It's so refreshing to hear someone talk about the bad sides of owning a dog😂 I feel like a lot of people only show the good behavior and it can feel discouraging. Our puppy is starting to enter adolescence and is regressing on a LOT. he's a barker on walks, and I literally had someone ask me the other day if "I was going to bother training him" 🥴 Definitely embarrassing sometimes. I feel you--you're doing great with her though, and this phase will pass :)
oh wow!! I hate people! thank goodness the folks at the race didn't say anything to me and were understanding because they've seen her at other races and know how she USUALLY is but people need to mind their own business lol. If only they knew we are WAY harder on ourselves than they EVER will be hahaha. you're doing GREAT!! ❤️❤️
Sheesh I feel that. My friends that have never owned a dog have said I need to pay $1000’s to get her professionally trained because she jumps on people. SHES ONLY 12 WEEKS OLD! People do not understand how long it takes to train a high energy breed dog whatsoever.
I REALLY needed this video today. My morning walk with my 8.5 month aussie was AWFUL. He was barking at everyone that passed, pulling on his leash, lunging, jumping, refused to do basic commands etc. He's usually so lovely but this teenage phase is so frustrating. Thanks for sharing the real stuff, it feels so good that I'm not the only one dealing with it.
trying to remember all the lovely times when things get rough, but tunnel vision gets the best of me sometimes. but WE CAN DO THIS!! in a year from now, we'll laugh at this stage!
and my 9 month old rescue corgi was nearly perfect this morning....checking in, slack leash....I wonder if it is because she is a female ? She does not have to pee on every vertical surface either...The male aussie puppy that did live here was a HANDFUL... I mean there is a shoe buffet and little miss lottie totally ignores them.... the aussie found socks we did not even know we had !! And then it was "chase me" ....it will get better....
you have to give yourself so much credit. the fact that you’ve put so much time and energy in training her is so much more than a lot of dog owners do and you clearly care so much about her!! keep your head up!!
So refreshing to hear you say this, nice to know I'm not the only one that gets horribly anxious and embarrassed about dog behaviour 😣 love your pupdates and seeing what there is to come as I'm a few months behind 😁
I appreciate your vulnerability about Aussie puppy life SO MUCH. My husband & I have an Aussie named Maggie who just turned one last week, and the nine/ten month phase specifically was *rough*. It felt like she regressed so much, she stopped wanting to listen, she became SO reactive on walks (barking at everything that moved), and I internalized so much shame over it. Like my puppy blues almost felt like a full out depression. I was at the point where I was anxious to take her for walks or take her where there would be people/animals because I didn't know how well she'd do. It also felt isolating because no one we know personally has a dog like Maggie, and on social media, Aussie accounts are seemingly just about fun and adventure and sweetness and, from what I've seen, they just don't show the hard stuff. And it felt at the time like the hard stuff wouldn't ever end. All that to say... we got a little extra one-on-one help from a trainer and we just kept powering through that phase and I can honestly say, we've seen a night to day turnaround. The improvement started slowly, and then all the sudden it just started getting better. It feels like even in the last month or so, Maggie has shown more signs of maturity and all our work in training her is finally clicking now. We walk/run her anywhere from 8-15K a day in the busy city we live in, with no issues. We still have chaotic moments sometimes (wow the energy lol) but life is honestly so good and so fun with Mags now. ANYWAY I'm so sorry for this novel but I just wanted to send some light and encouragement because I REMEMBER this phase and I wish someone encouraged me when we were in the thick of it. I can tell from watching your vids that you're an amazing dog owner and that you have a special bond with Freya, and that will pay off! You will make it through this phase!
aww yay!! so glad to hear the change for yall!! 💛 this phase is definitely rough and I would agree that ALL dog accounts, especially Aussie ones, only show the good and the fun tricks, and perfect life that I felt like I was doing something wrong, but that's totally NOT true it just sucks that social media doesn't show the full picture so I wanted to talk about it because even some folks here think Freya is "perfect" and I want to be clear that is FAR FROM IT LOL
i really appreciate this video. its important to show the ups and downs of having a dog, its a real commitment. because although theyre delightful and i adore them, i feel like people rarely show the harder parts of owning these furry friends. thanks for sharing!
Thank you for articulating the feeling of puppy blues. We recently adopted an 8 week old miniature Australian Shepherd. While I love him to bits, I have definitely been feeling the puppy blues. I'm glad to know that this is a thing that most dog parents go through. Thank you for making me feel less alone.
You are definitely not alone. My best advice. Teach and correct them as often as you can while home or in a controlled environment. Having those simple tools can make a difference between using pet smart as a training exercise to not being able to take your pup at all.
16:45 The puppy blues hit hard 😣 I had postpartum depression after having my son & that was 6 years ago! Never felt that again until we got our 9 week old puppy. I cried everyday like you! It was so hard and draining, felt like I just had another baby. I couldn’t believe it. It is definitely such a guilt trip through out. Loving your puppy but also feeling like “oh no I can’t do this”. Ugh been there 😩
This was my favourite pupdate so far because it was super honest and I DO RELATE. I relate so hard that I felt your anxiety at the race vividly. Sometimes it really is hard to be a dog parent, it is an underrated issue. But hey, we are trying our best and all the effort will pay off eventually❤️ you are a good dog mom and freya is a good floof❤️
My Aussie was an absolute nightmare from about 6-15 months. He didn’t want to listen to anything I said and the mass destruction that my poor apartment suffered is just unspeakable. I thought I was gonna lose my mind. And then I swear it was like as soon as he turned 2 he magically turned into the angel of a dog that I always wanted lol
My puppy is 4 1/2 months and I can’t imagine things getting worse. I even just got a storage unit so he wouldn’t destroy my home much more (rugs, pillows, chairs, even my coffee table are now stored away). 😳
My pup is currently trying to dig up my couch once a day. She eats the threads as she pulls them out! When she goes into her “zone” she won’t listen, her eyes look a little red and crazy…I feel like I need an exorcist! 😂😂 It’s a new way to think about “exercising” your dog!
@@mandypdx we have ours in a playpen if she’s not on a leash or doing something with us outside because she’s 4 mo and nothing will stop the biting haha
@@reagan9213 I spent over $100 on a playpen and he could jump over it - at 4 months… he is now 14 months and 90 pounds… my solution was buying a new house 🤓
I remember my dog regressing around this age as well, but as long as you stay patient and consistent with training, everything should get better. It's nice that you share the rough times of owning a dog because it's not commonly talked about and it's nice to know I'm not the only one. thank you 💜
I can relate so much. I’m glad you shared! Dogs are such a huge commitment with ups and downs that people don’t talk about as much. You’re doing so great! I wish I was at your level with my Aussie 🥲
Omg Finally someone being real about it. I love training my Aussie but he doesn’t want to listen to mom. Your really good teaching her and correcting her. Your patience is unreal. I hope my boy will heel the way she did with you.
I've been there. It gets better ❤️ my pup is now 4 months. Make sure they get enough sleep because they will be super snappy en bitty when tired. It was one of the mistake I made. When you figure out when they are tired and push them to sleep, life will be easier.
OMG You gave a name to the insane way I’ve been feeling! So relieved to know I’m not alone. I’ve been able to hold up for two days before breaking down on the third…I don’t think I could have made it without my family taking over when I have a melt down. I thought I must have been doing something wrong or it was just more than I was capable of. Thanks for sharing!
I have an 11 month old Aussie and I’ve had the same issue. It’s so exhausting and tiring but I do have to say around 10.5/11 months she’s been so much better and it’s wild to see her maturing cuz I felt hopeless at 8/9 months with my pup.
I have a 3 month old Aussie and I love him so much….but the puppy blues is really intense and can feel so isolating. It’s nice to hear you talk about it
Girl, I hear you. Our Aussie has been like this too recently (listens well in the hosue, outside is another story). On walks she can be great, but won’t always listen to basic commands while we’re walking. And the barking has gotten crazy.
Thank you so much for being so real and honest. I feel like so often all anyone talks about are the exciting parts of getting a puppy and then their very best days, tricks, commands and behaviors. Hardly ever do I see people talk about the puppy blues, the frustrations and even the feelings of 'did I make a mistake?' I'll be getting my first puppy in a few months and I would've felt so guilty and upset with myself when I undoubtedly experience the puppy blues, feeling like something is wrong with me. It's nice to know this is a shared experience and that it comes and goes. Miss Freya is adorable and you've done an amazing job training her! Don't get too down on yourself because of her 'teenage' phase. Wishing you both the best of luck, thank you again for sharing!
❤️ so glad you saw this BEFORE getting a puppy!! It's SO normal and you'll probably feel the puppy blues because puppies are cute and all but they are HARD WORK!!! but it's normal! YOU GOT THIS! ❤️
Holy damn THIS is really what I needed to hear today, our pup is (i think) about 3 weeks younger and we LITERALLY had this exact same situation over the weekend. I was SHOCKED that my well-behaved border collie pup was being so so naughty! I've also noticed the leash pulling has been getting progressively out of control in the past few weeks which has been so disappointing after how much work we have been putting into working on it since she was a little baby. Honestly the realness of this is EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED! Sending lots of love for the coming months! Yay for high drive pups 😅😅🥰
I know exactly what you mean. I get so frustrated with my puppy when she escapes and runs down to our neighbors, and thank you so much for showing what you do when she pulls, I didn’t know what to do, so thank you!
