we aqquired a bernese mountain puppy 2 weeks ago she is now 11 weeks old, ever since has been hell, she messes everywhere, chews everything! including our new suite! we are beginning to wish we never got her.
Our new house is slowly but surely being wrecked!

should we just return her to the breeder? or put her in a crate for most of the day?
will she grow out of it? the kids were promised a pup, but they seem a little upset by her now, as she eats their toys! 

Oh and she also bites us, is this normal?

please help
Dee warington 
deedee@mysite.com

Hi,
By the sound of it you have a perfectly normal puppy (though that may not be any consolation!) who is doing all the things that real puppies do (as opposed to fictional TV pups).

I suggest you buy a copy of "The Perfect Puppy" by Gwen Bailey (available on the net or in good bookshops) as soon as possible. Like children, pups don't 'grow out' of things without help and encouragement.

PS - pups are very good at training children to put their toys away! ;)
:)

Guest, I am sorry, also sure I will get told off, but did you not find out what owning a puppy would mean, think your best plan would be to return the pup to it's breeder tomorrow, you are not suitable people to own a pup and your lifestyle does not allow for a pup to grow up. Have to say it is not the puppy that is from hell.

I agree with Jackie H sorry :( and give it back or as Jeangenie said buy a book and commit to it, the commitment does pay off and it is very rewarding.

Just hang in there.  I got a Staff puppy at about 11-12 weeks old and he has been a complete nightmare at times i.e. coming home and finding floorboards pulled out, diarroeah EVERYWHERE! etc etc.  But he is also a joy and I would find it very hard to be without him.

Here is some advice that I have picked up from books and my own experience but I by no means profess to be an expert!!

My advice is to use the crate wisely.  I don't know what your situation is with work etc. but the ideal would be to keep the puppy in the crate for an hour at a time at various intervals during the day (particularly after exercise and feeding) to allow yourself a rest as well as allowing the puppy to learn to amuse itself.  On the hour every hour allow the puppy to go outside and develop a phrase such as 'Do Your Business' that you could say as they do it, but most importantly praise the dog when they do their business outside.  Eventually it will sink in (patience is a virtue!), and you will get to the stage where the puppy may start to scratch at the door to go outside, or as in my case they will still be happy to go inside but you have to be vigilant and look out for tell-tale signs such as sniffing and circling the floor.

As for chewing, just provide as much distractions as possible e.g. bones/toys etc.  Hard I know, but if you really want to protect furniture, you could put something on it to make it taste horrible to the dog for example.  I know of someone who used ultra spicy west indian pepper sauce!!!  It is difficult when a dog is teething and once again, patience is a virtue!  Try to make your puppy's access areas as dog-friendly as possible.

My advice on biting may be seen as a little weird, but it works!  When they bite you, or rip at your clothes, scarf etc, say no firmly.  If they continue, hold their muzzle tight and nip their ear with your own teeth - not very hard but firmly enough so that they get the message.  It seems to me that this is far more effective in terms of getting the message across than slapping their backside, shouting, tapping their nose etc.  I certainly don't condone violence to animals, but all you are doing by nipping their ear is letting them know they have crossed the line, but make sure you say no first and give them the chance to stop of their own accord.  Thus the 'no' becomes a warning.

If you have any other questions I would be happy to give my take on things because I know how frustrating puppies can be!  But believe me, the effort is worth it.

If you haven't already, I would certainly recomment getting in touch with a puppy training class also.

Alex :)

Sorry, but when some one discribes their 11 week pup as a pup from from hell, it is time to return it to the breeder who loves it and will want a loving home for it. How can someone buy a pup 'for the childred' and be so unprepared. This pup does not have a hope of a normal life and should be returned now.

Take your pup back to the breeder. It will get worse and you are clearly not prepared.

You need to have rules and and stick to them. This includes the kids putting toys away etc... If you dont act repsonsibly now your little pup will turn out to be a horror and it will not be the pups fault. Take him to obeidence classes once injections are over with and learn how to care for a puppy. If your not prepared to do this then give him back to his breeder so some one else whos prepared will.

