GSD puppy. When will she stop biting?

[VinceG]

Brilliant thanks for that Chithedobe. The dog hasn't had that much excersise yet because she was not fully innoculated. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. She's had her boosters today and we've got the certificate. We can take her for walks as from next week.

Next Sunday is our first day at puppy class. Looking forward to that.

Thanks GSDmom, manchesters and everyone else that have contributed to this thread your advice has really helped.

 

[Dizzy]

I can sympathise on the not much exercise front - getting our last injection tomorrow, so next week we go walkies...

I reckon it will help LOADS once you ca get out and exercise properly (at least thats what I tell myself... )

 

[VinceG]

You and me both Dizzy. Carol my wife is looking forward to it too...

Having a dog means you have to get off the sofa yourself and take it for a walk. Not a bad thing and at 42 I could do with the bit of excersise. Great excuse to get the kids out too.

Bodhi looks great, know what you mean about them growing like crazy. I couldn't believe how quickly my kids grew up but the dog.... it's on overdrive. Probably down to the age'ing quicker than us humans.

 

[Dizzy]

Aye, could be that

I can't wait to see what Bodhi will turn out like when she is full grown. We have a pretty good idea, but being a little cross breed, you never know!!

I am counting down the days before we can go to the park and the beach, not just for the walking, but I am dying to show her off to the world!

 

[CreatureTeacher]

I'd like to toss in my hat with Lexus on this one. It may sound a little strange, but it's the wrong idea to completely forbid mouthing for several reasons. First, using the "ouch!"-and-pull-away method will teach your (darling!!) GSD that she does indeed have the capacity to injure you. She doesn't want to do that, no matter what the punishment-trainers tell you. It's important to show her at this age that she needs to be exceedingly careful with her mouth, because it is after all filled with the biological equivalent of carpet knives! Next, dogs don't have hands. They use their mouths to touch and manipulate things. Again, it's important for her to understand the kind of power she has in that mouth and how to control it. Completely discouraging chewing and mouthing in a young puppy is like depriving a toddler of any tactile stimulation, which can affect a puppy’s long-term social development in the same way it affects a child’s.

I wouldn’t recommend using the good ol’ jaw grab on a GSD ever. There are some dogs that don’t mind a little manhandling, and of course every individual dog is different, but GSDs in general tend to be sensitive and intelligent. This can be a volatile combination when punishment training is introduced. A sensitive, emotional dog that is grabbed, shaken, pinned, slapped, or otherwise physically punished for undesirable behaviors will be more likely to see physical confrontation as an acceptable means to resolve a conflict. This is a terrible thing to teach an animal with a mouthful of carpet knives! As BigDog said, in cases where the biting is out of control or the puppy is just being too rough, a good “time out” system works wonders. You can ask BigDog how to institute an effective time out program; he’s an expert now! He went through a very similar situation with his little pistol of a GSD, Rocky.

Good luck with your girl. She’s gorgeous! I know we’re all excited to watch her grow up.

 

[VinceG]

I feel awful now because I've been giving her the no biting jaw grab.

It's actually made her not go for the kids which is the all important thing. Laura was so scared of her and is now getting her head around being around the dog.

She's no longer staying in her room all the time and she can walk past Sasha now without too much trouble, which is a releif.

Just hope I've not done too much damage emotionally to the dog by doing the no biting at all routine.

She is going to puppy class on Sunday this week for the first time so surely she'll develop the soft mouth in the dog/dog environment? I don't really want her to develop it on us.

 

[yuckaduck]

Vince check your PM's!

 

[Debi]

that's the wonderful thing about obtaining sound advice while your puppy is so small, no damage is done as yet. I will say that all advice from Creature Teacher to me has worked soooooo well, we're all so lucky to have her here. I can't wait to hear about puppy class, that's going to be so good for everyone. I bet Laura just needed some time to adjust....you watch, those 2 will end up so bonded!!

 

[yuckaduck]

I wouldn’t recommend using the good ol’ jaw grab on a GSD ever. There are some dogs that don’t mind a little manhandling, and of course every individual dog is different, but GSDs in general tend to be sensitive and intelligent. This can be a volatile combination when punishment training is introduced. A sensitive, emotional dog that is grabbed, shaken, pinned, slapped, or otherwise physically punished for undesirable behaviors will be more likely to see physical confrontation as an acceptable means to resolve a conflict.

I have two gsd's and the good ol jaw grab worked very well and there are no ill effects at all. The oh please don't bite me did not work at all.

I totally disagree with allowing a puppy or dog to ever place it's teeth on human skin, that is simply teaching it that it is ok to bite.

Mortal sin--teeth on skin in anyway.

 

[Debi]

sorry, Yuck....I'm with CT...the jaw grab is not a good thing with a GSD. if it worked for you, that is awesome.......but as general info, NO not a good idea. GSD's ARE intelligent, they do NOT need rough handling. OK...I get it did work for you, but do not expect it to work for all.