I was meant to watch this this has been me all week 😩 I have a 1 year old boxer/pit mix and working from home it’s been so much all the time. She knows commands inside but once we hit outside she’s hyper stimulated and cant hear me. I feel guilty that I don’t want to be around her I thought I was crazy for feeling that way. It’s always in waves of us working well and then it being frustrating. I’m starting to learn it’s okay to take time for a breather cuz it will be best for both of us.
Fellow Aussie owner here (1.4 year old mini Red merle named Callie). Wanted to stop by and say I HAVE BEEN THERE lol. When Callie was a little younger she had a certain threshold of stimulation that if she went over she would lose all training. Our trainer actually said that its similar to an anxiety attack for a person but manifests differently in dogs where when they hit a certain point they essentially black out and are so hyper they can't be reached. Our solution was to monitor her to interject right before she got to this level. Its hard and not always perfect but the minute she begins to get the crazed look on her face (dilate pupils, big smile, panting) we know she has reached her peak and needs to be brought back down by walking away from stimulation and resting for a bit. Aussies are VERY driven dogs and they feed off energy, if you are in a chaotic high energy environment they will eat that up and it will be projected in their behavior. Anyways, don't stress or fret! I've cried many a time but things will get better, hang in there!!!
SO glad you are talking about this! When my aussie was a puppy, I would cry all the time. I was mad that I didn't feel that deep bond with him. I felt the same at the end of the day when my fiance came home in terms of wanting nothing to do with him. I felt so bad and like I was a failure. I didnt know this was normal for puppy owners until I researched and asked around more! I feel like new puppy owners definitely underestimate how hard it is, me included lol. But I tried to remember that he would be a baby forever and that I still needed to cherish that time with him because I'd miss it someday.
for sure! 🧡 I'd have to catch myself in the puppy stages to appreciate her tinyness and fluffiness and puppiness because it'll be gone soon (no matter how badly I WANTED it to be gone lol)
This is so encouraging for me... I have a ten month old bordoodle and I feel the same way... So frustrated constantly at all our hard work going out the window. I also feel the same way in that I don't enjoy being with him. I love him but I'm struggling... Thank you so much for sharing, I'm so glad I'm not alone!!
I felt the puppy blues so much and I thought I was being a bad parent. Thank you so much for putting into words exactly what I felt with my Aussie. I’ve had her for two months now and she is such a good girl now. But I definitely went through exactly what you described! Also I absolutely love your videos and have found them immensely inspiring and helpful in my journey with my pup:)
Thank you Marissa. We’re a first time dog and Australian Shepherd owner. He is only 4 months old. Crate training has been a peace of cake, really easy. He sleeps through the night. The biggest problem has been when we play with him he gets over stimulate and start biting. Last night I was so hungry and sad that I couldn’t make him stop. I have been following and learning from you. And I hear you for those difficult moments!
I found your videos right when I was about to get my Aussie and you were filming about just getting freya, your videos have helped me sooo much and I love how honest you are about everything and how the puppy blues are SO real! Mine is 8 months now and there are so many similarities in behavior between freya and my pup. I’m so happy to know he’s not the only one going through this phase. Love watching you guys!!
We have an aussie who is 10 months old and i have been feeling everything you have!! Its so nice to hear someone be honest. The regression is real and we are struggling also. Hopefully it will get better eventually!!!
I just found your channel. Thank you so much for posting and sharing this. Our mini Aussie she’ll be 10 months on the 12. Making me feel so much better of not feeling alone in that. She’s getting there in her training. She didn’t start barking when people knocked or people walked on the sidewalk when she reached around 5 months old. But she doesn’t bark when go to petsmart she might whine when wants some pets from people we’re still working on walking in the store. I have 2 kids so it making me feel like I have 2 teenagers and a preteen in the house 🤣😂.
This was so incredibly validating for me to hear. I currently have a twelve week old Labrador/Golden Retriever rescue pup and I love him to bits but I’m also overwhelmed, exhausted, anxious, and just feeling like it’s hard to get through each day. While I know this puppy phase will pass it’s also so hard to not feel deeply alone in the moment. Thank you for sharing your own experience and helping me feel much less alone
This was so relatable, thank you for sharing. My Aussie acts the same way every once and awhile when, and I internalize the frustration and embarrassment. It’s sucks cause you know they can do better. Glad to hear I’m not the only one feeling this way when she acts out. Thank you for sharing!
I have a bluetick coonhound (Luna), and everything your going through I went through a year ago myself and god was it hard. Between training more and as she got a little bit older and calmer she's been minding a lot more. I miss the puppy stage but not the teenager. Thank you for showing this to people who may be planning or wanting a dog because I was not prepared for the regression.
everyone talks about the puppy stage which is hard, but no one talks about the teenage phase and that's the age a lot of dogs are given up to shelters because they don't know about it and aren't prepared. :( so sad.
@@MyDriftingDesk Yeah I wish it was talked about more and told to owners that the dog has a teenage stage between like 7 months to 1 1/2 (it varied for us with the dogs) and it makes me sad for the pups that go to shelters because of it.
I was SO happy to see her get the roll over command! Thank you for showing the training process to her learning it!! Would definitely appreciate more videos that focus on showing the training process to her getting a new command she hasn't ever been taught yet.
I would LOVE to do more like that! I honestly wasn't expecting her to get that during the session lol. we've been working on it for SO long and I guess it just clicked lol. ❤️
Thank you so much for these vlogs. I plan on getting an australian shepherd myself in the next year or so and I been studying up on all the possible things that could go wrong (that are within practical reason). Your monthly pupdates really help me out in figuring out what it's like for a person (who is in a similar place in life as I am) to raise an australian shepherd in an apartment. I look forward to more pupdates!
I NEEDED this video. I just got a 4/5 month old heeler mix. She's great but I've had her for a week and I definitely felt the puppy blues like YESTERDAY. Its so encouraging to listen to your experience and advice. I relate to a lot of what you said, especially because I feel you and I are trying to discipline our pups. I literally went to PetSmart today and did the same thing with her WOW. I'm not alone!!! Can't wait for her 9 months 🥴
You're doing an amazing job with Freya, and I know it can be challenging sometimes, but just keep up your awesome work with her and stay consistent. It will get better!
We 100% went through this with our aussiedoodle around 9 months and it was so rough 😂 we’re at 1 year now and things are not perfect but SO much better! Thank you for sharing your experiences with Freya, I also feel like not enough people talk about this and it can be so disheartening! You’re doing great and you will get through it!
Unfortunately I can also relate to this- I’ve been training my German shepherd dog on leash walking for a couple months now and whenever I do, he does amazing and he listens perfectly but a few days ago I went to this field and we’ve been there many times before it seemed like all his training vanished- he was constantly pulling and everything and it was only me and him no one else, but it is nice to hear that other people go through this also with their dogs too.
So good to hear this, my puppy is 5 months and he is struggling with pulling and roll over, and jumping when he is excited starting to counter surf. But he is pretty good overall but he picks and chooses when he wants to be good haha
man, our very good boy is not so goodboy a lot of times too. it's hard training him because he's really not food motivated. sometimes, praise doesn't work either if he's too laser focus to whatever is distracting him. and omg that is so funny because our dog knows roll over but over time got it confused with turn around. every time we ask him to roll over he would strut his butt in circles lol also your dog biting on her toy is so my aussie as well.
I want to echo the thank yous for being so honest about this. I have an 18 week old puppy that I don't have help with and the puppy blues come and go hardcore- especially right now because I feel like he's hitting an early teenage phase. I can't wait for him to be a couple years old!
Hi! Idk why this came up in my feed 2 years after you posted it but I NEEDED IT! I have MAJOR puppy blues with my 8 month old pup. I totally resonate with feeling like you want nothing to do with them and feeling guilty for it. 😂 2 years later but thank you!
It is very very refreshing to see this. Our puppy is half Australian shepherd but her behavior is all Aussie! She just turned 1 year old and we feel like she’s completely forgot her training and she’s a puppy again. We are finding it SO much harder to re-train and my husband and I lose our patience so quickly. Thank you for sharing your experience!!
