Balistic behavior at Night?

bdbanddad · 05-07-2006, 07:46 AM

Murphy, during the day and early evening has been doing great, however it seems in the evening around 8pm-9pm usually the later he seems to go into this Cujo mode. Holy Cow he is everywhere doing everything he's not supposed to do. He even acts somewhat mean at times which is very uncharecteristic of his normal loving happy go lucky self, it is during these times I have had to show him who the Alpha Male is and be very stern with him.

Is he testing me or does he need a dose of Valium?

lisarundell · 05-07-2006, 08:50 AM

Hi, Our 4-1/2 month old LD, Lani can have that same Cujo syndrom just about anytime during the day. I have used our startle can (metal decorative tin filled with some coins) and time outs in her crate. These things have been effective is stopping her during her Cujo moments but not preventing them. Good luck!

gracielou · 05-07-2006, 10:15 AM

I would keep up with the stern I'm the boss thing he has to know you are the Alpha if not he will take over completely.

lisarundell · 05-07-2006, 10:28 AM

Gracilou, Can you tell me, is the alpha roll more important to do than the deterrents we have been using? Will it eventually stop the behavior? Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thnaks!

Jac · 05-07-2006, 11:38 AM

Hi, I don't know if it is too early on for you to teach this, but I recently found that if I take ahold of my dog's collar, look her in the eye, and say "settle" then I pet and praise, it h as worked wonders. I figure if I can teach that word, along with the idea to sit and be calm...I will have worked wonders!
It seems to be working for us...although, I must admit, my dogs are older and already do recognize me as the alpha.

Just to reassure you, all puppies go through this daily phase. I don't understand it, but it is common. I agree with the others, training is the key and it sounds like you have a handle on how to do that. Your ideas and methods should produce results...probably won't eliminate the behavior...because I believe it is something that is in their nature for some reason...but you can let them know when enough is enough.
Perhaps if it is possible, you could redirect the energy and go for a walk or play an active game of catch...??

bdbanddad · 05-07-2006, 08:59 PM

Thank you all for your advice I think I am on the right track using actually some things that you all have said. Alpha Male, noise can and, actually the time out last night, thanks for easing my concerns by saying it will eventually stop

we have been doing an evening walk lately for just about 20 minutes. It certainly helps calm his wild butt down. Other wise he is the most loveable little guy you could ever imagine. I knew there was a reason why I reistered his CKC name as Murphy Trouble Daugherty!

2doodsmom · 05-07-2006, 09:44 PM

Hi. I've been away from the forum for a few days. My George did the Cujo thing too. Now he's a pussycat. For us, the alpha stuff just made it worse. It was almost like it made him "up" the ante and pretty soon I would be yelling at him and getting mad. Then he would get madder. I finally learned to go into this very very calm quiet mode, not praising him but quietly putting him in the crate and ignoring him for a while. I think they just get really wound up sometimes and we humans have to teach them to reel themselves in.

Anyhow, for what it's worth, Jac is right, a lot of pups go through this and they all pretty much get over it. Now we call George "Mr. Mellow."

bdbanddad · 05-08-2006, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2doodsmom

Hi. I've been away from the forum for a few days. My George did the Cujo thing too. Now he's a pussycat. For us, the alpha stuff just made it worse. It was almost like it made him "up" the ante and pretty soon I would be yelling at him and getting mad. Then he would get madder. I finally learned to go into this very very calm quiet mode, not praising him but quietly putting him in the crate and ignoring him for a while. I think they just get really wound up sometimes and we humans have to teach them to reel themselves in.

Anyhow, for what it's worth, Jac is right, a lot of pups go through this and they all pretty much get over it. Now we call George "Mr. Mellow."

Lisa that sounds exactly like him. The more he gets worked up the more frustrated I get. I have always heard that using the crate for discipline isn't something we should do however I like your idea of talking quietly to him first. I'm sure the reason he is doing it more at night is because he has a greater audience with everyone home. He was pretty good last night, if he acts up tonight I will definetly try the time out thanks.

