When does this puppy stage end?! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

CountryHope · 11-04-2013, 08:24 PM

Hi everyone! My baby, Mia, is nearly 7 months old now. Does this make her a "teenager" ? She seems to be getting more belligerent all the time! She spends most of her time in her x-pen during the day, and I am home most days. In the afternoons we let her run freely in the living room, but she is becoming such a lunatic that her "free" time is getting less and less. She jumps on the furniture and attacks everyone (only playing, but it is impossible to sit in peace when she is free!). If she is not jumping on everyone, she is looking for some forbidden object to get into. Overall, she is just acting like a little brat! Grooming her has become impossible because I can't get her to keep still. I don't like having her penned up more and more, but I value family time, too. I had hopes of owning a dog who would be a part of the family, but that is not what we have now. Please tell me that she will eventually settle down and behave herself!

I just ordered a bottle of Correction Spray and I'm hoping that will get her to listen. She is really smart, and has learned the basic commands, but I'm at a loss as to what to do to correct bad behavior. Any ideas?

ShowGirlLola · 11-04-2013, 08:32 PM

How much exercise and attention is your puppy getting? If she's stuck in the pen with minimal attention most of the day of course she's going to be crazy when you let her out.

My puppy just turned 8 months, she still gets into stuff and can get crazy but she's getting better. The crazy periods happen a few times a day, so that's when I play with her.
To get her used to grooming I give her dog treats like cookies or milkbone nubs while I brush, at first it was constant but now I can stretch the time a lot more.

dawn27 · 11-04-2013, 08:52 PM

Typically they are on the go and in that puppy stage until about 18 month to the age of two. Puppies are like toddlers in many ways but 100 times worse. you still have a long way to go.

If you are looking for a good correction method a good old spray bottle with water works great or a shaker can accompanied by their name and a FIRM "NO" or an "Ah Ah' .

mugwee1 · 11-05-2013, 09:14 AM

Why doe's she spend so much time in the play pen? If she is your only dog i would let her out with me when i am home. Yorkies just Thrive for the attention. y girl is 18month's old and she is my shadow. She was very easy to train if you want her not to be on your furniture put her down and tell her no. She should be part of the family then she won't act up when people come by.Sound's like you wanted a already trained dog. A puppy wasn't a good choice then. I would act up to if I spent all day in a play pen. Just saying.As for training your gonna get what you put in to her.
Anne/Luci

Rhetts_mama · 11-05-2013, 09:38 AM

You answered your own question in your post. She acts like a lunatic during her time out because she is locked up so much.

Yorkies are high energy terriers. They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them from getting bored and misbehaving.

Go to advanced training classes and get the entire family involved. If you can't/won't do that, then you need a trainer to come to you to show you how to deal with her. Teaching her tricks now and possibly agility later will give her the stimulation she needs. Consider enrolling her in the Canine Good Citizens training classes.

As for grooming, if its a nightmare get her cut short and keep her that way until she starts to associate you brushing her with something positive.

107barney · 11-05-2013, 09:44 AM

Time to make her work for everything and get this unacceptable canine behavior in check. If she would like to be in the living room and cannot behave appropriately, then she should be put on a harness and keep her tethered to you. Teach her the "settle" command....ask her to lay on HER bed or on HER blanket on the couch or nearby and ask her to settle down, rewarding with a yummy food treat of high value (little bits of white meat chicken or a small bit of mozzarella cheese) and tell her how good she is. After a few bites of chicken and rewards for staying settled, she should lie there willingly and hang out. If this seems too hard, I suggest purchasing a Cloud 9 bed from yorkie haven rescue's boutique because they tend to like to lay around more when the clouds are around. Good luck!

rubymoon2072 · 11-05-2013, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

You answered your own question in your post. She acts like a lunatic during her time out because she is locked up so much.

Yorkies are high energy terriers. They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them from getting bored and misbehaving.

Go to advanced training classes and get the entire family involved. If you can't/won't do that, then you need a trainer to come to you to show you how to deal with her. Teaching her tricks now and possibly agility later will give her the stimulation she needs. Consider enrolling her in the Canine Good Citizens training classes.

