Oh boy, now my 9 kids are easier than this one sweet puppy dog!

How long roughly should we expect to go through the "naughty pup" syndrome?

Here's a rough guide of what we are experiencing...

Chewing, which I know is normal but this pup chew through everything and so quickly that she has destroyed "whatever" befor we can remove it from her mouth, thing is, hubby's pond has taken the brunt of it and she severed the pump wire in a flash....thankfully it was off at the mains *wiping brow* She also chews the carpet/dogbed and whatever else she can get her jaws around, especially at night!

Chomping children, any "wee person" who walks aside her gets a puppy chomp on the extremities, we have tried to get the children to tell her "no!" in a firm manner but pup's thinks that the reply is "yes!" with another chomp. How often should we intervene with "our" authoratative manner?

Pooping and peeing at night time, we make sure she is put out to do toilet business before we go to bed, she only had her 2nd jabs last Friday and believe we still can't take her out for 14 days, so she goes in the garden. When we get up in the morning she has delivered us a present or two, we clear it up well, but is there a deterrant?

Laying down to eat and drink, I know this isn't exactly a naughty quality, just a poor habit, I'm just concerned of the digestive problems this may or may not have!

I'm deperate for some help, if only to save my husband from finding her a new home, she has the potential to be an extremely fantastic dog, her mannerisms appear to be very tolerant, she just has a typical toddler streak that is mischievous to say the least. With guidance and patience I would like to try and get her to "slow down" but not suppress her little quirky qualities.

Many thanks in advance, this is a bit of a challenge looking at it, so I apologise too!

I thoroughly recommend getting your pup enrolled in training classes as soon as she is able to socialise (due to jabs etc) with other dogs. If you can be a mum to 9 kids (very brave!) you will be fine with a pup!
The nipping is to be dealt with as soon as it happens. When she nips yelp like a puppy sharply and turn your back on her or withdraw without any eye contact or sound from the room for about 1 minute. Isolation is a potent punishment for any group animal. The chewing is easier as make sure she has a great supply of her own chews and vary them getting one out at a specific time. Many people swear by having puppy crates as their own area and den which can also work well and restrict movement to safer areas of the house. As to laying down to eat and drink depending on the breed this can be a good thing! Recent research into gastric torsion recommends feeding from a shoulder height bowl or lying down to eat and drink!!!!!! It does depend on the breed as as our dog is a giant breed we encourage this. Try to raise the bowl to pups shoulder height. Never punish your dog for dog mess after the event. They must be caught in the act and not admonished just placed outside. When your pup wees on paper, take the paper outside and rub it on the garden as this can encourage them to soil there. Also maybe get a little bell or some keys for the back door so that the pup can be taught to 'rattle' them to get the door open. Obviously this will all take time and patience but as soon as pup is able to get out and about things should start to pick up. Best of luck.

Thank you so very much Ken, that has given me some food for thought and I will be getting the children of reading age to take on board your advise. Many, many thanks
Cherry

Hi Cherry.

I have a 16 week old Staffordshire Bull Terrier Puppy (This Breed apparantly take lots of training, lol).

I have read through Kens reply and all the advise he has given is perfect.

I take Bailey to Training Classes and although he has only attended 2 at the moment, i have carried on the work outside of class and he seems to be showing some improvment.

I have 3 Children, so i know how you feel about the "Nipping".
Bailey does get a little overexcited at times and will try this.
I have taught the Children to walk away and Ignore him.
If he does this to an adult then he gets repremanded for it and is sent to bed.
He very rarely does this now (Only if he gets too excited).

As for the Chewing, as Ken said a wide variety of toys helps.
I also have a cage/crate, this helps tremendously if we have to go out for a while.
We keep it in the front room and he uses it as a bed aswell.
Best to keep it in a room where you spend lots of time, that way when you leave the Puppy she won't "Miss" you too much.

Bailey is coming along very well with the "House Training" although we do have the ocassional Poop on the floor in the morning.

You say that you let the Puppy out before you go to bed, but i also advise giving her her last meal of the day before 5:30pm.

I have no problems with baileys eating habit either, but have you thought about putting her food bowl on a little foot stoll, so that she will have to stand in order to reach the food?

Hope some of this helps.
Good Luck.
Caren.

Hi, Momtoabrood,
You seem to have had plenty of advice wiothout getting any more from me!
Good luck!
Walter