is my dog psychotic

by linda
(bagley, minnesota)

6 month old golden retriever, started potty training at 6 weeks, she did real well going to door and whining to get out. Now she has reverted back to going where ever she wants to. She doesn't seem to listen to any commands and seems totally out of control.

She has someone around 24 hours a day and sleeps in the hall way in her bed. She wants to play so rough I can barely hold the leash, she can drag a car, lol. Help what shall I do.. We have raised two golden's before and I am aware that they are active and have tons of energy, but this little girl is off the wall, she needs no sleep and I think she is an alien dog, she needs critonite sp. help if you can....... minnesota




Hi Linda
It sounds as though your pup is going through the teenage stage with a vengeance, and everything you mention (regression in potty training, not listening to commands, bouncing off the walls etc.) is actually very normal. She's not psychotic!

Raising puppies is like raising children, and they're all different. Your other two Goldens seem to have been more 'laid back' individuals, so you were fortunate not to go through this stage with them to the same degree. However, your newer girl has a different personality, that's all.

At this very trying and frustrating stage it's important to maintain your focus (even if she's lost hers) and continue to train her with positive, reward-based training. Also enforce all house rules with a firm, but loving, discipline and continue to do things in the same way you always have. She needs that stability. Try to be as patient as possible and have faith that 'this too shall pass'.

If she's really driving you nuts with the potty training, go back to the way you trained her when she was 8 weeks old and use the crate more, take her out more etc. etc. She will get over this given some time and it's important not to let her get into an ingrained habit of eliminating indoors.

Make sure she gets plenty of exercise and that she has tons of exciting and stimulating chew toys to keep her busy. Obedience classes are really a 'must have' during this stage too. There are a ton of natural products that you can use to help reduce her hyperactivity and calm her down, without drugging her or having side effects.

You can find many of these on my Dog Separation Anxiety Medication page (although she's not suffering from this behavior issue, the products target anxiety etc.). Aromatherapy products are also great, so check out my ,a href="http://www.the-puppy-dog-place.com/dog-aromatherapy-products.html">Dog Aromatherapy Products page to learn more about those.

Overall, just hang in there and you'll all get through this teen stage relatively unscathed! Best of luck.