MAybe I am an optimist but I still think (without knowing the circumstances that well) that there is hope.  A well-brought up dog is a joy to have around and if you just bring some discipline into the situation things will improve.  Evrybody gets downbeat and I presume this is where Dee finds herself now.  What she needs is encouragement and the knowledge that she clearly liked the idea of a dog at one stage, and she can still achieve that goal with a little focused effort.  And at time of stress just walk away, take some time to remind yourself of the puppy's needs, and then tend to them.

Do you expect a toddler to be well behaved and sit their good as gold ? No
so neither will a puppy - although no consolation now, its a brilliant feeling when pup is older and you realise what a well trained and behaved little guy he is - and its all down to you and pup building a relationship based on love and trust
well thats what any decent owner should think anyway :)

That sounds like a perfectly normal puppy, just needs training and someone with patients,

Ahhhhh, i find this kind of thing very sad . To me owning a puppy is one of the most pleasurable things in life :(

p.s. But i'm not house proud and my dogs are loved as much (if not more than ) any person !!!  mand x

WUM?

Helen

Helen, I really really hope you are right, if this is an honest post I am sure, with out a doubt, this pup will finish up either in rescue or PTS.

Puppies can be incredibly hard work, and most of the time you need eyes in the back of your head! That said, they are incredibly rewarding as you see them learn, and their love is unconditional.

If you feel you can't give your youngster 110% then it may be worth contacting the breeder to take the pup back, but if you can overcome this hurdle, you'll have a dog to be proud of, and a sense of achievment too.

Good luck.

liberty :)

WUM maybe yeah
who on earth would give up on a pup after 3 weeks ???

    Lel I think you would be surprised I meet the receptionist for my vets today in Tesco and she said she'd rang a "client" up to tell them the puppy classes were starting on Tuesday next week and they said "oh we aint' got the dog any more, it chewed and messed everywhere we sold it" The culprit it seems was a 9 week old Lab puppy it had lasted 1 WEEK :(
    So I would say take the puppy back to the breeder and buy the children a toy dog on wheels.

Karen 

I think the op has missed the begining part of getting a pup, research, research, research and more research oh and did i say research? :)

just to make sure could you say that again ???? ;)

:D

Take it back to the breeder.  This is a Bernese Mountain Dog that is going to grow very large and do a lot more damage over the next 12 to 18 months, you are clearly not prepared for this, so far better for the breeder to find it a new home at this young age then leave it until it becomes destructive and out of control.

It is better that you admit you have made a mistake now, no one will judge you for it and the pup will have a better chance of a new home.

Sandra

You have to decide now whether you take the puppy back straight away or whether you are willing to commit yourself to some hard work & enrol your puppy at a good training class so that you can learn how to turn her into a happy obedient dog.
The future of this little 9 week old mite is in your hands. Please do the right thing by her.

Please for the pups sake take her back to the breeder
Dont crate her for most of the day

RING THE BREEDER AND ASK THEM TO HAVE HER BACK  i hope they are good breeders and it didnt come from a dealer.

PASS I think its all been said :-(

Jean :-(

Just anpother point of view.
I got my puppy 7 years ago. I prepared, I knew about dogs, having grown up in a house with dogs.
Sometimes I was pulling my hair out with Gemma. I would call her the puppy from hell to freinds and family. I would get fed up with her chewing anything, but I perservered and got thru that stage.  She is now coming up 7 and a great dog. Could it be that this person is letting off steam, and askinmg for help?????? Ok, calling a puppy a puppy from hell is not the best way of getting help, but maybe it is just the end of a very bad and wearing day???????Probably if I this forum had been around, I may have sent the same sort of message.
I have called my youngest a child from hell(and some people cant work out how I have been able to cope with him in the past) but I have not handed him over to anyone. He is now a great kid. Same with dogs. If you can get thru this stage. You will have a lovely dog.
If you really dont think you can cope anymore. Ring your breeder up and ask if they can take the puppy back. If not ask on here for the rescue assosciation for the breed, and hand it over to them, they will find the best hoime they can for it.
HTH
Lea :)
(apologise if this post upsets anyone)

Yes it could be someone just letting off steam but it seems they care more for their material possessions (new suite, house, toys etc) than a living breathing being. I'd rather have chewed sofa than no dog!! Besides if they were prepared they should have made a few in roads into house training by 3 weeks.

