[chloe920]

My husband was taking the boys to the park on roller blades and asked if I wanted to bring Chloe...so I agreed, but was going to go on foot and meet them there. Chloe proceeds to try and drag me after them. So I tried to be patient and just stop walking every time she pulled, but after 100 stops in 10 metres, I was getting a little fed up. We finally get to the park and she spots my husband going down the path with his blades on. I didn't see him. She turns and takes off after him nearly pulling my shoulder out of the socket, and then drags me 20 feet before I can get my balance enough to stop her......then he comes blading back and she takes off in the other direction after him. So there I am, being dragged back and forth til finally I get to a bench and put her in a down stay. Every in the park is staring at me...I feel like and idiot....My husband looks at me and sees the steam coming from my ears and says, "what wrong with you?" I try to explain to him that I don't appreciate being dragged around and that I nearly lost my shoulder. He doesn't seem to think it's that big of a deal. Then I look down and she's grabbed a dirty Klenex and is eating it!

I just lost it. I got up and stormed off home. This is following the sofa eating incident yesterday. She is now in her kennel to give me some time to cool off.

I wish I could blame this on lack of exercise, or stimulation, but I"m home all day with her. We go on walks, both on leash and off, she has swims in the creek, I do obedience with her several times a day, she has a huge yard in which to play off leash. I just don't understand where this new "i'm not going to listen to you anymore" attitude has come from.

Well I feel better now having vented. sorry so long.

L.

 

[beemis]

I know how you feel about the leash pulling. My dog is 2 years old and I finally broke down and am using a gentle leader halti. World of difference. It takes awhile for the dog to get used to, but it is definately worth it. (Your dog is adorable!) Good luck!

 

[Cam's Mom]

This too will pass...remember to breath! I have five kids....and I'll say I think your problem is two small children and a puppy! Your puppy will remain about the age your three year old is for life.. I waited till my youngest was five to get a pup. I couldn't have handled the sheer physical needs before then. They all need so much one on one time. Now how about letting your roller blading husband take hold of the leash...and you pick up a camera!

Oh, it's a good idea to clam down, but try not to use the crate for punishment...she might begin to resent going in. I used to baby gate in the kitchen or a gutted bathroom.(nothing chewable)

 

[Loboto-Me]

Are we having fun yet? I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist saying it.

On a more serious note, I can totally relate to your problem. Although mine haven't gone as far as eating a couch, they (Duke) has gotten into more trouble in the last 3 weeks than he's ever had since I got him.

I think our pups go through stages with the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other. For a while, the devil seems to get the upper hand. I'll just relay what some of the people told me when I was crying the blues about Duke's misbehaviour. It's time to shorten the leash so to speak, and give your little Chloe alot less freedom until she's calmed down. Thank goodness you've crate trained her, that should make life a little easier on both of you while she's being "retrained".

Hang on, don't get too discouraged, they tell me things get better when they age and in the meantime, hugs to you, so you can get a bit more strength and get a better perspective on how much you really do love her .

 

[mylissyk]

Sounds like she has the the teen age stage. She's going to challenge you for a few months, but she will grow out of it.

 

[chloe920]

thanks for all the support. I have tried the gentle leader, but really wanted to "train" her not to pull as opposed to using a special harness to discourage it..but maybe a gentle leader for a few months will at least give me a lower stress level.

thanks for a supportive place to vent.

L.

 

[mybuddy]

Would it help if I told you that there *will* be a day when you look back on this and smile? I know, at the time it is hard to imagine....but really you will.
Buddy is 7 and in those 7 years, I have had 3 fat lips, a broken thumb, bruised tail bone, 1 major black eye, sprained ankle, bump on forehead....those are just off the top of my head ( or what is left of it ):doh:

Yes...I do look back on all of them and smile...with the 2 remaining teeth I have in my mouth.

Oh, my friend's golden sent him to hospital for knee surgery!
AND...a dislocated shoulder...
He smiles about it now....

Hang in there...it will get better and in the meantime, might I suggest full body armour.

Hugs

 

[Bender]

Yup, the 'teenage' phase isn't the greatest at times. My border collie used to be such a PITA to do anything with, but now he's great. I end up draping the leash over the stroller and he behaves himself the whole time we're out. Even today I chatted with the neighbor while her cat walked around the front walk and he stared but didn't make any move to chase (he's cat crazy). Of course it did take some work and several 'when you pull on me I will pop you several times with the prong collar on - each and every time so don't bother' sessions to clue him in that seeing a cat did NOT mean he was to go insane.

It'll get better...

Lana

 

[laprincessa]

I'm still working on getting Max to walk nicely on the leash, but for the sake of my back and shoulders, I use the gentle leader harness when we go out in public. I love my chiropractor, but I don't want to have to visit her every day.

