Teenager at 5 months?

[Sara750S]

Toby is 5 months old and the last few days he has become a right Kevin



He is obviously teething as we found a tooth and he is very chewy.

But on top of that he is more active and more barking than usual. Also recall is harder for me but not terrible but non existant with hubby.

He is panting in the house alot too?

Any thoughts?


Sara

[Hurtwood Dogs]

Teething can be a real pain for them - Dave had some in the wrong place too which were pretty sore for him and didn't help his crocodile pup tendencies I'd check his mouth and see in particular if the canines look ok and are in the right place.

Other than that, have you changed his food recently - sometimes higher protein levels can make them a bit loopy.

Raw frozen carrots really helped with sore gums here so if you haven't tried that it might be worth a go.

[Eleventh day]

Hi Sara, I haven't been on here for a while, being as our boys r roughly the same age I did laugh when I saw your post, Brodie is exactly the same right now, he can get really stroppy too when he gets put on the naughty step (so to speak). He has learned (all by himself) to backchat to the word NO which has been making my new found dog walking friends chuckle when out walking him. His recall is non existent when there are other dogs about which is giving me cause for concern and we are working on improving it.

[Sara750S]

Hi Sara, I haven't been on here for a while, being as our boys r roughly the same age I did laugh when I saw your post, Brodie is exactly the same right now, he can get really stroppy too when he gets put on the naughty step (so to speak). He has learned (all by himself) to backchat to the word NO which has been making my new found dog walking friends chuckle when out walking him. His recall is non existent when there are other dogs about which is giving me cause for concern and we are working on improving it.

lol but sounds like their age! 

[Eleventh day]

Lol it does but he is also becoming very 'Perry' with his 'Mrs Patterson'  when we see the lady doggies or my friends which is a bit  . I have called the vet who still refuse to remove his golden balls, due to his age. The vets in our area that will remove them at 6 months have such a bad reputation that I don't want to take him there just incase, so I'm left with relentless training and a rebellious teenager....lol

[Helen]

Lol it does but he is also becoming very 'Perry' with his 'Mrs Patterson'  when we see the lady doggies or my friends which is a bit  . I have called the vet who still refuse to remove his golden balls, due to his age. The vets in our area that will remove them at 6 months have such a bad reputation that I don't want to take him there just incase, so I'm left with relentless training and a rebellious teenager....lol

I'm curious as to why you think that neutering him early will make a difference to his current behaviour?

Sounds like a normal pup to me 

[Sara750S]

We will get Toby done any way and our vet said about 6 months old.

I think with alittle knowledge of this stage we will step up the training and reign him in abit - gosh just like having kids! 

[Jeanette]

Lol it does but he is also becoming very 'Perry' with his 'Mrs Patterson'   when we see the lady doggies or my friends which is a bit  . I have called the vet who still refuse to remove his golden balls, due to his age. The vets in our area that will remove them at 6 months have such a bad reputation that I don't want to take him there just incase, so I'm left with relentless training and a rebellious teenager....lol

I'm curious as to why you think that neutering him early will make a difference to his current behaviour?

Sounds like a normal pup to me  

Sounds normal behaviour, although behaviour and pushing boundaries can get worse in another few months.   Deep breathes and being consistent with training pays off in the long run (I hope)  



ETA   Sorry posted same time as OP

[Jeanette]

We will get Toby done any way and our vet said about 6 months old.

I think with alittle knowledge of this stage we will step up the training and reign him in abit - gosh just like having kids! 

Its a personal decision and everyone does what they feel is best for their dogs whether girls or boys.   I'd personally wait until 12 months of age when the dog is fully mature but as I say it's a decision which is neither right or wrong.   

Vets always say as soon as possible.   

[karen488]

+ 1 Darcey is 5 1/2 months and v bitey at the moment. Gave her a big bone to occupy her but then....

[Bluebell]

We will get Toby done any way and our vet said about 6 months old.

I think with alittle knowledge of this stage we will step up the training and reign him in abit - gosh just like having kids! 

Its a personal decision and everyone does what they feel is best for their dogs whether girls or boys.   I'd personally wait until 12 months of age when the dog is fully mature but as I say it's a decision which is neither right or wrong.   

Vets always say as soon as possible.   

I agree, neutering him young will not stop him becoming a teenager
Waiting a little longer will allow him to mature properly, though as Jeanette says, you have to do what is right for you and your family

[maddy74]

Lol, these posts made me chuckle. Willow is a teenager too. Had that incident about a month ago when she ran off with another dog, her ears switch off when she is having fun and its so blooming annoying, have good days and bad day with it at the min. She started running in large( too large) for my liking circles the other day with another dog and we had chicken with us. Shouted chicken and blew my whistle as this usually get her back. Had two other dogs jumping up for chicken but willow was still running with her ears switched off. had to go back to basics. Plz dont tell me it will get worse. 

In relation to teething, Willow has lost all hers now and she seemed to enjoy ice cubes.

[Sara750S]

So a cohort of Kevins here!

Hubby and i are a good team and after he had had a disastrous day with Toby/Kevin on Friday whilst i was at work (came home, he was out for a run and eldest daughter met me at door with "Toby been a right pain today" ah), we have sat down and analysed Friday and came down to teething, teenager, mega distraction on walk (local school pond dipping in Toby's stream!!), hubby not having high value recall treats and also no decent walk day before.

So now we are aware that this is a stage (albeit could be a longish one) we will work as a team and get through it. I remember our girls growing up and every now and then we had "time to regroup and back to basics" and they have grown up ok (well super actually  )

Sara

[Jeanette]

So a cohort of Kevins here!

Hubby and i are a good team and after he had had a disastrous day with Toby/Kevin on Friday whilst i was at work (came home, he was out for a run and eldest daughter met me at door with "Toby been a right pain today" ah), we have sat down and analysed Friday and came down to teething, teenager, mega distraction on walk (local school pond dipping in Toby's stream!!), hubby not having high value recall treats and also no decent walk day before.

So now we are aware that this is a stage (albeit could be a longish one) we will work as a team and get through it. I remember our girls growing up and every now and then we had "time to regroup and back to basics" and they have grown up ok (well super actually  )

Sara

What a fantastic attitude.      I do think cockers are easier than teenage children, my teenage boy (human) has caused me more stress.   

[Helen]

So a cohort of Kevins here!

Hubby and i are a good team and after he had had a disastrous day with Toby/Kevin on Friday whilst i was at work (came home, he was out for a run and eldest daughter met me at door with "Toby been a right pain today" ah), we have sat down and analysed Friday and came down to teething, teenager, mega distraction on walk (local school pond dipping in Toby's stream!!), hubby not having high value recall treats and also no decent walk day before.

So now we are aware that this is a stage (albeit could be a longish one) we will work as a team and get through it. I remember our girls growing up and every now and then we had "time to regroup and back to basics" and they have grown up ok (well super actually  )

Sara

Jeanette beat me to it and I agree - brilliant attitude, and if you think about it like that adolescence will fly by