Jumping and Biting Problem
- Thread starter Elleoz
- Start date
You need to teach him bite inhibition. This Shirley Chong article is great:
http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/archives/bite.txt
http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/archives/bite.txt
I agree that is a great article to help you understand a lot about biting.
I also think there may be a little more info needed here to get to the reason why Max is biting. Behavior stems from how we act around our dogs. Also, your 4 year old is very much an enticing play pal. With that age, they are uncoordinated and make movements that say to Max: 'Playtime!' You can help by teaching your daughter to slow down some around Max and keep her hands closer to her body and not waving around.
I would highly suggest you let her, under your guidance, give commands such as sit and down to Max. That will help Max to see her as more the leader instead of a toy. That is where I have questions for you. Such as, does Max know any obedience? Does he walk on a leash easily with out pulling? Your daughter could hold the leash while you all go on a walk together.
There is more I could discuss with you, but that's enough for now. I don't want to overload you. I hope you get this solved for your benefit and for Max. There are so many dogs given up to shelters because the owners don't know how to solve problems just like this.
Karen
I also think there may be a little more info needed here to get to the reason why Max is biting. Behavior stems from how we act around our dogs. Also, your 4 year old is very much an enticing play pal. With that age, they are uncoordinated and make movements that say to Max: 'Playtime!' You can help by teaching your daughter to slow down some around Max and keep her hands closer to her body and not waving around.
I would highly suggest you let her, under your guidance, give commands such as sit and down to Max. That will help Max to see her as more the leader instead of a toy. That is where I have questions for you. Such as, does Max know any obedience? Does he walk on a leash easily with out pulling? Your daughter could hold the leash while you all go on a walk together.
There is more I could discuss with you, but that's enough for now. I don't want to overload you. I hope you get this solved for your benefit and for Max. There are so many dogs given up to shelters because the owners don't know how to solve problems just like this.
Karen
Herschel~ Thanks for the article. I am practicing all the principles in the article already and proud to say for the most part he is responding very nicely.
Karen~ You are exactly right. When you watch them together, it is very obvious that Max thinks of my daughter as a giant toy. I have been working with her to try and get her to approach and play with Max in a way that doesn't antagoize the behavior (talking in high pitch ALL.THE.TIME., jerking her hands away as soon as he comes to her, etc.) He will let her pet him if she leaves her hand down there and pets him firmly. With a four year old, it's an ongoing process
Max is currently enrolled an Puppy Obiedience classes. He knows touch, watch, sit, sit/stay. down, down/stay, leave it, come (when he wants to), shake, and crawl. His leash manners leave a lot to be desired, but he only weighs 3 pounds so it isn't so hard that she can't hold the leash. That is a good idea to have her give commands. She tries to do it herself now, but we also use hand signals and he doesn't respond to her much. I will definately include her in some of his training.
I worked with him last night concerning always going after people's hair and ears when they are on the floor, which is the main time she gets nipped. Last nightI laid on the floor to get him to duplicate the behavior and he seems to know that it isn't ok to bite Mommy because after once of twice of him doing it and me telling him "no bite" he stopped and just cuddled with me. I think I am going to try getting my daughter to lie on the floor with me and try to get him to understand that it isn't ok to bite her either.
Luckily, my 3 year old son doesn't seem all that interested in Max at the moment.
Thanks again for all the advice. I will keep you posted on the progress. I really want to get this under control. My husband was very upset (reasonably so) and I don't want to give Max up because he can't get along with the kids. I know that he is only playing and never meant to hurt her. He just gets carried away. He is very smart so I am hoping with a little diligence he will get it and life can be happy for all.
Karen~ You are exactly right. When you watch them together, it is very obvious that Max thinks of my daughter as a giant toy. I have been working with her to try and get her to approach and play with Max in a way that doesn't antagoize the behavior (talking in high pitch ALL.THE.TIME., jerking her hands away as soon as he comes to her, etc.) He will let her pet him if she leaves her hand down there and pets him firmly. With a four year old, it's an ongoing process
Max is currently enrolled an Puppy Obiedience classes. He knows touch, watch, sit, sit/stay. down, down/stay, leave it, come (when he wants to), shake, and crawl. His leash manners leave a lot to be desired, but he only weighs 3 pounds so it isn't so hard that she can't hold the leash. That is a good idea to have her give commands. She tries to do it herself now, but we also use hand signals and he doesn't respond to her much. I will definately include her in some of his training.
