Just being a puppy!?
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| When mine was a puppy he loved to play and use his teeth. The"NO!" didn't work, and the loud "ouch!" only seemed to instigate him. I just started to grab his snout, close his mouth and say no. I still have to do this with him sometimes, but he does know he shouldn't bite, even if its during play. He'll cock his head at me after and then come in with his tongue. |
hmm, my husband does that. I don't want to use my hands to discipline her. Seems like if I do that, she just want to bite them more. I am trying to figure out if this is puppy behavior, or beginning of agression. I also read in a book that you can act like the momma dog, and if she bites, growl at her and take her by the scruff and give her a shake. I can immagine doing that when she is 50 lb in a few months.  Thanks for the advice! I appreciate it! |
| Marley,
I would avoid any amount of physical punishment. I'm sure you did not spoil Mopsey already - and even so - a spoiled dog doesn't mean an aggressive/misbehaved dog. I don't think the behavior you described could be considered "aggression" at this point. However, if it isn't controlled, it could certainly turn into such. Be very careful how you handle this - it could mean all the difference in the world. I would first suggest that you enroll Mopsey in a positive reinforcement training class - where she can socialize with other puppies and learn some manners! I would not smack her in the mouth (although I understand that sometimes that is instinct and automatic response). Please try and avoid grabbing her by the collar (like you described your husband doing). She may take this as a threat - and will defend herself. You need to teach her that you are alpha - but teach her in a way that she wants to be with you - you provide her with everything she needs (food, treats, love, attention). You don't want her to become fearful or threatened. Try and get her to do something - rather than not do something. For example: if she is playing rough and nipping - instead of saying "NO". Try telling her to sit (use treats) and once she sits - reward her. That way - you are stopping her from misbehaving - but avoiding using the word "NO". If she continues to bite - scream OUCH - and once she stops - reward her good behavior. YOu can reward her with treats - or with praise and attention. If she still bites - stop what you are doing - and ignore her (don't show her any attention what so ever - because any attention positive or negative is what she is looking for). Although alot of puppies "nip" - they should not be biting and showing any signs of aggression. Playing often involves nipping - but biting when grabbed by the collar would concern me. Please be sure to "nip this in the bud" (no pun intended). Please feel free to email me privately if you have further questions! Kristen |
| Maybe Keep her leash on at all times for a while so the leash is doing the disciplining, and there's always a ready handle other than the collar (which is really a part of her).
She has to learn that come means COME, that disobeying isn't an option, and as a part of this training, an attached leash works wonders. JMHO |
Thank you all so much for all your advice! I agree that hitting  either children or animals is just not the answer. I will not do it again. I was kind of ashamed to admit it to you all, even though it was not hard at all, (did it twice) it was not the solution. I don't want her to be afraid of us, I want her to love and respect us. So, I am going to follow your advice, Kristen. I am enrolling her in the puppy class as soon as she has all her shots, which should be on Thursday. I hope I have not scarred her.  I am also going to do the positive reinforcement: distract her from the negative behavior with the positives. I tried putting a leash on her, Ron, and my kittens chase it around the house! So, I will do it when we are outside and let her just drag it around. She is improving. I keep forgetting that she is only 11 weeks because she is getting so big. I give her praise all the time, give her treats when she follows a command, and when she starts chewing on us or something inappropriate, I give her her chew toy and praise her. Learned all that from you guys! You have been great help! |
| Try to keep treats with you at all times. Doesn't have to be a lot, just little pieces to use as bait or a reward. I am learning in dog show handling class that we are to use bait/treats wherever we want to guide the dog, rather than to steer him with a lead and collar.
Maybe when she's being stubborn outside you can use a piece to guide her into your house. Relate it with the word Come. Only use the word come with a happy voice, not a frustrated, angry voice. Once she comes to you on command, just praise her like crazy so she will associate her coming to you as a delightful experience. |
| Don't beat yourself up over it, she'll be fine!