I feel this girl. I have an Aussie/Collie mix that just turned 9 months. I rescued her a few months ago and put a lot of work into her and it seems this last 2 weeks she is someone else’s gremlin dog. She doesn’t listen, pulls, tears things up…Basically does whatever she wants all of a sudden. I feel so overwhelmed to make sure I keep her on track because, you’re right, it IS embarrassing when they act like they have no manners. Pray for me. Lol
My Boxer Lady drove me nuts the first two years! Patience patience patience !! You make everything Right. I love your Videos 👍 Best regards from Germany 🍀
THANK YOU for showing the good and the bad! Of course, I don't own a dog or saying dogs are bad pets. They are one of the BEST and CUTEST pets to own! But it isnt a ✨perfect✨ world with them etheir. Most kids in my class that have pets are not well trained because their parents just give them to their kids without training them. I hope this shows people that even though they are great pets, they go through a teenager stage like us humans and arent perfect. I am 100% sure you will get though it and she will grow out of it :) 🐕
❤️❤️ omg OF COURSE!! I wish I saw more people talking about the bad before I got her. Maybe I wouldn't have thought I was a failure of a dog mom if I knew these things were NORMAL!!!
i’m so glad you said this. I also cried for a few months after I got my 8 week old aussie and wondered if I made the right decision. He is now also 9 months old and same behavior. I love him but it’s so so so so hard. And I get extremely embarrassed by his behavior ): Thank you for sharing
❤️❤️I feel like they'll never truly go away, but hoping for when they're far and few between hahaha ❤️
2 роки тому
The things you talk about here is SO TRUE. It’s so hard, cause we have to pretend to not be angry with them, cause they don’t understand afterwards why we’re frustrated. My best advice is to kinda “step out of your own mind” and go autopilot. I did swimming with our Labrador, cause I couldn’t walk him, cause he was constantly pulling. It was indoor so I didn’t have to hold him, and he loved it and therefore we rebuilt our great relationship again❤️
I love that you found something that WORKED instead of just being defeated that one thing didn’t!!! Every dog is different & I agree, being upset with them isn’t going to help anything lol.
Finally someone who cried like I did over their puppy being difficult! My golden is 9 months old and great but these teenagers!! It's a lot. Its frustrating. We got this!
Im a single guy with a 12 week old Aussie and this made me feel better. She can be so relentlessly bad sometimes and it tests my patience to 100%. I’ve gotten better knowing that I need to stay stress free and that she’s just learning. But god I wish I had some help sometimes I have nobody to hand her off to. Parents/sister are a few hours away and she’s too much to ask for a friend to do that. I know she’ll be good one day at least.
My dog did this at her age (we didn’t know so we didn’t handle or train away from it) she calmed down and started listening better after she grew out of most of it only things that stayed are pulling on the leash and recall but we didn’t train much at all ever for that (since we thought she was “too old to train” which isn’t a thing) Freya will be great this is the hardest part but it gets better!! Sending love and calmer days to you! ❤️❤️
I so understand the mountain bike day scenario. Definitely overstimulation. Also, for the first year that I had my dog (adopted at 7 mos) he didn’t vocalize much. He turned 1.5 and suddenly started whining at every dog he saw and then suddenly it started in the car around 2 years old. He is about 2.5 now and we have minimized some of the whining but it is still a work in progress.
Honestly this was so refreshing to see. Thank you for sharing with us the good AND the bad of having a young dog haha. My boy is 10 months old, he's right in the middle of the teen phase and some things have been horrible and others have improved a lot. We got a front clipping harness and his pulling has decreased significantly. Now that we've been able to practice what a good walk should look like, I think I'm gonna slowly switch him to the collar from time to time and if he pulls, we'll switch to the harness again, so he understands he can't pull whether he's on harness, collar, or anything in between haha. On the other side, his need to protect our house and us has increased a lot. He loves people but he barks at anyone who walks in front of our house, so I'm starting to teach him to bring me a toy when he sees someone outside so his mouth and mind are occupied on something else haha. Ah the joys and challenges of teenage dogs. Best of luck!!
Thank you so much for sharing the hard parts because I can relate with my Mini Aussie and I’m so glad that I’m not alone in the hard parts of training regression!
Glad to hear you share the bad things too. Aussies are hard. We transitioned to a mixture of balance and R+ training at 9 months and our aussie much better now at 1 year. Although the only issue with him was jumping and pulling on leash with friends. Just more exposure, no daycare or dog parks, break during play time. These are the things that has been helpful to give him structure.
we've been only R+ up until now, but with everything going on, we've been looking into other ways to help correct and train certain behaviors, so its good to hear that a balanced helped you at this stage!
I’m getting a puppy in 2 weeks and I have been following Freya’s updates all the time! Thanks for sharing your real experience on training your puppy! I’m sure Freya will get back on track as she gets older since just like human beings, there will be a time that dogs are in their “adolescence” phase and may regress in their training a little bit. I really believe in your training methodology which has been consistent with many other trainers I watch on UA-cam. You got this girl!
I feel this, the exact same thing happened with my Aussie at 9 months. She is now 1 year 4 months and her training is slowly and surely coming together. Thanks so much for showing this side of dog training!!!
Sending virtual hugs 🤗 I have a 9months golden doodle - the same struggles. Suddenly: jumping on people, trying to surf the table, crazy leash pulling when seeing a dog/person she knows, suddenly she started barking at cars especially in the evening from our window 😳.... And I get sooooo angry all the time 😤🙍🏼♀️ and so mad at her.. so mad at myself... Trying to remind myself that this is a phase and it will get better, but the wait is killing me.
Thanks for talking honestly about the downs with the cute little fellas!!! By day 5 I absolutely thought I had done the biggest mistake because NOTHING worked. He peed inside instead of outside, was biting my hands and knees and furniture. I had problems calming him down at night and struggled getting my work done during the day. In my mind I was either going to lose my job and apartment or had to give the dog away again. I felt like such a failure in life choices and was afraid to talk about it. :( He got better step by step with a lot of work and is a little charmer now 4 months old. But I have the teenage phase still before me … wish me luck!
Thank you so much for sharing all of this! I have a 13 week old pup and I love him but it is hard. He does not respond to our older dog’s corrections and gets overexcited with all family members except for me and bites them way too hard. Even thinking to like a week ago he’s improving and he’s so so smart but it is so hard. The day after his vaccines we had to go back to the vet because a cotton face mask fell out of my back pocket and he swallowed it. I appreciate you including the bad because a lot of days it really does feel like maybe I’m doing this wrong and maybe I’m failing him. Thank you for being so open about your experiences with her and know that this will pass! It will get better! It doesn’t make it any easier now, but that day will come. Good luck you two!!
you are definitely NOT failing him. puppies are HARD WORK!!!! especially if you're the one training, providing for, and caring for the puppy the majority or all of the time. ❤️
I understand your situation. My boyfriend has an Aussi the same age as yours and lately, we had the same problem with both our dogs getting overstimulated while playing with each other. It helps to start training them at the same time but make them do different commands and not look at each other while training. Also with the recall, we let them play for several minutes then walk separate ways and both recall the dogs, if they don't react we place them in a wait position for two or free minutes and then do training again. It helps with managing off-leash behavior with other dogs.
We are on our second Aussie, now (age of 19 months). Our first Aussie (passed at age 14) taught us how the first two years of an Aussie can be. What you are experiencing is not unusual. Stay firm (not mean) and consistent in what you do, and the dog will eventually outgrow these moments of regression.
heading into this phase with my chocolate lab puppy! starting to notice differences already, but I'm trying to keep her busy with training, walks, fetch, or activities. Thanks for all your advice. It so good to see other people going through this too.
My puppy is 6 months and acts exactly how you explained that Freya acts at 9 months. It's so frustrating everyday. You are definitely not alone with the puppy blues. Hang in there!
Thank you so much for this video. I thought I was the only one who felt they made a mistake. My poor Aussie has seen me cry so much. I love him so much but I have wondered if I should rehome him to be with someone younger. Thank you for sharing your adventure.
You are not alone. We are going through the regression right now too and I get so embarrassed. I We are at 7 months and there are days that are great and then there are days that are so so bad, I feel like all the work we've done is nothing.
I’m going threw this right now. I have seriously considering giving Oden (my puppy) back to his breeder. He was so great until 2 months ago and now he is a crazy manic and I’ve been at a lost these past few months. So thank you for sharing.
You're doing a great job. One thing I'd suggust with the pulling... what seems to work best with my aussie is changing direction the moment there's tension on the leash. If he's not paying attention I change directions constantly until he pays attention to me.
I know the puppy regression is very hard and I do expect it with my new pup but, my advice would be take a deep breath and take a step back and try to re teach anything she isn’t doing the best at. I know it’s frustrating to have to do that but I think chances are she still remembers how to do it she just needs a reminder and then she will say “ohhh that’s what you do I remember now” and it won’t be as challenging to teach. I remember the regression stage with my current dog and it’s not fun but it will end eventually and we need to remember that. You are an amazing dog mom and freya is growing to be a really good dog, just know not everything will go smoothly❤️
I have a 14 month old dog and can definitely relate. Now that he’s a bit older he’s settling down more, but he still has these rebellious ‘hormonal’ days where he’s just crazy and ignoring me and not listening at all. It will get better I’m sure! Just keep practicing and have patience! You obviously spent a lot of time training her and it will definitely pay off!
