some advice pls with Reuben 5mths, not going to plan!

[Stuart]

Think of your dog almost as you would a child,.. a 5 month old child,.. the child wouldnt be the best behaved,..and I am afraid that a pup of 5 months is just the same,.. they dont really know right from wrong,..what they are doing to them is fine, and will be fine untill they are old enough to learn otherwise

All good avice above,..cant really add to it,... it will get better with time and training

[J&J]

When we got Ellie from rescue at 5 months old, she had no training what's so ever, first time I feed her she lunched for the bowl knocking all her food across the kitchen floor (lucky she was dried feed) Counter surfer well it was soooo bad she spent more time with her front paws on the counter than the floor We even had to ensure the cooker was turned off at the wall when not cooking, she knocked the knobs on

And it was just a case of ensure that nothing was left on counters to encourage her, constantly telling her 'off' didn't use the down command as not to confuse her...

If I had to tell her off when dishing up her food more than twice, I put her food away for 5 minutes then start again, also teaching her to sit for her bowl etc..

She's one now, and only has the odd sneeking onto the counter but really doesn't bother and hasn't for quite a while.. Food wise, well she sits patientanly at my side as I dish, and then waits until I place it somewhere in the kitchen, she won't move until I give the ok command and if I want to I can stop her mid way and get her to sit etc..

Obedience wise the same, keep consistant with it all, and they do click, now at one she doing well she will have her odd days where she decides, nah can't be arsed to listen but that is shepherds for you...

Just be consistant with your training and it should all resolve itself as you go

[Chrystie22]

Diva's also crazy for her food and tries to counter surf but we dont let her. When we prepare her food, she has to lie down and wait, if she gets up or whines, we stop the preparation and leave the room. We had to repeat this many times at first but now she knows she has to behave otherwise she doesnt get any food! We put the bowl down and she waits for our ok to approach the bowl, like J & J said she can also stop mid way if we ask her..She's getting there, I just wish she would stop some of her unruly behaviour, but I am aware she is still very young and maybe Im expecting too much, too soon so I need to be patient

[Sophie]

Last Christmas, my mum left the cheese board on the side. When she came back, she found it, however a whole baby stilton and a whole block of butter was gone and the fat labrador was sat there licking its lips. The Christmas party had Philadelphia spread on celery sticks (he didn't like the celery, he left it).

Dogs are greedy, and as far as they know, if they can reach it, it's theirs. 5 months old is still young. Your dog will reduce you to tears, he will make you miserable, you may even think 'why on earth did I get a dog!' But stick with it and you will have a loyal friend for life and you won't know how you lived without him! Consistency and patience are the way forward.

I have similar issues with our 5 month "baby"- and the description of a "counter surfer" just made me laugh! Goodness can Samson stretch in far- nothing is safe.....
D.

[hermykne]

everybody there are some laughs in here, all good to know you have similar experiences. thanks.

better go check on him now!

[gloriab]

Originally Posted by hermykne

everybody there are some laughs in here, all good to know you have similar experiences. thanks.

better go check on him now!

My Zennie is nearly one now - granted, he didn't come to me till he was nearly 7 months old and he had previously had 5 "homes" and not very happy ones.... being abused by beating in one.

He's the same as that - fun to rip up, tear up, counter surf..... in fact all of the afore-mentioned.

I know what to expect with gsd pups having had a few. Yes, it can be infuriating. However, I am delighted to see Zennie in this naughty puppy mode, because he is now just that - a puppy, playing and behaving as should be expected of a pup - he is no longer that frightened, cowering little thing, but is now full of confidence and truly naughty...... I love to see him like this and he is now really responding (at least for a little while at a time) to training and command words. But he is soon back to pushing it

Bear with it - it will be well worth it in the end, cos you will have a gorgeous pal - just keep working away at it, and remember..... NEVER scold or shout at your pup - they don't understand when they are doing wrong, they just need (lots of) training , time and love.
xxxxxx