Dog Community

PLEASE HELP - About to give up...

Posted : 7/25/2006 2:59:38 PM

My wife and I are the owner of a 15 week old Coonhound/Labrador that we have had since 7 weeks. We have done more research on puppies than I care to admit. we have in enrolled in two obiedence classes. We are very consistent with everything we do, etc.

Well, our puppy is out of control. I have posted here before, and I have gotten the default "He is a normal puppy" response. Well, after seeing him in with 20 puppies in one class and 15 in the other, he is not normal. Not even close. Then entie class he barks, tries to get at the other dogs, bites me, bites and jumps on trainers etc. I have watched EVERY other dog in both classes, and not one dog is perfect, or even close. But not one dog is even close to acting the way our dog does. My wife and I split the training, so I get to stand off to the side and observe. I'm a grown man and it almost brings me to tears to watch how out of control and manic our dog is. All my wife ever wanted was a Dog (she has had 3 in the past) and I finally gave in after 3 years of begging. Now we have a complete hellion on our hands. She blames herself, I blame our luck. I cant stand to see my wife in tears all day and night because of the dog acting out, biting her face and arms and legs and hands.

Anyway. I have no where else to turn and we are thisclose to giving up the dog to wherever (Save a pet, ad in newspaper, etc.)

The saddest part about it, is he is the smartest dog in both classes by far. He gets the commands at home like nothing. He learns commands in 30 seconds or less. He learned roughly 18 commands from age 7 weeks to 15 weeks. But whenever we are not training him, he is biting us, biting furniture, chasing the cats, destroying something, anything but being a calm dog, ever. Never ever is he nice or loving. Not once.. If he is not sleeping, he is barking and/or biting soemthing. We have bought every book, tried everything, every training method to stop bad behavior. Nothing works. We try to exercisie him to exhaustion, but getting him to go for a walk is like pulling teeth. getting him to chase anything but our legs is impossible (ie play fetch or even run after anything). It seems his only objective is to make us miserable.

I'm at my wits end, but love this little sucker. I want him to be my buddy so badly. I am willing to do anything or spend any amount of time/money to make this work, but that really hasn't helped to this point.

Any encouragement or pointers would be greatly appreciated. If you have read the book Marley and Me, our dog makes Marley look like saint.

Thanks for reading,
GSB

Aina

Posted : 7/25/2006 3:07:40 PM

Have you had him medically checked out? Some medical conditions cause dogs to be crazy. I'm sure someone else here can tell you what things to look for.

cakana

Posted : 7/25/2006 3:09:10 PM

I'm sorry to hear how frustrated you are, but the fact that he learned 18 commands in 8 weeks, is a very positive sign. I still think that this is an issue with him being a puppy though. What did the instructor and others in the two classes say? I would think the instructors would've been able to give you some advice on this.

sillysally

Posted : 7/25/2006 3:15:23 PM

What does your obedience trainer have to say about this?

I have a pit mix that is now a little over 2 years old--we got her at a year. She was completely unhousetrained, knew no commands, had seperation anxiety, was scared of the leash, when you did get her on it she pulled like nobody's business, she was scared of strangers, she chased the cats, she chewed things like crazy, etc. She also is very smart, and has lot of energy.

So I feel ya....

Even though you are exericsing him, he sounds like he needs more. I would not rely on walks as his main form of exercise right now. My dog does not like fetch, so I realize how hard this can be. However she LOVES Jolly Balls and a large hard plastic ball--you might be able to get away with a soccor ball or basket ball with your dog(mine pops them [8|]). Another thing she loves is to chase the lazer pointer.

Have you considered taking him to doggy daycare? Having other dogs to play with will likely wear him out nicely as well as teach him some manners

Brad Higgins

Posted : 7/25/2006 3:35:00 PM

GSB,

I train dogs using dog psychology. You know, the dog whisper thing. I see pups like yours on occasion. With our training, this is usually easy to fix.

Think of it like this. His mom or other pack members would not tolerate this type of behavior. What do you think they would do to stop his biting?

Brad Higgins
[linkhttp://www.gundogwhisperer.com]www.gundogwhisperer.com[/link]

Firestorm

Posted : 7/25/2006 4:05:11 PM

Hounds are high energy dogs. You need to tire him out. Don't give up its only a puppy. Think of it this way if it were your child would you just give up on it and give it away. Try to see if you could get a behaviorist or another trainer to look at him. As far as the biting and such put him on the NILIF program.

Johnathon Spiro

Posted : 7/25/2006 4:20:19 PM

Thanks for your replies so far.

