Raising a puppy can be a bumpy ride. One minute things seem to be mastered. They're house trained. Sitting nicely, coming back when called, and not jumping up all the time. It seems like they've just got everything!
We don't want to feed treats forever , so we start to reduce or even remove those treats. At 5-6 months old things are feeling good.
Then it happens. Your puppy hits adolescence!
Somewhere between 6-9 months old you see some changes. Fido stops sitting. Runs after friends. Forgets what leave it means. It's confusing and embarrassing!
These are all normal behaviours at this age, however it's important to go back to basics. Remember to pay those good behaviours. If you stop paying too soon- your puppy may go on strike.
After all they've been paid handsomely for some time, only for you to suddenly change the deal to a pat and some kind words. Imagine if at your job that as you were succeeding your boss suddenly said, I'm now going to stop giving you money- but I'll give you a well done and a sticker...
How long would it be before you decided something else was for you?
It's important not to withdraw that pay too early when they're young. Instead keep treating them for those good choices. Reward four feet on the floor, revisit those sits and downs . Dig out the long line for fecal
Go back to basics and don't panic. It's normal. When they're mature, you can start swapping those treats for life rewards, or for only the best versions of that behaviour.
However when hitting that turbulent teen time, don't panic, don't fixate on the " how long will it last?! " Try tweaking little bits get paying those good behaviours again.
