I have a 12 week old puppy we have had since he was 8 weeks, we love him, and he is very good most of the time.

I am just finding it very hard at the moment. He is into everything, and sometimes out of control. I really try to train and reward, but its very hard.

Can anyone give me some advice on how to keep him happy and not to be so naughty? I am going to take him to training classes. But I need some sort of control in the house.

HELP

Thank-you.

He's a puppy - it's his job to be naughty - it's only by being naughty that he finds out where the limits are - it's a bit like children really.  The important thing is what you *do* when he's been naughty.....  Telling him off won't mean anything to him except it's reward for what ever he was just doing, so he'll do it more.  BUT you can ensure he finds the good things more rewarding than the bad by making sure you interact more so with him when he's being 'good'..

I have had dogs for years (too many to think of ;) ) and this new puppy I have is really taking the ... urm...micky :D I give us all a 'time-out' period by crating her for a while. This is not used as punishment, but a case of 'you will go and sleep for half an hour so I can recharge my batteries :D ' period :) She is improving each day, and accepts the sleep time quite willingly - though we do have to make up for lost play time

Just be vigilant when your puppy is awake. They learn very quickly what you want them to do, but you must be consistent. Don't let it do anything ONCE if you don't want it to do it at all. It takes time, but is worth it. :D

Hi Guest,

Totally agree with what digger said, it is his job to test your patience ;)

I have a 9 week old pup and she is one of three dogs, older two (2 & 7yr) know the routine better than me. But I have got her into a routine from day 1. She has plenty of interaction when she's being good, her meals are given at a set time each day, she has doggy playtime with the other 2 for 20 minutes every afternoon but most importantly of all, she has her crate. She goes into it to sleep and when I can't give her my full attention or when I'm out doing the school run. She now is getting into the routine and is a better pup for it, although we have a long way to go, she's doing great and I put this down to routine.

It doesn't last for ever, but remember this is the most important time for a dog and what it learns now will stay with it for life, but you will get there with routine, time and patience.

HTH :)