I wish you knew how much I needed to hear / watch this video. Me and my 9mon old aussie (Sammy) have been going through the same things. We had a similar experience at an open space dog park where Sammy got away from me as i was switching him from a regular leash to the long line. However, the people weren't as kind as in your experience. This one woman, who also had a dog, was literally flailing her arms and jumping away when ever he ran by her. Usually at this park if they see a rouge puppy, they will grab the dogs collar till the owner came... Anyway, I was clearly upset after this experience I began to feel those puppy blues. Feeling like i failed in some way because he wouldn't come, wouldn't listen to commands or anything -__- but anyway, thank you for being so candid because it honestly felt like i was watching a day in the life of me and Sammy here. haha
I think it’s important to remember that dogs do not generalize the behaviors they know. We need to work on the cues they know in environments that get gradually more difficult instead of going from 0 to 100. It’s hard because sometimes, to us, it doesn’t seem like a big jump, but dogs pick up on so many more details than us. I think it was probably just too big of a jump for her to go from quick farmers market trips/Trek trips to a full day with tons of stimuli and being expected to behave in a calm way. It sounds like she was probably way overstimulated/hyper-aroused. Training can feel so frustrating sometimes, and you’re doing great!
oh for sure. Definitely my fault entirely and I realized after the fact. in the moment I was just like "what the heck?!" but nothing like a little teenage angst haha.
Not looking forward to the teenage phase!! Again! Regression is totally normal. She’s feeling out her independence. You set a fabulous foundation and she will eventually level out. ❤️ I feel like 8-16 weeks are hard because it’s a baby puppy. 4-7 months are honeymoon awesome so smart good days. Then 7-12 is when your dog starts saying “Make Me”. Behave? She says, But I’m an adult now too why do you know best? I feel you so hard in this video.
Thank god you put this video up! I was wondering if someone had replaced my 7month old puppy with another or something. One day he is such a good, listening dog and the next day boom, he's just totally unbehaved, like he hadn't had any training ever! So frustrating!
My dad surprised me with a whippet puppy and I’m getting him in the 15th and I’m so determined to train him and this video has encouraged me and like made me understand puppies wayyyy more:) Freya is beautiful
I know how you exactly feel! If it makes you feel better, my pup pulled so hard on the leash at PetSmart when I was checking out because she saw a dog,. The leash slipped out of my hand and she ran towards the dog to greet him. There was so many witnesses/people waiting in line and I was so embarrassed. If you can, I would definitely recommend taking her to some puppy classes. We didn't think we needed it for our Aussie because we already taught her a lot of basic commands, but it was really useful to get her to act calm around other dogs without greeting them. And they gave us some helpful tips and methods we hadn't really read about before! Something we found useful for leash pulling is, instead of stopping, we turn around when we there's about to be tension and walk the other direction and treat when she follows. I feel like it works for us way better than waiting for her to stop pulling.
we are looking into training places now to see if we can get some help through this phase, so I'm hoping it'll help!! also thanks for the leash pulling tip!! I'm going to try that next time to see if that helps! ❤️
Get some mighty patches!! They are great! While they don’t always get rid of a pimple they always reduce the irritation and redness in them making them less noticeable!!
UGH THANK YOU FOR THIS HONESTY!! 🙌😭 puppy blues are so so real! I have a 6 month old Aussie atm and I definitely felt exactly how you did at the beginning. I love watching your vids and kinda following along and seeing where my lil guys gonna be in a few months. Love your vids, you guys are awesome and we’re cheering you on from over here!! 💗
This is Kiwi's mama from Instagram! :) We're going through similar things right now lol. I've heard it's 100% normal for teenagers to get over-stimulated, even in environments they used to be chill in. Also heard that during the teenage phase, at least until one year, it's better to just have them in easy environments working on reinforcing their cues before moving into more challenging situations again. It's insanity lol. Kiwi has these moments where I tell her a cue, she 100% registers it but looks at me and thinks "Do I really want to do this?" You can see the entire thought process in her eyes!
When my Great Dane was about 7 months old, if you weren’t careful when opening the door to go outside she would burst by you and take off running! When she was that age we lived in Military housing on base. Everyone in the neighborhood knew who she was because she got out so much and we always had to chase after her. When walking her and she saw another dog she would drag me to go see the other dog! There were a few times where her leash got tangled on my wrist (I would always wrap her leash around my hand a few times to get a better grip since she was much stronger than me at that age) and she would either pull me down or drug me a few feet across the ground. Ended up in the ER quite a bit because she was so powerful! Eventually as she got older she stopped doing that. It just took her a little while.
I feel you on the barking behaviour!! My 8 month mini just started barking after being mute for the first 7months lol (huge struggle). We’ve found putting our lil guy in any command he does reliably and pushing a treat under his nose helps. Every time a pause in barking treat etc. It’s not all resolved but it’s gotten A LOT BETTER.
as someone who used to run, i commend you for your training persistence and overall ethics when it comes to having a puppy..... so many dogs will chase you as runner and it makes one think " god, people cant train their dogs for shit." fun fact: this is why i am afraid of most dogs...... also, i had a dog growing up and all i had to do was lift my finger up and she would stop whatever she was doing that I didnt like.......( she was also a retriever and they tend to be very loyal companions to their owners).
I don’t know how close you are with the other dog owner, but something that was super helpful for me for recall with my puppy, I use a short lead and a carabiner and attached her to my older dog who has perfect recall. Whenever I called them back, my older dog would automatically come back and because they’re attached puppy would also have to come back. It allowed her to have more freedom without the fear of her not coming back and helped teach her better recall
But one Aussie mom to another, it gets better! It sucks but it is 100% worth it. My girl is almost 4 now and she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. She was an impossible hellion until about 2 years and now she’s the best dog I could ask for.
It's so refreshing to hear someone talk about the bad sides of owning a dog😂 I feel like a lot of people only show the good behavior and it can feel discouraging. Our puppy is starting to enter adolescence and is regressing on a LOT. he's a barker on walks, and I literally had someone ask me the other day if "I was going to bother training him" 🥴 Definitely embarrassing sometimes. I feel you--you're doing great with her though, and this phase will pass :)
oh wow!! I hate people! thank goodness the folks at the race didn't say anything to me and were understanding because they've seen her at other races and know how she USUALLY is but people need to mind their own business lol. If only they knew we are WAY harder on ourselves than they EVER will be hahaha. you're doing GREAT!! ❤️❤️
Same to all of this!!!!
Sheesh I feel that. My friends that have never owned a dog have said I need to pay $1000’s to get her professionally trained because she jumps on people. SHES ONLY 12 WEEKS OLD! People do not understand how long it takes to train a high energy breed dog whatsoever.
I REALLY needed this video today. My morning walk with my 8.5 month aussie was AWFUL. He was barking at everyone that passed, pulling on his leash, lunging, jumping, refused to do basic commands etc. He's usually so lovely but this teenage phase is so frustrating. Thanks for sharing the real stuff, it feels so good that I'm not the only one dealing with it.
trying to remember all the lovely times when things get rough, but tunnel vision gets the best of me sometimes. but WE CAN DO THIS!! in a year from now, we'll laugh at this stage!
and my 9 month old rescue corgi was nearly perfect this morning....checking in, slack leash....I wonder if it is because she is a female ? She does not have to pee on every vertical surface either...The male aussie puppy that did live here was a HANDFUL... I mean there is a shoe buffet and little miss lottie totally ignores them.... the aussie found socks we did not even know we had !! And then it was "chase me" ....it will get better....
Herding dogs are great
Does this happen to female dogs only or all dogs?
you have to give yourself so much credit. the fact that you’ve put so much time and energy in training her is so much more than a lot of dog owners do and you clearly care so much about her!! keep your head up!!
❤️❤️ I really appreciate it, thanks!
When I see videos like this, I don't feel like such a failing pet parent. It isn't just me going through these frustrating phases.
you are NOT a failing pet parent!!! ❤️
So refreshing to hear you say this, nice to know I'm not the only one that gets horribly anxious and embarrassed about dog behaviour 😣 love your pupdates and seeing what there is to come as I'm a few months behind 😁
Haha, me too
❤️you're definitely NOT alone!
I appreciate your vulnerability about Aussie puppy life SO MUCH. My husband & I have an Aussie named Maggie who just turned one last week, and the nine/ten month phase specifically was *rough*. It felt like she regressed so much, she stopped wanting to listen, she became SO reactive on walks (barking at everything that moved), and I internalized so much shame over it. Like my puppy blues almost felt like a full out depression. I was at the point where I was anxious to take her for walks or take her where there would be people/animals because I didn't know how well she'd do. It also felt isolating because no one we know personally has a dog like Maggie, and on social media, Aussie accounts are seemingly just about fun and adventure and sweetness and, from what I've seen, they just don't show the hard stuff. And it felt at the time like the hard stuff wouldn't ever end. All that to say... we got a little extra one-on-one help from a trainer and we just kept powering through that phase and I can honestly say, we've seen a night to day turnaround. The improvement started slowly, and then all the sudden it just started getting better. It feels like even in the last month or so, Maggie has shown more signs of maturity and all our work in training her is finally clicking now. We walk/run her anywhere from 8-15K a day in the busy city we live in, with no issues. We still have chaotic moments sometimes (wow the energy lol) but life is honestly so good and so fun with Mags now. ANYWAY I'm so sorry for this novel but I just wanted to send some light and encouragement because I REMEMBER this phase and I wish someone encouraged me when we were in the thick of it. I can tell from watching your vids that you're an amazing dog owner and that you have a special bond with Freya, and that will pay off! You will make it through this phase!
aww yay!! so glad to hear the change for yall!! 💛 this phase is definitely rough and I would agree that ALL dog accounts, especially Aussie ones, only show the good and the fun tricks, and perfect life that I felt like I was doing something wrong, but that's totally NOT true it just sucks that social media doesn't show the full picture so I wanted to talk about it because even some folks here think Freya is "perfect" and I want to be clear that is FAR FROM IT LOL
i really appreciate this video. its important to show the ups and downs of having a dog, its a real commitment. because although theyre delightful and i adore them, i feel like people rarely show the harder parts of owning these furry friends. thanks for sharing!