As for grooming, if its a nightmare get her cut short and keep her that way until she starts to associate you brushing her with something positive.

Yorkiemom1 · 11-05-2013, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

You answered your own question in your post. She acts like a lunatic during her time out because she is locked up so much.Yorkies are high energy terriers. They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them from getting bored and misbehaving.Go to advanced training classes and get the entire family involved. If you can't/won't do that, then you need a trainer to come to you to show you how to deal with her. Teaching her tricks now and possibly agility later will give her the stimulation she needs. Consider enrolling her in the Canine Good Citizens training classes.As for grooming, if its a nightmare get her cut short and keep her that way until she starts to associate you brushing her with something positive.

She will not develop into a well socialized, behaved little lady without continous effort and interaction with her family. She will not get this behavior by "osmosis", enclosed or confined in an x-pen most of her day. Yorkies love being with their humans....they want nothing more than to be included as part of the family. Take her from that pen and let her intigrate with the family unit....she will become more civilized when she is not ostrasized from her humans, that she loves dearly and just can not wait to be with, included into, the family. YOU need to work with her, invest YOUR time and love into this little soul.....please do this for her and for her future.

dawn27 · 11-05-2013, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

She will not develop into a well socialized, behaved little lady without continous effort and interaction with her family. She will not get this behavior by "osmosis", enclosed or confined in an x-pen most of her day. Yorkies love being with their humans....they want nothing more than to be included as part of the family. Take her from that pen and let her intigrate with the family unit....she will become more civilized when she is not ostrasized from her humans, that she loves dearly and just can not wait to be with, included into, the family. YOU need to work with her, invest YOUR time and love into this little soul.....please do this for her and for her future.

Excellent advise !!

CountryHope · 11-05-2013, 07:16 PM

Thank you for your comments. I don't want her penned up all day! It is just that she is like a little toddler who is constantly getting into everything. It is exasperating, and admittedly it is just becoming easier to put her back in her pen than to chase her around all day. I will try to take her on more walks outside to let her get her energy out without having to worry as much about what she is getting into. I know that she is a good girl who wants to obey, but I've never had a puppy before and I know I need a method of discipline for bad behaviour that will be effective, for her own safety. People keep telling me to roll up a newspaper, or flick her nose, and I'm not going to do that! So thank you for those whose criticism has been with a desire to be constructive. Perhaps she just needs more outlet for her energy. I will try to keep her tethered to me, also, and maybe it is time for those puppy obedience classes!

Yorkiemom1 · 11-05-2013, 10:49 PM

You will also find that you will do much better if you "fence and cross fence" the inside of your house....not allowing her complete run of the entire house. I never let any of mine access to rooms that I am not able to observe them cotinously! Like toddlers, they can get in to toooooo much trouble when left to their own devices! Keep her in the same room you are in....moving from room to room, if you want. When she learns that she is part of the family and is not going to be sequestered in that pen, she will adjust to behavior that will be much more acceptable to you.....and then puppy classes will be the icing on the cake!

dawn27 · 11-06-2013, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CountryHope

Thank you for your comments. I don't want her penned up all day! It is just that she is like a little toddler who is constantly getting into everything. It is exasperating, and admittedly it is just becoming easier to put her back in her pen than to chase her around all day. I will try to take her on more walks outside to let her get her energy out without having to worry as much about what she is getting into. I know that she is a good girl who wants to obey, but I've never had a puppy before and I know I need a method of discipline for bad behaviour that will be effective, for her own safety. People keep telling me to roll up a newspaper, or flick her nose, and I'm not going to do that! So thank you for those whose criticism has been with a desire to be constructive. Perhaps she just needs more outlet for her energy. I will try to keep her tethered to me, also, and maybe it is time for those puppy obedience classes!

Tethering is a great method for teaching them their boundaries. One very important thing thou is that unless you want her to be under your feet while you are in the kitchen cooking or eating I would not have her tethered to you at that time. In our home the kitchen is off limits during meals and preparation !!