Jesse

Lea, I agree with you. Although Ive never refered to Mr B as anything from hell usually, he is referred to as a nightmare, or a handfull.  When he has demolished the entire contents of my house. I have sat and cried.  But Im soft and believe he was trying to express how unhappy he was.

If she wasn't from a reputable breeder, contact a Secretary of one of the Breed Clubs listed here, I'm sure they would be willing to help.

It is always best to call your breeder. As she should ,if reputable
be able to give you lots of good advise. Or contact the club
for your breed for advice.
Puppies of all breeds are very difficult. Some seem to be worse
than others for destruction.
She may be bored and needs certain play time to help wear her out
a bit.
I quite often find that people are only too pleased when the vaccinations
are finished so they can take them out for small walks.
I think the breed you have, has large bones and needs careful walks as
they can damage elbows and hips ? A lady had one at our ring craft
and explained that you have to be so careful with them. I know nothing
of your breed what so ever, so will leave it to the experts on your breed.
However if you find your life is total misery, call your breeder, see if she
will have the puppy back again. Do not expect her to refund any money
for the puppy unless she offers to do so.
Your dog will grow very large, and could do some serious damage. So
do the right thing by your family and dog and sort the puppy out. Either
get it into some training pattern or find it a new home through your breeder
or club. No doubt their is a rescue for your breed.
Nutkin

Guest this is a live animal not a machine that you can turn off and on and programme to do the right thing. It is only a baby. When your children were babies did you expect them to know how to use the toilet ect. If children leave toys on the floor they will be chewed. The puppy does not know the difference between their toys and his own.  If you crate him for most of the day then expect him to get ten times worse. Crate him when you cant be in the room with him or go out for short periods but no longer than a couple of hours. He will learn to do his business outside but only if he knows what you want of him. You have to go out with him and wait as long as it takes. When he goes praise like mad and he will get the message but it can take several weeks and if you are not prepared to put in the effort and think hes a nusience and not a pleasure then do think seriously about returning him to the breeder while he is young enough to be rehomed without too many probs. Sorry to sound so negative but puppies are hard work same as babies are and if you arent prepared for this you will end up resenting the pup and that wont be fair. 

i totally agree with everything that has been said, you have the options, choose one, and for everyones sake , soon!

Sorry but what does WUM mean
Anne D

Wind Up Merchant

I am sorry but how can someone say bite the dogs ear!! Terrible!! I think I would go along with the theme of take the puppy back or put the children in the cage:) No, sorry the person concerned should teach their children to clear up and then give the pup something of its own to chew. Very sad.

now how are we going to be helpful :)
right guest first of all can you please join , your welcome to . then we can all help you properly
i take it this is your first dog ? what made you pick the breed ?
now when the pup chews the sofa what do you do? tell the pup no? give the pup a toy of his own if he has any?just leave him too it?  are you home when the pup chews he sofa ? if your out cant you put him somewhere out the way ... like the kitchen with his bed and lots of toys to chew and drink?
have you tried toilet training him or you leaving him too it ?
do you honistly think the pups from hell and want to take him back or do you want advice how to sort the problems?
now come back n answer the questions please :)

I think that words and phrases such as 'terrible' and 'very sad' should be reserved for situations that deserve such severe reactions.

This owner needs encouragement and unfortunately has received very little of that from the majority of responses here.

I consider myself to be a fairly rational person, and also fairly experienced around dogs, and I did not find the suggestion of disciplining through a gentle ear nip 'terrible', when I heard it from two separate successful owners of both Jack Russells and Staffs.  On the other hand, I do find reports of dog beating, dog fighting, and dog neglect 'terrible'.

I'm sorry GekkoVsFox. As a training method nipping an ear went out with the dark ages! The risk of the dog turning around and giving this person a nip back is enormous! Don't say it won't happen. You only need look at what happens if dog bites dog, a fight ensues and this person's face is going to be right beside the dog. Fight at the place where it is the easiest part or the person to be bitten.

Don't do it guest, you will not improve the situation but could make it ten times worst.