❤️AGREED!!! It's always puppy snuggles and playtime, never the downsides of having them!!
Thank you for articulating the feeling of puppy blues. We recently adopted an 8 week old miniature Australian Shepherd. While I love him to bits, I have definitely been feeling the puppy blues. I'm glad to know that this is a thing that most dog parents go through. Thank you for making me feel less alone.
❤️FOR SURE, you're def not alone!
You are definitely not alone. My best advice. Teach and correct them as often as you can while home or in a controlled environment. Having those simple tools can make a difference between using pet smart as a training exercise to not being able to take your pup at all.
16:45 The puppy blues hit hard 😣 I had postpartum depression after having my son & that was 6 years ago! Never felt that again until we got our 9 week old puppy. I cried everyday like you! It was so hard and draining, felt like I just had another baby. I couldn’t believe it. It is definitely such a guilt trip through out. Loving your puppy but also feeling like “oh no I can’t do this”.
Ugh been there 😩
💖💖 you're definitely NOT alone!
This was my favourite pupdate so far because it was super honest and I DO RELATE. I relate so hard that I felt your anxiety at the race vividly. Sometimes it really is hard to be a dog parent, it is an underrated issue. But hey, we are trying our best and all the effort will pay off eventually❤️ you are a good dog mom and freya is a good floof❤️
❤️❤️ we are trying out best and that's all that matters!
My Aussie was an absolute nightmare from about 6-15 months. He didn’t want to listen to anything I said and the mass destruction that my poor apartment suffered is just unspeakable. I thought I was gonna lose my
mind. And then I swear it was like as soon as he turned 2 he magically turned into the angel of a dog that I always wanted lol
My puppy is 4 1/2 months and I can’t imagine things getting worse. I even just got a storage unit so he wouldn’t destroy my home much more (rugs, pillows, chairs, even my coffee table are now stored away). 😳
hahahah OF COURSE!!! 2 years of this mess lol.
My pup is currently trying to dig up my couch once a day. She eats the threads as she pulls them out! When she goes into her “zone” she won’t listen, her eyes look a little red and crazy…I feel like I need an exorcist! 😂😂 It’s a new way to think about “exercising” your dog!
@@mandypdx we have ours in a playpen if she’s not on a leash or doing something with us outside because she’s 4 mo and nothing will stop the biting haha
@@reagan9213 I spent over $100 on a playpen and he could jump over it - at 4 months… he is now 14 months and 90 pounds… my solution was buying a new house 🤓
I remember my dog regressing around this age as well, but as long as you stay patient and consistent with training, everything should get better. It's nice that you share the rough times of owning a dog because it's not commonly talked about and it's nice to know I'm not the only one. thank you 💜
🧡🧡 you're DEFINITELY not the only one hahahah Freya is a little devil sometimes lol
I can relate so much. I’m glad you shared! Dogs are such a huge commitment with ups and downs that people don’t talk about as much. You’re doing so great! I wish I was at your level with my Aussie 🥲
❤️❤️FOR SURE!! lots of ups and downs. I shouldn't focus on JUST the downs because Freya has so much good. puppies are hard!!
Omg Finally someone being real about it. I love training my Aussie but he doesn’t want to listen to mom. Your really good teaching her and correcting her. Your patience is unreal. I hope my boy will heel the way she did with you.
working on my own patience was probably harder than training her hahhah
honestly I dream of my dog being as obedient as Freya. I just got my pup a month ago and she is draining me, I wish she would just grow up already
I've been there. It gets better ❤️ my pup is now 4 months. Make sure they get enough sleep because they will be super snappy en bitty when tired. It was one of the mistake I made. When you figure out when they are tired and push them to sleep, life will be easier.
It's all just a phase, and a year from now we'll be laughing at the "puppy phase" and "regression stage" ❤️ YOU GOT THIS!
OMG You gave a name to the insane way I’ve been feeling! So relieved to know I’m not alone. I’ve been able to hold up for two days before breaking down on the third…I don’t think I could have made it without my family taking over when I have a melt down. I thought I must have been doing something wrong or it was just more than I was capable of. Thanks for sharing!
for sure NOT alone! ❤️puppies are HARD!!
I have an 11 month old Aussie and I’ve had the same issue. It’s so exhausting and tiring but I do have to say around 10.5/11 months she’s been so much better and it’s wild to see her maturing cuz I felt hopeless at 8/9 months with my pup.
WE'LL MAKE IT THROUGH!!! ❤️❤️
I have a 3 month old Aussie and I love him so much….but the puppy blues is really intense and can feel so isolating. It’s nice to hear you talk about it
it's definitely hard, but the harder it is, the more worth it it'll be! 💗
Girl, I hear you. Our Aussie has been like this too recently (listens well in the hosue, outside is another story). On walks she can be great, but won’t always listen to basic commands while we’re walking. And the barking has gotten crazy.
YUP!! I need to do more training OUTSIDE of the apartment, because in there she's a SAINT. but out in the world recently, DEVIL hahahahah
Thank you so much for being so real and honest. I feel like so often all anyone talks about are the exciting parts of getting a puppy and then their very best days, tricks, commands and behaviors. Hardly ever do I see people talk about the puppy blues, the frustrations and even the feelings of 'did I make a mistake?' I'll be getting my first puppy in a few months and I would've felt so guilty and upset with myself when I undoubtedly experience the puppy blues, feeling like something is wrong with me. It's nice to know this is a shared experience and that it comes and goes. Miss Freya is adorable and you've done an amazing job training her! Don't get too down on yourself because of her 'teenage' phase. Wishing you both the best of luck, thank you again for sharing!
❤️ so glad you saw this BEFORE getting a puppy!! It's SO normal and you'll probably feel the puppy blues because puppies are cute and all but they are HARD WORK!!! but it's normal! YOU GOT THIS! ❤️
Holy damn THIS is really what I needed to hear today, our pup is (i think) about 3 weeks younger and we LITERALLY had this exact same situation over the weekend. I was SHOCKED that my well-behaved border collie pup was being so so naughty! I've also noticed the leash pulling has been getting progressively out of control in the past few weeks which has been so disappointing after how much work we have been putting into working on it since she was a little baby. Honestly the realness of this is EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED! Sending lots of love for the coming months! Yay for high drive pups 😅😅🥰
hahah 💛💛 I keep telling myself ITLL GET BETTER!! we got this! 💛
I know exactly what you mean. I get so frustrated with my puppy when she escapes and runs down to our neighbors, and thank you so much for showing what you do when she pulls, I didn’t know what to do, so thank you!
❤️❤️ you're not alone in the puppy frustrations!
I was meant to watch this this has been me all week 😩 I have a 1 year old boxer/pit mix and working from home it’s been so much all the time. She knows commands inside but once we hit outside she’s hyper stimulated and cant hear me. I feel guilty that I don’t want to be around her I thought I was crazy for feeling that way. It’s always in waves of us working well and then it being frustrating. I’m starting to learn it’s okay to take time for a breather cuz it will be best for both of us.
❤️❤️ it's totally okay and normal to feel that way!!!
Thanks for being so real about this. You've done such a great job training her, I hope the teenage phase ends soon! Sending big hugs your way :)
💖💖💖 thank you a lot
Fellow Aussie owner here (1.4 year old mini Red merle named Callie). Wanted to stop by and say I HAVE BEEN THERE lol. When Callie was a little younger she had a certain threshold of stimulation that if she went over she would lose all training. Our trainer actually said that its similar to an anxiety attack for a person but manifests differently in dogs where when they hit a certain point they essentially black out and are so hyper they can't be reached. Our solution was to monitor her to interject right before she got to this level. Its hard and not always perfect but the minute she begins to get the crazed look on her face (dilate pupils, big smile, panting) we know she has reached her peak and needs to be brought back down by walking away from stimulation and resting for a bit. Aussies are VERY driven dogs and they feed off energy, if you are in a chaotic high energy environment they will eat that up and it will be projected in their behavior. Anyways, don't stress or fret! I've cried many a time but things will get better, hang in there!!!
that makes SOOOO much sense!!! thank you for this!! she definitely had that crack head look in her eyes at the race hahahhaha
Crackhead lol!
