Mad puppy syndrome

Aaaaaaaaarrrrrgggghhhhh !!!!

I thought puppies were supposed to be all fluffy and lovable

We have a new puppy, as yet unnamed, who is 8 weeks old. We got her saturday.

She is a Patterdale Terrier and she is beautiful. Nervous at first, she has found her feet, boy has she EVER found her feet.

This is a new experience for us because our last dog, Sam, who we lost about 6 months ago, was just about the perfect dog who always, but always, did as he was told from the moment we got him at 12 weeks old to the day he died 20 years later.

Our new pup is a nightmare. She is running riot and bites very hard and I mean hard. She insist on laying on a cushion on our sofa like Lady Muck. Sam never went on the furniture, so we are trying desperatley hard to stop her doing it.

She is also a peeing machine.

Have you kind people any ideas on teaching good behaviour to an 8 week old pup, or will that manifest itself as she gets older (if we still have our fingers and toes )

We were under no illusions that it would be easy, we were just spoilt by our wonderful old Collie

For those who have never heard of a Patterdale

[OpenMind]

A new bundle of fun, eh, Arnie. Best of luck and welcome to the fluffy teeth.

Another, the same beautiful chocolate colour

[BabyRider]

You've got a dominance issue on your hands, Arnie. And probably a teething issue, too! Does puppy have plenty of things to chew on to alleviate the irritation of growing the adult teeth?
When puppy is chewing on you, at the first bite, give a sharp, loud, "No!!" and walk away, ending the "game" that puppy is playing. Do not allow her to follow, and if you have to, separate her from yourselves. Are you crate training? Whatever you do, do NOT use her crate, (if you're going that route) as a punishment.
Also, reinforce your dominanace over her by making her roll onto her back in your arms and submit to you messing with her belly, throat and feet. If she resists this, reinforce her by grabbing her scruff, gently, and forcing her to submit. Yes, it sounds harsh, but it's not. Puppy is learning where she falls in the heirarchy of her new "pack" and you need to get that message across to her clearly: that she is Omega dog and everyone else in the house ranks above her. Calm, assertive leadership!!

Excellent as always BR.

Yes she has plenty of chews and toys in general

I think you are absolutely right. Even at 8 weeks she is trying to dominate. We certainly do have a dominance issue

Can you explain about the "crate" trining. We dont keep her in a crate but there is a seperate part of our house where she will sleep. She has her bed and food there

[BabyRider]

Originally Posted by ArnoldLayne

Excellent as always BR.

Yes she has plenty of chews and toys in general

I think you are absolutely right. Even at 8 weeks she is trying to dominate. We certainly do have a dominance issue

Can you explain about the "crate" trining. We dont keep her in a crate but there is a seperate part of our house where she will sleep. She has her bed and food there

Aw shucks.... Thanks, Arnold!

Let me go get a link for you that explains crate training. It's what I always reccommend for new pups, and I believe Val is a fan of this method, but I'll let her say her own piece.

Now lemme go find that link....

[BabyRider]

Here ya go: Crate training described and explained plainly and simply.

http://www.perfectpaws.com/crt.html

[rainbowsmiles]

I agree with babyrider, we crate trained our dogs and it works very well!

[pina]

What a little beauty she is and I know what your going through my little 4month Beagle is just the same. The crate thing was suggested to me but we managed without it, like you he has his own little space with his bed and food.
Now that he knows who is boss it is getting easier, but I do have to keep reminding him or he forgets and tries to rule the roost.
The peeing thing has gotten less as he's has got bigger.
The one thing I cant seem to stop him doing is pinching things and keeping them in his bed. Good luck Arnold.