I Don't Know What to Do Anymore
- Thread starter BigDog2191
- Start date
DoggyDaddy, vary the rewards; sometimes praise, sometimes an ear rub, sometimes a treat, that way Rocky doesn't get complacent and bored.
Remember how frustrated you were getting when you thought Rocky would never "get" housetraining? And now he's doing a good job of it. The nipping and biting will be the same way. You just have to call an end to play time when he gets too rough. He's going to try to test you as he begins to get a little older, and now is the best time for it to happen, while he's still a baby and it's not a big deal. Just speak firmly to him and give him a command (Sit is always a good one to fall back on since it's probably close to being automatic now) and don't let him get by with not performing. Then you can tell him he's a good dog. Nothing too lavish when he's been naughty before, just be quiet and subdued. I have a feeling that Rocky's one of those pups that does much better with a quiet, lowered voice than with a lot of excited exclamations.
Wearing him out with games that don't involve direct contact, like chasing a soccer ball around the yard, will help keep your hide in one piece.
The two of you will be okay; it just takes awhile to get through some of the more annoying puppy stuff.
You'll laugh at this: I was petting everyone this morning and then turned to go do something. Evidently Miss Shiva thought she hadn't had her just due of attention so she pinched me on the butt!
Remember how frustrated you were getting when you thought Rocky would never "get" housetraining? And now he's doing a good job of it. The nipping and biting will be the same way. You just have to call an end to play time when he gets too rough. He's going to try to test you as he begins to get a little older, and now is the best time for it to happen, while he's still a baby and it's not a big deal. Just speak firmly to him and give him a command (Sit is always a good one to fall back on since it's probably close to being automatic now) and don't let him get by with not performing. Then you can tell him he's a good dog. Nothing too lavish when he's been naughty before, just be quiet and subdued. I have a feeling that Rocky's one of those pups that does much better with a quiet, lowered voice than with a lot of excited exclamations.
Wearing him out with games that don't involve direct contact, like chasing a soccer ball around the yard, will help keep your hide in one piece.
The two of you will be okay; it just takes awhile to get through some of the more annoying puppy stuff.
You'll laugh at this: I was petting everyone this morning and then turned to go do something. Evidently Miss Shiva thought she hadn't had her just due of attention so she pinched me on the butt!
Oh, don't I know that! My three lick now instead of nipping. They occasionally still mouth, but it's very, very gentle and loving.
As long as he's a pup, 'decent' housetraining is very, very good!
It just takes time and patience. There are some parts of puppy raising that just aren't all that much fun, but it's worth it after a relatively short period of time. Just how old is Rocky now?
As long as he's a pup, 'decent' housetraining is very, very good!
It just takes time and patience. There are some parts of puppy raising that just aren't all that much fun, but it's worth it after a relatively short period of time. Just how old is Rocky now?
hmmm. I dunno what advice to give, except have patience. And keep trying consistent training methods that have been suggested. I wish i had tried this with my beagle. Mine is just over a year now, but I know what u are going through. I never really trained my dog, i guess. For about nine months it was all about distracting her from what she wasn't supposed to chew or nibble on by giving her something she was allowed to. It was long and tedious, but it eventually got through to her.All I can say, man, is good luck, and remember to have patience
A lot of professional trainers use treats for reward. I know many people say that the dog should appreciate praise alone. And they do for the most part. However, the bottom line, I feel is, that the instinct to survive is very, very strong. Dogs, being hunters (in the wild....and our dogs ancestors) very life depended on getting food. Sometimes they went hungry and sometimes they got lucky. Our dogs, as all living things have a inherent need for food. It's of HIGH value. Dogs love it. So, why not give them something they really love, a treat and praise.
When learning a new skill, it is really effective to give a tiny treat every time the dog does well. Later on, when the dog has this skill down pat, you can give a treat randomly. That's how you prevent them from only performing for a treat. It keeps them wondering and makes them try harder.
Sometimes we don't have a treat handy, so love and affection is still a great way to praise.
I think that if the dog does something you ask, like sit.....even though he was "naughty" before, you still should praise just like you would anytime he performs something correctly. He will not remember or connect that the behavior he did 10 minutes ago is why he's not getting as lavish praise. That is over and done with. If he's doing some undesireable behavior and you then ask him to do something....sit, down, whatever, praise him a lot for that. He'll realize that when he does what's asked, he gets great things. But remember, if he doesn't understand a command or skill, you can't scold him. If you make his success very rewarding, as long as he understands something, he'll strive to please and comply.
Your puppy is still very young. He's just a tiny baby. These things take time.
