He sounds like Merlin, who needed to sleep a lot, but was known as Maelstrom for his daily activities, as he was really like a destructive whirlpool! But he grew up to be a lovely, calm, gentle boy - as I expect Hugo will too.
Future Chocco Boy (Welcome Hugo Bear! )
- Thread starter Kelsey
- Start date
Very lovely to hear
Axel was a horrid puppy but also grew up to be so amazing, itās just all part of the process 
Ahhh I feel human today, I slept in my bed for the first time in 4 nights. My couch is not comfortable at all. Hugo did well through the night, woke up to him crying at 2 to go outside, out we went for a pee and poo then back inside but he didnāt want to settle in his crate so I lied on a dog bed with him until he settled and I pooped him back in and he slept 4 more hours. I woke up to him playing with his toys, no whimpers so I got up before whimpers started.
A couple people have been telling me to let him cry it out but I donāt have the heart to do thatā¦ heās just a baby
but they are now making me worried Iām going to cause separation anxiety by ācoddling himā. So Iām just wanting your guys opinion's on that?
Same with his mouthing furniture and the house, I was told Iām not being āalphaā enough. But I donāt believe I need to be?! Iām curious what your guys suggestions would be on what to do when he chews things he shouldnāt. So for an exampleā¦ when he starts chewing on my couch I say ānoā and grab a toy and squeak it to distract him or pop it in his open mouth and then when he chews the toy instead I say āgood Hugo!ā And then he happily moves on to his toy.
Thoughts please
A couple people have been telling me to let him cry it out but I donāt have the heart to do thatā¦ heās just a baby
but they are now making me worried Iām going to cause separation anxiety by ācoddling himā. So Iām just wanting your guys opinion's on that?Same with his mouthing furniture and the house, I was told Iām not being āalphaā enough. But I donāt believe I need to be?! Iām curious what your guys suggestions would be on what to do when he chews things he shouldnāt. So for an exampleā¦ when he starts chewing on my couch I say ānoā and grab a toy and squeak it to distract him or pop it in his open mouth and then when he chews the toy instead I say āgood Hugo!ā And then he happily moves on to his toy.
Thoughts please
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
I've never let pups cry it out. No need, they are soon sleeping through.
My last three pups I had a small crate by my bed and let them do night time potty on a puppy pad in the bathroom. No night time or early morning trips outside. None ever wanted to potty in the bathroom post toilet training. If they missed the pad I just used it to mop up. Neither of us really woke up.
My last three pups I had a small crate by my bed and let them do night time potty on a puppy pad in the bathroom. No night time or early morning trips outside. None ever wanted to potty in the bathroom post toilet training. If they missed the pad I just used it to mop up. Neither of us really woke up.
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Iāve raised ten pups in ten years including Tatze and Ted. (Mad years but wonderful too!)
This was my supervisorās wise advice re: biting.
ā¦.
Crocapups
Long post alert!
All pups explore and play with their mouths and our pups, being incredibly enthusiastic and exuberant, tend to do this with abandon - and puppy teeth are SHARP!
So, whatās the cure?
There isnāt one! The best way to deal with a crocapup is to manage the biting until the big teeth come in. But there are plenty of ways to manage the biting and many ways to help 8 your pup to leave your skin intact. Here are some ideas which have worked time and time again for me.
But first of all, remember, itās normal!
Your puppy is playing and exploring with her mouth, she has no idea that it hurts you. Some say āyelp like a puppyā to show them it hurts. This doesnāt work, and it can excite the pup even more, the pup thinking you are enjoying the game! Biting, barking growling and snarling are all part of puppy play so please donāt think your pup is aggressive in any way - s/he really is just playing.
How to manage your biting puppy.
1. Wear skinny jeans and tight sleeves. With one of my pups I even wore wellies in the house!
2. Have a puppy toy or chew in every pocket to put in their mouths as you walk in the room. I find it also helps to pick the pup up. (Just mind your ears
) You need to keep hold of the toy as the pup really wants to play with you - not the toy. You need to be more determined than the pup (and that is VERY determined!) that they will bite the toy and not you. They will continue to want to bite you, every time.
