Do puppies go through stages like kids have terrible twos?

Question

I know that seems like a strange question, but we have chihuahua puppy (about 3 months old), he was doing great w/ paper training (we want to eventually get him to go outside, but it's too cold here now), but now he walks right past his paper and does his business everywhere else...I am so FRUSTRATED!!! He knows he's done something bad when he does it too, he tucks his tail and hides after he goes somewhere he's not supposed to...does anyone know why he might be doing this and what can I do to stop him? Thanks!

Answer 1

Puppies do go through developmental stages. However, your puppy is still in a very "puppy" stage. At 4-5 months you will hit the juvenile period where certain behaviors degrade (usually coming when called, sometimes housetraining). At 8-12 months you see adolescence.

What you describe is exactly why I do not recommend using papers or pee pads. The puppies get so much praise for going IN the house, they begin to generalize that it is okay to go anywhere in the house. It's not the puppy's fault - you have trained him that way.

Best to start over. Use a crate. It isn't too late. You need to teach your puppy that it is NEVER okay to use the inside of your house as a toilet. Those who are using newspapers and those pads will figure this out also - my clients usually come to me when their pup is about 5-6 months old and wonder why the pads don't work anymore. It isn't the pads - it isn't the puppy. It is a very bad method to housetrain a dog.

If you need help with crate training - just ask. There are loads of internet sites that describe crate training and, of course, lots of people here to help!

Answer 2

Yes, pups do go through developmental stages, just as humans do. At three months he is a bit young to be hitting adolescence, but he could be starting to feel a bit more independent. This could be why he is going past the papers - he is willing to roam a little further now.

Crate training is an excellent way to prevent accidents. However, at his age, he should not be confined for more than three hours at a time or he will be likely to soil his crate.

His body language does not indicate that he knows he did something wrong; it indicates a reaction to your behavior (being upset when you see the accident). If you see him eliminating some place he shouldn't, clap your hands or otherwise interupt him, then take him to the paper. Praise him when he relieves himself there. Do not punish him or yell at him if you didn't see him having the accident. He will associate your reaction with whatever is happening at the moment, not what he did in the past.

Answer 3

He is a very good age to crate train him! He can hold it at that age better than a very young puppy. Get a crate just a little larger than he is, but he needs enough room to turn around and lay down, but not enough to divide the crate in half so he can make half of it his sleeping quarters, and half his bathroom. When you go out, put him in there, and then soon as you come home, I would take him outside just for five minutes at the same place every time, and he will learn to go easily. Also when he wakes up in the crate each time, take him out and you and he wont have to stand outside very long and wait, he will go! After he goes reward him with a biscuit, he will catch on fast! Also right after he eats, don't wait long, and take him out. He will catch on, and the crate is also a good way when your not home to save your shoes and furniture, or what ever else he may chew on. Good luck!

Answer 4

The horrible twos will final till Olly is someplace among two and three years ancient. He'll call for regular concentration, bite matters, experiment limits (as in nicking husband's seat at the couch) This is checking out limits - incidentally. You and husband have to recreation your proper as Alpha puppies and positioned him in his situation, like an rude bratty baby. A well obedience direction will do all 3 of you absolute wonders.

Answer 5

I would definetly have to say - YES! I was at the breaking point with my Great Dane. He ate two sofas, yes thats 2 sofas, a kitchen chair, numerous plants, destroyed my yard and I can't even remember what else he ate or chewd or peed on! I actually asked the vet if there was something wrong with him. He wouldn' t listen no matter what you did to him. That was when I learned that it was in his breed. They were hard to train, they are wild and crazy and puppies untill about the age of 2. He said that he may lighten up when he was fixed, but he didn't ... but by golly around the age of 2 it was like night and day!!! Just one day it was like he snapped! You would tell him to do something and he would. He stopped wetting in the house and he started listening. It was nuts!!! I hope you find your miracle day just like I did!!!

Answer 6

The terrible twos will final until Olly is someplace between 2 and 3 years historical. He'll demand regular attention, chew matters, test limits (as in nicking husband's seat on the couch) that is checking out limits - incidentally. You and husband ought to undertaking your correct as Alpha dogs and put him in his situation, like an impolite bratty little one. A excellent obedience course will do all three of you absolute wonders.

Answer 7

l used to put a sweater on my chihuahua and take her out. she got to the point where she got her sweater and bring it to me. start now and don't wait too long. but sometimes after they play they have to go and after the eat. usually ten minutes after eating take him out. and yes they do go though stages. but keep with the out side training. the pets need ten to twenty minutes every day of sun. for natural vitamin or they could get rickets

Answer 8

Ya it's a stage. Dogs go through that stage and they have a teenage stage around 8-9 months. Funny isn't it? Till it happens to you that is. :-)

Answer 9

well when he does go on the paper, you give him praise (you have to overdo it) when he goes where he isnt supposed to, give him a swat on the nose. a swat on the nose is like a spanking to the dog, and will teach him not to go there.

Answer 10

put pants on him....i have 8 yorkies and if they don't want to go out in the cold i use wee wee pads and sometimes put pants on them...they don't like going on thereself so it stops.