Private Puppy Training: Lesson 1
Honestly, this last week has been a challenge. Either we don’t remember how hard Dog MPB was at this age, Dog MPB was a saint puppy or it is entirely possible that Doodle MPB is a devil puppy. And I only say this because she cries/whines/howls/barks all the time. And I mean ALL THE TIME! It is so bad that the Adult MPB’s cannot hear ourselves think and Little MPB has taken to sticking his fingers in his ears saying Doddle MPB is Too Loud! Honestly, it’s so bad that part of me is regretting the decision to get a puppy – all of you who warned me about how hard a puppy is, this is where you get to say I Told You So. (For the record, we are committed to her, and we will work through this, but right now her constant screaming is really hard to deal with).
So, first I have to say thank you to everyone who provided comments and encouragement to our very loud puppy who hates being more then a foot away from us and doesn’t like her crate. Both Mr. MPB and I are thankful for your suggestions and encouragement and have already implemented a few things.
Second, I have to say, we are thankful to have a private training session happening today. I actually cancelled the first trainer we planned to bring into the house – I had asked her to change the time of our appointment by 30 minutes and it took her 4 days to respond and I asked her a question about puppy socialization opportunities at her facility and she responded by telling me to come to an additional group class where she discusses puppy socialization. So, for the amount of money weare spenskng on the private training, we wanted someone who was just a bit more receptive to basic questions. The new trainer comes highly recommended from a few people and I’m hopeful we she will be a better fit for us.
The new trainer is coming during the day while Little MPB is at daycare. This will give Mr. MPB and I the ability to both talk with the trainer and listen to her directions first hand. And we will both be able to develop a training plan with her that fits our families needs.
I am hopeful she will have some suggestions to help deal with the very loud puppy who still doesn’t love her crate and still doesn’t like any separation from us. I’ll be honest, we need help with this behaviour as we cannot take all our work phone calls outside for the rest of time, especially since we are expecting 8 inches of fresh snow today which means the temperatures are going to be falling below freezing once again. Truthfully, we just need some quiet in our house from time to time. And I’m sure that at some point our neighbours will be unhappy about the 24/7 sounds coming from our house. We are still hoping her noisiness is the result of anxiety from moving away from her litter-mates, but as more and more days pass, we just aren’t so sure.
I am also hopeful the trainer will give us that normal basic puppy training support so that Mr. MPB and I are on the same time with teaching basic manners (things like sit, lay down, loose leash walking, not jumping, etc.). Honestly, I optimistic that this stuff won’t be too hard because we already have her sitting on command pretty regularly. And, as for as house training goes, while I don’t love the every 2.5 hour bathroom breaks, this doesn’t worry me because every 2.5 hours is normal for her age.
Here’s to desperately hoping that the trainer points us in the right direction and helps set our new family dynamic up for success.
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My Perfect Breakdown 
Oh, girl. I remember how hard those puppy days are. I’m so sorry it’s been a rough week. I can recall (clear as a bell!) proclaiming that puppies are the ultimate birth control and I’m never having kids. Twix was probably 3 months old at the time. Haha. (Nevertheless, she persisted…) I hope the trainer can help. I wish I could send you a mute button.
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Oh my, a mute button sounds like an amazing thing right now!!! Hahaha!!
I know it’ll be worth it….probably in just a matter of a few more months since they do grow up so quickly. But right now, I just want a mute button!
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Sounds so exhausting!!!
I hope the appointment with the trainer goes well today.
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So exhausting!! I just keep telling myself itll be worth it in a few months.
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So sorry you are going through this! Our doodle has separation anxiety, and prefers being around us too…. but having a 2nd dog helps a lot with this… knowing that isn’t an option for you, I hope your trainer can give you tools and options. Promise we only used it for like 5 minutes, but we used a muzzle when our doodle would get into nonstop barking fits and now all we have to do is show it to him and he stops. And you are right, the older they get, the better they become. Hoping the trainer works some puppy magic!!
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I think if I suggested a second dog right now to Mr. MPB he’d kill me. Haha.