Aina - We have had him to the Vet 5 times other than his regular puppy check ups. he had Giardia and worms twice. he ha s aclean bil of health now.

cakana-thats the MOST frustrating thing. My little buddy is just so darn smart its unbelievable. Its just that he is an absolute spaz. I mean, its embarassing in class. One instructor ignores him like he isnt in the class and the otherr just says "oh thats puppies". But they dont really get to see him at home and everywhere else.

sillysally-house training is absolutely great. He sleeps through the night, hasnt really had an accident in the house since week 11 and has NEVER pooped in the house, so thats good too. But I wouls trade all that and the leraning all the commands for non-spazstic dog. I mean, he is so out of control, its scary. If he doesnt have something to chew or gets bored, its downright scary. Our faces have been bitten many times. I got mine 10 minutes ago! HARD! I will try to exercise him more. We currently take him on three 20-40 minute walks a day and then have various play times (jolly ball, stick throwing, etc.)

firestorm-I hear you. My wife just said the same thing to me "would you give up on your child?" Well, he is not a child. He is a scurge in my life right now. I want him to be a good dog in the owrst way and would do anything to accomplish this. I just feel like I have tried anything, but he just may be "one of those dogs" that is never going to get it and just be a spaz for life and a danger to himself and society. I am not toally familiar with the NILF program, but I think it has to do with makinghim work for everything. beleive me, he doesnt getanything unless he does something for us. Food, going out to pee, leash on and off, treats, etc. He works for it. He loves to work. Thats the craziest thing. When we are working on training with him, he is the most unbelievable attentive and intellegent dog ever. Unfortunately, that only happens 15 minutes a day 2-3 times a day, and neverr in training class

Any more positive remarks or suggestions are very welcome. I need it

cakana

Posted : 7/25/2006 5:04:18 PM

You know, I haven't had a puppy in several years. My dogs are 8 and 11, and the 8 year old was about 3 when we rescued her, so I haven't been in your shoes in some time. However, not long ago my SIL got a JR puppy and she was exactly like you're describing. I guess I'd forgotten what a hyper puppy can be like and was surprised (not in a good way either) by her antics. I could barely hold her cause she squirmed so much. If I tried to give her a hug, she'd nip my face or scratch me. She was just a tiny spitfire. She's about 7-8 months old now and the change is dramatic. Like your boy, she's super smart and has learned commands quickly. She's still energetic but in a very tolerable way. They give her lots of exercise and they have a 12 y.o. boy to help with that. My point is that, it really and truly might be the most crazy, miserable time right now, but it will very likely start to get better as he gets older. You're going to hear it from me and everyone you talk to - exercise, exercise, exercise. Whatever works to keep him tuckered out - do that - a LOT! Tucker him out as much as possible before obedience classes, but keep taking him. Take a deep breath and please don't give up. I think it'd be really sad for your dog, but I think you'd regret it too. You wouldn't be posting here if you didn't care, right?
p.s. What's your puppies name?

Cazzy

Posted : 7/25/2006 6:01:49 PM

Hi there.hang in there it will get better...I got my pup at 10 weeks old she is now 17 months...When I got her all she did was bite.. my arms and hands looked like I had been beat..*lol* I would walk across the floor and she would grab my pant leg bite at my leg...At about 5 months she started to settle down .. I know how fustrating it can get but it really is a normal puppy thing and it really will get better..tell her NO.every time the pup bites at you and shove a toy in her mouth..My Gsd now is the sweetest dog I can do anything with her..so hang in there

jones

Posted : 7/25/2006 6:28:44 PM

I know this is exactly what you DON'T want to hear but... he's only 15 weeks. This still sounds like normal puppy behavior, albeit normal for a very high energy dog. He sounds like he needs more exercise both mentally and physically, and at the same time he needs to learn how to be calm at certain times. Have you tried clicker training? He may need more of a challenge in obedience, and freeshaping with a clicker could be right up his alley. And walks may be too boring a form of exercise... can he run or swim anywhere? And when you're home, make sure to always praise and reward him for being calm, even if he's calm for just a second or two. Give him a raw bone and let him lay around chewing for a while - make sure to verbally praise him while he's doing it.

My dog is not very high-energy but yes when he was 15 weeks old he was running us ragged. We did NOT have one of those puppies who sleeps all day... he was constantly on the go. We had to rearrange our lives around him somewhat for the first few months we had him, because he was so very active all the time. I don't think I watched an entire episode of a TV show until he was 6 months old. [

] But it was only temporary... they grow up and learn to settle down in the house (though this is something you should begin to teach right away).

