This is the stage you will regret ever getting a dog. I didn't think it could happen to me, especially from my precious puppy Molly but it did and it will happen to every dog. Here is a list of a few things that happen to a dog in this stage
It will seem as if:
*The dog's forgotten everything you taught them
*The dog doesn't know what 'stay' means
*The dog's potty is now in a lot more places than one
*The dog has forgotten bite inhibition
*The dog is getting aggressive
*The dog is driving you crazy
Now this is just a few things that happen, you will feel like getting rid of your pooch with the stuff they come up with, this is an excellent time to pass the patience test because, this is one. It's not so much that the dog has forgotten but, like a teenage child, they are trying to figure everything out through rebelling. They will be testing you to see who really is the boss of the house, you or them, whoever acts the part must be leader in their eyes.
For instance:
You've crate trained your dog, they are not 100% but they are better than they used to be, suddenly they are crying all night again
They are seeing who is in control, you (by ignoring) or them (by listening)
You may say: What am I supposed to do, they're getting on my nerves?!
But here's what is always to remember:
*BEFORE you crate them, make sure they've eaten, drank water, and pottied
*Exercise them in the day so they'll be tired at night
Playtime Tip: Even though playtime will seem more like correction time, be kind, patient, in control during playtime, correct biting by a firm 'no' not a yell or slap, and put a toy in their mouth and praise, if they insist on biting, stand, and ignore and leave the room if you have to, not saying a word, biting=no fun
If you've done this and they're crying, they're testing authority. What to do? Ignore them, don't hit, tap, or knock over the cage, don't say or yell anything, not even "stop", don't look at them or give them anything, UNTIL they stop, if they need to do business or you need to let them out while they're making a scene, wait until they've stopped crying for 10 seconds, leave the room until they've stopped if you have to, then let them out but only on your terms. You must also re-teach bite inhibition, (the dog doesn't bite) and enforce it, go over the ground rules and basic commands and don't yell but be authoritive, stand in front and over them, let them know you're the "pack leader" and not them, things only happen when you say, not them, they obey you, not the other way around. Don't worry, you will survive this stage, if I did, you can too.