SO glad you are talking about this! When my aussie was a puppy, I would cry all the time. I was mad that I didn't feel that deep bond with him. I felt the same at the end of the day when my fiance came home in terms of wanting nothing to do with him. I felt so bad and like I was a failure. I didnt know this was normal for puppy owners until I researched and asked around more! I feel like new puppy owners definitely underestimate how hard it is, me included lol. But I tried to remember that he would be a baby forever and that I still needed to cherish that time with him because I'd miss it someday.
for sure! 🧡 I'd have to catch myself in the puppy stages to appreciate her tinyness and fluffiness and puppiness because it'll be gone soon (no matter how badly I WANTED it to be gone lol)
you do not understand how much I relate to this and you. Thank God I found you, You're amazing!
🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 so glad this was helpful.
This is so encouraging for me... I have a ten month old bordoodle and I feel the same way... So frustrated constantly at all our hard work going out the window. I also feel the same way in that I don't enjoy being with him. I love him but I'm struggling... Thank you so much for sharing, I'm so glad I'm not alone!!
❤️ you are definitely NOT ALONE!
Girl! SAMMMEEEE! I love these RAW videos because not alot of ppl want to be real. I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling these puppy blues. ♥
❤️you're definitely NOT alone!
I felt the puppy blues so much and I thought I was being a bad parent. Thank you so much for putting into words exactly what I felt with my Aussie. I’ve had her for two months now and she is such a good girl now. But I definitely went through exactly what you described! Also I absolutely love your videos and have found them immensely inspiring and helpful in my journey with my pup:)
❤️❤️ I'm so happy these have been helpful for you!
Thank you Marissa.
We’re a first time dog and Australian Shepherd owner. He is only 4 months old. Crate training has been a peace of cake, really easy. He sleeps through the night.
The biggest problem has been when we play with him he gets over stimulate and start biting. Last night I was so hungry and sad that I couldn’t make him stop. I have been following and learning from you. And I hear you for those difficult moments!
❤️❤️❤️ it gets better!!
Thank you for being honest, I cried this morning and felt like I’d make such a mistake. I needed to hear someone else who is going through it.
💕💕 this shit is hard! you got this!
I found your videos right when I was about to get my Aussie and you were filming about just getting freya, your videos have helped me sooo much and I love how honest you are about everything and how the puppy blues are SO real! Mine is 8 months now and there are so many similarities in behavior between freya and my pup. I’m so happy to know he’s not the only one going through this phase. Love watching you guys!!
definitely not alone hahah Aussie's are SO MUCH FUN hahahah ❤️
We have an aussie who is 10 months old and i have been feeling everything you have!! Its so nice to hear someone be honest. The regression is real and we are struggling also. Hopefully it will get better eventually!!!
WE WILL MAKE IT THROUGH ❤️❤️ hahah
I just found your channel. Thank you so much for posting and sharing this. Our mini Aussie she’ll be 10 months on the 12. Making me feel so much better of not feeling alone in that. She’s getting there in her training. She didn’t start barking when people knocked or people walked on the sidewalk when she reached around 5 months old. But she doesn’t bark when go to petsmart she might whine when wants some pets from people we’re still working on walking in the store. I have 2 kids so it making me feel like I have 2 teenagers and a preteen in the house 🤣😂.
This was so incredibly validating for me to hear. I currently have a twelve week old Labrador/Golden Retriever rescue pup and I love him to bits but I’m also overwhelmed, exhausted, anxious, and just feeling like it’s hard to get through each day. While I know this puppy phase will pass it’s also so hard to not feel deeply alone in the moment. Thank you for sharing your own experience and helping me feel much less alone
I'm glad it was helpful in some way, you're definitely not along and it DOES get better!
This was so relatable, thank you for sharing. My Aussie acts the same way every once and awhile when, and I internalize the frustration and embarrassment. It’s sucks cause you know they can do better. Glad to hear I’m not the only one feeling this way when she acts out. Thank you for sharing!
🧡🧡 you're definitely not alone!
I have a bluetick coonhound (Luna), and everything your going through I went through a year ago myself and god was it hard. Between training more and as she got a little bit older and calmer she's been minding a lot more. I miss the puppy stage but not the teenager. Thank you for showing this to people who may be planning or wanting a dog because I was not prepared for the regression.
everyone talks about the puppy stage which is hard, but no one talks about the teenage phase and that's the age a lot of dogs are given up to shelters because they don't know about it and aren't prepared. :( so sad.
@@MyDriftingDesk Yeah I wish it was talked about more and told to owners that the dog has a teenage stage between like 7 months to 1 1/2 (it varied for us with the dogs) and it makes me sad for the pups that go to shelters because of it.
I was SO happy to see her get the roll over command! Thank you for showing the training process to her learning it!! Would definitely appreciate more videos that focus on showing the training process to her getting a new command she hasn't ever been taught yet.
I would LOVE to do more like that! I honestly wasn't expecting her to get that during the session lol. we've been working on it for SO long and I guess it just clicked lol. ❤️
Watching her learn roll over was so fun omg!! I was cheering for her the whole time
honestly SO cool that I got it on video lol. I didn't think it would click that day because we've been working on it for so long lol
Thank you so much for these vlogs. I plan on getting an australian shepherd myself in the next year or so and I been studying up on all the possible things that could go wrong (that are within practical reason). Your monthly pupdates really help me out in figuring out what it's like for a person (who is in a similar place in life as I am) to raise an australian shepherd in an apartment. I look forward to more pupdates!
I'm so glad they're helpful!! ❤️ having a puppy is the hardest but most rewarding thing you can do!!!
I NEEDED this video. I just got a 4/5 month old heeler mix. She's great but I've had her for a week and I definitely felt the puppy blues like YESTERDAY. Its so encouraging to listen to your experience and advice. I relate to a lot of what you said, especially because I feel you and I are trying to discipline our pups. I literally went to PetSmart today and did the same thing with her WOW. I'm not alone!!!
Can't wait for her 9 months 🥴
you are totally not alone lol. but it gets better!!! 💗
You're doing an amazing job with Freya, and I know it can be challenging sometimes, but just keep up your awesome work with her and stay consistent. It will get better!
🧡🧡🧡 thank you SO much
We 100% went through this with our aussiedoodle around 9 months and it was so rough 😂 we’re at 1 year now and things are not perfect but SO much better! Thank you for sharing your experiences with Freya, I also feel like not enough people talk about this and it can be so disheartening! You’re doing great and you will get through it!
LOOKING FORWARD TO 3 MONTHS FROM NOW hahahah ❤️
Unfortunately I can also relate to this- I’ve been training my German shepherd dog on leash walking for a couple months now and whenever I do, he does amazing and he listens perfectly but a few days ago I went to this field and we’ve been there many times before it seemed like all his training vanished- he was constantly pulling and everything and it was only me and him no one else, but it is nice to hear that other people go through this also with their dogs too.
I hope things have gotten better in the last 8 months !
So good to hear this, my puppy is 5 months and he is struggling with pulling and roll over, and jumping when he is excited starting to counter surf. But he is pretty good overall but he picks and chooses when he wants to be good haha
hahah it's definitely that time of the teenage phase lol. YAY
man, our very good boy is not so goodboy a lot of times too. it's hard training him because he's really not food motivated. sometimes, praise doesn't work either if he's too laser focus to whatever is distracting him.
and omg that is so funny because our dog knows roll over but over time got it confused with turn around. every time we ask him to roll over he would strut his butt in circles lol also your dog biting on her toy is so my aussie as well.
I want to echo the thank yous for being so honest about this. I have an 18 week old puppy that I don't have help with and the puppy blues come and go hardcore- especially right now because I feel like he's hitting an early teenage phase. I can't wait for him to be a couple years old!
❤️❤️❤️❤️ you'll get through it!!!
Hi! Idk why this came up in my feed 2 years after you posted it but I NEEDED IT! I have MAJOR puppy blues with my 8 month old pup. I totally resonate with feeling like you want nothing to do with them and feeling guilty for it. 😂 2 years later but thank you!
hahah honestly I'm so glad it STILL resonates with people haha. but it gets easier, I promise!
It is very very refreshing to see this. Our puppy is half Australian shepherd but her behavior is all Aussie! She just turned 1 year old and we feel like she’s completely forgot her training and she’s a puppy again. We are finding it SO much harder to re-train and my husband and I lose our patience so quickly. Thank you for sharing your experience!!
💗 you're definitely not alone and I'm looking forward to the day when I'll laugh at what we're going through now because it gets better!
I’m glad that I’m not alone! I have been having the exact experience with my Aussie who is the same age. Prayers for both of us girl. 😅
❤️❤️PRAYERS hhahah
I feel this girl. I have an Aussie/Collie mix that just turned 9 months. I rescued her a few months ago and put a lot of work into her and it seems this last 2 weeks she is someone else’s gremlin dog. She doesn’t listen, pulls, tears things up…Basically does whatever she wants all of a sudden. I feel so overwhelmed to make sure I keep her on track because, you’re right, it IS embarrassing when they act like they have no manners. Pray for me. Lol
I’m definitely praying!! This is harder than the puppy phase for sure. But it passes I promise!! 🫶🏼
My Boxer Lady drove me nuts the first two years!
Patience patience patience !!
You make everything Right.
