I got this response from my other blog post about Yappy Puppy. I wanted to share it with y’all.
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Sounds like Roscoe, now a “teen” dog, is experimenting with some new
behaviors to see if they “work” for him… trying to get your attention
in various ways and “demanding” action from you… his best efforts to
train *you*…LOL.
Time to fine tune a few details that may have slipped. When we start
feeling that our puppies are pretty well-mannered (clean in the house,
no more biting or inappropriate chewing), we often get a bit lax. After
all, we’ve worked really hard for months, don’t we deserve a little
break ? Unfortunately, just about that time, they become teenagers
and we have to be vigilant all over again, just in a little different way.
Teen dogs (and kids) question the rules, test their boundaries, and try
out new stuff. Sure they “know” a lot, but they often seem to forget or
are unresponsive. It’s normal. A study on teen humans showed that
their brains actually go into a sort of rest state where it is really
just busy processing all the stuff they have learned up to that point,
but aren’t taking in as much new info. I think of it as mental
housekeeping time without much space for new info until the mess gets
cleaned up. I imagine teen dogs experience a similar lull in their
learning. No worries. It’s a stage that passes.
So, what to do during this stage?? Maintain routines. Keep asking for
simple things you know they have already learned… sit, wait, come,
etc. Try not to make these exercises too challenging, and practice many
times a day as part of your normal routine… sit to come out of the
crate, go out the door, get fed, get petted, etc.
Be patient, but firm and consistent. In some cases, ignoring teen
behaviors is really tough, especially if they are willing to escalate to
worse barking and head butting like Roscoe. So you take the “ignore” a
step further and actually walk out on him if he acts this way. Since
most likely what he wants is your attention, leaving the room deprives
him of the opportunity for your attention. If you remain in the room,
he keeps trying new (worse) things to see what will finally get you to
pay attention to him. If you leave, he can’t do that. Of course, you
only leave for a minute or so and then calmly return. Repeat as often
as needed.
His physical needs may have been met, but possibly not his mental or
emotional needs. Do some short (3-5 min) training sessions several
times a day, play with him, and make time to just sit and hang out for a
few minutes. This will give him the attention he craves, but on your
terms and for behaviors you like. During the rest of the day, make a
special point to notice when he is calm and relaxed and “being good”…
playing by himself, resting quietly, watching you work… and praise and
reward him for those behaviors. Again, attention for stuff you like.
You can keep some dry treats in strategic locations around the house
(out of his reach) so you can quickly grab a treat if he is doing
something nice. The more you notice and reward his “good” behaviors,
the less he will need to resort to obnoxious behaviors.
Face it, there are times when we just can’t “walk out” or attend to
training the dog. Perhaps, for you, that’s when you are busy getting the
kids ready for school. You have a schedule to keep and they need your
attention as well. At these times it is perfectly acceptable, and often
desirable, to pen up the pup. You’ve fed, watered, and pottied him and
spent a few minutes playing or cuddling. Then you put him in his pen or
crate with a yummy chew and explain to him that now it’s time you
attended to the kids. Our dogs have to learn that they don’t always
(nor should they) “come first” and they must learn to be patient, relax,
and entertain themselves.
Teen dogs may still need some limits set on their freedom (pen, leash,
house line, etc.) to help them learn the self-control and patience they
need to live with us. Pay attention to when Roscoe is most inclined to
flip into one of his yappy states. Is he tired, have you been at the
computer too long, has he been napping for hours and is now awake and
bored?? Be proactive when possible to meet his needs before one of
these moments comes up. If you know he has an issue just after a walk,
or when the kids get home from school, use your pen to prevent him from
making mistakes… maybe walk him before the kids arrive and then pen
him for 20-30 minutes after walks to help him calm down again.
Hang in there. It will get better, but by all means take control of the
situation rather than let him make the rules.
He is obsessed with lying on it and it’s hilarious! I kept pushing him off last night and rolling on my side and he would persist to crawl back across my belly even lying upwards to cover the belly – so funny. He is just crazy