3. Try not to let the pup get overtired or over excited - the truly manic biting happens then. Give them ātime outā when they do get over tired/excited. Be sure to make time out a happy time, with a filled Kong or similar to keep them occupied. You want the crate or pen to be a happy place. Things which get them over excited are rubbing their tummies, chasing them, grabbing them and rough physical play. Try to avoid all of these.
4. Try not to reward pups for biting - if you shout/squeal/dance around in pain/react in any way it will reward and encourage the pup that biting is good.
5. For normal puppy biting you can set up training opportunities rather than simply reacting to it when it happens. Training sessions allow repetition and so aid learning.
6. One method is to sit on the floor playing with him/her and the instant s/he bites too hard, stand up, cross your arms and withdraw attention. No words, no eye contact, just silence. Just for a few seconds and then give him/her another chance to play nicely, with lots of vocal praise while she was doing so. If you try this and you're not flexible, you may find it easier to sit on a low stool while you play - the key is standing up immediately the puppy bites too hard. If it takes you a few seconds to get up, they'll lose that connection between behaviour and consequence.
7. Some pups just go for the ankles with the above method - so you may need to be outside a crate/puppy pen with the pup inside to play with them as in (6) above.
Lastly -
Remember all pups grow out of this stage, and all pups are different, some are much bitter than others.
And remember - this phase DOES come to an end and you end up with a lovely companion.
This was my supervisorās wise advice re: biting.
ā¦.
Crocapups
Long post alert!
All pups explore and play with their mouths and our pups, being incredibly enthusiastic and exuberant, tend to do this with abandon - and puppy teeth are SHARP!
So, whatās the cure?
There isnāt one! The best way to deal with a crocapup is to manage the biting until the big teeth come in. But there are plenty of ways to manage the biting and many ways to help 8 your pup to leave your skin intact. Here are some ideas which have worked time and time again for me.
But first of all, remember, itās normal!
Your puppy is playing and exploring with her mouth, she has no idea that it hurts you. Some say āyelp like a puppyā to show them it hurts. This doesnāt work, and it can excite the pup even more, the pup thinking you are enjoying the game! Biting, barking growling and snarling are all part of puppy play so please donāt think your pup is aggressive in any way - s/he really is just playing.
How to manage your biting puppy.
1. Wear skinny jeans and tight sleeves. With one of my pups I even wore wellies in the house!
2. Have a puppy toy or chew in every pocket to put in their mouths as you walk in the room. I find it also helps to pick the pup up. (Just mind your ears
) You need to keep hold of the toy as the pup really wants to play with you - not the toy. You need to be more determined than the pup (and that is VERY determined!) that they will bite the toy and not you. They will continue to want to bite you, every time.3. Try not to let the pup get overtired or over excited - the truly manic biting happens then. Give them ātime outā when they do get over tired/excited. Be sure to make time out a happy time, with a filled Kong or similar to keep them occupied. You want the crate or pen to be a happy place. Things which get them over excited are rubbing their tummies, chasing them, grabbing them and rough physical play. Try to avoid all of these.
4. Try not to reward pups for biting - if you shout/squeal/dance around in pain/react in any way it will reward and encourage the pup that biting is good.
5. For normal puppy biting you can set up training opportunities rather than simply reacting to it when it happens. Training sessions allow repetition and so aid learning.
6. One method is to sit on the floor playing with him/her and the instant s/he bites too hard, stand up, cross your arms and withdraw attention. No words, no eye contact, just silence. Just for a few seconds and then give him/her another chance to play nicely, with lots of vocal praise while she was doing so. If you try this and you're not flexible, you may find it easier to sit on a low stool while you play - the key is standing up immediately the puppy bites too hard. If it takes you a few seconds to get up, they'll lose that connection between behaviour and consequence.
7. Some pups just go for the ankles with the above method - so you may need to be outside a crate/puppy pen with the pup inside to play with them as in (6) above.
Lastly -
Remember all pups grow out of this stage, and all pups are different, some are much bitter than others.
And remember - this phase DOES come to an end and you end up with a lovely companion.
Thank youI've never let pups cry it out. No need, they are soon sleeping through.
My last three pups I had a small crate by my bed and let them do night time potty on a puppy pad in the bathroom. No night time or early morning trips outside. None ever wanted to potty in the bathroom post toilet training. If they missed the pad I just used it to mop up. Neither of us really woke up.