Each dog who we are lucky enough to share our lives with for however long a time is different, each is a learning experience too! |
Thanks Willow. I guess you senced that I was upset over this. I was, felt like a loser doing something I knew was never gonna work. We live and we learn, right? She is doing better. Listens more, and for the past day or so no biting or nipping! I got a little belt pouch to keep treats in. She is very smart and learns fast. Now I am teaching her the names of all her toys! She was out most of the day yesterday and I guess she ate some grass cause she pooped green.  I called the vet just in case, he said it was fine. Today, all good poops. And she held it all night and went in the morning! I am so proud!!!!  Again, thanks all of you for your good advice! What would I do without you! |
marley wrote: Thanks Willow. I guess you senced that I was upset over this. I was, felt like a loser doing something I knew was never gonna work. We live and we learn, right? She is doing better. Listens more, and for the past day or so no biting or nipping!
I got a little belt pouch to keep treats in. She is very smart and learns fast. Now I am teaching her the names of all her toys! She was out most of the day yesterday and I guess she ate some grass cause she pooped green. I called the vet just in case, he said it was fine. Today, all good poops. And she held it all night and went in the morning! I am so proud!!!! Again, thanks all of you for your good advice! What would I do without you!Marley, You have not scarred Mopsey! You shouldn't feel bad about it - it happens! I've done the same thing. Like I said, it's almost instinctual. I whacked Presley in the middle of the NEOESR picnic last year - surrounded by 100+ people and their sheepies! It was automatic. She started a fight and I smacked her (not hard) on the butt. I felt horrible afterwards - but it was an automatic reaction. You are doing great! Everyone could use some advice / help raising a puppy! I wasn't trying to be "scolding" in my post - I hope you didn't take it that way. I was just giving my suggestions (which may be helpful - may not be - the final decision is yours). I'm not an expert by far - but I've had a lot of experience with sheepie puppies - that's why I offered some advice. I've done a lot wrong - believe me! But - I always say Learn Once, Teach Twice - so if something I have learned can help someone else - I want to share that experience. Kristen |
Kristen, in no way did you sound scolding! I trully appreciate your advice! It is good and seems to work with my little furball. She is doing much better now that I have started distracting her with good things she can do as you suggested. That is why I come to this forum, everyone has the dog's best interests at heart. Sometimes the posts "sound" harsher then they were meant to, but I really don't take it that way. With no intonation and body language words can be interpreted the wrong way. But like I said, I really, really appreciate all the advice given to me. If I ask for your opinions, I take them all into consideration and don't take things personally. As I read through the topics and your posts they are always most helpful, well informed, and just wonderful. Lately, as I speak to my husband, I have been referring to many of the people of this forum as my "forum friends". Its really a wonderful thing. I am so thankful to Ron that he has started such a great thing! Its really to bad that we live so far away from each other. It would be good to get together and meet one another on a personal level and see our sheepies play together. Anyone who is not too far from Brooklyn, NY is welcome to come and visit.  |
| Hi Marley,
You've received some great advice on here and it's nice to have this forum if even just to vent and everyone on here can sympathize, relate to the situation or offer support. With young pups if they get too carried away and bite a litter mate the one being hurt will let out a yelp. Mother dog usually comes over to investigates and breaks it up. Really well socialized dogs will stop rough housing if the other dog yelps as they know they've played a bit rough. What's always worked best for me is either give a yelp if the dog has grabbed my hand too hard or say no ...Then always offer an alternative. They eventually get what's acceptable. Good luck to you and I hope you do take some kind of obedience training ..well Mopsy I mean..as you sound like you listen well already. (slaps self for bad attempt at humor) 
Sounds like you will find what works best for Mopsey and best of luck to you! |
| Heh, he he, Marianne! I thought you made a good "funny"! I am going to get her enrolled into puppy school. Thankfully, here in NYC we have many different ones. Must investigate and visit a few first. |
| jack has a similar mannerism. he will act as though he is ready to bite you, snap at some air, then come in and lick you to death. beats the heck out of his nipping phase. |
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