i have an eight week old puppy and I cant cope. I knew it would be hard but not this hard. He wont stop jumping and biting my kids and they are all getting scared of him he is really strong and rough and I am typing this in tears. I grew up with retrievers and was a child myself when we had puppies and they were never like this.  Should I tell the breeder I cant cope.

YES i think you should ring them right now ...what is it about the pup thats winding you up ? i hope some one with more knowledge will come along soon PLEASE .....

I know how you feel- they're little bundles of energy and that age and sometimes there seems like nothing you can do to calm them down. The first month with my pup was awful and much worse than I thought it would ever be, despite preparing as much as I did, and my husband often came home to me in tears. To make it worse, she loved him and wanted to play with him non-stop, but wouldn't take any notice of me- probably because I was the one with her during the day and trying to teach/discipline her.

However, now, she's 13 months and I wouldn't be without her. I don't really know what to suggest to you, but you need to teach the pup that it's unacceptable to play like that, and that at times, it needs to settle down. Have you tried using a crate? I never have, but I've heard it's good to teach them that they have to occasionally settle in there on their own- at least it would calm them down hopefully and give you time to get your breath back before they want to play again!!

What breed is he? Have you spoken to the breeder yet? She knows his character so may be able to advise you how best to calm him. Crates are marvellous for pups like this one ( i believe most pups ARE like this one at first!). Try to get him used to a routine(feed, outside, play,sleep), give him a chew toy in his crate when you put him in there. He will probably HATE the crate at first, but will get used to it if you're persistent. Don't use the crate as a punishment, it should be his safe place where he can go for peace and quiet. Feed him in it so he sees it as a good place, and let him out when he's calm and quite - letting him out while he's screaming is the worst thing you could do! If you don't have a crate, then use a small room where you can keep his bed, toys etc. but please don't shut him in there for long, just until he's calmer. He WILL learn!

Get some puppy training books, and be consistent - this is just a phase, all pups go through it to some extent but some are worse than others. He's missing his playmates and you're they're replacements, but he needs to learn how to play with human 'pups'.

Good luck,
Karen

I know what you mean - I nearly took one puppy I had back to her breeder within a week, as she was such a live wire! After she and I had adjusted to each other we got on famously till she died at the age of 15. And I fully understand your problem with the children - children love the idea of a cute, cuddly puppy but are quite frightened of the reality - they don't realise about the sharp needle-like teeth and scratchy nails!

With the best training in the world it will be several weeks at least until your puppy is out of this stage, so if you think it will be too much for you then please return him to his breeder sooner rather than later, while there is the greatest chance he can be found another home easily. I know if I was his breeder that is what I'd want.

I tend to agree, if the pup is really too much for you then contact the breeder as soon as possible. What breed of dog is he? :) It can take a while for pups to get into a routine and you will have the puppy mouthing plus the teenage stage   Are your children very young themselves? as maybe if they are a few years down the line they would be able to cope better. At the moment the puppy probably sees them as being a bit like his playmates.

Lindsay
X

This is very sad for you and the puppy, please do as suggested and ring the breeder, they may be able to help or they may suggest that they have it back. Either way you can't go on like this, it is no good for you and the children and no good for the pup. The breeder will not only understand I am sure they would rather know how much problem you are having before matters get worse.

So first phone the breeder and then join the forum, so you have someone to talk to and discuss things with.

I assume that only being 8 weeks you have just got him ??? there is some good advice on this post ..good luck

I definatly no how you feel, I was in tears almost every day when my boy was young, nipping and going nuts all day lol, but with time and ALOT of patients the tears finally stopped ;) I understand you have children though so it must be very difficult.

Hope it all works out for you

I know exactly how you feel I have an 8 week old lab and he is terrible with my kids thinks they are his littermates. Ask people for help. Do you know any experienced doggy people. Could you go out for a breather and have somebody else sit in with pup? Best of luck!!

hi guest,
Puppies are very definately a handful. What breed is your pup and where abouts do you live? I ask these questions because there may be a knowledgeable breeder or trainer in your area with experience of your breed of retriever, who might read this and be able to help you. I would definately go back to your breeder and ask for help. If they can't or won't help you then they might be able to suggest somebody who can.
My little bundle of fun, ( a flatcoated retriever), is now 10 months and still quite naughty although we have finally trained him not to jump up and to stop play biting. Your puppy sounds as though he thinks your children are his litter mates and so is pushing them hard so that he is number one in the pack "pecking order". All puppies will attempt to push their owners, they are trying the boundaries and seeing how far they can go. They are like very naughty toddlers, you can't explain to them, yet you have to maintain the house rules and as a parent you will know how children are always pushing the boundaries, it is a normal part of growing up for both puppies and children.

I have a litter of pups that are almost 7 wee3ks and they are little ruffians, they hang onto your trouser legs, shoe laces, pull your hair, and their teeth are needle shar in your hands and ankles.  It is how pups play, really rough.

Your best bet is to stay clam, physically restrain the pups so it can't j8ump or mouth, and say no in a clam authoritative voice and hold it unitl it stops struggling, then give it gentle praise for the couple of seconds it stays calm when you let it go.  Then repeat repeat and repeat, and ensure all family members do the smae.  No running about, high pitched squeeling etc.

If you haven't got a crate use a baby gate, and as soon as he starts put him behind it, then when he is clam allow him to rejoin you and the kids.  The instant he gets rough out again for time out, only a minute as he will forget why otherwise, but do not allow him back in until he is calm and stops protesting.