But I’m not opposed to doing something like a muzzle for a few minutes if it gets to that point. I’m still trying to hope that it’s just normal transitioning. But who knows…
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I like the person’s idea of a in the craete! We give our pups bones with PB when we want them to relax and leave us alone. 😉
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On New Year’s Eve, we brought home two ….. TWO, puppies (bonded littermates). I would be lying if I said gone are the days that they drive you nuts, but I can also tell you – it does get better! One day at a time.
As far as noise/distraction (and chewing), our go to’s are bully sticks (but can be expensive to do all the time), or kongs that we freeze stuff in. Freezing both helps with teething puppies, and takes longer to get out! Frozen wet food, natural apple sauce, carrots, bananas, (my little fools are the only dogs who don’t like peanut butter – make sure no xylitol if you do PB!). Also, if you give it to them in the crate – even with the door open, it makes a positive association. Now as soon as I pull kongs out of the freezer – they bolt to their crates and just wait for me because they know they’re getting treats!
Best of luck 🙂
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We used to do frozen Kong’s all the time! I hadn’t thought of that this time so thank you so much for the reminder! I’m going to make some up today! Such a great idea!!!
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I wish I could be of more help, but I don’t have much experience with the issues you are having. I hope this trainer knows just what to do and that you get some peace and quiet for a while! Is she food motivated at all?
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I hope the trainer can provide you with some ideas on how to help with things. I can remember our puppy days all too well as it was only a year and a half ago. There were many days where I told my husband that I regretted getting a puppy as she was just out of control energy, chewing, peeing in the house despite all my housebreaking efforts, and the barking. Ohhh the barking. It isn’t easy. In some ways I feel like it was an easier time doing the new baby days with the human baby than the dog baby. Now that our dog is 2, and still having issues with barking when she is out on hikes with her walker, we have had to put a bark collar on her. I know everyone says how inhumane they are whatnot, but when I’m getting messages from our dog walker about how barky she is at people, bikes and dogs (she isn’t like that when she’s with us) I felt immediately stressed out and embarrassed and needed to do something about it. Hopefully it doesn’t come down to you guys needing to go that route and you can nip the barking and whining in the bud soon. You got this!!
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Good luck, what a cutie from the pics on your previous post! It will get easier and you have definitely done the right thing getting a trainer from so early on. I remember actually crying one morning because I came downstairs to about 4 poops and 3 puddles and the puppy pad sat there dry by the back door 😂 fast forward 18 months and we wouldn’t be without our little cockapoo. Having a dog is definitely about what you put in during those early months, now she is so well behaved she really is a joy.
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Yes, as others have said…for the constant howling you might need to stimulate her a bit more. Things to chew are great. Also, feeding her by sprinkling her food all over the lawn…she has to sniff and find it, which will keep her stimulated for ages. Maybe frequent walks as well to get rid of excess energy? Sorry it’s tough… I know I don’t have the energy for another puppy right now…it really is exhausting even when things are going perfectly!
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I’ll preface this by admitting I loathe breeders and usually find them irresponsible and out to make money BUT let’s assume yours is not. If this is the case, he or she should help you through this transition. They should know the breed inside out but also know their litters inside out. The temperament of the puppies in the litter, which puppy would likely be best suited to each prospective home, etc… Did your breeder specifically suggest this puppy or was it more “oh you want a female, here’s the three I have” type thing? Most breeders shove the pups out the door the first second they can survive without the mother, not when the pup might be ready to be introduced to a new environment. Dogs are pack animals so of course Puppy MPB wants to be with you always. Just as she can’t hold her bladder yet she might not be ready to be trained by you until she knows the inner workings of her new pack.
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Shes not from a real breeder. She’s from a family with 2 kids who have a labrador and a friend has a poodle. They’ve done 1 litter a year for the last 3 years and this is their last litter. They had 3 female puppies and 2 boy available when I met them and based on our family they recommended the one I chose but encouraged me to meet the other girl and boy puppies too. I met the whole litter and spent time in their house with them. So not a real breeder which is something I actually liked.
We just met with the trainer and I am feeling a lot better about this puppy training situation.
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