I worked with him last night concerning always going after people's hair and ears when they are on the floor, which is the main time she gets nipped. Last nightI laid on the floor to get him to duplicate the behavior and he seems to know that it isn't ok to bite Mommy because after once of twice of him doing it and me telling him "no bite" he stopped and just cuddled with me. I think I am going to try getting my daughter to lie on the floor with me and try to get him to understand that it isn't ok to bite her either.
Luckily, my 3 year old son doesn't seem all that interested in Max at the moment.
Thanks again for all the advice. I will keep you posted on the progress. I really want to get this under control. My husband was very upset (reasonably so) and I don't want to give Max up because he can't get along with the kids. I know that he is only playing and never meant to hurt her. He just gets carried away. He is very smart so I am hoping with a little diligence he will get it and life can be happy for all.
How old is Max? How long have you had him?
I suggest to my training clients that they never leave a child under the age of 6 unsupervised with a dog. No.Matter.What. Kids that young just don't have the maturity to be trusted to always do exactly right with a dog, and even well-trained, well-socialized dogs can't be trusted not to hurt a child who's so enticing. I've heard it happen a lot - dog play bites kid, kid screams with surprise, dog gets scared and jumps on or bites kid harder. Yes, some kids have a natural talent with dogs, yes, some dogs have a natural gentleness with kids, but it's not worth it to test and see where yours are.
I suggest to my training clients that they never leave a child under the age of 6 unsupervised with a dog. No.Matter.What. Kids that young just don't have the maturity to be trusted to always do exactly right with a dog, and even well-trained, well-socialized dogs can't be trusted not to hurt a child who's so enticing. I've heard it happen a lot - dog play bites kid, kid screams with surprise, dog gets scared and jumps on or bites kid harder. Yes, some kids have a natural talent with dogs, yes, some dogs have a natural gentleness with kids, but it's not worth it to test and see where yours are.
Lizzybeth~ Max is 4 months old and I have had him for almost 2 months now. I completely agree that children under 6 shuldn't be left unsupervised with any dog. When Zoe got bite, my husband was standing beside her. Max didn't mean to hurt her, he just thought she was playing and got excited.
We are working on it and he is slowly getting better. It is proving hard to teach him when he can and can't play with the kids.
We are working on it and he is slowly getting better. It is proving hard to teach him when he can and can't play with the kids.
It sounds to me like you are being a very responsible owner and parent. You just need to keep up your good work. It take time to establish good manners in dogs as well as children. I know because I've dealt with both. Now I have grand kids visiting. I watch my dogs, which are still young to make sure they establish proper habits from the start. I know you will work this out. You have the right attitude.
Best of luck. Let me know how it goes, especially adding your daughter into the training. You probably know that you can let her give the commands and help her physically carry them through by holding her hands and helping her maneuver the leash. Both of them will eventually get it. It also helps create a stronger bond between them. I had to have my 10 year old son work with our Doberman, because she just loved it when he waved her away. "Playtime" is what she thought. She just loved him so much. She thought he was there for her entertainment. LOL! My son took to it like a duck takes to water. He gets along great with her now. So, take heart.
Best of luck. Let me know how it goes, especially adding your daughter into the training. You probably know that you can let her give the commands and help her physically carry them through by holding her hands and helping her maneuver the leash. Both of them will eventually get it. It also helps create a stronger bond between them. I had to have my 10 year old son work with our Doberman, because she just loved it when he waved her away. "Playtime" is what she thought. She just loved him so much. She thought he was there for her entertainment. LOL! My son took to it like a duck takes to water. He gets along great with her now. So, take heart.
Karen~ Thank you! Sometimes I feel bet up around here
Max loves Zoe to death, and I think that is the problem (much like you described with your son). Most of the time Max follows her around the house and is where ever she is. He wants to sleep in her room, but of course he isn't to a point where I can trust him loose yet.
Since Max has gotten hurt, his attitude has changed a little bit and he isn't as playful. We will see how he is once the splint comes off. But it has given my daughter a chance to play and pet him more while on his level on the floor without the nipping.
Thanks again to everyone on the advice. I really appreciate it.
