Psycho Doggie
Sam can be the sweetest friendliest pup and playing with his toys. Then his puppy biting comes into play and he's nipping after your ankles,pants legs, shoes, and what have you. Most times now he is responding to a yelp and then back turned. But it has to be by the individual he is after that has to be the"yelper". If that made any sense... if he is after my son and I yelp since my son is not effectively doing a good job at it....he won't respond as though he would if it were me he was nipping and I did the yelp. So now my problem... on a few occasions... during one of these nipping sessions.. and he doesn't respond to yelping or "no", or "stop", and he is an an aggresive way...I go to get him off a child or pick him up to put him in pen and you'd think he snapped into a maniac pit bull. Growling and twisting to get at ya and snapping and biting. And of course I am trying not to get bit in the face by him cause he has no direction. Just a maniac. Once in his pen/safe domain- he settles down. Which the kids are instructed to just leave him alone. Today is the first time he actually cried afterwards without having to go out. What the heck is that all about? And like that has to stop now. He is 9 weeks. |
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| He's still very young so you should be able to deal with this effectively at this age.
If he is doing the maniac thing, which is disconcerting, try to use the scruff of the neck. His mom would have disciplined him by biting the scruff of his neck. Just firmly hold him by the scruff while you tell him "no bite" in a firm voice. On the flip side, you can scruff him and in a gentle voice say "settle". That action will get his attention rather effectively. You can also do the alpha thing by placing him on his side and holding him in that position until he lays still. At this age and size it should be easy for you to pick him up and place him down on his side. Remember that when you move a young pup you should be gentle. No bodyslamming of puppies. A nice controlled motion and a firm hold just above the shoulders and before the hips to get him under control. |
Jasper was the same way when he was about that age. As a matter of fact, he bit my youngest son so deep that he had to get liquid stitches on his face. But now, he's an angel dog and hardly ever nips. Our big problem now is him jumping on people, mainly because he's knocking the boys over. They just laugh at him right now, but I know he's going to get a lot bigger before they do.  |
| Clyde has slowly grown out of his jumping. What really helped was meeting new people at the dog park. It seemed to get him used to the excitement of it all. |
| I agree with Maxmm. The method we have used is to force the puppy onto his side ( gently but firmly) and hold him there talking calmly until
the pup relaxes and then praise. At this young age it should be fairly easy to do and will benefit you all, since it will let the pup know you are in control. When Tucker was little we went through a spurt of slight aggression with him only he was a little older and bigger. We told him no, put him onto his side, and waited. Do not give in until the dog is quiet and calmed. Then praise him and give him your release command and let him up. Eventually he will realize the praise comes with calm and that he won't get up until you release him. Just make sure you do not hurt the puppy. Better to do this while he is still small and manageable. 
Shellie |
| I hate to be someone who just read a book and keeps "spouting it" but it does sound like he has some "role confusion". He's being alpha and needs to learn that is not his role. Read The Dog Listener: Learn How to Communicate with Your Dog for Willing Cooperation, by Jan Fennell.
Sorry to sound like the prophet of a new religion but I have had dogs for 40 years and read lots of training books and this one makes more sense than any book I've ever read.  |
| I am doing the alpha thing. The first few times he was fighting it naturally. But now he is settling down even quicker. And I am using the "settle" command. However, he's doing great at housebreaking though.
I am only down one shirt and 2 pairs of workout pants with ankle holes. Who'd figure at 39 y/o I have to tie my laces into double bows. 
But, I have total confidence that this too will pass..lol I am definately going to get The Dog Listener: Learn How to Communicate with Your Dog for Willing Cooperation, by Jan Fennell. I see alot of people favor that as a great book. Will it also work on kids?  |
Actually, YES!!!!! I thought while reading it that many of the techniques were applicable.  |
| If you are planning on buying the book, don't forget that there is a link to where you can purchase it; here on the website. OES.org will get a commission ifyou buy it from the link. |
| The alpha roll is not working............ |
| Lauri you're freaking me out!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll say prayers. |
| I am trying not to get discouraged. My arms are stinging from the welts of the scratches from my my attack session about 15 min ago.
Everytime he settles from an alpha roll- he just gets back up and starts again. When you go to turn your back and walk away.. your ankles and legs get it from behind. And it starts all over. It usually results in me grabbing him by the scruff and under his hind legs with him facing forward and holding him till I get him to the pen while he twists and growls at me. So tonight I actually put him on the chain in the yard after this session. Boy what a rude awakening that was. He had no idea what hit him. and he sat perplexed and puzzled. Shortly after he was crying. I went out and he sat and greeted me with a dollface. Layed at my feet while I took chain off. Picked him up no problem and he had kisses. I rewarded him with good boy in a darling mickey mouse voice that I think we have all used and gave him a treat. Please tell me something is sinking in just a little bit. |
| I am not sure what you mean by alpha roll............ But you won't assert yourself as alph through force. I hate to sound like a broken record but you really might benefit from "The Dog LIstener". Sounds like you have your hands full!!! Good Luck! |
Lauri717 - Please don't get discouraged!! I know it seems a bit bleak right now, but it does get better. It sounds like you're experiencing a lot of the same behaviour I went through with Beaureguard. He's just 5 1/2 months now and it really is MUCH better. He was very assertive in trying to be Alpha.  I joked for awile that every morning we both woke up deciding to be in charge that day - some days I won and some days he did. Most of the time he was sweet as sugar...giving kisses and cuddly. Then, he'd have an "episode" where it seemed he was possessed!! Everything I wore had holes from the knees down and from my wrists to my elbows from his nipping. Obedience class helped tremendously.  He's still not quite a perfect puppy....he does have moments when he still trys to be the boss...but it's worlds away from where we were two months ago. Hang in there! It does get better!! |
| Laurie717- I also have to echo what Beauregard's Mom said, Hang in there, things will ease up. Max was very similar to your Sam, he is now almost 17 weeks old and the episodes are not as often, maybe one a day. I lost a pair of pants and I have a sweatshirt that has holes in the arms, which I still wear, just in case. I'm 39 too, and I miss wearing my cute clothes!! His daily episode usually doesn't last long, and I'm not suffering as many nips. He does wonderfully around people and dogs he meets, and has just started his puppy classes, so things do get better!!
Sharon |
| I was reading what integra wrote under "my OES is a terrible biter". I specifically tried growling since I am running out of actions that actually get a response from Sam.
This one actually worked like a charm. Behind my house are two Rottweilers the size of small elephants. All one of then has to do is let out the softest woof (which is deep), and SAM trips himself hightailing it off to the deck. But he does return so he is not totally petrified. Well, when my morning attack began today I gave one roll that was useless. Then leaned right down about 2 feet fro mhis face and growled nice and loud. Holy cow- did he back off fast. And he did come right back to my feet, but barked and never touched me. I actually got across my lawn also without being attacked. Now he tried it lightly again on me and then one of the kids. And backed off immediately to a growl. And right now he is just following around like a cute puppy and not biting anyone.
Of course there is still tomorrow morning. |
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