Thank you, I love this, very helpful!Iāve raised ten pups in ten years including Tatze and Ted. (Mad years but wonderful too!)
This was my supervisorās wise advice re: biting.
ā¦.
Crocapups
Long post alert!
All pups explore and play with their mouths and our pups, being incredibly enthusiastic and exuberant, tend to do this with abandon - and puppy teeth are SHARP!
So, whatās the cure?
There isnāt one! The best way to deal with a crocapup is to manage the biting until the big teeth come in. But there are plenty of ways to manage the biting and many ways to help 8 your pup to leave your skin intact. Here are some ideas which have worked time and time again for me.
But first of all, remember, itās normal!
Your puppy is playing and exploring with her mouth, she has no idea that it hurts you. Some say āyelp like a puppyā to show them it hurts. This doesnāt work, and it can excite the pup even more, the pup thinking you are enjoying the game! Biting, barking growling and snarling are all part of puppy play so please donāt think your pup is aggressive in any way - s/he really is just playing.
How to manage your biting puppy.
1. Wear skinny jeans and tight sleeves. With one of my pups I even wore wellies in the house!
2. Have a puppy toy or chew in every pocket to put in their mouths as you walk in the room. I find it also helps to pick the pup up. (Just mind your ears View attachment 38391) You need to keep hold of the toy as the pup really wants to play with you - not the toy. You need to be more determined than the pup (and that is VERY determined!) that they will bite the toy and not you. They will continue to want to bite you, every time.
3. Try not to let the pup get overtired or over excited - the truly manic biting happens then. Give them ātime outā when they do get over tired/excited. Be sure to make time out a happy time, with a filled Kong or similar to keep them occupied. You want the crate or pen to be a happy place. Things which get them over excited are rubbing their tummies, chasing them, grabbing them and rough physical play. Try to avoid all of these.
4. Try not to reward pups for biting - if you shout/squeal/dance around in pain/react in any way it will reward and encourage the pup that biting is good.
5. For normal puppy biting you can set up training opportunities rather than simply reacting to it when it happens. Training sessions allow repetition and so aid learning.
6. One method is to sit on the floor playing with him/her and the instant s/he bites too hard, stand up, cross your arms and withdraw attention. No words, no eye contact, just silence. Just for a few seconds and then give him/her another chance to play nicely, with lots of vocal praise while she was doing so. If you try this and you're not flexible, you may find it easier to sit on a low stool while you play - the key is standing up immediately the puppy bites too hard. If it takes you a few seconds to get up, they'll lose that connection between behaviour and consequence.
7. Some pups just go for the ankles with the above method - so you may need to be outside a crate/puppy pen with the pup inside to play with them as in (6) above.
Lastly -
Remember all pups grow out of this stage, and all pups are different, some are much bitter than others.
And remember - this phase DOES come to an end and you end up with a lovely companion.
Hugo really is a lovely boy and I donāt want to sound like Iām complaining because truly Iām not, of course, heās simply just being a puppy, but I do want to make sure Iām on the right track
And there are so many opinions out there but from my local friends itās more that old school dominant training which Iām quite against. Thatās why I love this forum, much nicer training methods 
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Itās fine to complain about them and still love them to pieces! Weāre all squishy creatures, not robots, with energy levels that fluctuate and arms that feel teeth and finite levels of patience - the whole glorious, messy spectrum!Thank you
Thank you, I love this, very helpful!
Hugo really is a lovely boy and I donāt want to sound like Iām complaining because truly Iām not, of course, heās simply just being a puppy, but I do want to make sure Iām on the right track
Two things Iāve learned - if anyone mentions alpha, or dominance, run for the hills and definitely strike them from your āpeople to listen toā list. And with puppy teething, theyāre all individuals and have varying levels of challenge with teething - so much is about management, having lots of options (frozen lick mats, frozen chopped up fruit and veg - Stilton loves frozen apple slices - wooden chews, teething toys, various dried animal parts) in your arsenal, and comforting them until the waves pass. And it will pass. We always remind ourselves how confusing it must be for the puppy - their first experience of pain, not knowing what to do with themselves and such itching/aching/soreness to contend with -it helps increase reserves of patience when needed.
