so upset over my puppy's behavior

Shauna

My 12 week old puppy is honestly and truly a very well behaved puppy. I've been working with him a lot and really without much effort he listens to me without me having to become assertive.

Since I've had him he's been on 3 playdates with many different dogs, he spent a day at doggy daycare, he's gone to the petstore a few times and goes with me for car rides. I've tried to do what I can to get him socialized. Oh, plus my sister and her 3 young children and other family members have all come to my house numerous times so I can get him used to as many people as possible.

Well, tonight was his first puppy obedience class. I don't know what puppy showed up for class, but it certainly wasn't mine!!! If the other puppies were acting up I might not have thought anything of it (I honestly thought they all would seeing as they were puppies), but my puppy was pulling on his leash and growling, barking at the other people and puppies there, and just overall being incredibly out of control!

Everyone kept making comments like "wow, he's fiesty" or things of that nature. I took him outside to play before class to try and tire him out figuring if he wasn't so energetic he'd be more apt to listening rather than wanting to play, but apparently it didn't help.

I was just so embarrassed!!! I don't know where this behavior came from! He was growling at me when I tried to get him to calm down and he's NEVER done that. It wasn't really a "get away from me" growl, but more of a "I'm not happy" type growl if that makes sense.

Any suggestions on what to do? I thought the instructor might have voluntarily offered some advice, but she didn't so I'm thinking of contacting her, but I thought I'd see what you all had to say too.

fawkese1

well... first, and i mean this in a very kind way... but don't take your pup's behavior so personally... he has a mind of his own and he will use it... it is nothing to get embarrassed about. you are doing a good job with him...

second... he is a puppy... a baby... keep that in mind... it is likely that he will get used to the situation and start to behave once he knows that class is a good time... remember to keep it a good time for him, as you know he needs tons of positive interactions with lots of people and other dogs... try not to put too much pressure on him (or yourself) you sound very determined to be a good mom... you will be/already are... just remind yourself to be patient...

third... definitely speak with the trainer and get her take on it... you are paying her to help you after all...

fourth... you may want to bring him to class early and see if you can let him romp around the training area a bit and get used to it... also you don't want him to be too tired physically... i like to get the "edge" off my dog before training, but not too much... thinking is a lot of work for a dog, and if he is too tired, it will be hard for him to focus on you... just like if he is too energetic... i like a happy medium... maybe a short romp before and after...oh and i find that when my dog is tired he is really unhappy/nervous of new situations so keep that in mind...

i hope that helps a bit...

Brittany

Thats a good post from Fawkese. Make sure you aren't too focused on what others are thinking. You want to make sure you keep this experience very positive for your puppy. I think it is a great idea to show up a little early.

BTW...When Kimber and I went to training sometimes he was an angel and other dogs were acting up and sometimes he was acting up when other dogs were being angels. LoL.

But I think you are doing a great job and just remember you there for your puppy.

Criosphynx

They will all have moments where their brains fall out of their heads...just try to make the best of it, the younger they are the more of these moments they seem to have LOL

Mikey

Good stuff


Sounds like he wanted to see the other pups. It's no big deal-and like the others said-
Who cares what other people think. More then likely your never going to see these people or their dogs again-unless you want to
Kids are far more embarassing for far longer-trust us-its no biggie I can't remember what she said, but a friend of mines daughter told her teacher some story that got her and social workers called in... so you know...barking puppy is better lol


Honestly I think they were trying to make you feel better. I bet you showed that you were distressed and making casual talk to help you feel more comfortable-my guess If they thought you or your dog were bad, they'd probably just be rolling their eyes =and they are just pups


My advice is to stick with the classes, relax; and if you want-chat with the instructor after class

Brittany

I don't know where he is with his training but would it hurt to have him sit and then let him meet the other dogs? That also might help if he has a chance to sniff and say hello.

Mikey

This for sure. I very much think he wants to see them. And it's hard for a dog to walk in a room of strange dogs and not smell each other and play a bit. See if you can pop in early maybe and great each pup while they come in?

bullseye

fawkese1 has a great idea to try, bring him earlier and let me feel the place. Maybe your dog was threatened with the new place and new people and new classmates, that's why he was not happy.

Don't be embarrassed, these things happen sometimes specially in new surroundings or first time in class. I mean why do other kids cry first time in class but they do not cry when you bring them to the mall huh?

Shauna

Thanks everyone. I feel much better now. I know he's young and I really don't expect much from him, but I just couldn't believe how different he acted from what he usually is!

I would bring him to class early, but the problem is there's a class before mine so he can't go in the room until the class actually starts. The participants were all there a bit early and we all did hang out with our pups and of course mine was the only one going crazy.

We did "pass the pup" in class so he got to visit each and every person there, which I thought would calm him down, but I could hear him barking as he moved from one person to the next. He also got treats from every single person, which again, I thought would calm him down and it didn't.

But, like you all said, he's a pup and he's not perfect. I don't expect him to be, but I just hope I'm doing everything right to make sure he's the perfect dog for me.

AdoJrts

What were you doing to get him to calm down? Did he ever settle down? How was the class run, what did everyone do during the class? And what feed back did you get from the instructor?