I just thought of something else. (without going back to read your original post) You said that when you held your hand over his muzzle, he bit. Was he for sure biting out of anger or was he doing that puppy, snapping thing that they do in play? Even if he was doing that in play, by putting your hand over his muzzle, he could have thought that that was play also. Puppy play is really practice for hunting and killing rabbits and things if he were in the wild. They can get rough because they are designed to learn pretty quickly how to take care of themselves. So, it is a hard thing to overcome and go against their nature...how they play with their littermates. They have a difficult lesson to learn. And that is that it's OK to play with humans and practice their "hunting skills" but that for some strange reason, humans don't like it when they are too good at those hunting skills...they don't like the rough stuff. Hmmmmm. Puppies must think we're really strange. LOL.
When learning a new skill, it is really effective to give a tiny treat every time the dog does well. Later on, when the dog has this skill down pat, you can give a treat randomly. That's how you prevent them from only performing for a treat. It keeps them wondering and makes them try harder.
Sometimes we don't have a treat handy, so love and affection is still a great way to praise.
I think that if the dog does something you ask, like sit.....even though he was "naughty" before, you still should praise just like you would anytime he performs something correctly. He will not remember or connect that the behavior he did 10 minutes ago is why he's not getting as lavish praise. That is over and done with. If he's doing some undesireable behavior and you then ask him to do something....sit, down, whatever, praise him a lot for that. He'll realize that when he does what's asked, he gets great things. But remember, if he doesn't understand a command or skill, you can't scold him. If you make his success very rewarding, as long as he understands something, he'll strive to please and comply.
Your puppy is still very young. He's just a tiny baby. These things take time.
I just thought of something else. (without going back to read your original post) You said that when you held your hand over his muzzle, he bit. Was he for sure biting out of anger or was he doing that puppy, snapping thing that they do in play? Even if he was doing that in play, by putting your hand over his muzzle, he could have thought that that was play also. Puppy play is really practice for hunting and killing rabbits and things if he were in the wild. They can get rough because they are designed to learn pretty quickly how to take care of themselves. So, it is a hard thing to overcome and go against their nature...how they play with their littermates. They have a difficult lesson to learn. And that is that it's OK to play with humans and practice their "hunting skills" but that for some strange reason, humans don't like it when they are too good at those hunting skills...they don't like the rough stuff. Hmmmmm. Puppies must think we're really strange. LOL.
Lots of good advice so far.
I would try the water, but not as a game. Just get a glass of water and shock him a bit.
You do have to be patient with puppies. They do grow out of alot of things. But some things are not to be tolerated, biting is one.
Before yoyu completely give up, I would try as a last resort just yelling or making lots of noise. Really make him think something terribel is happening, suprise him and schock him.
I would also be more phisical withhim if he is a bigger breed. Get behind him and stand over him. he needs to know you are the boss.
I would try the water, but not as a game. Just get a glass of water and shock him a bit.
You do have to be patient with puppies. They do grow out of alot of things. But some things are not to be tolerated, biting is one.
Before yoyu completely give up, I would try as a last resort just yelling or making lots of noise. Really make him think something terribel is happening, suprise him and schock him.
I would also be more phisical withhim if he is a bigger breed. Get behind him and stand over him. he needs to know you are the boss.
Big Dog! You'll get through it! It's okay! We almost gave up our Ranger boy too. He was the nippiest nastiest puppy. He would grab the back of your jeans (It was August, hot and humid, we had to wear the jeans or we would have stiches!) anyway, he would grab on and shake.
Binaca sprays, water, loud things, they all just made him more creative & sneeky.
What did we do? Here is a big list, sorry if some of this is a repeat.
One: Teething was the biggest issue. I started a very careful routine of only playtime after freezing his mouth for one. Get some Boda Rope Toys, or use old wash cloths, soak them in something yummy, freeze them. Let him chew it to bits, then go outside and play. While his mouth is cold and he isn't in pain.
Two: Many Many Many Many pressed rawhide bully sticks. If he tires of them wipe them with something better to get going. Cream cheese, peanut butter, etc. They need to chew to get out the urge to bite. Or it's just keeping his mind busy, either way, they were great! He wouldn't nip us for two hours or so after.
Three: Play Pen. We never used the crate as punishment, but we did use a play pen in our family room. If he acted inappropriately he went in there immediately. He was so bored, he calmed down. It will give you some space as well. I almost hit him because he nipped my leg. But because we had the play pen, I just placed him in there, and viola. I got the 15 minutes of space. Some will argue with this, I found it to be a great way to keep me from becoming violent towards a dog who didn't know the rules.
Four: A harness. Our guy wore a harness a lot so we could control him. He was like trying to catch a greased pig when he was feisty. But, the harness gave us the abilty to put our hand on his back and ... put him in the play pen!
Five: Carry a small toy at all times. Maybe for right now, this is the only way you pet him? While you are petting him, etc. Shove (politely) the toy in his mouth. Hold it in there while you pet him. If he's eating the toy, he can't eat you. (Of course, don't give a toy if he eats you first) Give lots of praise. End it quickly.
