says "You are my human and I love you."
    • Bronze
    Yes definetly my dog meg has just gone 1 and when she was a little puppy she was evil! [;)]
    She still is slightly evil but not as bad as she was dont wory he will be calmer adn easier to handel soon (hopefully)[:)]