Jac · 05-08-2006, 10:43 AM

Jamie, I believe that the idea of "punishment" combines the use of the crate with angry words and actions...making the dog think that he is being banished and that you are mad at him.
I think that Lisa is right on with the idea of speaking quietly and gently and crating your puppy just for time out. That way, the puppy is not connecting the anger to the crate...very good solution!

seazr · 05-08-2006, 05:43 PM

And it sounds just like Dakota! Awhile back someone on this site described it as "Wacky Doodle Hour"

! We usually let him run it off a bit. If he gets too crazy, he gets a time out in his pen.

2doodsmom · 05-08-2006, 08:54 PM

Just a quick addition to my suggestion about quiet crate time for the cujo dood. My doods almost always get a treat whenever they go into the crate. I keep a jar of treats on top of the crate and hand them out as soon as the door closes. I still do this even for a time out, because they aren't being crated for punishment, just being given an opportunity to "chill." It's sort of like when my husband gets grouchy, I make him a martini (and THEN I ignore him for awhile!) lol

bdbanddad · 05-09-2006, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jac

Jamie, I believe that the idea of "punishment" combines the use of the crate with angry words and actions...making the dog think that he is being banished and that you are mad at him.
I think that Lisa is right on with the idea of speaking quietly and gently and crating your puppy just for time out. That way, the puppy is not connecting the anger to the crate...very good solution!

Good deal, he was great last night actually slept through the night YAHOO! 6.50 hrs sleep all at once. Thanks again!

bdbanddad · 05-09-2006, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2doodsmom

Just a quick addition to my suggestion about quiet crate time for the cujo dood. My doods almost always get a treat whenever they go into the crate. I keep a jar of treats on top of the crate and hand them out as soon as the door closes. I still do this even for a time out, because they aren't being crated for punishment, just being given an opportunity to "chill." It's sort of like when my husband gets grouchy, I make him a martini (and THEN I ignore him for awhile!) lol

I have been doing that very thing with his treats. Thanks for your suggestions. This forum is great I am glad I found it.

Jac · 05-10-2006, 01:48 AM

Jamie I am so happy that the suggestions have been helpful...I agree...this forum is a wealth of information. I have learned so much from my friends here. (Thank you all!)

Angie · 05-11-2006, 05:31 PM

We have a crate for Otto which he sleeps in at night, but does not like being locked in through the day. We feed him treats in the crate to let him know it is a happy place, and only leave him locked in for an hour to do shopping, and of course at night, but while we are there to supervise he is never in it locked, but he will take his toys into it and play

05-07-2006, 07:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
bdbanddad Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 142	Balistic behavior at Night? Murphy, during the day and early evening has been doing great, however it seems in the evening around 8pm-9pm usually the later he seems to go into this Cujo mode. Holy Cow he is everywhere doing everything he's not supposed to do. He even acts somewhat mean at times which is very uncharecteristic of his normal loving happy go lucky self, it is during these times I have had to show him who the Alpha Male is and be very stern with him. Is he testing me or does he need a dose of Valium? __________________ Jamie

05-07-2006, 08:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
lisarundell Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicagoland Area Posts: 1,484	Hi, Our 4-1/2 month old LD, Lani can have that same Cujo syndrom just about anytime during the day. I have used our startle can (metal decorative tin filled with some coins) and time outs in her crate. These things have been effective is stopping her during her Cujo moments but not preventing them. Good luck! __________________ Lisa, Lani and Toby http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j309/lisarundell/ Outside of a dog a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. Groucho Marx

05-07-2006, 10:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
gracielou Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,366	I would keep up with the stern I'm the boss thing he has to know you are the Alpha if not he will take over completely. __________________ Linda & Gracielou Valley Center, KS http://www.4pawslabradoodles.com

05-07-2006, 10:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
lisarundell Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicagoland Area Posts: 1,484	Gracilou, Can you tell me, is the alpha roll more important to do than the deterrents we have been using? Will it eventually stop the behavior? Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thnaks! __________________ Lisa, Lani and Toby http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j309/lisarundell/ Outside of a dog a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. Groucho Marx

