I'm so upset with my dog

I have 9 month dog who just doesnt behave-She was sitting on our window seat looking at the window like she usually does-when I went to check on her she had the cushion on the floor with a big hole in it--Im so mad!!! So I said No, and disciplined her-then she went back three times after to still eat my cushion--I just needed to vent!!!
I know this is just puppy stuff but I thought she would be getting better not worse :(
Any advice to help make her not go back to finish her damage??????
Thanks :)

Re: I'm so upset with my dog

Spray it with biter apple. Sounds like she is testing you.
Katie was a very naughty puppy. If it was something she would do repeatedly and yelling wouldn't work then I had a can with pennies in it and would shake it and say no. She got the point.

ETA: Make sure she has plenty of things to chew one! Kongs are great and also Smart Chews.

Message edited 4/16/2007 7:39:33 PM.

Re: I'm so upset with my dog

ANother idea is to make sure she gets a lot of exercise. I love the "doggie backpack". . You might want to add a water bottle to it too. This will give the dog a great workout and might help prevent him from chewing.

ETA- Dogs that bite and chew tend to be insecure about something. Tiring her out should help her, but it will take time and patience.

Good luck.

You can purchase a doggie back pack from petco or petsmart.

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Message edited 4/16/2007 7:54:53 PM.

Re: I'm so upset with my dog

Reggie is right about the exercise. Katie is always much better behaved when she is exercised.

Re: I'm so upset with my dog

I take her to the park every weekend when its nice out-and I walk her everyday-and she has every toy you can think of-She hasnt been the easiest puppy in the world-def has been hard with her but I am really frustrated!!! Thanks for listening, I really appreciate it!!!

Re: I'm so upset with my dog

I feel your pain, I really do. Katie has eaten molding, sheet rock.. just about everything. She also wasn't completely housebroken until recently (I hope!). She is 1 1/2 years old. She steals tissues and other items from the garbage all the time.

Have you tried a laser pointer? We have one of those and she just goes nuts. We point it up and down the stairs, all around the house and she is a maniac! But after she is exhausted.

Hang in there, it does get better.


What kind of dog do you have by the way?

Re: I'm so upset with my dog

Thanks, She is a cockapoo-she is really sweet most of the time-even though she still bites sometimes-not quite sure its teething like everyone says, she is housebroken and shes great with other people and other dogs-its just that she gets into EVERYTHING!!! I had her trained, think i need to get someone else in this summer when I am off-This is really the first time she damaged something-so its annoying-I will try to exercise her more, the weather has been so crappy :(
I will keep trying with her, cause I love her so much :)

Re: I'm so upset with my dog

ITA with dita & reggie. Make sure there is PLENTY around the house that she is suppsoed to chew...kongs are great for this since they are practically indestructible. Also try to get a few different varieties of toys. For our pup that chews we have the original kong, the dental kong (looks like a jack) and the kong on a rope. We also have a toy that looks like a rubber tire that keeps em busy for hours..... The various textures will help to keep them occupied.

I have not had personal experience with the backpack, but since reggie has recommended it on here several times I asked my vet about it & they concur with the recommendation.

Also if the -poo part of your cocker poo is from toy poodle (which they mostly are) then do know that toy breeds can have a longer puppy phase than bigger dogs.

I am glad that you have said that you will stick with it, and maybe getting an outside opinion or training may help as well.

Good Luck!

Re: I'm so upset with my dog

What is the backpack about?

Have you thought about formal training? Scout has had ONE class so far and he is a MILLION times better!!

Keep things you don't want ruined out of her reach -- wastepaper baskets and shoes decorate the tops of all my furniture these days!!

Also what everyone else said too...!

Message edited 4/17/2007 11:06:04 AM.

Re: I'm so upset with my dog

I totally feel your pain, my lab had the WORST puppyhood. He's almost 2 now and he still has his days. Just the other night I came home to find he had somehow gotten in the panty and then locked himself in for what must have been hours, you can imagine the mess.

One thing to keep in mind is that around 9-12 months dogs have an adolesence, so like teenagers they get more rebellious around that point, destroy more stuff, get more independant.

The other posters are right, lots of exercise (mine LOVE the laser pointer too) and lots of putting things in high places and behind closed doors.

Good Luck, hang in there!

Re: I'm so upset with my dog

Thanks so much, I sprayed bitter apple,she keeps going by it and then leaving-I put all my shoes and everything away, our house is puppy proof--maybe she is in her rebelious stage (I hope). I did have her trained but the only thing she learned was how to walk on the leash properly. I was thinking of using Mutt Manners or Bark Busters from all the recommendations from here, but now I am confused which one to use :)YOu made me feel better, I was just at my wits end!!!n It is def been a long 9 months :)

Message edited 4/17/2007 9:17:07 PM.

Re: I'm so upset with my dog