 

[meadowmist]

I understand completely...took ours camping for the first time and he had to be on leash the whole time we were they with the exception of when he was crated at night in the tent with us....my back really felt it for several days!

 

[Mssjnnfer]

UGH. I can so relate (to getting mad at the pooch and hubby...)

So far I've only had one leash-induced injury. I had both dogs on leashes in the front yard (this was only a couple of days ago) and they were wandering around, but didn't (couldn't) go too far, because the leash. Well, Mojo was walking behind me, and I had him in my right hand... he was walking to the left of me, so I put my arm over my head to cross the leash over in front of me, and as soon as I had my arm above my head (in a very weak position) he spots Gary and RUNS. Pulled me right off my feet (backwards), landed hard on my bum and back, accidentally let go of BOTH LEASHES (uh, sorry, I thought I was going to die?) they both go running for Gary and he yells at ME.

"THEY COULD'VE GOTTEN AWAY, WHY DID YOU LET GO!?"

and THEN he asks if I'm okay. Yeah, I'm fine, thanks, I probably only popped a couple of vertebrae, don't worry. -_-;

 

[Doreens]

Oh So sorry.

Like vic said I did see the funny side. Its happened to me befor. years back with my Bronco full of energy he has just Turned 14 now.

Now I look back & laugh at it. you will one day im sure.

 

[Mssjnnfer]

LOL, Oh, I laugh already. I didn't get to see what it looked like, but I assume it was hilarious. Very "America's Funniest Home Videos", I'd think. Hehe.

 

[laprincessa]

Reminds me of the day at dog park when I called to Max, who was on the top of the hill, and he happily came running down to me, full bore and didn't swerve. I went ass over teakettle. Yup, there's a reason my chiro loves me too.

 

[Pudden]

well, she's a teenager. As for the kleenex incident...yeah. At least she's not smoking reefers with the boys at the corner.

 

[cubbysan]

She is 7 months, you are almost there! I think it was 9 months when Brady finally started to calm down a little.

 

[LifeOfRiley]

The adolescent stage is fun, isn't it?

Riley has been a dream, but boy I remember the teenage stage with Cooper. He was an absolute terror! Just try to be patient and consistent. It will get better and believe it or not, you'll look back and miss these days when she's older.

As for the leash pulling, I now swear by the front-clip harness. I've been using one with Gunner, since he suddenly forgot how to walk politely on-leash. I understand not wanting to rely on equipment as a substitute for proper training, and I completely agree. But something like a harness can really take the stress out of the situation and allows you to work on training without the battle.

 

[moverking]

LOL, ~note to self~ if walking Chloe involves seeing her 'boys' zipping around on rollerblades (Chloe thinking WOW, THAT LOOKS FUN, LET ME CATCH UP QUICK!) I'd plan a different walk route till you get to practice/expose her to them 'blading.
And then, I'd let hubby walk her while you skate....not at Chloe's expense, rather to let him experience her strength and 'interest' so he gains some compassion.

Hang in there....keep training and your rowdy girl will become your dream Golden. I admire you for having a pup and young children at the same time. That's 3-4 jobs in one!

 

[chloe920]

UGH. I can so relate (to getting mad at the pooch and hubby...)

So far I've only had one leash-induced injury. I had both dogs on leashes in the front yard (this was only a couple of days ago) and they were wandering around, but didn't (couldn't) go too far, because the leash. Well, Mojo was walking behind me, and I had him in my right hand... he was walking to the left of me, so I put my arm over my head to cross the leash over in front of me, and as soon as I had my arm above my head (in a very weak position) he spots Gary and RUNS. Pulled me right off my feet (backwards), landed hard on my bum and back, accidentally let go of BOTH LEASHES (uh, sorry, I thought I was going to die?) they both go running for Gary and he yells at ME.

"THEY COULD'VE GOTTEN AWAY, WHY DID YOU LET GO!?"

and THEN he asks if I'm okay. Yeah, I'm fine, thanks, I probably only popped a couple of vertebrae, don't worry. -_-;

Well it's good to see that I'm not alone in this boat. About a month ago, my dad had Chloe on a retractable leash when she saw me coming up the road and ran for me. Unfortunately, my 3 year old was standing in between us, and the leash caught him on the way by and flipped him heal over heals into a ditch, where he landed on a rock and cut his head on a metal culvert and needed 5 stitches.......needless to say, i no longer use the retactable leash.
I'm just trying to do some deep breathing and remember all the good things she does. I keep telling myself "this too will pass".

L.

 

[acritzer]

I don't know what's considered appropriate these days, but what about a slip collar? Too young maybe?