Faboosh · 11-06-2013, 11:11 AM

I wouldn't consider being energetic as bad behavior, personally. 7 months is still very much a puppy/baby and she needs a lot of attention and playtime. But she's old enough now that she should be able to run free more while you're home and able to supervise her. You'll find she does run around a lot, but will tire herself out on her own and will calm down on her own. Tho I do think you should play with her as much as you can to wear her out. It's great bonding and isn't that part of why we get puppies anyway? ;P

joyce evans · 11-06-2013, 11:47 AM

I would also puppy proof your house if she's getting into things that she shouldn't.

There is a lot to learn about owning and raising a puppy. You've entered into about a 15 yr. or so commitment so getting help a.s.a.p. would be a good thing. Spending time with her instead of keeping her locked up will help! Get your entire family on some kind of schedule to do that and your pup will adjust eventually.

Jojo13 · 11-07-2013, 03:35 PM

I have a 5 year old Morkie and he acts like a puppy 24/7. Sometimes I wonder when he's going to grow old and senile.

One thing is for sure, they make you laugh!

11-04-2013, 08:24 PM	#1
CountryHope Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Pennsville, NJ, USA Posts: 29	When does this puppy stage end?! Hi everyone! My baby, Mia, is nearly 7 months old now. Does this make her a "teenager" ? She seems to be getting more belligerent all the time! She spends most of her time in her x-pen during the day, and I am home most days. In the afternoons we let her run freely in the living room, but she is becoming such a lunatic that her "free" time is getting less and less. She jumps on the furniture and attacks everyone (only playing, but it is impossible to sit in peace when she is free!). If she is not jumping on everyone, she is looking for some forbidden object to get into. Overall, she is just acting like a little brat! Grooming her has become impossible because I can't get her to keep still. I don't like having her penned up more and more, but I value family time, too. I had hopes of owning a dog who would be a part of the family, but that is not what we have now. Please tell me that she will eventually settle down and behave herself! I just ordered a bottle of Correction Spray and I'm hoping that will get her to listen. She is really smart, and has learned the basic commands, but I'm at a loss as to what to do to correct bad behavior. Any ideas?

11-04-2013, 08:52 PM	#3
dawn27 2+2=4 X the Love ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bean Town Ohio Posts: 9,456 Blog Entries: 1	Typically they are on the go and in that puppy stage until about 18 month to the age of two. Puppies are like toddlers in many ways but 100 times worse. you still have a long way to go. If you are looking for a good correction method a good old spray bottle with water works great or a shaker can accompanied by their name and a FIRM "NO" or an "Ah Ah' . __________________ Mommy to: Quincy, & Ruby Bella / Miah & Brandi Gone but Never Forgotten Visit: Bella Dawns for all of your Custom Pet Wear needs.

11-05-2013, 09:38 AM	#5
Rhetts_mama Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,959 Blog Entries: 1	You answered your own question in your post. She acts like a lunatic during her time out because she is locked up so much. Yorkies are high energy terriers. They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them from getting bored and misbehaving. Go to advanced training classes and get the entire family involved. If you can't/won't do that, then you need a trainer to come to you to show you how to deal with her. Teaching her tricks now and possibly agility later will give her the stimulation she needs. Consider enrolling her in the Canine Good Citizens training classes. As for grooming, if its a nightmare get her cut short and keep her that way until she starts to associate you brushing her with something positive. __________________ Don't get your knickers in a knot. Nothing is solved and it just makes you walk funny. Last edited by Rhetts_mama; 11-05-2013 at 09:39 AM.

11-05-2013, 09:44 AM	#6
107barney T. Bumpkins & Co. Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New England Posts: 9,816	Time to make her work for everything and get this unacceptable canine behavior in check. If she would like to be in the living room and cannot behave appropriately, then she should be put on a harness and keep her tethered to you. Teach her the "settle" command....ask her to lay on HER bed or on HER blanket on the couch or nearby and ask her to settle down, rewarding with a yummy food treat of high value (little bits of white meat chicken or a small bit of mozzarella cheese) and tell her how good she is. After a few bites of chicken and rewards for staying settled, she should lie there willingly and hang out. If this seems too hard, I suggest purchasing a Cloud 9 bed from yorkie haven rescue's boutique because they tend to like to lay around more when the clouds are around. Good luck! __________________ T. Bumpkins & Co. Washable Doggie Pee Pads (Save 10% Enter YTSAVE10 at checkout) Cathy, Teddy, Winston and Baby Clyde...RIP angels Barney and Daisy

