Nightmare of a day!

[Candy5198]

So.... Maxwell is about 15 weeks and we've had him for about 9. Today the thought occurred to me that if he wasn't just so darn cute I'd knock him out! (I wouldn't any way but he's sure been pushing buttons!!!) I realize he's still little (I keep telling myself that anyway), I'm just windwring when can I realistically expect him to behave!
He is absolutely content to sit in my lap and is generally very quiet and still when I hold him. However he eats my kids! I try to get them to correct him (gently my youngest is only 4) but he pays them no mind. He's not being mean just playing but it isn't very fun for my children.
He eats EVERYTHING... I have resorted to keeping him leashed in the house because if a toy is on the floor (and there is almost always something) he will find it.... Which isn't surprising but then he runs away so I can't get it! And he is smart sneaky and therefore hard to catch! This is not only annoying and exhausting for me but dangerous for him. Much less so when he is leashed.
He still messes in the house occasionally which I know takes time and is more my fault than his but still added to the whole frustration today.
Yes I know he's a puppy and it takes time... I would just like opinions s about realistically how long these terrible twos last! Thanks in advance!

[dawn27]

Until he's about 2 yrs old !!

[Candy5198]

Oh sweet Jesus! I'm going to lose my mind!

[Maximo]

The first year is the most challenging, and the second year is slightly less so.

How many kids do you have and how old are they?

Your pup needs lots of structure and training.

1) Eating everything -- puppies explore everything with their mouths. This will slow down with age, but vigilance is a lifelong commitment to make sure the dog doesn't choke or eat something toxic. Training to "drop it" or that certain things are dangerous takes a lot of work. I have a very spartan home, two adults, yet my dogs still manage to get a hold of things every once in awhile. Always makes me wonder how these little guys survive in the average home.

2) Always supervise the pup with your kids, which it sounds like you are doing with him tethered. The pup needs to be taught bite inhibition and not to nip.

3) Institute a schedule/daily routine for your pup where you do the basic activities at about the same time each day -- eating, sleeping and napping, play periods, scheduled potty breaks, walks. This will have a calming effect and his body will fall into the rhythm knowing when to expect things.

4) start basic obedience/trick training if you haven't already. If your kids are old enough, involve them too. Clicker training is very helpful.

Watch videos on YouTube on training and start googling positive reinforcement training methods. Also keep in mind that a pup will mirror the level of excitement around him. So if everyone around him is excited or animated, the pup is going to do the same.

Puppies tend to play rough with their littermates, so this probably what he is doing with your kids.

Also, puppies have tons of energy and need a lot of activity to burn off the fuel.

It does get easier, but training is a must. It doesn't happen with age alone.

[Deb1]

sorry, but I can almost see your frustration! I have a 7 month old puppy and she has her days of mischievous mayham! She loves to run and grab anything that falls on the floor! My grankids can only eat at the table so she doesn't eat any food of theirs. The toys are not a problem as she is not a destructive chewer. It will get easier and some training would probably be a big help to you! Best of luck with your little mischief maker!

[JakesMom]

My baby is 16 months old and sounds very similar to yours. It does get better and just hang in there. They are so very sweet and pretty soon you will look back on this and laugh

[Candy5198]

My boy is 4 and my girl is 9... He thinks they are equally delicious. I do step in to reprimand him... I literally don't let him out of my sight! If I must he gets crated. Thankfully he is content in his "room" mostly. I am laughing already... I imagine I look quite ridiculous crawling behind the chair trying to cut him off! I was seriously hoping someone would say more like 6 months... My kids want to sleep with him and I'd like to be able to just let him go and not have to run after him every second... But none of that is remotely possible right now...
Here's hoping he's special cause two years of this will definently be rough!

[Yorkiesatwork]

...just a small suggestion, that in no way takes the place of training and scheduling -- but he'll be easier to get to if you 'ribbon' him... i.e., put a halter on him and attach a 6 foot ribbon or very light cord to the halter. At least you can reign him in without getting down on the floor. Don't try this with anything attached to a collar. Too hard on their trachea's.

[Maximo]

Definitely takes breaks for yourself during the day by putting him in an xpen or gated off small area -- a safe zone.

The problem with running after him is that he thinks that is a great game of chase. Max learned that one quickly and I played into it.

When your pup has something that he shouldn't, use a food reward to entice him to drop it. Say "want a treat?" and he should learn to drop the item and come running. When he does, praise him.

Also, when he has something naughty, say "That isn't good for you" or "uh uh uh." Establish keyphrases. My boys seem to do better with keyphrases than a simple "no." They also know "you don't want that." It's amazing how much language these little guys can pick up. You don't want to ramble on, just short phrases.