Thank you for this! Itās so true, we are only human and exhaustion and constantly being 110% on alert is stressful and tiring. As his bite gets stronger Iāll be venting and shedding tears Iām sure, just natural I think. So far his bite inhibition is quite good, chomps his toy then catches my hand or arm by accident and kinda just gums me. If heās overtired though he chomps
Yes, any alpha talk I tend to turn my ears off. But then you hear so much you start to question things. That being said Iām glad I havenāt swayed and will keep trucking along! Right now itās easy to redirect with an assortment of toys and chews. I do want to get a lick mat, thatās something I donāt have yet!
Right now the sweet boy is chewing happily on Axelās favourite toy
then we are off to the vet, heās had a really runny bum yesterday and today, blood started today, poor guy. I personally think itās the treats Iāve given himā¦ too rich or too much with transitioning food also. Heās very happy in himself otherwise, rambunctious, eating and drinking well etc but of course the vet wants to rule out Parvoā¦ just the word makes my anxiety skyrocket. So going to do that in an hour to make sure heās ok! Then going to get a paste of some kind from the vet to help with his poos. I was going to just try canned pumpkin because that was always my trick with Axel and a runny bum but because heās so young we must get checked to make sure itās nothing serious 
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Good luck at the Vet for your little darling xx
Iām going to go back to my usual rant - but I donāt know what it is about dogs and children that gives people the right to think they can give you unsolicited advice.
In no other area do people come up and criticise you. Like Iāve never had anyone come up to me in a car park and give me advice on my parking.
But Iāve had some many comments off people I do and donāt know with their words of wisdom about dogs or kids. I get told regularly Iām āmaking a rod for my own backā with Rory. I donāt even acknowledge theyāve said it now.
Just think what a fab dog Axel was - that was all you. Hugo is your dog and youāre going to raise him exactly how you want him with love and kindness and just let anything else wash over you.
In no other area do people come up and criticise you. Like Iāve never had anyone come up to me in a car park and give me advice on my parking.
But Iāve had some many comments off people I do and donāt know with their words of wisdom about dogs or kids. I get told regularly Iām āmaking a rod for my own backā with Rory. I donāt even acknowledge theyāve said it now.
Just think what a fab dog Axel was - that was all you. Hugo is your dog and youāre going to raise him exactly how you want him with love and kindness and just let anything else wash over you.
One thing I wished Iād done when Snowie was a puppy was to listen to my own common sense. When I followed the dog schoolās advice that was old fashioned and just plain cruel, I had such cognitive dissonance. But of course I justified the things I was doing as the right things to do (the dog school and trainers said it, so it must be right!), and I then even suggested the same advice to others!! Iāve been listening to a podcast by Elliot Aronson, psychology professor emeritus and expert in cognitive dissonance, and wow, the stories we tell ourselves to talk ourselves out of feeling badā¦ If Iād listened to my common sense, Iād have comforted Snowie when he was upset or confused. Iād have protected him from other dogs and people. Iād have been kinder. And built up a very strong bond. Instead, it took years till we got there, after Iād āseen the lightā and chucked Cesar Milanās advice into the bin. Thankfully heās a resilient boy and I ditched the bad advice in time. But those early years were miserable.
Hereās the podcast: āHidden Brain: How We Live With Contradictions on Apple Podcasts
Hereās the podcast: āHidden Brain: How We Live With Contradictions on Apple Podcasts
Iām pleased to be able to report @Kelsey&Axel that the biting, nipping, chewing does improve. Hunter is now four months and although he still does all the above the biting and nipping me has certainly reduced although not necessarily my OH 
Itās mainly when heās over tired now and if he does get hold of me or my clothes he stops and thinks then letās go. Ok not every time but definitely improving.
As for the unwanted advice that you get I agree with @Jen, @M.F. @Boogie and @HAH. With Murphy my first lab 27 years ago I hadnāt got a clue. I winged it and while his recall was terrible he was a well adjusted, happy labrador who loved to retrieve and I could take anywhere. Then came Scott and Scout and for some reason I started getting advice left right and centre. I needed to be the alpha because they were two males and they needed to be perfectly trained etc,etc. Advice usually from people who didnāt really have a clue. I have to admit at first I tried to be more alpha but I couldnāt do it and I tried to train them perfectly. It went horribly wrong with S&S for many reasons so this time Iāve decided Iām going back to going with the flow. I now know thereās no such thing as perfectly trained so Iām not going to try. Iām just going to train Hunter as we go along no pressure on him or me. At least Iām going to try to be more like I was 27 years ago when ignorance was bliss
Iām going to enjoy this puppy. You did a great job with Axel so try not to doubt yourself. Take the advice that suits you and him and enjoy despite it being ridiculously hard work at times.