11-06-2013, 11:11 AM	#13
Faboosh YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 539	I wouldn't consider being energetic as bad behavior, personally. 7 months is still very much a puppy/baby and she needs a lot of attention and playtime. But she's old enough now that she should be able to run free more while you're home and able to supervise her. You'll find she does run around a lot, but will tire herself out on her own and will calm down on her own. Tho I do think you should play with her as much as you can to wear her out. It's great bonding and isn't that part of why we get puppies anyway? ;P __________________ [I]Dani: Happily owned by Billi-Jane & Witten facebook/instagram/twitter @danifabulous \| dogster @ dogs/1308401 Last edited by Faboosh; 11-06-2013 at 11:12 AM. Reason: grammar

11-04-2013, 08:32 PM	#2
ShowGirlLola YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 1,354	How much exercise and attention is your puppy getting? If she's stuck in the pen with minimal attention most of the day of course she's going to be crazy when you let her out. My puppy just turned 8 months, she still gets into stuff and can get crazy but she's getting better. The crazy periods happen a few times a day, so that's when I play with her. To get her used to grooming I give her dog treats like cookies or milkbone nubs while I brush, at first it was constant but now I can stretch the time a lot more.

11-05-2013, 09:14 AM	#4
mugwee1 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: pa. Posts: 861	Why doe's she spend so much time in the play pen? If she is your only dog i would let her out with me when i am home. Yorkies just Thrive for the attention. y girl is 18month's old and she is my shadow. She was very easy to train if you want her not to be on your furniture put her down and tell her no. She should be part of the family then she won't act up when people come by.Sound's like you wanted a already trained dog. A puppy wasn't a good choice then. I would act up to if I spent all day in a play pen. Just saying.As for training your gonna get what you put in to her. Anne/Luci

11-05-2013, 07:16 PM	#10
CountryHope Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Pennsville, NJ, USA Posts: 29	Thank you for your comments. I don't want her penned up all day! It is just that she is like a little toddler who is constantly getting into everything. It is exasperating, and admittedly it is just becoming easier to put her back in her pen than to chase her around all day. I will try to take her on more walks outside to let her get her energy out without having to worry as much about what she is getting into. I know that she is a good girl who wants to obey, but I've never had a puppy before and I know I need a method of discipline for bad behaviour that will be effective, for her own safety. People keep telling me to roll up a newspaper, or flick her nose, and I'm not going to do that! So thank you for those whose criticism has been with a desire to be constructive. Perhaps she just needs more outlet for her energy. I will try to keep her tethered to me, also, and maybe it is time for those puppy obedience classes!

11-05-2013, 10:49 PM	#11
Yorkiemom1 Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 9,462	You will also find that you will do much better if you "fence and cross fence" the inside of your house....not allowing her complete run of the entire house. I never let any of mine access to rooms that I am not able to observe them cotinously! Like toddlers, they can get in to toooooo much trouble when left to their own devices! Keep her in the same room you are in....moving from room to room, if you want. When she learns that she is part of the family and is not going to be sequestered in that pen, she will adjust to behavior that will be much more acceptable to you.....and then puppy classes will be the icing on the cake!

11-06-2013, 11:47 AM	#14
joyce evans YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: houston Posts: 1,519	I would also puppy proof your house if she's getting into things that she shouldn't. There is a lot to learn about owning and raising a puppy. You've entered into about a 15 yr. or so commitment so getting help a.s.a.p. would be a good thing. Spending time with her instead of keeping her locked up will help! Get your entire family on some kind of schedule to do that and your pup will adjust eventually. __________________ Hannah's Mom

11-07-2013, 03:35 PM	#15
Jojo13 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Illinois Posts: 3	I have a 5 year old Morkie and he acts like a puppy 24/7. Sometimes I wonder when he's going to grow old and senile. One thing is for sure, they make you laugh!