John

John, I will accept what you say in that I only know a few examples of dogs trained using this method.  Whilst they have been fine, people on here clearly believe that dogs can turn out more aggressive.

I must emphasize though that what is involved is holding the muzzle of a young puppy whilst asserting your authority.  The risks posed by a young puppy in this situation are extremely minimal - but nonetheless if that is outdated perhaps people reading this might want to try the pc-methods of training through kindness only, and there is nothing wrong with that. 

HOWEVER if dominance is not asserted, a dog might equally whip round and bite their owner later to try and assert his own dominance.  Mouthing and biting comes naturally to dogs, and it is not something that I taught mine.  But by using this simple technique, it seems to get the message across effectively.

well she probably will give the dog up but i don't think for 1 single minute she will have it pts has someone has suggested and theres not a vet on earth who will put a healthy pup to sleep because it chews and messes!

she made a mistake she has 2 choices rehome it or put the hard work in lots of pups chew furniture etc we all know that some of us can cope and are willing to battle through others are not cut out for it!

most dogs are rehomed young because of chewing etc people are just not willing to put the hard work in they give up on the dog because its the easy way out!

i have 3 dogs all very energetic breeds but i knew the score when i got them and have got through it !

if you truly love the dog your stick with it !

i agree here positive method needs to be used . i think your right john if you show a dog that you might hurt the dog with your face/mouth then i think the dog is more likely to go for it ,  if ive exsplained it like i mean mmmm lol ignore me if im rambling  i was fortunate my dog loved faces when i first got her so i think she associates it with good things haha i hope !

I agree with John and the others, biting a dog's ear, whatever its age, is a recipe for potential disaster!  I reiterate what John has said, do not do it, ever to any dog at any age!

Have to agree too, it is totally irresponsible to advocate such methods particularly on a forum such as this.

I was merely suggesting a method that worked for me.

Do you feel it is any more responsible for people to suggest someone take their puppy back to a breeder who may or may not be able to find a new home for the puppy?  We don't even know the guest, and I think at least some advice and encouragement could have been offered by all those who profess to know better.

Looks like a wind up as its not a real users site

It is totally acceptable to suggest that the puppy is returned to the breeder. If that breeder is reputable, that is what they would expect & they will have considered the possibility that a pup may be returned (although they probably won't have expected it at such a young age.) Most breeders on this board would want one of their puppies in this situation back NOW, so she can be found another more understanding home as soon as possible. If the breeder is unable or unwilling to take the puppy back, the poster has been given other contacts for people who understand the breed, but the first call should always be to the breeder.

Perhaps I am being naive, but this person may be looking for some help here.... puppies (as we know) can be very demanding and hard work,  perhaps we can look to the positive side of things, rather than the negative??

Disillusioned liberty.

Liberty, do you not think that the poster would have joined to explain themselves by now if this were someone looking for help. The replies were not negative they were the best advice to someone who has posted and given a strong impression that they hate the pup, think they made a mistake and regret getting it, the kids hate it (and we know what kids are like with something they dislike) and that they are more concerned with the fabric of their home than the pup, well if it was a pup you had bred and you were told all that what would you think the best advice. Return the pup to me please and do it now.

Had the poster said HELP, I have this new pup I don't know how to cope with it, we would have offered help as we have many times in the past.

So ORIGINAL POSTER - if you did not mean what you said and you still have the pup and would like help with it - then join the forum and post again. In the mean time please do not attack your pup by biting it or you could end up with more problems than you have now.

Why have I received notification of two posts on this forum? I don't mind people emailing me but when I am not the one with a problem I don't take kindly to being got at. I still think biting dogs ears, be it a nip or more than that, abhorrent in this lightened age of dog training/behaviour modification. I have trained dogs for a long time and have never had to resort to this sort of thing. I was going to put kind, but changed my mind for obvious reasons. Maybe the guest in question would like to get in touch and I will help her by private mail.

Don't know why you are being notified, perhaps you have subscribed to it by accident

Hi Jackie,
How would I have subscribed by accident? What would I have clicked on by mistake? I know I am always doing something wrong with this computer:) My daughter is away and she knows more than I do about this machine:)