Nightmare of a day!

[Verbena]

Originally Posted by Candy5198

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

I am sorry . . Because laughing so hard. I almost fell off the chair thinking about your face when you wrote this.

I have a little one that just runs and eats everything too. The floor could be just cleaned and I do not know where he finds things. He also licks everything the floor, the couch, your pants lol

[Verbena]

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!

I have a little one too. He is 16 weeks. I live in a very, very small home. I bought a ex pen that is set up in the living room corner. It takes up a lot of room but trust me right now it is worth it. Setting up a place for him to have his own space and also to give a place to put him to have a break from the going on in the house. They fold up or configure to different shapes. They need a "safe space"

[Verbena]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

Wonderful suggestions!

[Candy5198]

Originally Posted by dawn27

I love a shaker can, I used it to train our pups too. You can find directions on how to make one and use them properly on my site under training tips. Some people do not agree with using them, but if done right there is no harm done. I hope your little guy is doing better. Its not easy but it worth it.

I read your training tips page and I have already been doing most of the things you mentioned... Including moving him to the side of my bed (he now stays in the living area) I also have been keeping him leashed inside mostly so I can stop having to chase him which I felt kinda guilty about but since you mention it in your tips I guess it was a good idea and feel better about doing it. I however have always kept water available while he is kenneled... I found a gerbil type water bottle for dogs which is obviously better than him stepping in a bowl... He took to it right away... I don't like the idea of him being left without water since sometimes we have to leave for part of the day. I will be trying the shaker for the next few days... Anything to promote progress is great!

[Candy5198]

Originally Posted by Verbena

I have a little one too. He is 16 weeks. I live in a very, very small home. I bought a ex pen that is set up in the living room corner. It takes up a lot of room but trust me right now it is worth it. Setting up a place for him to have his own space and also to give a place to put him to have a break from the going on in the house. They fold up or configure to different shapes. They need a "safe space"

Max does have a kennel that is his safe area... I have been keeping him leashed and it is working out okay. I have found a spot in each room to hook him to so that he is still out and about with us during the day but must stay where I can see him. He still manages to find trouble (like pulling up a small patch if carpeting when i thought he was chewing a bone!) but MOST of the time I can catch him and correct/redirect him right away.

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by Candy5198

I read your training tips page and I have already been doing most of the things you mentioned... Including moving him to the side of my bed (he now stays in the living area) I also have been keeping him leashed inside mostly so I can stop having to chase him which I felt kinda guilty about but since you mention it in your tips I guess it was a good idea and feel better about doing it. I however have always kept water available while he is kenneled... I found a gerbil type water bottle for dogs which is obviously better than him stepping in a bowl... He took to it right away... I don't like the idea of him being left without water since sometimes we have to leave for part of the day. I will be trying the shaker for the next few days... Anything to promote progress is great!

Some things work for some and some dont but any progess is progress !

[quoteMax does have a kennel that is his safe area... I have been keeping him leashed and it is working out okay. I have found a spot in each room to hook him to so that he is still out and about with us during the day but must stay where I can see him. He still manages to find trouble (like pulling up a small patch if carpeting when i thought he was chewing a bone!) but MOST of the time I can catch him and correct/redirect him right away. ][/quote]

Be very careful with the leash and hooking him up in the house. He can get tangled up and get hurt. Leash training is meant to be leashed to you. That is why it is called umbilical cord training.

[gracielove]

Leash training works best when the pup is leashed to you. A 6' lead that is pinned to you means the pup goes every where you go. You are able to see exactly what he is doing, You can get him to the potty in time because you are watching him all the time and you can correct any bad behavior right away. It works well if you are able to do it. An x-pen is wonderful for breaks but the puppy learns the most when it is with you.

[Candy5198]

Originally Posted by gracielove

Leash training works best when the pup is leashed to you. A 6' lead that is pinned to you means the pup goes every where you go. You are able to see exactly what he is doing, You can get him to the potty in time because you are watching him all the time and you can correct any bad behavior right away. It works well if you are able to do it. An x-pen is wonderful for breaks but the puppy learns the most when it is with you.

I have tried leashing him to me... It just doesn't work... He is constantly running in my feet which leads to being kicked and stepped on... Even though I'm watching and trying not to... The places I have found to put him in I have moved all things that could be dangerous... My number one priority is keeping him safe

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by Candy5198

I have tried leashing him to me... It just doesn't work... He is constantly running in my feet which leads to being kicked and stepped on... Even though I'm watching and trying not to... The places I have found to put him in I have moved all things that could be dangerous... My number one priority is keeping him safe

If it works than do it.... and I agree his safety come first.

I look forward to getting an update on his progress!