05-07-2006, 08:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
bdbanddad Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 142	Thank you all for your advice I think I am on the right track using actually some things that you all have said. Alpha Male, noise can and, actually the time out last night, thanks for easing my concerns by saying it will eventually stop we have been doing an evening walk lately for just about 20 minutes. It certainly helps calm his wild butt down. Other wise he is the most loveable little guy you could ever imagine. I knew there was a reason why I reistered his CKC name as Murphy Trouble Daugherty! __________________ Jamie

05-07-2006, 11:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jac Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: northern California Posts: 9,243	Hi, I don't know if it is too early on for you to teach this, but I recently found that if I take ahold of my dog's collar, look her in the eye, and say "settle" then I pet and praise, it h as worked wonders. I figure if I can teach that word, along with the idea to sit and be calm...I will have worked wonders! It seems to be working for us...although, I must admit, my dogs are older and already do recognize me as the alpha. Just to reassure you, all puppies go through this daily phase. I don't understand it, but it is common. I agree with the others, training is the key and it sounds like you have a handle on how to do that. Your ideas and methods should produce results...probably won't eliminate the behavior...because I believe it is something that is in their nature for some reason...but you can let them know when enough is enough. Perhaps if it is possible, you could redirect the energy and go for a walk or play an active game of catch...??

05-07-2006, 09:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
2doodsmom Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Juan Island, Washington Posts: 279	Hi. I've been away from the forum for a few days. My George did the Cujo thing too. Now he's a pussycat. For us, the alpha stuff just made it worse. It was almost like it made him "up" the ante and pretty soon I would be yelling at him and getting mad. Then he would get madder. I finally learned to go into this very very calm quiet mode, not praising him but quietly putting him in the crate and ignoring him for a while. I think they just get really wound up sometimes and we humans have to teach them to reel themselves in. Anyhow, for what it's worth, Jac is right, a lot of pups go through this and they all pretty much get over it. Now we call George "Mr. Mellow." __________________ Lisa and George and Gracie http://labradoodle-dogs.net/gallery/thu ... p?album=79 Outside of a dog, a book is your best friend, and inside of a dog, it's too dark to read. --Groucho Marx

05-08-2006, 10:43 AM	#9 (permalink)
Jac Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: northern California Posts: 9,243	Jamie, I believe that the idea of "punishment" combines the use of the crate with angry words and actions...making the dog think that he is being banished and that you are mad at him. I think that Lisa is right on with the idea of speaking quietly and gently and crating your puppy just for time out. That way, the puppy is not connecting the anger to the crate...very good solution!

05-08-2006, 05:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
seazr Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento Posts: 2,971	And it sounds just like Dakota! Awhile back someone on this site described it as "Wacky Doodle Hour" ! We usually let him run it off a bit. If he gets too crazy, he gets a time out in his pen. __________________ Diane (and Dakota) http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e304/seazr/

05-08-2006, 08:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
2doodsmom Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Juan Island, Washington Posts: 279	Just a quick addition to my suggestion about quiet crate time for the cujo dood. My doods almost always get a treat whenever they go into the crate. I keep a jar of treats on top of the crate and hand them out as soon as the door closes. I still do this even for a time out, because they aren't being crated for punishment, just being given an opportunity to "chill." It's sort of like when my husband gets grouchy, I make him a martini (and THEN I ignore him for awhile!) lol __________________ Lisa and George and Gracie http://labradoodle-dogs.net/gallery/thu ... p?album=79 Outside of a dog, a book is your best friend, and inside of a dog, it's too dark to read. --Groucho Marx

05-10-2006, 01:48 AM	#14 (permalink)
Jac Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: northern California Posts: 9,243	Jamie I am so happy that the suggestions have been helpful...I agree...this forum is a wealth of information. I have learned so much from my friends here. (Thank you all!)

05-11-2006, 05:31 PM	#15 (permalink)
Angie Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 294	We have a crate for Otto which he sleeps in at night, but does not like being locked in through the day. We feed him treats in the crate to let him know it is a happy place, and only leave him locked in for an hour to do shopping, and of course at night, but while we are there to supervise he is never in it locked, but he will take his toys into it and play __________________ angie

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