[fostermom]

LOL, they do sound like a trying pair!

Yes, they can go through a major brat stage at their age. But I definately would have KD looked at. If she is walking stiff legged, it worries me, especially when she needs a break in the middle of a 1 mile walk at 12 months old.

 

[alanckaye]

Thank you, that's what I've been saying but my wife says she's always walked that way - stiff legged but she was always the one all about the walk, loving it. So this bratty thing is only a stage? Whew, don't know how much more I can take. thanks again

 

[Merlins mom]

Yeah, bratty stages come and go, and I wonder if they will have them all their life? LOL! Merlin is 22 months old and is finishing up the latest brat stage. It lasted about 3-4 weeks. Definitely tries your patience!!

I'm sorry you've had a tough time of it lately. I don't have a poop eater (knock wood). but that would bother me a lot too. Do they eat a lot of stuff in the yard (besides poop) when they're out there?

 

[fostermom]

Yeah, bratty stages come and go, and I wonder if they will have them all their life? LOL! Merlin is 22 months old and is finishing up the latest brat stage. It lasted about 3-4 weeks. Definitely tries your patience!!

I'm sorry you've had a tough time of it lately. I don't have a poop eater (knock wood). but that would bother me a lot too. Do they eat a lot of stuff in the yard (besides poop) when they're out there?

Danny is 23 months and goes through a bratty stage every time we have a foster puppy here. Suddenly he forgets his name, what "come" means and how to settle down.

 

[alanckaye]

Oh no...don't tell me that. Yes, they eat anything they can get their little mouth on. We have some rocks around (small) for decoration. They try and get one of them when they come in but it's to the point where I say "drop it" and reluctantly they give it up. Other times they try and smuggle wood chips, sticks, leaves, anything in their mouth. When I see them chewing I take it from them because they have vomited several times and I have found God knows what when cleaning it up. If nothing else, on the way in, they will grab a leaf before coming in the door. They choke on them so I have to take them. I said in another link that every table near a door has a pile of stuff at the end of the day they tried to smuggle inside to chew on. They have chew toys but destroy them so quickly. A 10 buck toy destroyed in 30 seconds. Yup, they are trying my patience but when I start yelling they know it's time for "a time out" in the crate for an hour or so. Then I sit around feeling bad.

 

[Merlins mom]

Danny is 23 months and goes through a bratty stage every time we have a foster puppy here. Suddenly he forgets his name, what "come" means and how to settle down.

Hmmmmmm.......so it could be foster related! Hadn't thought of that one. I'll have to see if it happens again after the next foster! :wave:

 

[mesuezee]

My Magoo is eating everything outside. He is 7 months old. I think he is part goat. Deer poo is a favorite, mulch, leaves and chunks of grass- I hope it is a stage!

 

[Merlins mom]

It's got to be harder with two!!!! They probably egg each other on outside! It does get better/easier though. The bratty episodes are much further apart!!

Have you tried the antlers yet? That might be a good option for a chew toy for your two.

Honestly, at one point with Merlin I quit worrying about a lot of stuff. He chews on sticks....I have a gazillion sticks in my yard and it's just not possible for me to keep them all away from him. He doesn't eat them, just chews and spits out. Leaves on the ground? Fair game for him as well as the pine cones.

It will get better!! Lord knows you must have tons of patience raising two the same age! How about a break one day a week and send them to doggie daycare!? They will be so tired the next day it'll be like a two day break! LOL!

I do agree with Fostermom and would take KD to get looked at, just to be sure she is fine.

 

[Debles]

That sounds like puppy behavior to me and totally normal. Just be patient and keep working with them.
The stiff leggedness sounds concerning. I'd have the vet check her out.

 

[Sucker For Gold]

Rusty grew out of the poo eating stage early...thank god.

He did remain a brat on and off his whole life, but after a while it was more entertaining than troublesome.

 

[alanckaye]

I'm waiting on antlers that I ordered (can't wait) I think they will love them. Doggie day care.....getting them worn out would be great but these two are afraid of their own shaddow - one is submissive (the larger one) to any dog, even a tiny one, the other can only take so much banter from other dogs with her or her sister before she begins to snarl and growl. We are afraid she is going to attack another dog....she gets that look in her eyes. We have stopped going to the dog park because she will sit under our legs while the other dogs frolic around. If several come around her to play she just doesn't like it. No offense intended to anyone but I have no other way to describe it than I feel like I am taking care of two hyperactive ADHD children of about four years old. I use to take them for a walk together but one would stop and refuse to walk as stated earlier. Now the other is doing it so I take them separately - still doing it. Today I took them both and we walked a block, one sat and refused to come - finally I'd find a way to get her up - we'd go a little and the other sat down....and so it went....all the while getting their leashes tangled so I'm forever untangling leashes and I have a bad back. Whew...it's exhuasting but they need their morning walk to settle them down. Thanks for the ideas.