MissyGallant
Forums Enthusiast
I pick up Cooper in a couple of weeks, and you people are scaring me!
I need to vent a little
- Thread starter Silaria
- Start date
it is a phase
Brats happen
, but they do have enduring moments, and as challenging as Savannah's puppyhood has been, she still warms my heart most of the time. Kaleigh turned out GREAT...and I know Savannah is coming into that phase. It just took more effort, ha. Cooper might not even have a phase...they all are so individual with quirks...
Brats happen
, but they do have enduring moments, and as challenging as Savannah's puppyhood has been, she still warms my heart most of the time. Kaleigh turned out GREAT...and I know Savannah is coming into that phase. It just took more effort, ha. Cooper might not even have a phase...they all are so individual with quirks...
Silaria
Forums Sage
I feel for you. I just went though this stage with his nephew who believe me is a bigger natural brat and a worst eater than Kieran. At least Kieran is naturally sweet.
We told Rachel over the weekend that Keiran's puppy name should have been Monster instead of Rockstar.
It's a phase (at least that's what I keep telling myself
). But seriously, it is just a phase and it does pass. Thankfully we have this forum and a wonderful group of people who have been there, done that to offer support. As I said above, my head knows what to do but my heart makes it difficult at times. On top of that Keiran has this way of being so darn CUTE! when he's being bad. He'll actually run around me then sit in front of me, look up and wag his tail as he's sitting. It's adorable! But I can't let adorable change what I have to do... and MAN is it hard at times.
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We told Rachel over the weekend that Keiran's puppy name should have been Monster instead of Rockstar.
Rockstars come and go, but most monsters have more of a unique coolness factor
Cara Sandler
Forums Enthusiast
Raising a puppy is one of the hardest things I've ever done. I went through a period that I was sure I had broken my puppy. And that I had made a huge mistake getting such a high energy puppy! But I did want a performance dog, and shelties are known for their agility prowess. But it's a double edged sword. Working dogs like to think and play and create jobs for themselves if they don't have one assigned.
But in spite of the frustration, Spirit is the best puppy ever. I love her spunk and sense of humor. She's so smart and I love watching the wheels turn in that little head as she figures things out. Adolescence is temporary. Which is good, because it's REALLY frustrating at times
But in spite of the frustration, Spirit is the best puppy ever. I love her spunk and sense of humor. She's so smart and I love watching the wheels turn in that little head as she figures things out. Adolescence is temporary. Which is good, because it's REALLY frustrating at times
We told Rachel over the weekend that Keiran's puppy name should have been Monster instead of Rockstar.
When Franklin was going through it, I called him "Franklinstein".
You've got many months of pure puppy fun before the brat stage kicks in (if it kicks in) and one Sheltie cuddle makes it all worth it ... and then some.
Ann
Moderator
LOL, I pick up new puppy Sprite on Thursday, and I know what you're saying! And I have 5 here who are all waiting to teach her how to bark at the phone, the tea kettle, the vacuum, nip at my heels, find kleenex in the wastebasket.....
But I still can't wait!Adolescents! With a previous dog (not a Sheltie) my first reach out for help was "Help! I've got a 8 month old brat on my hands!" (See it happens in other breeds. It's just the adolescent hormones.) The dog trainer who answered my call for help (AND the veterinarian and breeder too) told me to immediately demote brat--put brat on a NILIF (Nothing In Life Is Free) program. NO petting, NO "sweet talk", NOTHING without the dog having to EARN it (sit or down). Puppy-pushups was recommended for times dog pesters. (Puppy-pushups are a series of sit-down-sit-down-sit-down done without praise or treats). Long downs (working up to 30 minutes a day) was also recommended. Same with crating. I can tell you that it definitely sweetens the disposition of "brat". You need to remember that with the bratty behavior, "this too shall end" and there won't be a need for drastic program. In the meantime, you have my sympathy and when Blaze goes through his adolescence I hope to have yours.
Blaze is five months old now and I'm SO looking forward to the adolescence (NOT) but know that on the other end of it, the dog is the sweetest (and most obedient) thing ever.
Blaze is five months old now and I'm SO looking forward to the adolescence (NOT) but know that on the other end of it, the dog is the sweetest (and most obedient) thing ever.
I feel for you. This is like the day when, on his 20th time in dog school, Cubs suddenly peed on the carpet. I was mortified. I am SO glad Cubs is pretty much all grown up and past that puppy stuff. Not sure if I ever have the guts again to raise a pup. Oh, of course I do, the right pup from Brad comes along at the right time and I will be setting up the crates and doing it all over again. Sigh.
Hang in there! Do your best to keep that pup safe from himself.
Hang in there! Do your best to keep that pup safe from himself.
Oh my goodness! Like a previous teenage dog of mine that went behind the scenes during testing of a long sit at dog obedience school and had ALL the dogs break their "sit". (I could have died from embarrassment at all the exasperated owners but the instructor, who just happened to be the obedience judge, just "chalked it up" to teenage mischief, understood, and gave the other dogs another chance.) And when my other "brat" shredded a book about "How to Childproof Your Dog", the trainer just howled in laughter (before putting him on that NILIF program.)
Honestly after the teen phase is over (and your lovely, sweet, obedient, "can do no wrong" Sheltie is back) you are going to have some funny stories or at least some fond memories.