Help! My 4-month-old puppy is becoming a nightmare

Camou, you’ve got some cheek! ...

humeur de chien, laykamicha is spot on and it’s a good solution :)

Hi there,

You're the boss, not your dear little puppy. Your pooch is taking liberties! If you don't have the time to take him to training classes, then do it yourself. If I've understood correctly, you've had a dog before, so you're more than capable of it.

You just need to make the time: his 'spot'. A specific, well-defined area in the house where his bed is, and where he has to stay or go when you tell him. A small hallway would do the trick; I think he’ll feel more secure in a cosy space.

Give him clear commands: every time he misbehaves, take him by the scruff of the neck, just like his mum would, and give him a firm 'no'. Don't be afraid to give him a little tap on the nose if he bites.

Work on obedience and recall with him in a secure area where he can't run off.

Reward him straight away with a cuddle; there’s no need for treats. Border Collies are very intelligent.

They love to work and please their owners. They love following orders, and they love running and playing :). Spend some time playing with him before you start a training session.

You have to be patient and not lose heart. You'll get there.

My dog loves playing with plastic bottles. When I'm out in the fields with him, he always finds one. I call him the 'eco-dog'. The countryside is always one plastic bottle cleaner after our walk :).

All the best

"Maybe we are going about it the wrong way, but we’re doing exactly what we did with Caline 11 years ago, and it’s just not working this time!"

Every dog is different, just like siblings – and a good thing too!

When she’s tugging at your skirt, I really think she just wants to play or go out; she simply wants your attention.

As for the plastic bottle, it’s a cheap and easy toy, but be careful – if she swallows any plastic, you'll be heading straight to the vet. I’m speaking from experience there.

One last thing, if you don’t want my advice, please just tell me straight. I’m only trying to help both you and your dog.

Sorry, I’m not on the computer all the time!

As for toys, she’s got loads, but what she’s most obsessed with is a simple plastic bottle.

Regarding the help, that’s all we’re looking for, but all this rubbish posted by certain people is even more upsetting than my puppy; we certainly don’t want to rehome her. Caline, our other dog I mentioned, was as good as gold—we never imagined Chipie would be so different... it’s only at times, sometimes she’s a real sweetheart, but even just now I was bringing in wood for the fire and three times she came and grabbed my skirt to bite it. I think it’s a game to her, but by the end of the day, frankly, I don’t find it funny anymore!!!

All these clever clogs telling us we’re incompetent—I’d like to see them try, and they’d definitely be singing a different tune then.

Maybe we’re getting it wrong, fine, but we’re doing the same with Chipie as we did with Caline 11 years ago and it’s just not working!

When she’s calm—and I mean *when* she’s calm—if I tell her "bed" or "sit", she does it and gets a treat, but when she’s having one of her "moments", there’s just no reaching her!

Anyway, my husband and I are all ears if the advice is genuine, because we’ve had enough of being snapped at by—well, I won’t name names, you just have to read the pathetic comments from those people—but we’re game.

Sorry, I can’t reply much more before this evening, I have to work..

Yeah, with a treat or a toy :) Now it’s your turn to give it a go :)