16 weeks old puppy: many questions
There is some maturing noticed, but questions are multiplying and multiplying... Will be grateful for sharing your experience with me. 1. How to teach "leave it" or "that's enough" command? For example, when you are busy and puppy is begging for attention (and my puppy has all attention in the world) and nipping, or bringing toy, then nipping to get attention. Frothy does have lot's of exercise, started on obedience classes, get's lot's of in and outside house play When it comes to "stuff" it's easier, we are rewarding her every time she drops it, or gives it. Hoping she will get it  2. "Crazies" It's becoming difficult to handle. Especially for my parents. At some point of play, or coming back home from walk, or before/after pooping, or after training.... something like mega nuke explosion happens in her head. She starts running like crazy, periodically flying towards you with open piranha mouth, biting (more nipping, not really biting). Usually not strong, but enough to hurt somebody. No commands working, nothing.  We afraid she can hurt herself as well, she is jumping so high! We, usually, were getting her on hands and we carried her to the closed space, where she rests. She calms down momentarily, usually falling asleep. But!!!!! She is not only getting super fast, so its getting difficult to interrupt this, but also... she is very heavy to carry (will weight her tomorrow, but she seems to be around 35 lbs already). I still can carry her, but my Mom can't, and that's not an option for the future ))Hold on the collar? It's more like dragging, since she resists and I do not want her develop reaction, when somebody is touching collar (I had it with my sheeppie whom we had for almost 14 years...) What to do in those situations? Those explosions happen once or twice a day. What do you do?!!!! How to calm puppy down to interrupt this? 3. Do you glue bowl with water to the floor in your house? Or do you nail it? Frothy is playing with it, turning it upside down, sliding it, etc. I tried 4 models already. How to deal with it?  4. Our trainer favors clicker. What is your opinion about clicker? So far we are on "charge the clicker" stage. Thank you very much!  |
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| Rotflmbo. You've just described a 16 week old puppy to a T. I'm going to let others handle the questions as to how to deal with this...I'm going to my corner and continue to LOL. |
| Oh my goodness I laughed at this!! We also have a 16 week old puppy and I know what you mean. As for the 'zoomies' as I call them, for Gracie it is a sign that she is tired, well, overtired, really. Make sure you are giving your puppy enough time to nap during the day. They might look big but they are still very young. As for the 'leave it' command, just keep at it. We are working on that one too, especially out in the back yard. Now that the snow is melting, all kinds of things are showing up. Pay very very close attention to the times when you do say 'leave it' and your puppy actually listens. Then go crazy with the praise 'Good puppy, oh my such a good puppy' kind of thing. They are learning so it will require patience and practice but it is really important to notice when they do it right. So easy to notice when they make mistakes but sometimes we forget to notice when they succeed. Same goes with kids, now that I think about it! |
| Sit back and enjoy the show......you'll be seeing it for awhile. Zoomies don't end for quite some time......best to get out of the way. The nipping, yeah that has to stop, shove a toy in the shark's mouth. Water bowl....  .....is she doing the breast stroke yet? Rug (rugs, get several) with latex backing, bowl with rubber.....at least until she learns she can pick it up and walk around with it. Clicker is great, they are forced to "think" not so much react. Problem is you don't always have a clicker in hand, unless you can mimic the sound enough to convince the dog. |
| Okay here goes from me. The best 3 things I'd advise on: It's not enough to teach them what you don't want them to do ....BUT.....you also have to follow throught with WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO DO. 1)The example and advice already given regarding chew toy. Pups nips and it hurts! To teach bite inhibition...firm NO! You can also give a verbal cue first (whine) which pup learned from littermates that he was a little too rough. Then place a toy in the tykes mouth...lots of good dog!! Be positive! Pup eventually gets it...hands, people are off limit....toys and chewie bones are okay. ** Remember pup is also teething during these months. He needs chew toys and toys which provide mental stimulation to prevent boredom. Toys (balls with holes) in which he has to find treats or Kongs which you stuff with goodies is good for short durations. 