We have an 8 month old pup that seems hyper and is mouthy. We just took a beginning obedience class but pup does not seem to focus on us very well. She was "the one" the trainer had to spend extra time with to get to do the exercises we were practicing in class, I say she acts like she has ADHD. A lot of time we could not get her attention and focus to do the tasks we were working on. From reading on this forum some, it actually sounds like she might be a normal pup.

The trainer said to put her in “doggie boot camp” at home, meaning to make her earn everything. She said to take her out of crate 5-10 minutes a day several times a day and work with her (to get her to focus on the human). She said to hand feed her (take a handful and wait for the pup to look at us in the eye and say yes or yes and click and let her eat it – continue with all her meals this way for awhile; She can come out for walks, exercise, but if we aren’t working with her, to keep her in the crate.

Does this sound like solid advice?

This is the first puppy we've owned. It was my idea to get a pup so we could raise her with our cats(so she wouldn't try to chase/eat them) I think we did a bad thing and got her from someone we found through the internet. I had been looking at the websites for the local animal shelters but we wanted a young dog or pup (so we would have many years together) and wanted a medium-large dog and one that would be kid (we have a 7 yr old) and cat(2 cats) friendly and were having a hard time finding the right fit. Unfortunately most of the dogs at the shelter seem to be pit mix and I did not want that breed, so being ignorant, we resorted to the internet. Next time we'll try a rescue organization or breeder. We got the pup at 9 weeks old. We think she is a Sheltie mix (based on the markings and size, stance etc)- the person we got her from said she was Husky-Golden Retreiver which she is definitely not! She has the Sheltie markings, ears stand, but does not have that long fluffy hair.

We didn’t take her out around other dogs very much when was younger because she didn’t have all shots until was about 6 mo old and didn’t want expose her. She is a great dog acts friendly and submissive to others we’ve encountered (hunkers down, puts ears down, wags tail profusely, acts very excited- happy) The trainer said we didn't socialize her enough (part of her acting hyper - trainer said she doesn't know what to do with herself)

One time in class she was acting like a spaz, the trainer put her on her side and kept petting and touching her all over till she calmed down and was submissive. Trainer said if we had handled her this way when she was younger she may not be so hyper now.

Pup has never had free run of the house. She noses into everything, tries to chew or mouth everything or tries to climb on furniture, or puts paws on table or counter tops. (from reading here, at 8 months sounds like maybe normal pup behavior) I have tethered her to me since she was little. I've attached the leash to my ankle and walk around the house with her so she had to go where I go, or we used to attach her leash to something, so she may have had a 6’ or 12’ radius when out of her crate. I thought we were cooping her up if we kept her in the crate too much. The trainer said this is making her more frustrated than just letting her be in the crate. Is it possible to have her in crate too much? She willingly goes in crate and most of time is quiet when in crate.

She does not focus, listen,(trying to teach commands - has sit and down pretty well) She chases own tail, she is mouthy, (but has never snapped or growled, isn’t food possessive at all) we use a gentle leader (or else she pulls, she is strong, about 45 lbs)we walk her the correct way (by side, not in front). In the past month, she has started to jump at cars when they drive by. The trainer said it’s the herding instinct kicking in. She also barks at neighbors if outside, pulls on leash as if she wants to go to them. I try telling her no, ‘shh-shh’, but it doesn’t seem to work. If we are out walking, she has acted shy to people, has tried to hide behind me. She seems timid outside, strange noise or object will make her want to run into house.Always slept in crate at night in living room, been fed in crate most of time also. She was just spayed about 3-4 weeks ago and it only slowed her down for about 1&1/2 weeks and she is back to her old hyper self now.
Any advise/comments would be appreciated.

Hi and welcome to the forum. First... how much exercise is this puppy getting? Real exercise - not just walking on a leash? Can't wait to see a pic of your pup!

Welcome!! I'd love to see a picture, too

The good news is it sounds like you've got a normal, active teenage pup on your hands in fact she sounds much like my youngster was when I adopted her at 9 m/o. Right down to the ADHD part! Yes, if you had begun training earlier, some of these things might not be issues now. But it's nothing that can't be fixed with consistent training on your part

Are you familiar with marker training? If not I'd start by reading the articles here on marker training - or getting the DVD which is really good!

Group classes sound like they're waaaaay to much distraction for her right now. What she needs is short, highly rewarding sessions in a low distraction area - like your living room at home. Once she is solid in this sort of environment you can start adding in distractions but very slowly

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The trainer said to put her in “doggie boot camp” at home, meaning to make her earn everything. She said to take her out of crate 5-10 minutes a day several times a day and work with her (to get her to focus on the human). She said to hand feed her (take a handful and wait for the pup to look at us in the eye and say yes or yes and click and let her eat it – continue with all her meals this way for awhile; She can come out for walks, exercise, but if we aren’t working with her, to keep her in the crate.

Yes, this is good advice. But be sure to give her plenty of structure exercise and training. I'd also use something like kongs in her crate that you can stuff with food to keep her busy and quiet there.

But what I'd also try to do is tether her to you for periods of time in the house. Perhaps when you are sitting down working on the computer or watching TV. Just let her learn how to be with you and be calm. Keep a pocket full of kibble or treats and mark and reward her calm behavior.

Anyways, just some suggestions to get started with!

Mara, the pup has been being tethered:

"I have tethered her to me since she was little. I've attached the leash to my ankle and walk around the house with her so she had to go where I go, or we used to attach her leash to something, so she may have had a 6’ or 12’ radius when out of her crate."

Something tells me this pup could benefit from being exercised several times a day prior to having her quiet time in her crate... What are your thoughts? So often, when we see pups who can't concentrate on anything or are constantly chewing, etc... we find they have tons of pent up energy and don't know what to do with it!

And ditto on everything you said!

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Mara, the pup has been being tethered:

Oops - I missed that

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Something tells me this pup could benefit from being exercised several times a day prior to having her quiet time in her crate... What are your thoughts? So often, when we see pups who can't concentrate on anything or are constantly chewing, etc... we find they have tons of pent up energy and don't know what to do with it!

Yup, I agree - find an outlet for her energy and drive - preferably something that involves you! Ball and tug are great interactive games. Walks and some jogging are good, just be careful about jogging her too long or on hard surfaces such as asphalt at this age.

Marker training will also help tire her out. She sounds like a smart dog and mental exercise really helps to tire those smart dogs out. Start with basic OB and then the sky is the limit.