[dawn27]

Hang in there it gets better, slowly but surely !!

Originally Posted by Candy5198

Oh sweet Jesus! I'm going to lose my mind!

My boy is 4 and my girl is 9... He thinks they are equally delicious. I do step in to reprimand him... I literally don't let him out of my sight! If I must he gets crated. Thankfully he is content in his "room" mostly. I am laughing already... I imagine I look quite ridiculous crawling behind the chair trying to cut him off! I was seriously hoping someone would say more like 6 months... My kids want to sleep with him and I'd like to be able to just let him go and not have to run after him every second... But none of that is remotely possible right now...

Here's hoping he's special cause two years of this will definently be rough!

Oh Honey their ALL Special !!

[Candy5198]

Originally Posted by Yorkiesatwork

...just a small suggestion, that in no way takes the place of training and scheduling -- but he'll be easier to get to if you 'ribbon' him... i.e., put a halter on him and attach a 6 foot ribbon or very light cord to the halter. At least you can reign him in without getting down on the floor. Don't try this with anything attached to a collar. Too hard on their trachea's.

It took me a minute to understand what you meant... This is a clever idea that I suppose I can try... Although I'm almost certain he'll eat the ribbon! Lol
Also I realized quickly how important a harness was... I absolutely can't bring him outside unleashed... He will find something... I.e. a leaf and run under the car or truck where I can't get him... And pulling him out by his collar is definitely not an option!

[Candy5198]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Definitely takes breaks for yourself during the day by putting him in an xpen or gated off small area -- a safe zone.

The problem with running after him is that he thinks that is a great game of chase. Max learned that one quickly and I played into it.

When your pup has something that he shouldn't, use a food reward to entice him to drop it. Say "want a treat?" and he should learn to drop the item and come running. When he does, praise him.

Also, when he has something naughty, say "That isn't good for you" or "uh uh uh." Establish keyphrases. My boys seem to do better with keyphrases than a simple "no." They also know "you don't want that." It's amazing how much language these little guys can pick up. You don't want to ramble on, just short phrases.

I don't really have the room for a large pen in the house... But because of the open floor plan we have it is impossible to gate off an area where he won't be alone during the day... I could gate the bathroom, but he would be unable to see anyone... I think he's getting accustomed to being tied up... I have a long retractable leash so he has plenty of room to move much more than he would in a pen I imagine...
You are probably so right about chasing him being a game... I had not thought about that... I will try the treats to get him to come... Funny thing is I think he already knows what is for him and what is not... If he gets a dog toy he'll bring it to his bed... But when he grabs one of the kids things (without me saying a word) he'll take off running! Which in his mind i suppose starts the chase! Just one of the downsides of having such a clever dog!

[Deb1]

Originally Posted by Candy5198

I don't really have the room for a large pen in the house... But because of the open floor plan we have it is impossible to gate off an area where he won't be alone during the day... I could gate the bathroom, but he would be unable to see anyone... I think he's getting accustomed to being tied up... I have a long retractable leash so he has plenty of room to move much more than he would in a pen I imagine...
You are probably so right about chasing him being a game... I had not thought about that... I will try the treats to get him to come... Funny thing is I think he already knows what is for him and what is not... If he gets a dog toy he'll bring it to his bed... But when he grabs one of the kids things (without me saying a word) he'll take off running! Which in his mind i suppose starts the chase! Just one of the downsides of having such a clever dog!

Teeka use to do the come chase me game! I stopped, clapped my hands, (gets her attention) turn to go in the house & she would slowly come back. I can now, say her name, clap my hands and she comes running at full speed! It will get easier!!! Good thing they are so adorable!

[Maximo]

If you don't mind the leash, it is great to use.

Bathrooms -- if you ever need to pen him in one, be sure to close the toilet lid and maybe even use a child safety latch. There have been a couple of tragedies on YT where the pup drowned in the toilet.

Best wishes. It does get easier.

[Lil Sis]

when I brought Remy home my shih tuz was such a great baby sitter He would play and play and play some more with her and it was great. I had issues but he wore her out by using up her energy and it made it easier on me.

You have received a lot of good advice.. I use the "ribbon" when it is storming or fireworks so I can see it would work 24/7 ... of course don't leave unattended.

As far as the crate or playpen. It does not have to be large. My dd got a really large one and her pup hated it, she then returned and got a small one and it works fine. I used a child's pack and play that I got from a consignment store... it wasn't perfect like new, but cheap and when done I could toss it.

good luck. it is worth it I promiss