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

I’m going to help you, and I’m going to help this dog. There is no need to thank me, I assure you.

Give your "unbearable mutt" to people who actually know how to look after a dog, who will give him the time he deserves and respect his needs. Thanks in advance, for his sake.

On the other hand, if you’re willing to understand that your dog isn't acting this way for no reason, that your own approach is completely wrong, and that you’ll need to do some serious soul-searching to (re)establish a harmonious relationship with him, then I can only urge you to contact a pet behaviourist.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions, but just to reply to a few people at once;

we had a Border Collie before and he wasn’t like this one, even though we got him when he wasn’t even four weeks old!

In the morning and after 4 pm, we set aside time to try and calm her down with games, walks, etc.

Sorry to disappoint some people, but we do actually have to work in between times during the day!!

On a positive note, the puppy is very well house-trained; we brought her home late on Monday and three nights later she wasn’t having any accidents in the house at all, which we think is great for a puppy. I know people with dogs over a year old who are still cleaning up after them every single morning.

She knows that when she does her business outside she gets a little treat (a puppy biscuit); as soon as she comes back in, she knows exactly where the tin is.

As for anything else, it’s impossible—it’s not the same. She just grabs the biscuit and bolts without any recall.

As for the jumping and the nipping, I don’t know how many times we’ve told her now, but she just doesn't listen to a thing.

She also knows perfectly well that she’s hurting us because she properly taunts us, which is what’s really frustrating...

I don’t see why she’d be scared of us; she’s never had so much as a smack!!!

Finding her another family is a no—we got this dog because we wanted her...

Anyway, it really saddens me that I looked for help on this forum because instead, I’ve had the complete opposite from some truly pathetic comments!!! Some of you would be better off saying nothing at all rather than just talking for the sake of it.

That’s exactly what’s wrong with society today—everyone for themselves...

And besides, who gave you the right to judge us or our behaviour? You don't know the first thing about the situation, you don’t even know us; otherwise, some of you wouldn’t be speaking like that.

All I was looking for was some answers to my questions. I'm sorry, but clearly I’ve made a big mistake coming here.....

So, how's Chipie getting on then?

+1 tania!

Hi there,

First off, you need to realise that while a dog needs training, the owner needs training first! Honestly, this situation is a total shambles.

Why did you get a dog in the first place? What made you decide to get one? What do you expect from him? You have to remember that he expects a lot from you too: walks, all sorts of training, mental stimulation, love, patience... and that’s for the rest of his life. So, if you’re already feeling overwhelmed right from the start, well, it might not be a lost cause, but you really need to take a long hard look at yourself, for his sake and for everyone around him. Otherwise, you should rehome him with people who will actually enjoy helping him develop.

+1 Angeline, your puppy would be better off in another home that will know how to train him and look after him!!!