 

[Lexus]

That is good that it worked for you, Yuck, I just don't agree with it either.... Shepards can be too sensitive. To much research and teachings has shown me there are better ways, IMO. So again, I'm glad it worked for you, but there are other ways out there for the dog.

 

[yuckaduck]

sorry, Yuck....I'm with CT...the jaw grab is not a good thing with a GSD. if it worked for you, that is awesome.......but as general info, NO not a good idea. GSD's ARE intelligent, they do NOT need rough handling. OK...I get it did work for you, but do not expect it to work for all.

I can respect that opinion no problems.

 

[yuckaduck]

That is good that it worked for you, Yuck, I just don't agree with it either.... Shepards can be too sensitive. To much research and teachings has shown me there are better ways, IMO. So again, I'm glad it worked for you, but there are other ways out there for the dog.

Actually you are right there are many many many ways out there and many many ways that will work, not just my way and I respect that and as long as the dog stops biting that is all that matters.

 

[Lexus]

Actually you are right there are many many many ways out there and many many ways that will work, not just my way and I respect that and as long as the dog stops biting that is all that matters.

I hear ya at that

 

[Dixie]

To stop the nipping-

When he does nip/bite (he's just a puppy so no harsh discipline, puppy is in pre-school, he learns through play), anyway when he does nip/bite, grab his muzzle and command "NO!", just keep doing this method and pup will pick it up that he is not allowed to bite skin in any shape or form, and after telling him no, offer a toy. Tease him with it, encourage him to play with it when he has the urge to mouth.

So simplified:
Puppy bites on arm,
You push him away, grab his muzzle, and command "NO!"
Then offer a toy, tease him with it, when he plays with it, praise him.

When pup is 4 mos of age, you can then start using harsh voices and discipline.

Good luck,
Dix

 

[Debi]

To stop the nipping-

When he does nip/bite (he's just a puppy so no harsh discipline, puppy is in pre-school, he learns through play), anyway when he does nip/bite, grab his muzzle and command "NO!", just keep doing this method and pup will pick it up that he is not allowed to bite skin in any shape or form, and after telling him no, offer a toy. Tease him with it, encourage him to play with it when he has the urge to mouth.

So simplified:
Puppy bites on arm,
You push him away, grab his muzzle, and command "NO!"
Then offer a toy, tease him with it, when he plays with it, praise him.

When pup is 4 mos of age, you can then start using harsh voices and discipline.

Good luck,
Dix

ok..remember we are all entitled to opinions....sooooooo, grabbing the muzzle of a GSD is NOT a good idea. teasing him with a toy is not a good idea. harsh voices and discipline???? what discipline? a simple 'no bite', OUCH, is quite enough. they GET it very quickly. it boggles my mind......all I ever had to say to my GSD is 'no bite'...NOT harshly..pull away my hand as I said it. he GOT it so quickly. 'no bite'...a simple command while you pull your hand away. it doesn't have to be so complicated..or harsh. now....my opinion, so for those that only want to argue..don't. let the poster decide. nothing to 'debate'............just an opinion from a GSD owner.

 

[yuckaduck]

I am sorry I did not realize anyone was argueing?

I thought it was rather well done in this thread because there have been a few different opinions and no one has bashed anyone's. There is alot for the original poster to read and decide what is best for him and his pooch. Good Luck and keep us posted.

Another GSD owner!

 

[filarotten]

Gosh, everyone has given such good advice, and so many different ideas. I only have one. When I got Brutus and had an 19 mo old grandbaby I was worried about biting, knocking over and etc. Renee gave me the best advice and it worked wonderful. Her advice was whenever Brutus was near McKinley make him lay down. We hadn't quite learned laydown at that point so I made him sit. This kept him calm and her calm. I also taught him the word easy when he is around McKinley. He knows to chill and not get rambuctious with her. I noticed anytime McKinley would get a little upset with what he was doing he would get more rambuctious. McKinley also learned to tell him no. She points her finger and says, Boostis NO. I also had to teach her respect for him. Not poking in the eyes. Renees' advice helped so much. He usually sits or lays down next to her and he is so calm with her. She has opened his mouth and touched every tooth he has, laid on him and we have no recourse.
As far a biting, I tried the positive way with him, but in all honesty....Roxie is the one that broke him of the biting habit. I was lucky to have an older dog around.

 

[VinceG]

Wow. So much advice. Thanks people. It's pretty much sorted now. She stays away from the kids and doesn't try to "play" with Laura.

She enjoys play fighting with me but when I stop and tell her to Sit so that she will calm down she does. Laura watched me playing rough and tumble with Sasha yesterday and was scarred stiff. I showed her that Sasha's lunging and biting routine was simply playing.

I stopped half way through and simply held my hand out. Sasha was in mid lunge but because I didn't pull my hand away she stopped and didn't bite me.

Laura was amazed.

This morning Sasha was laid on her bed. Not sleeping but dozey... I told Laura to go and stroke her. She said "do I have to" I said yes... so she did. Sasha licked her hand and let her stroke her with not bother at all.

Result. Long may it continue.

 

[Debi]

sounding good, Vince!!!!!!!!!