Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 9:41 am Post subject: Arrrggghhhh!!
Is how I'm feeling.
Cosmo has turned into a little (well quite big) monster all of a sudden.
He's 10 months now and he's chewing on things he's never chewed, he's taking lego pieces from the shelf the lego is kept on, he's emptying the bin, he's emptying the washing basket to run off with socks.
He never done any of the above apart from steal socks when he was little.
At the moment he's out in the back garden to let off some steam and to save me from murdering him.
He's also getting worse when greeting people with jumping all over them even though all my visitors know the rules about ignoring him until he's calmed down.
He won't give any items he's 'stolen' he's fine if it's a toy or his food he gives with a grin and really waggy tale saying I'm the best boy but if he's not supposed to have it then..... I usually end up with a sore throat.
It will pass, but you need to reinforce his training. He is now becoming a teenager and is rebelling, so you know he knows how to behave, but he is testing you and his boundaries again, and hormones could be playing a part to heighten his independence.
What we did was go back to basics. Less freedom for him until he can be trusted not to steal things. Lots of praise when he is doing good behaviour and try and ignore the bad behaviour (ie not giving him the attention he thinks he deserves when he does something naughty - like pinching things). Really work on his training especially getting him listening to you and paying you attention, not as and when he feels like it.
Cooper went through this from about 9months old and in last few weeks he has really calmed down again. (he just turned 1).
Yes it does definitely get better but agree you need to reinforce and re-visit rules. Ensure he has sufficient play time including exercising his brain to occupy himself. Perhaps put some of his meal in a kong and hide other toys. He is doing what every dog does and tries to push to limits because it's fun Hang in there
____________ Gillian, Millie & Arya, watched over by Becky, Arwen & Amber from the Bridge. Run fast & free
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You cannot attach files in this forum You cannot download files in this forum
