Not so cute habits

Question
Hello,

I have a 1 1/2 year old Puggle, that I've had since she was around 8 weeks old.  I am having a really hard time with her, and my husband has completely given up.  Everything started inside the home where she began chewing the corners of the cabinets off, the window sill, the blinds, etc.  She was absolutely impossible to potty train, taking her out several times a day, giving her treats, etc. - she still would continue to go in the house, and even in her cage at night.  We stopped allowing her to eat or drink a few hours before she went to bed, but regardless she would always go in her cage. My husband could not handle this, so she is now in the garage.  I take her out several times a day, play with her, etc. However, when in the garge without me (mind you we have another dog we leave out there for her to play with as well) she has started to dig holes in the drywall.  There are probably around 8 holes in the wall now.  She has FINALLY stopped going potty in her cage, however, when she is loose in the garage she simply goes on the floor. She is absolutely the most hyper dog I have ever seen in my life, when she comes out of her cage in the morning or whenever she is locked up it is like a wild bull.  You can barely get the leash on her, she barks with a high pitch bark repeatedly, she jumps and scratches you, and is so excited. I honestly do not know what to do.  I love her to death, and tell her not to jump, tell her no to things, tapped her butt, yelled at her, etc. Nothing works. She just looks at me and wags her tail. I know she is smart, and I know she has the ability to be a great dog, however, it's getting to that point. Any suggestions?

Answer
Your smart hyper active dog needs training and significant level of physical and mental stimulation. Obedience and agility training will teach you to communicate so the dog understands what you want. The agility training will improve the hyper activity by makingher exercise (play) until the dog is ready to call it quits for a while and rest.  its good you have a 2nd dog to help the puggle socialize.

Potty training routine includes 1st AM, last PM, and immediately before and after eating, as well as regular times inbetween.  I mention that since you did not mention feeding time routine.
Dog is not allowed inside until it goes potty.

Chewing is normal for a puppy, but can be quickly stopped by providing the proper chew toys and using bitter tasting stuff on furniture and other items. We use lemon juice, direct from the little plastic lemons. A quick squirt in the mouth or puttint it on items the dog chews than encouraging the dog to chew. Opps, ugly taste, dog learns not to chew stuff that tastes bad.

All this has been posted to earlier questions and in our book and DVD. (except potty training because there are hundreds of books on that topic.

Regards,
Henry Ruhwiedel
www.dogkennel.org