Max loves Zoe to death, and I think that is the problem (much like you described with your son). Most of the time Max follows her around the house and is where ever she is. He wants to sleep in her room, but of course he isn't to a point where I can trust him loose yet.
Since Max has gotten hurt, his attitude has changed a little bit and he isn't as playful. We will see how he is once the splint comes off. But it has given my daughter a chance to play and pet him more while on his level on the floor without the nipping.
Thanks again to everyone on the advice. I really appreciate it.
Karen~ Thank you! Sometimes I feel bet up around here
Max loves Zoe to death, and I think that is the problem (much like you described with your son). Most of the time Max follows her around the house and is where ever she is. He wants to sleep in her room, but of course he isn't to a point where I can trust him loose yet.
Since Max has gotten hurt, his attitude has changed a little bit and he isn't as playful. We will see how he is once the splint comes off. But it has given my daughter a chance to play and pet him more while on his level on the floor without the nipping.
Thanks again to everyone on the advice. I really appreciate it.
Max loves Zoe to death, and I think that is the problem (much like you described with your son). Most of the time Max follows her around the house and is where ever she is. He wants to sleep in her room, but of course he isn't to a point where I can trust him loose yet.
Since Max has gotten hurt, his attitude has changed a little bit and he isn't as playful. We will see how he is once the splint comes off. But it has given my daughter a chance to play and pet him more while on his level on the floor without the nipping.
Thanks again to everyone on the advice. I really appreciate it.
I didn't know Max was ever hurt. What happened? I agree that this unfortunate event may turn into a mixed blessing. Your daughter can have that opportunity to establish a better relationship as long as she understands she needs to be careful with his injury and not cause Max any pain. That would be my main concern.:yikes:
Keep in touch with how things go.
It's pretty simple to stop you just have to make sure you stay consistent. When the dog jumps turn around quickly and stand still without looking at, touching or talking to the dog. Once he stops trying to jump (some dogs try to jump at your back but many will stop since your face is not there) turn around and happily but calmly praise him at his level. You do not have to give treats for this praise because the reason for jumping in the first place is jumping you are simply teaching him a better way to get what he wants. So Once you stand up from petting he will probably try to jump, just repeat the steps as many times as it takes until he stops trying. He will quickly learn the best way to get attention is to NOT jump. It is also important that when you come home and he does not jump that you give him lots of attention. This is him making sure that this is what you've been trying to teach him, he's testing it out. If you don't praise when he does not jump then he might learn he needs to jump first then stop in order to get attention. Also have guests do the same. If they are not willing then put the dog in a room when the guests first come in. You can also run through practice tests on the dog with a good friend who is willing to come over a few days a week and help you practice.
I imagine since these dogs Shih Tsu/Poodle mix are so cute that the jumping was rewarded by giving attention. Am I right? When they are so small it is hard to resist them. I know because I have to constantly remind myself with my smaller mix breed. He's such a doll. It's hard to resist his antics.
As to stopping the jumping on visitors, start with your family first. I assume he jumps on you too. If not, this still works for your visitors. You'll just have to explain it to them before hand.
When your dog starts to jump ( if possible just before), start moving toward him (IMPORTANT): shuffling your feet, causing him to back up. When he stops and either sits or stands with all 4 feet on the ground, reward him with praise.
The other alternative is to move toward him, shuffling your feet again. As soon as you've moved him backwards a short distance, turn away and ignore him. This may need to be repeated several times. This works. Give it a little time. You need to allow time for it to sink in.
Note: The reason why you are to shuffle your feet is so you will not step on his feet.
Good Luck! I'd love to know how it goes.
Karen
As to stopping the jumping on visitors, start with your family first. I assume he jumps on you too. If not, this still works for your visitors. You'll just have to explain it to them before hand.
When your dog starts to jump ( if possible just before), start moving toward him (IMPORTANT): shuffling your feet, causing him to back up. When he stops and either sits or stands with all 4 feet on the ground, reward him with praise.
The other alternative is to move toward him, shuffling your feet again. As soon as you've moved him backwards a short distance, turn away and ignore him. This may need to be repeated several times. This works. Give it a little time. You need to allow time for it to sink in.
Note: The reason why you are to shuffle your feet is so you will not step on his feet.
Good Luck! I'd love to know how it goes.
Karen