Terrible 2's???

[Dzbabykel]

....ok so Oliver isn't 2 but I'm starting to wonder if 10 months old is the equilavent to the terrible 2's in people years. I'm at my wit's end and don't know what to do! This past month Oliver has been barking at EVERYTHING that makes the slightest peep outside the door or in the house, he feels the need to snap at other dogs during our walks now (he never did that before) and during the night he JUST WON'T SLEEP I always wait to go to bed until he is fast asleep on my lap on the couch so that he'll go right to sleep in bed with me. Well lately he'll fall asleep but as soon as we go to bed he wants to continually jump off the bed, bark at us because he wants to play and the end result is I end up sleeping on the couch because that seems to be the only spot he'll fall asleep with me.

My poor BF loves Oliver so much and tries to help out as much as he can but we are just not getting any sleep and disciplining him is going nowhere. I've tried the water bottles for his barking and they used to work wonders but lately they haven't worked at all. I've tried wearing him out during the day and before bed so that he'll be tired enough to sleep through the night but even that doesn't seem to be working I would like to put him in daycare every day so that he can play with the other dogs but that would be $500 a month and I just can't afford that right now I know I sound like a huge complainer and I apologize but I just would love some advice on what I should do or to know if this is just a phase. Any help would be MUCH appreciated!

[Maximo]

I believe 10 months old is the age at which they test their boundaries and push the limits. Max certainly did between 8 months and 1 year. That is when he found his voice. Then he settled down for awhile before going through more phases during his second year.

Having a schedule, a routine, helped tremendously. He knew when to expect meals, walks, playtime, and rest and bedtime. Daily walks, vigorous play sessions and basic obedience training sessions (especially right before bedtime) tired him out.

Be consistent and keep working at tiring out Oliver, draining his energy.

Confession: Max is 2 and I am still battling barking on our walks.

[Britster]

Agree ^ That is definitely their teenage stage.

I would say TIRE him OUT! What do you do for exercise during the day? I had/sometimes still have problems with Jackson sleeping at my father's house, where has slept once a week since I brought him home. They have 2 cats and 2 dogs so he's always very concerned about what they are doing and often wouldn't sleep. If I don't exercise him like crazy, he is still a bad sleeper over there. By exercise like crazy, I mean going for 3-4 little walks throughout the day (about 10-15 minutes each walk), playing ball/fetch in the backyard for 30-45 minutes, full-speed running for about 40 minutes (I purposely ride the fourwheeler next to the fence which he chases, LOL!!!), and then doing mental stimulation inside (clicker training for 15 mins). In the summer, he swims for hours with us outside. At that particular house, I've really gotta wear him out. It's not so intense at our regular house, a one hour walk, some indoor fetch and clicker training will suffice. But I would just take him on a loonngg walk and try to tire him out like never before.

[Dzbabykel]

Thanks so much! My problem is the only time I get to "tire" him out during the day is on my lunch break when I go home and take him on 2 walks (when I get home and before I go back to work). I play with him for about an hour while I'm home but other than that he's by himself I get home around 5 and play with him for the rest of the evening but I don't know how to keep him occupied while I'm not there. Soo many people have told me that I should get him a playmate but right now he has behaviors I need to fix before I even think about getting another little one. I'm thinking about taking him to puppy day care maybe 3 times a week at least, just wish it wasn't so expensive haha But don't get me wrong, they're worth every penny!!! If only I could be a stay-at-home mommy!

[lynnelily]

My little Charm does the same thing at bed time and falling a sleep on the couch but the minute I take her to bed it's play time she thinks. What we are trying now is giving her are back sometimes it works. She will climb up on are heads and have a kissy feast or goes under the covers and runs around nipping her sleeping sisters playing you can't get me. She's so full of energy. I end up getting up with her to so everyone else can sleep. She about the same age, she'll be one in April and my other 2 Chloe and Claire Bear will be one in March. They have all found their voice and bark at everything that moves or makes a noise but just saying I'm going to get the spray bottle is working on that so far. Hopefully they'll will just outgrow it.

[Maximo]

Regarding a playmate: keep in mind that if you get a pup, you are more than doubling your work. With either a pup or an older dog, it may take up to a year before you could safely leave them to their own devices together. Teddy was 8 months old when I brought him home. It was months before I could leave them alone together because they would get each other going so fast that I was afraid they would be swinging from the chandeliers and hurt themselves. Now they sleep or look out the window together.

Another point to consider is that twosomes don't necessarily self entertain. Max and Teddy have been together for a year and are just starting to play on their own. However, they still prefer human involvement.

Daycare is very expensive, but it may be cheaper than a second dog.

One more note on barking on walks: I'm pretty sure that Max's barking has recently increased because weather has interfered with our walking schedule. He isn't getting enough exercise.

