For about the past week Otto has been barking at me (and sometimes my husband) after he is scolded (mainly for chewing at my feet and legs). I do worry about this, as an indication of problems down the line in temperament. Should I be concerned? When he barks I firmly tell him "No!" but he keeps it up. I have noticed that it happens more often when he's tired than not. So into his crate he goes (but not in anger). What's the best way to stop this behavior?
Puppy barking at me
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This is something you'll want to address. You'll want to make sure everyone handling the puppy is consistent. Recommend you get several good books that will address basic obedience training, as well as the behavioral issues you'll encounter at different stages in your puppies development. They'll give you something to referance from when problems arise and give you a guideline on what you should be working on with your pup at this age, 2 months from now, 6 months from now, ect. "Ain't Misbehavin' " by John Wright PH.D, Material by Ian Dunbar, Stanley Coren and everyone's favorite on this site Jean Donaldson! I started a thread about owners and trainers favorite training books, videos and she was consitantly on everyones posts. (My apologies, can't remember the thread at this time!)
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If you restrain him when he's in one of these moments (or anytime) how does he react? I would have him evaluated by a professional so you know what you're dealing with. Depending on the dog barking after being reprimanded could be: 1) Confusion 2)Dominance 3)Fear
No matter which one of those it is it's definitely something you want to address asap. But there are different ways to address it which is why I suggest getting an eval done and having at least 2 private consults with a non-cookie cutter trainer.
No matter which one of those it is it's definitely something you want to address asap. But there are different ways to address it which is why I suggest getting an eval done and having at least 2 private consults with a non-cookie cutter trainer.
Instead of reacting to him so much....where he acts and you react, try eliminating your attention all the way around for a couple of minutes when he bites at your ankles. Don't scold, don't look at, don't speak. Just end all playtime for 2 or 3 minutes and try again. Be very consistant. Give him an alternative chew toy, praise him for gnawing on that. He's just a pup and it takes time to grow up. I think his barking is his way of trying to communicate something to you, probably confusion as to why you're angry or scolding him. He doesn't have a clue that biting hurts human skin and that it isn't something we do. It's perfectly normal puppy behavior. So, have patience, remove the payoff of biting on you....The payoff is attention and your presence, playtime with you etc. When he has had many repititions of this, you'll start seeing that behavior phase out, but not for a while yet. He has to see what behavior does give him the payoff, your praise, your playing with him, treats. So when he is gentle, even for a couple of seconds, be sure and let him know that you like that. He won't be a civilized adult for some time, so brace yourself. LOL. Everyone who interacts with him must do the same thing and be very consistant so he can get lots of reinforcement for wanted behavior.
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Heheheeheh welcome to my life. My shoes and pants seem to be the only thing he wants to play with. He has tons of toys but the only time he really seems to play with them is if I am sitting on the floor holding it for him. And every 2 mins he switches from the toy to my hand/clothes. If he is scolded he puts his nose to the floor and ass to the air and just goes at it harder. Leaving the room is the only way to get him to stop this so unfortunately I have to come in and out of the room every 2 mins sometimes. At first it seemed like it was working, but now I don't know. It would be easier if I could put him in the crate for 2 mins instead of me having to come in and out all the time but I heard this wasn't a good thing to do as he associates the crate with being bad or something.
It isn't going to "work" in just a few days or weeks or even maybe months. Infant humns don't turn into adults or even adolescents in a week or two and although dogs have shorter life spans, they don't turn into civilized adults in just a few weeks. And dogs are a different specie! They have to have time to learn our rules and our ways which are totally foreign to them. What your puppies are doing is what they know best how to do....be a dog. LOL. Scolding and punishment doesn't teach them much but to distrust you. Show the pup what you want by reinforcement. That's how they learn. But it takes time.