u/ellereddit123

Preface: I've puppy-sat a few times before and I'm aware that puppies are notoriously difficult, which is to be expected when you're new to the world. I've also done a lot of research prior on puppy behaviour and training but I am, obviously, a novice.

I'm watching my cousin's puppy for a week while she's on vacation and I feel like I'm going to have an anxiety attack. I think I'm posting this more for support than anything, because I've read through tons of articles, watched YouTube videos, and a bunch of Reddit posts for help.

This puppy is quite the little terror. He constantly bites and tugs at my clothes. I believe sometimes he's signalling me to potty and I take him out, and sometimes , he's just tired. But sometimes, it seems it's just for the love of the game. Other than taking him out when he does this (or nap time), I've tried:

• Going into another room when he starts and staying for a little bit. He'll walk away and come back to biting a little bit after I come out
• Redirecting to his favourite toy. Works for half a second and then he doesn't care and goes back to biting my clothes.
• Simply ignoring him for a loooooong time. He doesn't care.

Second, he barks whenever people are leaving their unit. I live in a Condo. I understand this is a semi-new environment for him (I've watched him for a day a couple times before this), but I don't want to disturb my neighbours. Currently trying:

• Redirecting with a toy
• Playing white noise really loud and keeping him on the opposite of the room. He still manages to hear (or smell?) them coming and going

Third, is the leash behaviour. This one I'm not too, too concerned about because I know it takes time, but it is really hard to stop him from tugging on the leash to go where he wants to go. I've tried all the usual methods that I've seen.

• Standing in place and not moving until he settles
• Constantly going the opposite direction of where he's tugging

He also hates when I try to even put the leash on him and occasionally tries to bite it.

All this to say, I'm wondering if I'm going to survive the 6 days I have left. It's only been 1.5 days so far and I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack.

Also, forgot to mention, indoors, I've tried to do some training to tire him out, as well as given him frozen cucumbers for teething.

Edit: 5 month old puppy