Hi all
Some advise please about my 8mth old JSI Lennon.  We have had him now since 10th April and up to about 6 days ago, he has been a really good pup - nothing drastic, just the odd bit of naughtiness.

Now he's turned into a little oik - pulling on lead (nearly yanked my arm out of its socket!), bullying Roxy (9 y/o JSI), shredding whatever he can get his paws on, eating the post, jumping up all the time, nipping etc etc.

Is this the dreaded teenage phase?  If so, do I just have to grin and bear it (whilst still instilling proper behaviour of course)?

Any advise appreciated, as usual

Frazzled of Croydon :(

What's a JSI?  Sorry I might be having a thick day but I just can't think :d

Oooh, I've just looked the abbreviation up :d

well? what is it then? the suspense is killing me!! :-D

Japanese Shiba Inu ???????

Hi FoC!  You really need a "Lindsay" or a "Digger" here - hopefully they'll see this bumped up ;) - but for now you've got "Have a Go fae Glasgow" :P

I guess Loonie could be going through a timely teenage stage for his breed - mine reserve that to the 12-18 months stage but are slower maturing (OK, my own are very slow so start at 12 months and continue to 5 years + )  understandably this may lead you to be dubious as to whether I'm your best port of call here  :D

I'd go back to doing as much separate training and separate exercise with him as possible - he sounds like he's over excited and probably his hormones are flying around like crazy so much of what he's already learned is not so much being pushed to the limits as simply temporarily forgotten about.  Roxy probably won't mind you giving more attention to the little git, oops "guy", for a while and will enjoy the break ;)  Now that he's a bit older you can make your training sessions longer and work him a little harder than when he initially arrived - this should, IME, make him more quickly remember what you expect of him manner wise and also mentally tire him more which in turn will help to quieten him down.  I do know that all mine have gone through a weird and wonderful second puppy stage (not all as bad as a "Kevin" stage) and we've managed to work our way through it so I'm sure you will too.  Even with the best will in the world it could last a few months simply because he is most likely being ruled by forces outwith his control - namely hormones :rolleyes:  We tend to forget the boys go through these peak periods too.  HTH a little - or that someone else chips in soon!  ttys Teri :)    

Sorry - Japanese Shib Inu is what my dogs are, although Lennon has a couple of other names at present........

Teri - thanks for your response.  You mean this isn't the teenage stage?  There's more to come?

Wails loudly.............

Hi Vicki,

I'm more a gundog person, but I'd say Teri has it about covered - the teenage stage just has to be worked through.  In addition I'd give him a short sharp shock that may rebalance your relationship by doing NOTHING at all at his instigation for 24-36 hours.  Feed him half an hour or so before his normal time, so he doesn't get to tell you it's food time, let him out in the garden on a timed schedule, so he doesn't 'ask' and NO walks - it won't kill him ;)......  He will probably get a little worse during this period before he gets better - this is perfectly normal, and it's because what has always worked to get your attention up until now is no longer working, so he feels he has to try harder...... When a dog gets to this age, they are developing hormones, and the level of testosterone is about twice the level of a normal adult male dog in an adolescent :( Up until now, he's been doing 'stuff' and you've been praising him, because that's how we train :)  But now, driven by the hormones, he's finding out just how far he can push you.
Stick with it girl ;)

Thanks so much Digger - both you and Teri (and probably Lindsay when she replies) have just confirmed what I suspected I had to do.  Tomorrow then will be the start of his 36 hour reiteration period of who actually rules the roost in this house.  You will probably hear him crying from there (the famous Shiba Scream) - ROFLOL.

Hi Vicki,

I can only agree with Teri's and Digger's advice :P
You just have to work through all this phase, and also be aware that often once you think he is much better, he will again start to be a hooligan! :D

Have you tried clicker training? as often that can make a difference as the dog tends to think he is training you, rather than the other way round, so it can also work well with breeds that can sometimes be a little independent. I'd also ask for something from him before he gets something from you - so he does a  nice Sit before he has his tea, goes out in the garden, etc. If he doesn't do this, and you are sure he has heard and understands, you can just wait him out for about 30 seconds... if he still doesn't Sit, then say "too bad" and don't give him what he wants, (walk away)  but give him a chance a few moments later to comply :)

Bless him! :D He really can't help it at this stage!!!

Lindsay
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Thanks Lindsay - I do ask for a nice sit before he gets anything like dinner, treat or a toy, but have not made him sit to go out in the garden.  Trouble is, patio doors are wide open in this weather so he just wanders in and out as he pleases.  He does take his time sometimes giving me a sit, but I do persevere so I think it's just a case of patience.

I think I've said before (only about a million times LOL) that this puppy lark is new-ish to me as last pups were 1989 (and they were Labs :EEK:). Lennon does seem to be a bit strong willed lately.  I shall endeavour to be tougher than him.....

Thanks again to all !

:P Just remember, it's all normal ... ;)

Don't worry too much about the patio doors if they are mostly open, it won't be a problem.

Lindsay
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