Is it 5 months when they become a BRAT?

[em&ollie]

Has Ollie entered his BRAT stage?

I swear his always been sweet but lately he only has the face of a rascal. If I call him over he gives me this mischevious look and runs in the other direction :p His been a lot more bitey then normal, biting hands etc. whenever they go to pat him. He has been great with not doing this for so long it's really dissapointing to see it happening again. When his been caught chewing something naughty (eg. the brush) he gives me the filthiest look and then makes it his mission to do whatever it is his not supposed to. It's like if he knows the brush is off limits then he has to track it down :rolleyes:

Also, now if I give him a toy he takes it and runs into the next room and lays down to chew on it. He usually never does this and always wants to be in the same room as me.

Will all this pass? Is he trying to test his ground as the alpha dog?

I roughly follow the "Nothing in life is free" training method by making him sit and lay down before nearly eveything. Sometimes I slack off a bit like I don't make him sit before every cuddle. I usually make him sit before I give him a toy but not if I'm really annoyed with him and just want him to leave me alone.. I'll just chuck a toy over and he runs to get it. I am also a bit slack with making him sit for meals because he eats in his x-pen so I usually put the food in first and then him.

Thanks for any advice you can give me

Emily

[Louise_H]

Maybe he is trying to test you now that he's a bit older. Holly is 5 months and she can be like this sometimes with the biting hand thing she knows its wrong but sometimes she just slips. It sounds like you've done really well with him so far and he sounds like a charming little fellow. The only advice I would really give is that you just correct him every single time so he knows he cant push you and that you are still in charge. I would also defo start making him sit for his meals, I do this all the time with Holly and sometimes she edges forward a bit and I tell her no, but I think it's probably important that you get him ready for the time when you don't feed him in the pen. Hope this helps a little!!!
Louise

[Sweet72947]

5 or 6 months is usually the brat stage. Just reinforce ALL the training you've done and make sure you don't let him get away with anything!

I always say, "yeah puppies are cute, and then they become 6 months old!":yikes:

[Baxter'smybaby]

oh no-not Ollie!:p He's is so adorable, I have a hard time picturing him as a brat!--oh well.

[SummerRiot]

That stage is fun eh! lol

Riot went through a NASTY "bad puppy" Phase.. it took me months to cure him of some issues.

He had a fabulous recall until he hit about 5 or 6 months old.. then he became "his own dog". If you dont correct it as its happening, your pup will more then likely stay that way. Not fun eh :)

All you have to do is keep on him, eventually he'll get the message. Dont let him get by ONE LITTLE bad thing though - that one thing will cost you loads of training down the drain!

[Charliesmommy]

Wow, being a brat is a stage?....I thought it was just a state of being. Charlie is 11 months now and he hasn't grown out of it yet! LOL! Yes, I know, it's my fault.....

[Herschel]

Keep training and be consistent!

We're just finishing Herschel's various "stages" at 1 year and I'm so glad we're almost through it. :)

http://www.sspca.org/Dogs/PuppyDev.html

http://www.pawswithheart.com/puppystages.htm

[YellowLabMom]

I feel your pain. My lab puppy, Max, just turned 5 months and he is testing our patience everyday. He also weighs 60 lbs which makes it harder to correct his bad behavior. I'm optimistic that we can all get through this phase :)

[em&ollie]

Lol thanks everyone, it seems I'm not alone in this! ;)

NEW FAVOURITE GAME

Run in the opposite direction when mummy is coming especially if she is in a rush and can't waste time!