HAS YOUR SHEEPADOODLE GONE WILD?
Is your puppy or adolescent dog destroying your home and causing more stress than you thought possible? Do you take her for an hour of exciting wear her out playing at the dog park and then expect to enjoy a worn out dog at home and instead she is up hunting around the house for things to eat and destroy? Well if this is anything close to your home scenario then this post is for you.
Previous to adopting a pup we all have visions of a sweet puppy that is affectionate and playful but then when playtime is over she sleeps peacefully on her bed. So you do lots research and find the most adorable, best mannered, mellow, hypoallergenic, cross breed to make all of your dreams come true and adopt a Sheepadoodle. You survive the first few weeks or months of bringing her home and potty and crate training her. You take her to obedience classes every week, socialize her with other dogs and read plenty of books and blogs so that you can raise a well behaved pup. And as she gets older you think she'll grow out of all these destructive habits of chewing furniture, eating socks, jumping, leash pulling, etc. But it doesn't seem to get any better. You've spent a lot of time training and reading and listening everyone's advice but nothing seems to be working. Don't give up, there are a few more things you can try.
1) Talk to your breeder: This person should be your best resource, even if you don't have any sort of contact with them they should be open and willing to talk with you about your pup. They should know if this is characteristic with your particular pup because of the puppy's parents' traits. Your breeder should then be able to offer you some good sound advice about how to diagnose what may be going on with your pup and what may need to change. Be open to listening to them even if it's hard to hear that there may be things you are doing incorrectly. We're all human and can't do everything perfectly.
2) Assert your dominance as the pack leader: Many dogs can be well trained but not well behaved. They may be able to sit, stay, rollover, do all sorts of tricks, but will still chew on furniture or eat toys even after you've repeatedly told them to stop. This is a sign that your pup thinks he is the leader of the pack. I could say more about the background on dogs and pack life, but in order for you to get the best and most extensive information I'd refer you to look at Cesar Millan's website. He is big into this and it can be a key in getting your dog to behave better. In a nutshell, there are several exercises you (and anyone else that lives in your home) should be doing with your pup everyday to let them know you are the leader of the pack. These exercises will let your pup know that everyone is higher in the pack than they are. And this in turn will help your pup settle down and be at ease when she is at home. Trust me, I do not endorse any mean or hurtful behavior towards a pup. Asserting yourself as the pack leader is actually very calming and reassuring to your pup and is a key in getting her to behave better.
WAYS TO BE THE PACK LEADER
Previous to adopting a pup we all have visions of a sweet puppy that is affectionate and playful but then when playtime is over she sleeps peacefully on her bed. So you do lots research and find the most adorable, best mannered, mellow, hypoallergenic, cross breed to make all of your dreams come true and adopt a Sheepadoodle. You survive the first few weeks or months of bringing her home and potty and crate training her. You take her to obedience classes every week, socialize her with other dogs and read plenty of books and blogs so that you can raise a well behaved pup. And as she gets older you think she'll grow out of all these destructive habits of chewing furniture, eating socks, jumping, leash pulling, etc. But it doesn't seem to get any better. You've spent a lot of time training and reading and listening everyone's advice but nothing seems to be working. Don't give up, there are a few more things you can try.
1) Talk to your breeder: This person should be your best resource, even if you don't have any sort of contact with them they should be open and willing to talk with you about your pup. They should know if this is characteristic with your particular pup because of the puppy's parents' traits. Your breeder should then be able to offer you some good sound advice about how to diagnose what may be going on with your pup and what may need to change. Be open to listening to them even if it's hard to hear that there may be things you are doing incorrectly. We're all human and can't do everything perfectly.
2) Assert your dominance as the pack leader: Many dogs can be well trained but not well behaved. They may be able to sit, stay, rollover, do all sorts of tricks, but will still chew on furniture or eat toys even after you've repeatedly told them to stop. This is a sign that your pup thinks he is the leader of the pack. I could say more about the background on dogs and pack life, but in order for you to get the best and most extensive information I'd refer you to look at Cesar Millan's website. He is big into this and it can be a key in getting your dog to behave better. In a nutshell, there are several exercises you (and anyone else that lives in your home) should be doing with your pup everyday to let them know you are the leader of the pack. These exercises will let your pup know that everyone is higher in the pack than they are. And this in turn will help your pup settle down and be at ease when she is at home. Trust me, I do not endorse any mean or hurtful behavior towards a pup. Asserting yourself as the pack leader is actually very calming and reassuring to your pup and is a key in getting her to behave better.
WAYS TO BE THE PACK LEADER
- Roll your pup onto her back so her spine is flat on the floor. Hold her front paws down gently, but firmly, never hurt your pup. While she is lying there make sure you are leaning over her staring into her eyes. Stare at her until she looks away. Never look away first, always make sure she looks away first. The leader of the pack will always win the staring contest, make sure you always win. Once she looks away and her body relaxes pet her on the belly and tell her she is a good girl. Have the other people in your household do the same thing. Repeat this exercise everyday, at least once a day or more often as needed.
- Walk your dog right next to you at a heel. Don't let your pup pull you forward to where she wants to go or let her get dragged behind you. She needs to walk right at your side. If she is pulling you around or letting you drag her then she is asserting her control and she needs to get the message that she is not in control, but you are. Many times a hyper pup will not be able to do this, they tend to be strong leash pullers, so get a gentle leader or something else that will work for you to be able to be in control. If she starts to pull say "heel" and give her a tug so she is back at your side again.
- Feed your dog her meals at times when you are not eating. If your pup feels she is the pack leader then she will be eating at the same time you are. Make sure she gets the message that you are the leader and feed her at least 30 minutes before or after you eat. It's always a good idea to make sit and wait until you say OK or that she does a bit of work like a short walk before her meal.
- Give your pup boundaries. This is just another way you let your pup know that you are the one in control. If you've determined that your pup is not allowed on the bed or sofa, stick to it and make sure to get her off every time you see her climb up. This will teach her to be more respectful and that she is not in charge, she listens to you.
- Make sure she obeys your commands. When you are teaching her new tricks or asking her to do something there may be times when she doesn't listen. Keep asking her until she completes the command you've given her.