Josephine is 14 weeks old. She is adorable and overwhelming. I have done this 5 times with pugs, she is my first EB puppy. What am I doing wrong? Is she a normal EB puppy? Will she EVER calm down?
I am having a few issues in training and integrating Josephine into the family.
1) She plays too rough with the Pugs. She grabs their back legs and bites and drags them around. She bites their faces and with bulging eyes and flat faces I am terrified of eye damage. I have tried No Bite... she stops for a split second then goes right back at it. I have tried distraction but biting the Pugs is the best fun to her. I have tried separation but then she's right back at it. I have tried time out and it's right back at it as soon as she is out. I have had to start keeping her on a leash whenever they are all in one room together. I even tried something I have never done before, a spray bottle with water.. she doesn't care for it but it doesn't stop her from chomping down either. Tonight I gave in and ordered a bottle of bitter apple spray. I have never used it before but I am hoping I can put some on the Pugs back legs and she will stop the biting and dragging. I feel like a failure and I don't know what to do to direct her towards positive actions and away from hurtful ones.
2) She is VERY energetic and hyper. I expected lots of energy and take her out in the yard early in the morning and late evening, it's too hot during the day. The problem is that when She gets tired she gets bitey and really really wound up. She can't seem to give in and go to sleep. I have tried holding her, rocking her, introducing quiet chew toys on my lap, etc. but she tugs, jumps, bites, cries, fusses, etc until she seems to just pass out. She wore ME out this evening and I had to resort to putting her in her kennel during the day, normally she only goes in her kennel to sleep at night. During the day she goes into a playpen for quiet time, time out, etc, basically any time I can't be EYES ON she goes in her play pen so she can't hurt herself, anyone else, or the house. Today she just screeched and flung herself against the playpen walls and basically walked the playpen across the floor. I have tried awake and playing for 2 hours then into the playpen for quiet time or sleeping, the back out for 2 hours, etc, but today that DID NOT WORK. What can I do to help her relax and go to sleep when she is tired... is she normal for an EB puppy? Is there a secret schedule that works for EB puppies?
3) When allowed on the bed why does she do tiny little tinkle spots? Nothing major just a tiny amount and she does this even if she has been outside just 1 minute before. Is she marking territory? Should I have her checked for a UTI? We have had to resort to no bed time at all, which is sad as her Daddy is disabled and spends a lot of time in the bed.
I will be the first to admit it... I need some advice. Anyone?
Terry
I am having a few issues in training and integrating Josephine into the family.
1) She plays too rough with the Pugs. She grabs their back legs and bites and drags them around. She bites their faces and with bulging eyes and flat faces I am terrified of eye damage. I have tried No Bite... she stops for a split second then goes right back at it. I have tried distraction but biting the Pugs is the best fun to her. I have tried separation but then she's right back at it. I have tried time out and it's right back at it as soon as she is out. I have had to start keeping her on a leash whenever they are all in one room together. I even tried something I have never done before, a spray bottle with water.. she doesn't care for it but it doesn't stop her from chomping down either. Tonight I gave in and ordered a bottle of bitter apple spray. I have never used it before but I am hoping I can put some on the Pugs back legs and she will stop the biting and dragging. I feel like a failure and I don't know what to do to direct her towards positive actions and away from hurtful ones.
2) She is VERY energetic and hyper. I expected lots of energy and take her out in the yard early in the morning and late evening, it's too hot during the day. The problem is that when She gets tired she gets bitey and really really wound up. She can't seem to give in and go to sleep. I have tried holding her, rocking her, introducing quiet chew toys on my lap, etc. but she tugs, jumps, bites, cries, fusses, etc until she seems to just pass out. She wore ME out this evening and I had to resort to putting her in her kennel during the day, normally she only goes in her kennel to sleep at night. During the day she goes into a playpen for quiet time, time out, etc, basically any time I can't be EYES ON she goes in her play pen so she can't hurt herself, anyone else, or the house. Today she just screeched and flung herself against the playpen walls and basically walked the playpen across the floor. I have tried awake and playing for 2 hours then into the playpen for quiet time or sleeping, the back out for 2 hours, etc, but today that DID NOT WORK. What can I do to help her relax and go to sleep when she is tired... is she normal for an EB puppy? Is there a secret schedule that works for EB puppies?
3) When allowed on the bed why does she do tiny little tinkle spots? Nothing major just a tiny amount and she does this even if she has been outside just 1 minute before. Is she marking territory? Should I have her checked for a UTI? We have had to resort to no bed time at all, which is sad as her Daddy is disabled and spends a lot of time in the bed.
I will be the first to admit it... I need some advice. Anyone?
Terry