2)Whatever is cute and adorable now may not be so cute and adorable when they weigh 100 pounds and are adults. Whatever behaviors are not deemed acceptable should be stopped and redirected now. 3) Enroll in a puppy socialization class or doggie obedience. Remember you'll have to live with the pup for another 12 years or so. Four months is the perfect age to introduce puppy to new events, people , other dogs (providing puppy has had all immunizations). This is the learning period and introducing them to walks on busy streets, crowds, new situations makes the puppy more well rounded and not fearful to new situation as he ages. It also wears them out and a tired dog is always a good dog and new situations and adventures prevents boredom. Good luck with your new sweetie! oh sheesh I reread your question again and I didn't really address the stuff you asked about as you are doing most of the above. Everything in my house does zoomies...from the bunnies, cats in the middle of the night and dogs. Even the guinea pigs do it when I bring them to a large outdoor pen on sunny days. It's like they are saying...happy happy joy joy.... Seems like instead of catching them I just get out of the way...let them run off their energy and they wear themselves out. Okay I admit not great in a house so I'd just open the door and use the words...GO PLAY. Let pup do zoomies out in the yard. Sometimes I just use those words to my boys as the cue it's time for them to race around. It's like they have pent up energy they need to get rid of ....then they go back to their normal selves. It's not such a bad thing...just is...inside the house. |
| Moe STILL gets the zooms at ten o'clock at night when there is a full moon.He is two.It is hilarious..gets up from a sleep..grabs a toy and starts tearing around the house.Leave it took a while..and he know does leave it..BUT if he really wants to grab your attention ..he will still grab forbidden item(underwear,remote) and bring it to you so you have to pay attention..like..MOM..remember me? This especially happens if I am on the computer..or phone.I miss the puppy time..but enjoy the sleep I get now..he goes a full nine hours. |
MO still zoomed until she was 11 ......just not as often  I think she still wants to but can't trust her legs and balance....because I changed the floor surface to more slippery  |
| Thank you so much for the support Now I see, that I do not see any abnormal issues with nipping at 16 weeks. Because in last topic I was told, that by 16 weeks the nipping will go down. And, yes, it is downgraded from all the time to ... oh, who is herding me here. Looks like I want too much too soon. Pulling pants in shreds almost stopped to occasional "look at me, I'm here", but still there. And, I do not really see aggression like snapping or growling, except some harder nipping when resisting to be carried to confined area after hurting somebody, for example. More like overexcitement struggle. Even it can be logically explained, it still should not be acceptable, from my experience.  No agression with food at all or protecting something. My 10yo daughter says that it feels more like a strong massage nowadays, than biting most of the time. Summer is almost here, time for shorts, but I afraid not this year Will be packed in jeans when It will hit 90s.And... as for chewy toys, Frothy is not much interested in them somehow on her own, she always wants interactive games with balls, fetching, chasing. How to stop the game peacefully? For puppy it's never enough. If it's not enough she bugs us with nipping, continuing play brings overexcitement and zooming. Just put her in confinement in the middle of the play with lot's of treats and praise? Thanks again!  |
| With my boys, even if they are now out of the puppy stage and I feel they are getting over excited, I turn my back to them and walk away . I'm not playing that game if you're too rough.Yes, sure it's easy for me to say that as your little tyke may be nipping at you while you walk away. Just be consistent and patient and eventually they do learn...nipping is NO and toys in mouth is good boy! It's why I always recommend immediately saying no and place a toy in their mouth. They may drop it immediately but slowly they learn to "get it". Just make sure everyone in the household is on board and does the same things. Pup will learn quicker that way and use the same words and don't interchange them. Pup may learn Release, drop it or ? If you see pup is getting over excited then stop and walk away...then you are in control and not him. Pups like some kids test their limits and see how far they're going to be able to get away with things. It's great you are going to obedience! You'll see as the weeks go by the change in puppy's behavior - also practise everything you learn at home as the mental stimulation also wears them out too. Marianne |
| Turning away and leaving the game is the best. If you watch pups together or with their mom, when one oversteps the boundary, they get a growl.....or some verbal warning. Don't use the word "no" but rather develop a sound that is more distinctive. Cesar Milan uses "tsssssst" sound. Another choice, though very inconvient, is the gravel in a can, a shake or two and they stop. (the sound startles them so the brain disengages from the action of the moment......ripping your trouser leg) That's all you want to do, stop the brain and redirect it. The toy or bone for when they are chewing inappropriately. Once again, redirecting the brain. The nips indeed are the herder in them trying to get your attention. That's an immediate ender to any playing. |
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