Our friends got a Wheaten terrier puppy at the same time we got our puppy, and we took beginner obedience classes together. Ironically, our puppy who was wild at home was an angel in class.. their terrier who was sedate at home was a total maniac in class! He was just overstimulated and way too excited... there was nothing wrong with him and he has become very well behaved. You can't really compare your dog to other puppies and judge him for being a "bad dog" that way. Different dogs have their different quirks and areas of good and bad behavior.

Hang in there!

denise_m

Posted : 7/25/2006 6:53:00 PM

I have to agree with everyone here - "A TIRED PUPPY IS A GOOD PUPPY!" A half hour walk was just a warm up for my Aussie when he was 15 weeks. He would get at least an hour in the morning, 20-30 minutes X 2 in the afternoon and usually up to 2 hours in the evening - most of it off leash. Even with that he had enough energy left to chase my ankles around the house during the day!
Kobi was also quite the chewer (including legs and arms). I made sure there were tons on chew items spead around the house. I also tried to keep something chewable in my pocket. When ever he would bite at me, I simply stuck something else in his mouth.

I'm going to bet you dollars to doughnuts that in 6 months (tops) your little hellian will be no more! Hang in there!

Justine Freeman

Posted : 7/25/2006 6:53:02 PM

I don't know much about Coonhounds, but I do know that Labradors are a very high energy dog. They can be puppies for 2-3 years. Let's see...biting...yup my lab did that. We just had to be consistent with our reactions when he did it! I think he still bites when he is wrestling DH. But I figure that's DH's problem! Chewing...went through that too! I think our dog had sooo many toys to chew on! He was spoiled. I found bully sticks and raw bones helpful in the chewing area.

It sounds like you have a high energy dog! No worries he will settle down. I found teaching something new to Marley all of the time helped him mentally...to catch a ball, to blindly retrieve something, to pick up the remote and bring it to me, to pick up anything on the ground...excercise wise...do you have a place to swim??? Labs LOVE to swim, and it is exhausting!

I know how you feel...I was told that my dog was "out of control" during one of my obedience classes! Now...he's the best one on the agility course! So, hang in there. I know he will end up being a great buddy. This is the tough stage!

Just wanted to add...we bought Marley a backpack to wear on walks. He has one water bottle in each pouch. Makes him feel like he's working when we walk! You may want to have him wear an empty backpack until he is about 1 year...wouldn't want to ruin growing joints! He'll still feel like he's working with it on though!

nfowler

Posted : 7/25/2006 8:03:38 PM

Hi GSB--

Don't know if I'll be much help, but I had the "double hound" for years (walker/bluetick mix). She was a HANDFUL! Honestly, she was. And I loved that dog and miss her everyday. If anybody knew how to live each day to its fullest, it was Kina.

Lazlowe1 has a male hound and I've heard her say he's been very busy. I'll see if she'll read this and help you out.

My hound was quite independent and never really was "loving." I swear she used me for walks, snooping trips, treats, and this and that (I'm not being funny only here). I wouldn't worry too much about that. And smart? Oh yeah. Wanting to please? Oh no.

Don't give up just yet. We're all here to help and puppies are the worst. Okay, they are to me. I never thought I'd survive my terrier/lab dog's puppyhood. She broke my heart a million times and tried my patience more than I can remember. But, we managed and thank god she's older (3) and not quite as BAD as she used to be. (She still has her days.)

Hang on--hound lovers are here to help and commiserate with you!

Nancy

Firestorm

Posted : 7/26/2006 5:47:40 AM

He is just a very active puppy who needs to burn off energy and learn not to bite people but his own toys. Puppies are A LOT of work. They are like kids they have wonderful moments and many moments that have you ready to rip your hair out. You have to have lots of patients. Tire this puppy out and he won't be such a terror.

angelamarie

Posted : 7/26/2006 6:49:11 AM

I feel your pain and frustration. We went through it with a cocker/poodle/something mix that we had--THAT DOG WAS NUTS. That dog was also the brightest dog I've ever owned, as it sounds like yours is.

The only solution we found to our dog's insanity was to wear it out, as others here have suggested. Exercise was the only thing that got it to behave. The jumping, biting, out of control playing was a manifestation of it's pent up energy that needed to be drained. We ended up taking the dog to a local woods two times a day and letting her run (a walk would not do it) for up to an hour each time. If we didn't do that, we had behavior that sounds very similar to what you are going through. If you do not have the time to drain the energy from this dog, because I know it takes a huge time commitment, perhaps there is a doggie daycare where it could go for 1/2 days where it could run and romp and wear itself out.

Don't give up, you have a smart dog, and you already invested so much time.