I love your Videos 👍
Best regards from Germany 🍀
hahahah only 1.5 more years!!! ❤️
THANK YOU for showing the good and the bad! Of course, I don't own a dog or saying dogs are bad pets. They are one of the BEST and CUTEST pets to own! But it isnt a ✨perfect✨ world with them etheir. Most kids in my class that have pets are not well trained because their parents just give them to their kids without training them. I hope this shows people that even though they are great pets, they go through a teenager stage like us humans and arent perfect. I am 100% sure you will get though it and she will grow out of it :) 🐕
❤️❤️ omg OF COURSE!! I wish I saw more people talking about the bad before I got her. Maybe I wouldn't have thought I was a failure of a dog mom if I knew these things were NORMAL!!!
i’m so glad you said this. I also cried for a few months after I got my 8 week old aussie and wondered if I made the right decision. He is now also 9 months old and same behavior. I love him but it’s so so so so hard. And I get extremely embarrassed by his behavior ): Thank you for sharing
❤️❤️ you're definitely not alone in that feeling!
This is the realest puppy video I’ve seen. I still have these days sometimes with my mini Aussie. Thanks for sharing 💜
❤️❤️I feel like they'll never truly go away, but hoping for when they're far and few between hahaha ❤️
The things you talk about here is SO TRUE. It’s so hard, cause we have to pretend to not be angry with them, cause they don’t understand afterwards why we’re frustrated. My best advice is to kinda “step out of your own mind” and go autopilot. I did swimming with our Labrador, cause I couldn’t walk him, cause he was constantly pulling. It was indoor so I didn’t have to hold him, and he loved it and therefore we rebuilt our great relationship again❤️
I love that you found something that WORKED instead of just being defeated that one thing didn’t!!! Every dog is different & I agree, being upset with them isn’t going to help anything lol.
Finally someone who cried like I did over their puppy being difficult! My golden is 9 months old and great but these teenagers!! It's a lot. Its frustrating. We got this!
YUP!! literally all the time lol. WE GOT THIS! ❤️
Im a single guy with a 12 week old Aussie and this made me feel better. She can be so relentlessly bad sometimes and it tests my patience to 100%. I’ve gotten better knowing that I need to stay stress free and that she’s just learning. But god I wish I had some help sometimes I have nobody to hand her off to. Parents/sister are a few hours away and she’s too much to ask for a friend to do that. I know she’ll be good one day at least.
it definitely gets better. I PROMISE!! the puppy stage SUCKS hahaa. but aussies are the besstttt
My dog did this at her age (we didn’t know so we didn’t handle or train away from it) she calmed down and started listening better after she grew out of most of it only things that stayed are pulling on the leash and recall but we didn’t train much at all ever for that (since we thought she was “too old to train” which isn’t a thing) Freya will be great this is the hardest part but it gets better!! Sending love and calmer days to you! ❤️❤️
Almost forgot my dog didn’t bark until 9 months either maybe it’s a thing😅
oooh it may be a "maturity" thing and when they "find their bark" or something hahaha. weird that they both did it at 9 months!!
I so understand the mountain bike day scenario. Definitely overstimulation. Also, for the first year that I had my dog (adopted at 7 mos) he didn’t vocalize much. He turned 1.5 and suddenly started whining at every dog he saw and then suddenly it started in the car around 2 years old. He is about 2.5 now and we have minimized some of the whining but it is still a work in progress.
Honestly this was so refreshing to see. Thank you for sharing with us the good AND the bad of having a young dog haha. My boy is 10 months old, he's right in the middle of the teen phase and some things have been horrible and others have improved a lot. We got a front clipping harness and his pulling has decreased significantly. Now that we've been able to practice what a good walk should look like, I think I'm gonna slowly switch him to the collar from time to time and if he pulls, we'll switch to the harness again, so he understands he can't pull whether he's on harness, collar, or anything in between haha. On the other side, his need to protect our house and us has increased a lot. He loves people but he barks at anyone who walks in front of our house, so I'm starting to teach him to bring me a toy when he sees someone outside so his mouth and mind are occupied on something else haha. Ah the joys and challenges of teenage dogs. Best of luck!!
I actually just ordered her a front clipping one so we will see if that helps her too!! ❤️
Thank you so much for sharing the hard parts because I can relate with my Mini Aussie and I’m so glad that I’m not alone in the hard parts of training regression!
❤️❤️❤️ you're definitely NOT alone!
I'm so glad you made this video. You are putting my feelings into words and it's so refreshing to hear, I really appreciate it.
❤️❤️ I'm glad you could relate!
Glad to hear you share the bad things too. Aussies are hard. We transitioned to a mixture of balance and R+ training at 9 months and our aussie much better now at 1 year. Although the only issue with him was jumping and pulling on leash with friends. Just more exposure, no daycare or dog parks, break during play time. These are the things that has been helpful to give him structure.
we've been only R+ up until now, but with everything going on, we've been looking into other ways to help correct and train certain behaviors, so its good to hear that a balanced helped you at this stage!
Gentle lead. It works miracles. It takes a while to get used to but once they do, it is the best thing ever!
We haven’t used one before but know other people recommended it too!
I’m getting a puppy in 2 weeks and I have been following Freya’s updates all the time! Thanks for sharing your real experience on training your puppy! I’m sure Freya will get back on track as she gets older since just like human beings, there will be a time that dogs are in their “adolescence” phase and may regress in their training a little bit. I really believe in your training methodology which has been consistent with many other trainers I watch on UA-cam. You got this girl!
❤️❤️ thanks so much!!! how exciting for you!!! almost 1 week away!!!
I feel this, the exact same thing happened with my Aussie at 9 months. She is now 1 year 4 months and her training is slowly and surely coming together. Thanks so much for showing this side of dog training!!!
its a rough time, but every puppy goes through it and soon we will be over this! ❤️
Sending virtual hugs 🤗
I have a 9months golden doodle - the same struggles. Suddenly: jumping on people, trying to surf the table, crazy leash pulling when seeing a dog/person she knows, suddenly she started barking at cars especially in the evening from our window 😳....
And I get sooooo angry all the time 😤🙍🏼♀️ and so mad at her.. so mad at myself...
Trying to remind myself that this is a phase and it will get better, but the wait is killing me.
🧡🧡 It's a phase and it'll get better! we'll be laughing about this a year from now!!!
Thanks for talking honestly about the downs with the cute little fellas!!!
By day 5 I absolutely thought I had done the biggest mistake because NOTHING worked. He peed inside instead of outside, was biting my hands and knees and furniture. I had problems calming him down at night and struggled getting my work done during the day. In my mind I was either going to lose my job and apartment or had to give the dog away again. I felt like such a failure in life choices and was afraid to talk about it. :(
He got better step by step with a lot of work and is a little charmer now 4 months old. But I have the teenage phase still before me … wish me luck!
it gets better over time, but before it gets better, it gets worse hahahahha BUT WE GOT THIS!!!! ♥️ GOOD LUCK!
Thank you so much for sharing all of this! I have a 13 week old pup and I love him but it is hard. He does not respond to our older dog’s corrections and gets overexcited with all family members except for me and bites them way too hard. Even thinking to like a week ago he’s improving and he’s so so smart but it is so hard. The day after his vaccines we had to go back to the vet because a cotton face mask fell out of my back pocket and he swallowed it.
I appreciate you including the bad because a lot of days it really does feel like maybe I’m doing this wrong and maybe I’m failing him. Thank you for being so open about your experiences with her and know that this will pass! It will get better! It doesn’t make it any easier now, but that day will come. Good luck you two!!
you are definitely NOT failing him. puppies are HARD WORK!!!! especially if you're the one training, providing for, and caring for the puppy the majority or all of the time. ❤️
I understand your situation. My boyfriend has an Aussi the same age as yours and lately, we had the same problem with both our dogs getting overstimulated while playing with each other. It helps to start training them at the same time but make them do different commands and not look at each other while training. Also with the recall, we let them play for several minutes then walk separate ways and both recall the dogs, if they don't react we place them in a wait position for two or free minutes and then do training again. It helps with managing off-leash behavior with other dogs.
those are awesome tips, thank you!! ❤️
We are on our second Aussie, now (age of 19 months). Our first Aussie (passed at age 14) taught us how the first two years of an Aussie can be. What you are experiencing is not unusual. Stay firm (not mean) and consistent in what you do, and the dog will eventually outgrow these moments of regression.
❤️ praying for those days hahahah
heading into this phase with my chocolate lab puppy! starting to notice differences already, but I'm trying to keep her busy with training, walks, fetch, or activities. Thanks for all your advice. It so good to see other people going through this too.
you're definitely not alone! ❤️ it gets better!
My puppy is 6 months and acts exactly how you explained that Freya acts at 9 months. It's so frustrating everyday. You are definitely not alone with the puppy blues. Hang in there!
💖 WE got this!!!
OMG! THANK YOU so much for being so honest and open around puppystage! My border collie are seven months old and I feel exactly the same as you 🌟☺️
💗💗 you are NOT alone!
Thank you so much for this video. I thought I was the only one who felt they made a mistake. My poor Aussie has seen me cry so much. I love him so much but I have wondered if I should rehome him to be with someone younger. Thank you for sharing your adventure.