Itās mainly when heās over tired now and if he does get hold of me or my clothes he stops and thinks then letās go. Ok not every time but definitely improving.As for the unwanted advice that you get I agree with @Jen, @M.F. @Boogie and @HAH. With Murphy my first lab 27 years ago I hadnāt got a clue. I winged it and while his recall was terrible he was a well adjusted, happy labrador who loved to retrieve and I could take anywhere. Then came Scott and Scout and for some reason I started getting advice left right and centre. I needed to be the alpha because they were two males and they needed to be perfectly trained etc,etc. Advice usually from people who didnāt really have a clue. I have to admit at first I tried to be more alpha but I couldnāt do it and I tried to train them perfectly. It went horribly wrong with S&S for many reasons so this time Iāve decided Iām going back to going with the flow. I now know thereās no such thing as perfectly trained so Iām not going to try. Iām just going to train Hunter as we go along no pressure on him or me. At least Iām going to try to be more like I was 27 years ago when ignorance was bliss
Iām going to enjoy this puppy. You did a great job with Axel so try not to doubt yourself. Take the advice that suits you and him and enjoy despite it being ridiculously hard work at times.Ugh Cesar Milan, I used to think he was the dog training god back in the day, it was actually joining this forum that opened my eyes. Thatās exactly what Iām trying to do this time around as I did the same as you did with Snowie, I wouldnāt comfort during times I now realized I should have, instead I would get flustered and frustrated. I did start to bond with Axel at the 6 month mark but not fully until he was about 9 or 10 months old. Thatās why I told myself with my next puppy I was going to do everything different. Really enjoy (as best I can while getting shredded by puppy teeth
) the puppy stage and really be his protector and best friend and patiently guide him We live and learn and do the best we can as we go.Edited to add Iāve saved the podcast to give a listen during a quiet Hugo moment
Haha glad to hear it! Only two more months to goIām pleased to be able to report @Kelsey&Axel that the biting, nipping, chewing does improve. Hunter is now four months and although he still does all the above the biting and nipping me has certainly reduced although not necessarily my OH
As for the unwanted advice that you get I agree with @Jen, @M.F. @Boogie and @HAH. With Murphy my first lab 27 years ago I hadnāt got a clue. I winged it and while his recall was terrible he was a well adjusted, happy labrador who loved to retrieve and I could take anywhere. Then came Scott and Scout and for some reason I started getting advice left right and centre. I needed to be the alpha because they were two males and they needed to be perfectly trained etc,etc. Advice usually from people who didnāt really have a clue. I have to admit at first I tried to be more alpha but I couldnāt do it and I tried to train them perfectly. It went horribly wrong with S&S for many reasons so this time Iāve decided Iām going back to going with the flow. I now know thereās no such thing as perfectly trained so Iām not going to try. Iām just going to train Hunter as we go along no pressure on him or me. At least Iām going to try to be more like I was 27 years ago when ignorance was bliss
Iāll have to check to see if youāve done a Hunter photo update 
Love watching them grow!Overtired puppies are so scary
they rampage like a wild creature with a chomping big mouth full of teeth trying to get everything in their path! But I have learned that itās totally ok to take said wild creature and pop him in his crate for a quiet moment. It only takes Hugo a couple minutes to settle down and then usually he passes out within a couple minutes. Youāre so right though, ignorance is bliss. Really just letting go of the pressure to mould the perfect dog and just having faith that it will happen because how @Jen worded it, raising a puppy with kindness and love, it will happen.
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Well Hugoās Parvo test was negative thank goodness. But even with a special GI food high in fibre heās still got a runny bum. No more blood but still very runny. They said his tummy was quite full with fluid and felt like a lot needed to come out. So maybe itās just getting that all out first before the new food comes out?
