Things are really starting to get better with my 8 month old medium poodle. Over the last month or so I have seen so much improvement and feel so proud of my little guy. As a first time puppy owner, it was pretty overwhelming at times (as we all know). The beginning portion of his teenage phase was especially difficult (around 6 months old). Now, I can say has really settled into life and is starting to mature.
Things that have improved
– independence and mild separation anxiety. Now he routinely plays outside by himself and can easily stay home alone for 4 hours.
– leash walking: still not great but it’s improving every week.
– basic training: we starting going to petsmart beginner training classes and they have been great! Not as robust as other training programs out there but it’s still given us the tools and practice we needed for everyday skills.
– playing with other dogs: we’ve prioritized getting him more exposure to trusted dogs. His play etiquette is so much better.
– energy is more stable/predictable
Things that still need improvement
– he still has to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night around 1-2 times per week
– he still loves to play bite my hands
– he barks at people and dogs that walk close to the house
If you are feeling discouraged, know that it gets better.
submitted by /u/berryniceday
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