Six: Ignore him. We actually did the high pitched squeal followed by ignoring him. For instance... He was running, playing, etc. Everything was going well, then Bam! He's nippy! I would scream as if I was in serious pain, very high pitched. The scream was at the same exact moment his tooth was on me. Then I would immediately end play, turn my back and leave. The first few times he continued his antics. But, he got it eventually.
Seven: Give him something else to do. Occasionally you will see he is going to nip you, tell him to sit. I thought this wasn't working either, it will, keep it up. You are conditioning him. Eventually, he will run and sit. It may take six months for him to do the sit. But, he will.
Eight: Give him something else to do -throwing things far. If you see him coming at you, throw something. Not at him, for him to go get. Be it that toy you are now carrying, a jacket, or an apple, a towel, something to redirect his attention away from eating you. When he gets it, be happy, silly, and fun.
Nine: When he is that rude I would tell myself he has confused me with a sheep. He just doesn't know any better. They are bred to have prey drive to control stock. They don't know how to control the urge to use their mouth with humans until we explain, sometimes over and over and over. With a lot of love and patience, you will show him. He's lucky! Because he has the best mom in the world!
Binaca sprays, water, loud things, they all just made him more creative & sneeky.
What did we do? Here is a big list, sorry if some of this is a repeat.
One: Teething was the biggest issue. I started a very careful routine of only playtime after freezing his mouth for one. Get some Boda Rope Toys, or use old wash cloths, soak them in something yummy, freeze them. Let him chew it to bits, then go outside and play. While his mouth is cold and he isn't in pain.
Two: Many Many Many Many pressed rawhide bully sticks. If he tires of them wipe them with something better to get going. Cream cheese, peanut butter, etc. They need to chew to get out the urge to bite. Or it's just keeping his mind busy, either way, they were great! He wouldn't nip us for two hours or so after.
Three: Play Pen. We never used the crate as punishment, but we did use a play pen in our family room. If he acted inappropriately he went in there immediately. He was so bored, he calmed down. It will give you some space as well. I almost hit him because he nipped my leg. But because we had the play pen, I just placed him in there, and viola. I got the 15 minutes of space. Some will argue with this, I found it to be a great way to keep me from becoming violent towards a dog who didn't know the rules.
Four: A harness. Our guy wore a harness a lot so we could control him. He was like trying to catch a greased pig when he was feisty. But, the harness gave us the abilty to put our hand on his back and ... put him in the play pen!
Five: Carry a small toy at all times. Maybe for right now, this is the only way you pet him? While you are petting him, etc. Shove (politely) the toy in his mouth. Hold it in there while you pet him. If he's eating the toy, he can't eat you. (Of course, don't give a toy if he eats you first) Give lots of praise. End it quickly.
Six: Ignore him. We actually did the high pitched squeal followed by ignoring him. For instance... He was running, playing, etc. Everything was going well, then Bam! He's nippy! I would scream as if I was in serious pain, very high pitched. The scream was at the same exact moment his tooth was on me. Then I would immediately end play, turn my back and leave. The first few times he continued his antics. But, he got it eventually.
Seven: Give him something else to do. Occasionally you will see he is going to nip you, tell him to sit. I thought this wasn't working either, it will, keep it up. You are conditioning him. Eventually, he will run and sit. It may take six months for him to do the sit. But, he will.
Eight: Give him something else to do -throwing things far. If you see him coming at you, throw something. Not at him, for him to go get. Be it that toy you are now carrying, a jacket, or an apple, a towel, something to redirect his attention away from eating you. When he gets it, be happy, silly, and fun.
Nine: When he is that rude I would tell myself he has confused me with a sheep. He just doesn't know any better. They are bred to have prey drive to control stock. They don't know how to control the urge to use their mouth with humans until we explain, sometimes over and over and over. With a lot of love and patience, you will show him. He's lucky! Because he has the best mom in the world!
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/nothingfree.htm
Read that Big dog. Don't do harsh correction meassures. You can get around this with him. Don't try to correct this during one single incident. Go around the back door and fix this. If you read that link, that should help. If you think you can't do that what's in there, you'll need professional help before he gets any bigger. It sounds like he may very possibly have a genetically poor temperament to begin with... or he's just gotten your number big time. I've never had a puppy that young be nasty that way.
Beef up your obedience training. That really instills that you're confident and in charge. But read that link above. I wish you the best...truly.
Read that Big dog. Don't do harsh correction meassures. You can get around this with him. Don't try to correct this during one single incident. Go around the back door and fix this. If you read that link, that should help. If you think you can't do that what's in there, you'll need professional help before he gets any bigger. It sounds like he may very possibly have a genetically poor temperament to begin with... or he's just gotten your number big time. I've never had a puppy that young be nasty that way.
Beef up your obedience training. That really instills that you're confident and in charge. But read that link above. I wish you the best...truly.