4 1/2 month old behavior - Page 1

 I have a 4 1/2 month old that is getting sassy!  He does not like to do his 15 minute down- stays.  Tonight, he started to get up and I went over to get him.  He mouthed my hand when i placed it on the ground for "down."  I said "no" and walked away.  As soon as I sat down in my chair, he began barking at me.  I ignored him.  He started to get up again, so I walked over to him again.  He mouthed my hand again and wouldn't let go!  I scruffed his neck and he became more excited and vocal.  He began looking around for anything or everything to bite on.  It was as if he was frantic or very frustrated.  I am home with him the majority of the time.  I make him abide by the "nothing in life is free."  He does fine and is very obedient at other times.  What am I doing wrong???  Thanks,  Jennifer  

 The first thing you are doing "wrong" since you asked, is to expect 4.5 month old pup to stay for such a long time! Why on earth would you do this? He is a pup and he should be learning down and sit and come and all of it should be done in a short session, perhaps twice or three times, and with lots of positive motivation and lots of FUN! I have no doubt he was frustrated and he probably had no clue why you were correcting him.

The mouthing should not be tolerated, but, it too must be handled in a fair manner. I try hard with young dogs to NOT put them in situations that create conflict with me, their handler. It is not always easy to avoid. My suggestion is that you reconsider how you are training and what your expectations are for this pup, both now, as he grows, and when he is mature.

Good luck.

 Hodie,  Thank you for your response.  I was told the best training book was "The monks of New Skete."  They suggest a down-stay for 30 minutes daily.  I have also read that in several other training books.  I will NOT have him do this anymore.  He is an AWESOME puppy , that I don't want to harm in anyway.   I hope that he will forgive me!  Thanks,  Jennifer

i started angus on down stays when he was 2 months old. i know some people think thats too young, but my breeder/trainer does this (gently but firmly). however, maybe you should shorten the down stays to just a couple of minutes and work back up. he sounds a bit more rowdy than my pup was at that age and you don't want to have this be a constant "war" between you two. maybe try giving him a chew toy for the few minutes until he accepts the command easier. take it down a notch or two and, like hodie said, make it fun. my dog did "rebel" at a bit later age, but i just backed off a bit on the time and didn't make it a war. it was NEVER used as a punishment or out of any frustration on my part.

I am a novice at all of this....but obedience should something the dog wants and enjoys to do.
I am beaming with pride when my 3 month old holds a sit/down stay for 40 seconds!!


I guess it depends on what you are doing with your dog....
If you are looking for a top notch OB dog then I would say "practice practice practice" but no puppy should get correction of any kind in OB at 4 months of age IMO....though like I said, I am new at this.

I haven't even asked my 3 year old to hold a stay that long.....but then again I have had no need for it......

Hi jennit,I personally would NOT be doing that with a young pup of that age.Let him mature and yes there is nothing wrong with teaching manners but dont forget he is a pup.Hodie has provided some sound suggestions .Also,you need to evaluate what your goals are with this dog because if you are raising a working dog(schutzhund)then we are in a different ballgame than lets say some obedience,agility etc.Take your time and let him have fun in his puppyhood since he'll only have 1 of those.Good luck with your dog and with your goals.

jennit,

You are correct, The Monks of New Skete do suggest that, but certainly not for a pup of that age.  In the Art of Raising a Puppy they suggest that, generally, by  six months, the pup should reliably Sit, Down, and Come.  Long Downs at that age are unrealistic.  As someone suggested, identify your goals and develop a training plan accordingly.

Good luck.