They said if after 24 hours I donāt see improvement then I can pick up some antibiotics but heās so young Iām a little nervous to put him on antibiotics right away.. and they too wanted to wait to see if he improved before going that route. I was also given probiotics to sprinkle over his food. I might pick up canned pumpkin and try that tonight if no improvement, that always helped Axel.
Heās happy, bouncy, rambunctious, eating and drinking happily. No fever, no sore tummy during the exam and like I said Parvo test negative. So we assume itās just a combination of new food/treats/water and new environment. He also gained .6kg in 4 days, so heās growing still! Hopefully by end of day he will have better poos
They said if after 24 hours I donāt see improvement then I can pick up some antibiotics but heās so young Iām a little nervous to put him on antibiotics right away.. and they too wanted to wait to see if he improved before going that route. I was also given probiotics to sprinkle over his food. I might pick up canned pumpkin and try that tonight if no improvement, that always helped Axel.
Heās happy, bouncy, rambunctious, eating and drinking happily. No fever, no sore tummy during the exam and like I said Parvo test negative. So we assume itās just a combination of new food/treats/water and new environment. He also gained .6kg in 4 days, so heās growing still! Hopefully by end of day he will have better poos
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Iāve pressured myself with Ted as I would like him to become a Pets as Therapy dog.
Heās far, far away from passing that test, Iāve put it on hold now for at least twelve months.
Heās a lovely cuddly boy and very good with people. Heās fabulous with dogs off lead and his recall is perfect. He can walk nicely on lead, but other dogs, cats, squirrels and rabbits drive him wild and uncontrollable. Maybe I chose the wrong breed for calm behaviour!
But I adore him and heās his own person - so maybe heāll end up just as my therapy dog and Iāll find other ways of helping people.
Weāll see
Heās far, far away from passing that test, Iāve put it on hold now for at least twelve months.
Heās a lovely cuddly boy and very good with people. Heās fabulous with dogs off lead and his recall is perfect. He can walk nicely on lead, but other dogs, cats, squirrels and rabbits drive him wild and uncontrollable. Maybe I chose the wrong breed for calm behaviour!
But I adore him and heās his own person - so maybe heāll end up just as my therapy dog and Iāll find other ways of helping people.
Weāll see
Aw maybe in 12 months time Ted will be less excited about those other four legged creatures. And maybe being able to let go of some of the pressure with the new timeline will help some too. But even if he still reacts to them, like you said- he will still be your therapy dogIāve pressured myself with Ted as I would like him to become a Pets as Therapy dog.
Heās far, far away from passing that test, Iāve put it on hold now for at least twelve months.
Heās a lovely cuddly boy and very good with people. Heās fabulous with dogs off lead and his recall is perfect. He can walk nicely on lead, but other dogs, cats, squirrels and rabbits drive him wild and uncontrollable. Maybe I chose the wrong breed for calm behaviour!
But I adore him and heās his own person - so maybe heāll end up just as my therapy dog and Iāll find other ways of helping people.
Weāll see
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Have you thought of Giardia ?Well Hugoās Parvo test was negative thank goodness. But even with a special GI food high in fibre heās still got a runny bum. No more blood but still very runny. They said his tummy was quite full with fluid and felt like a lot needed to come out. So maybe itās just getting that all out first before the new food comes out?
They said if after 24 hours I donāt see improvement then I can pick up some antibiotics but heās so young Iām a little nervous to put him on antibiotics right away.. and they too wanted to wait to see if he improved before going that route. I was also given probiotics to sprinkle over his food. I might pick up canned pumpkin and try that tonight if no improvement, that always helped Axel.
Heās happy, bouncy, rambunctious, eating and drinking happily. No fever, no sore tummy during the exam and like I said Parvo test negative. So we assume itās just a combination of new food/treats/water and new environment. He also gained .6kg in 4 days, so heās growing still! Hopefully by end of day he will have better poos
Hmm no I hadnāt, but could be what this is. Iām just getting ready to head to the vet to pick up an antibiotic and after a quick research on Giardia, the antibiotic they are giving is what is used to treat Giardia. Least Iām pretty sure the name was metronidazole. I will know shortly for sure.
Not sure where he would have gotten it from
I havenāt let him down anywhere public except at the vet on their scale, which I guess could happen.