Hi Guest

Lots and lots of luck with pup & hope you get sorted.  Tally was exactly the same with me in tears a few times too in the first few weeks, it was all just so tiring and I think I took her bad behaviour personally! puppy training books are realy good, we found the best thing was to watch the bahaviour and have devise a plan of how to deal with it - then it is consistent and then the bad behaviour doesnt come as much of a shock!! baby gates are a very worthwhile investment too.  If you do decide to keep pup im sure you will have a few months of taking 2 steps forward and 1 step back..lots and lots of luck - keep in touch with Champdogs - we have all been there!!
Kellie x

Hi guest 8 week old puppies are a handful contact your breeder ASAP he/she will be able to give you some basic training advice and help or take the puppy back for rehoming if you really feel you cant cope.
Please dont be tempted to try and selll the puppy on as it may well end up in a unsuitable home and end up being passed from pillar to post!
If the breeder cannot help for what ever reason contact the breed rescue or even ask another breed for advice ,we often get asked question by people with puppies who we havnt bred and most breeders will be only to happy to help you.
you have made a responsible and brave step by admitting you have a problem
good luck guest and also why not join the forum its free and we mayb be able to help you some more
:)

I am amazed that someone finds themselves unable to cope after such a short time :(

It is a frequent phenomenon, very much like babyt blues.  the much awaited baby/puppy is not like the image built up in the mind.  Infortunately a large number of people may never have had much contact with babies and puppies and can just find it overwhelming at first.

Lel I have had 3 dogs before the one I have now, and like I said he had me in tears after the first week I thought I had a 'bad one' because the others were completly different and I had no problems with them. I really understand where the poster is coming from.

Having just got a new pup myself, i am always interested in reading old threads to puck up tips etc and i have to say your comment just jumped out at me as being sharp,insensitvie and superior. Theres sucha lot of support on this forum. its a shame really that a guest got that sort of feedback...

P.S. that was for lel

well said deb. I think we lose a lot of guests who turn to us for help and it is not up to us to judge them as we dont know all the circumstances i think we should just advise and hope they can sort it out to the best of their ability. These people must care for the pups or they wouldnt come on here

but I am amazed that someone finds it so difficult after a week....

One of my puppy buyers was worried cos she thought the lab pup was biting her son, with vicious intentions.I had already explained to her about the mouthing they do at this age, and explained it over and over again till it sunk in!!It's a very difficult time having a pup for the first few weeks, i always say though it only their fur that saves them, ie they are soo cute we persevere, and that really is the key here.You need to ring your breeder up and have a good chat abouit the pup how its behaving, what routines its in and what you are feeding it before you consider taking it back!!hope this helps!!

>> I think we lose a lot of guests who turn to us for help and it is not up to us to judge them as we dont know all the circumstances <<

That may be so, but it does not apply to this thread everyone has been supportive and even Lel's remarks were only a comment not a criticism. Think under the circumstances the best advice that could be given, has been given.

i  disagree with lel on this occasion though as i found the first few weeks the hardest and felt quite stressed out but since then it has been lovely. once max settled and we got to know him it all worked out well so you have to just persevere at first it does get easier. Having a baby is hard at first but you wouldnt advise a new mum with the baby blues to get her baby adopted you would tell her it gets easier when you get into a routine.

Well guess lel can speak for them self but I thought that the fact that someone had got to the end of their tether within a week was what was found surprising, not the fact that the first few weeks of a new puppy can cause problems until a routine is found.

My comment was that no one had been less that helpful so I saw no reason for the criticism that we are no helpful to guests.

<<but you wouldnt advise a new mum with the baby blues to get her baby adopted>>

Dont think i suggested that either did I ?

Babies and puppies are both hard work ( Ive had both)- they are not toys that behave exactly as we want them to - therefore perseverance and dedication is the key

I  was not one of the posters who advised the guest to return the puppy - merely that i find it hard to understand WHY a puppys behaviour could be soooo hard that it would reduce the owner to tears after just a mere 7 days ? :(

i agree with you lel, pups are pups and 7 days is only a short space of time.
but i think it is like others say you get a pup and then realize after how much hard work they really are.
god my lad was worse than a toddler into every thing when we first got him,i couldn't take my eyes of him but in time by learning the rules amnd calming down with age things get better.
i think it all depends on if the guest can cope with the pup untill things get better or if not take this little one back to the breeder.

Wow, if the poster loves dogs in general and has had dogs before, I don't agree that she should automatically give the dog back. (unless she really wants to) I don't think anyone can advise such a thing. It seems like one of those things you have to know deep down inside all by yourself.

If I had given up on several of my dogs when they were at that obnoxious stage, I wouldn't have had the long lasting, wonderful relationships I had with some fantastic dogs. I think it sometimes takes some percerverence to get over the hump. My Dobe pup was the most rambunctious little monster I've ever had. I was in tears on a couple of occasions and I've had dogs after dogs after dogs all my life for over 40 years. I'm very use to dealing with dogs and they've all turned out great in the end. One of my GSDs was difficult for quite a while, very juvenile. But he turned out to be absolutely premier, lovely, well trained and sweet dog who I enjoyed for several years. (of course, it's never long enough). Puppies can be a major handful. There's no question about it. And some are more than others. My Chihuahuas were easy as pie compared to the ones mentioned. My Lab was easy and laid back.

I think if the poster isn't experienced with handling dogs, she should learn fast. Asking the breeder for help as was advised is a great idea. Getting a trainer to help right away would give some confidence and some good tips. (if it's a good trainer) I think a good dog handler must develop some confidence and assertiveness with their dog....just an aire about them helps. I wish you the best.

Carrie