[Lil Sis]

I am sooooo lucky with Remy because Bailey (my shih tuz) loves loves loves to play with her and is so good with her. I call him my babysitter. I have said to dh many times, if Remy was my first dog and I did not have other dogs she would drive me nuts. But that is Bailey's personality and I was really lucky. (Sam on the other had just growls at her).
I am also lucky because my dh (who said he does not like dog and did not want one ha ha) loves to play with her. He throw the toys and gets down and plays with her... it is funny to see the three of them
And.... we take all the pack out for walks.. long walks about 30 to 45 mins. each. It is good for me and for them.
Also, I have been trying to teach her tricks.. she loves the interaction.
And... we have routine. Sadly she does not know the difference between work week and the week end UGH!

so... mental stitumlation... exercise.. routine and disipline (just like you would a child)

good luck and I know it will be ok-- you are a good yorkie mom

[Dzbabykel]

Thanks for all the advice and support! You all are so helpful and I'm sure Oliver will be just fine! I'm looking into puppy care 3 times a week rather than everyday just so he can at least have the interaction with other dogs. Hopefully he'll enjoy that a lot more than intertaining himself at home! Thanks again

[Deuce]

Look into doggy day cares that keep the big and small ones separate. I was going to suggest a kitten lol, but that really only works if the kitten will play with the puppy. Full grown cats usually don't care to interact with dogs, but if you get them in the kitten stage they'll keep each-other occupied. My bf got a kitten just after I got Rizzo, every time I take Rizzo over to his place, they'll chase each-other around and around until I have to separate them because they've started playing chase on us, lol. It's really cute
Will have to agree, 10 months equals really annoying teenager, that is when Rizzo found his spectacular voice. Have you had Oliver neutered yet? All the hormones may be driving him a little crazy as well
Exercise exercise exercise, lol, easier said than done if you're in a not so pleasant weather area this time of year Good luck, you can make it through this

[Britster]

I think doggy daycare a few times a week may help. Even if you can only do it once or twice a week. I know my friend takes her female Yorkie once a week and her male Yorkie once a month (he doesn't need it as much as the girl) and it helps her out!

Also, for sleeping in the bed at night... I had to attach a leash to Jackson one night and just hold him down all night, LOL. It did work. I still didn't get much sleep but he eventually learned he couldn't stare at the cats all night long.

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by Britster

I think doggy daycare a few times a week may help. Even if you can only do it once or twice a week. I know my friend takes her female Yorkie once a week and her male Yorkie once a month (he doesn't need it as much as the girl) and it helps her out!

Also, for sleeping in the bed at night... I had to attach a leash to Jackson one night and just hold him down all night, LOL. It did work. I still didn't get much sleep but he eventually learned he couldn't stare at the cats all night long.

Pffft, that's what you think he would try if you'd let him, lol

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Deuce

Pffft, that's what you think he would try if you'd let him, lol

LOL!! So true. He's odd with cats. He's not mean to them, he would never hurt them, he's just VERY curious. And my dads cats run, they don't really like the dogs... so whenever they run is when he wants to chase (my dads dogs do the same thing). But I have caught Jackson and Ozzy (the male cat) grooming each other in the middle of the night a few times (Ozzy will be licking his face, lol) It's like he feels the need to show off to the other dogs by chasing them, but once they're away, he will be rubbing against 'em etc, Lol.

[Sandysbabies]

Probably to get another dog, they would both sleep all day and be ready to play at night. lol!!! I know it gets tiresome. Our 2 schnauzers sleep all night. Kayla and Dudley (yorkies) use too. Lately they both get up and prowl 1/2 the night. When they want to come back to bed they both bark or actually its like they try to talk and its just loud enought to bother you. They both make the most unusual noises. I think it would less bothersome if they just barked instead of this little noise they make. I'm glad I don't work because I would never make it, no more sleep than I get. Wish I knew what to tell you but maybe he will play and not sleep at doggie daycare and be wore out enough when he gets home to give you some rest.

[Chrissybear]

Gizmo has been doing the same thing lately!! Hes 8 months old and i have been sleeping on the couch because he jumps on my head at night wanting to play!!! Hubby doesnt like that ive been sleepin on the couch but we know he will calm down eventually

Just take it one day at a time and dont stress!

Best of luck!!!

[Dzbabykel]

Originally Posted by Deuce

Look into doggy day cares that keep the big and small ones separate. I was going to suggest a kitten lol, but that really only works if the kitten will play with the puppy. Full grown cats usually don't care to interact with dogs, but if you get them in the kitten stage they'll keep each-other occupied. My bf got a kitten just after I got Rizzo, every time I take Rizzo over to his place, they'll chase each-other around and around until I have to separate them because they've started playing chase on us, lol. It's really cute
Will have to agree, 10 months equals really annoying teenager, that is when Rizzo found his spectacular voice. Have you had Oliver neutered yet? All the hormones may be driving him a little crazy as well
Exercise exercise exercise, lol, easier said than done if you're in a not so pleasant weather area this time of year Good luck, you can make it through this

Haha my BF would die if I bought a kitten! But good idea though, I also agree with separating the big dogs from the little dogs...thats my only concern with this doggy daycare place, I don't think there is any separation and there are mostly large dogs there which concerns me (lol but what doesn't concern me these days?? lol)

As for neutering that's interesting you brought that up, he has an appointment next Friday to be neutered (I know I know I waited super late) but I'm hoping that will calm him down a bit, though I have no experience with neutered vs. unneutered pups. I'm taking a few days off work to be with him so he'll get lots of attention then!!