Help with understanding a 6-month old puppy

[kdriver08]

I was wondering if you guys can offer me some guidance. My last French Mastiff (Jake) was an angel. He was obedient, loving, calm and protective. We couldn't have asked for a better dog. Unfortunately we had to put Jake down after 8 years in January because he had cancer. We ended up getting a new male French Mastiff from a different breeder and this puppy is a nightmare! He is the total opposite of Jake. I know its unfair to compare the two but because my husband and I don't have experience with a bad puppy, we are puzzled. Cooper (our new puppy) is just always looking to get into trouble, likes to disobey us (for example, when he is told to stay he roams away), still poops in the house even thought is KNOWS outside is where he goes, likes to torment the cat, etc. I'm trying to convince my husband that we should have him neutered (Jake wasn't but we were afraid he would "change" and he was so perfect the way he was). Cooper on the other hand may really benefit from it. My husband is reluctant to get this done (must be a male thing!) but yet complains about the problems with Cooper. Any help? Is this dog just a huge problem OR (like I think), he is just a typical puppy.

FYI - We spend time training him but he doesn't seem to care if we are mad or happy.

 

[Renee]

Oh, he's getting ready to become an adolescent puppy, lol. Just hang in there, try to be patient, and keep working with him. Repetition, keeping him amused, and wear his happy little butt out as much as possible and this, too, shall pass.

I would strongly advise you to wait until he is at LEAST 24 months old before considering neutering. These big dogs need to be allowed to get their full skeletal size and their growth plates solid before neutering.

 

[moose]

I deff agree with everything Renee had to say, expecially with the nutering! Honestly it sounds just like my moose (bordeaux) he just turned 7 months of trouble and my moms bordeaux crete who is about the same age. Just keep the training up, wear him out, and keep your eyes on him cause they now when your not watching!

 

[Renee]

Oh, and when he's in full-tilt adolescent gear, be prepared for the "I can't see you I'm not looking at you so I can't hear you" tactic for ignoring your calls.

It passes. Kharma wrote the book on that when she hit about 7 months old (she was precocious, lol), but I could not ask for her to have turned out any more perfectly for me than she is