How to encourage an aloof dog to be more interactive?

[Domestika]

(The breeder still has Nova's sister? Did she mention what she would do with your sick puppy if you went ahead with a trade?)

Nova's sister is being returned due to a sudden family breakup. The breeder is interested in having Nova back because she feels she should be responsible for the "headache" of her ongoing health problems. My guess is that she would keep her as a pet, or adopted out if she was suddenly completely healthy with no long term illness predicted. She keeps several dogs purely as pets, in addition to her working dogs.

 

[lizzybeth727]

I wish I knew how to quote different parts of a post. I only know how to quote one piece so I'll have to reply from memory. "GRRR".

There's a button next to the "quote" at the bottom right of the post, if you put your cursor over it it says "Multi-quote this message". I think that's how you do it.

 

[DanL]

If your interest is doing Schutzhund or other bite work, you need to read up on how to raise a puppy for those skills. It's not the same as raising a "normal" dog by any means. It sounds like your pup is actually displaying the traits you want to accentuate, with the biting on you. At this point you don't want to be teaching her not to bite, you want to redirect her onto a proper bite outlet like a tug or rag. You should be building her drive and making her want to bite as a reward. It's totally the opposite of what most people do with puppies.

 

[Kayla]

Myself having terrible sleeping patterns, I was always grateful to have a puppy that was ready to get up whenever I was lol. Puppies/dogs in general are all perfect for motivating us to get out and get some air, where you can enjoy a zen walk with your little four legged hellion. I did the same thing as you when I was in my bout, I purposely stopped eating well and at the time was a vegetarian, so once I stopped eating alternative sources of iron on a daily basis I became anemic. There were days that the only reason I got up other than to go to school was to walk Duke. I never wanted to get up, I didnt feel like I physically had the strength and I constatntly felt hung over with pounding headaches despite not drinking, Duke made me realise that I needed to start eating better because If I wasnt around he would have noone.

You can Pm me if you want to talk on msn, in general though the people on this site are awsome for actually wanting to help you out in any way they can.

Puppy years can suck, but you can get through them and we have all made training mistakes, there was a time before clicker training that I actually believed in alpha rolling and scruff grabbing and did it to Duke, but we all learn and grow- its quite an amazing journey.

Kayla