NOPE!!! ❤️ you are NOT alone!!!
You are not alone. We are going through the regression right now too and I get so embarrassed. I We are at 7 months and there are days that are great and then there are days that are so so bad, I feel like all the work we've done is nothing.
trying to remind myself that good days DO exist and the bad ones don't outweigh the good. ❤️ WE GOT THIS!
I’m going threw this right now. I have seriously considering giving Oden (my puppy) back to his breeder. He was so great until 2 months ago and now he is a crazy manic and I’ve been at a lost these past few months. So thank you for sharing.
its tough, no doubt! but it does get better!!! I promise!!! just push through! 🫶🏼
Omg I have a Vizsla who is 7.5 months. Regressing like none other just like Freya. You're not alone with needing alone time!
❤️❤️puppies are HARD work
You're doing a great job. One thing I'd suggust with the pulling... what seems to work best with my aussie is changing direction the moment there's tension on the leash. If he's not paying attention I change directions constantly until he pays attention to me.
we've definitely changed stuff up since this 9 month pupdate now that she's 11 months. we've been doing this too!
I'm glad you brought up Puppy Blues. It is a real thing.
Oh most definitely!!!
I know the puppy regression is very hard and I do expect it with my new pup but, my advice would be take a deep breath and take a step back and try to re teach anything she isn’t doing the best at. I know it’s frustrating to have to do that but I think chances are she still remembers how to do it she just needs a reminder and then she will say “ohhh that’s what you do I remember now” and it won’t be as challenging to teach. I remember the regression stage with my current dog and it’s not fun but it will end eventually and we need to remember that. You are an amazing dog mom and freya is growing to be a really good dog, just know not everything will go smoothly❤️
❤️ thanks so much!
I have a 14 month old dog and can definitely relate. Now that he’s a bit older he’s settling down more, but he still has these rebellious ‘hormonal’ days where he’s just crazy and ignoring me and not listening at all. It will get better I’m sure! Just keep practicing and have patience! You obviously spent a lot of time training her and it will definitely pay off!
YUP!! hahah It'll all pay off in the end! 🧡
I wish you knew how much I needed to hear / watch this video. Me and my 9mon old aussie (Sammy) have been going through the same things. We had a similar experience at an open space dog park where Sammy got away from me as i was switching him from a regular leash to the long line. However, the people weren't as kind as in your experience. This one woman, who also had a dog, was literally flailing her arms and jumping away when ever he ran by her. Usually at this park if they see a rouge puppy, they will grab the dogs collar till the owner came... Anyway, I was clearly upset after this experience I began to feel those puppy blues. Feeling like i failed in some way because he wouldn't come, wouldn't listen to commands or anything -__- but anyway, thank you for being so candid because it honestly felt like i was watching a day in the life of me and Sammy here. haha
🧡🧡🧡 you're doing AMAZING!!! raising a puppy is HARD WORK!
I think it’s important to remember that dogs do not generalize the behaviors they know. We need to work on the cues they know in environments that get gradually more difficult instead of going from 0 to 100. It’s hard because sometimes, to us, it doesn’t seem like a big jump, but dogs pick up on so many more details than us. I think it was probably just too big of a jump for her to go from quick farmers market trips/Trek trips to a full day with tons of stimuli and being expected to behave in a calm way. It sounds like she was probably way overstimulated/hyper-aroused. Training can feel so frustrating sometimes, and you’re doing great!
oh for sure. Definitely my fault entirely and I realized after the fact. in the moment I was just like "what the heck?!" but nothing like a little teenage angst haha.
Not looking forward to the teenage phase!! Again! Regression is totally normal. She’s feeling out her independence. You set a fabulous foundation and she will eventually level out. ❤️
I feel like 8-16 weeks are hard because it’s a baby puppy. 4-7 months are honeymoon awesome so smart good days. Then 7-12 is when your dog starts saying “Make Me”. Behave? She says, But I’m an adult now too why do you know best? I feel you so hard in this video.
YUP hahaha all of that is SO true lol
Thank god you put this video up! I was wondering if someone had replaced my 7month old puppy with another or something. One day he is such a good, listening dog and the next day boom, he's just totally unbehaved, like he hadn't had any training ever! So frustrating!
LITERALLY switched at the dog park or something hahahah.
My dad surprised me with a whippet puppy and I’m getting him in the 15th and I’m so determined to train him and this video has encouraged me and like made me understand puppies wayyyy more:) Freya is beautiful
awww omg how fun!!! 🧡
I know how you exactly feel! If it makes you feel better, my pup pulled so hard on the leash at PetSmart when I was checking out because she saw a dog,. The leash slipped out of my hand and she ran towards the dog to greet him. There was so many witnesses/people waiting in line and I was so embarrassed.
If you can, I would definitely recommend taking her to some puppy classes. We didn't think we needed it for our Aussie because we already taught her a lot of basic commands, but it was really useful to get her to act calm around other dogs without greeting them. And they gave us some helpful tips and methods we hadn't really read about before!
Something we found useful for leash pulling is, instead of stopping, we turn around when we there's about to be tension and walk the other direction and treat when she follows. I feel like it works for us way better than waiting for her to stop pulling.
we are looking into training places now to see if we can get some help through this phase, so I'm hoping it'll help!! also thanks for the leash pulling tip!! I'm going to try that next time to see if that helps! ❤️
Get some mighty patches!! They are great! While they don’t always get rid of a pimple they always reduce the irritation and redness in them making them less noticeable!!
ooh I've never heard of them! thank you! ❤️
OMG, I needed that video, thank you for talking about that. Did not know the term puppy blues, but I feel that too some days, especially today.
❤️❤️ it's SO real and it's hard for sure. but it gets better!
UGH THANK YOU FOR THIS HONESTY!! 🙌😭 puppy blues are so so real! I have a 6 month old Aussie atm and I definitely felt exactly how you did at the beginning. I love watching your vids and kinda following along and seeing where my lil guys gonna be in a few months. Love your vids, you guys are awesome and we’re cheering you on from over here!! 💗
❤️❤️ it's all a phase that we'll laugh at a year from now, that's what I keep telling myself lol.
My puppy is 8 months old and I’m dealing with the regression and teenage adolescence, too. It’s brutal!
it really is!! but it gets better! ❤️❤️ that's what I keep telling myself lol
This is Kiwi's mama from Instagram! :) We're going through similar things right now lol. I've heard it's 100% normal for teenagers to get over-stimulated, even in environments they used to be chill in. Also heard that during the teenage phase, at least until one year, it's better to just have them in easy environments working on reinforcing their cues before moving into more challenging situations again. It's insanity lol. Kiwi has these moments where I tell her a cue, she 100% registers it but looks at me and thinks "Do I really want to do this?" You can see the entire thought process in her eyes!
thats the WORST!!!! like I would rather her just ignore me than look at me know what to do and CHOOSE NOT TO hahahahha little devil.
I'm so excited for every video you upload I absolutely adore these. And also oh my goodness they grow up so fast!! :')
❤️❤️ omg thank you so much!
@@MyDriftingDesk ^^
When my Great Dane was about 7 months old, if you weren’t careful when opening the door to go outside she would burst by you and take off running! When she was that age we lived in Military housing on base. Everyone in the neighborhood knew who she was because she got out so much and we always had to chase after her. When walking her and she saw another dog she would drag me to go see the other dog! There were a few times where her leash got tangled on my wrist (I would always wrap her leash around my hand a few times to get a better grip since she was much stronger than me at that age) and she would either pull me down or drug me a few feet across the ground. Ended up in the ER quite a bit because she was so powerful! Eventually as she got older she stopped doing that. It just took her a little while.
oh noooo. I couldn't imagine with a Great Dane hahah. sometimes Freya pulls so hard and is so strong for me!
I feel you on the barking behaviour!! My 8 month mini just started barking after being mute for the first 7months lol (huge struggle). We’ve found putting our lil guy in any command he does reliably and pushing a treat under his nose helps. Every time a pause in barking treat etc. It’s not all resolved but it’s gotten A LOT BETTER.
It's like they don't find their voice until around 8-9 months hahah
as someone who used to run, i commend you for your training persistence and overall ethics when it comes to having a puppy..... so many dogs will chase you as runner and it makes one think " god, people cant train their dogs for shit." fun fact: this is why i am afraid of most dogs...... also, i had a dog growing up and all i had to do was lift my finger up and she would stop whatever she was doing that I didnt like.......( she was also a retriever and they tend to be very loyal companions to their owners).
❤️ retrievers are such cuties and AWESOME family pets!
I don’t know how close you are with the other dog owner, but something that was super helpful for me for recall with my puppy, I use a short lead and a carabiner and attached her to my older dog who has perfect recall. Whenever I called them back, my older dog would automatically come back and because they’re attached puppy would also have to come back. It allowed her to have more freedom without the fear of her not coming back and helped teach her better recall
But one Aussie mom to another, it gets better! It sucks but it is 100% worth it. My girl is almost 4 now and she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. She was an impossible hellion until about 2 years and now she’s the best dog I could ask for.
what a great idea honestly!! thank you SO much!!!