Teething

[BigDog2191]

Alright, for a while I was using the little water spray I have and spraying Rocky everytime he nipped along with an assertive, NO! Now, this worked for a while. But now he's starting to do it again and it doesn't seem to be working.

Whenever I use it now, he whimpers slightly and walks away from me. When he comes back later on, he'll start doing it again! This has been going on all most all of today and some yesterday. What's going on here?

 

[homelessdog]

More important than spraying (which I dislike) and saying No, do you end playtime as soon as the nipping starts? He needs to learn that as soon as he bites all the fun is over. I'd yelp and leave the room for five minutes. It takes a while to learn, but he'll catch on.

 

[Adrienne]

He is still testing his boundries with you, GSD's are very intelligent and will try things a few times to see what they can get away with. Make sure you are always being consistent with him on what happens when he nips you. The water spraying may not bother him enough to stop nipping at you, I would try to find some other type of correction if this is not working like walking away from him.
My GS pup Gunnar was doing really well on not nipping but he seems to be going through a stage of testing me right now and has started to nip at my arms and legs. If he continues after a warning from me then I leash him to my radiator for a "time out". When he comes out of the time out we spend time rebonding and playing in an appropriate manner. If he continues to play by nipping me he goes back into a time out, this time there is no play session once he is released. It seems to be working but will certainly take a lot of time and patience on my part as well as some growing up on his.
Just like children puppies will re-test you often to see if they can get away with something. It just goes to show how intelligent they are! Good luck with Rocky...are there any pictures of him posted on the forum? I would LOVE to see him!

 

[Renee750il]

It definitely sounds like the water's not working for Rocky. Strange as it sounds, I've always found German Shepherds responded well to those nose-to-snout talks. Sometimes you have to repeat them several times, but these dogs do 'listen.' Right, Debi?

 

[BigDog2191]

"More important than spraying (which I dislike) and saying No, do you end playtime as soon as the nipping starts? He needs to learn that as soon as he bites all the fun is over. I'd yelp and leave the room for five minutes. It takes a while to learn, but he'll catch on."

I've tried the yelping and leaving the room tactic. He usually finds something else to do anyway... that didn't work at all.

 

[BigDog2191]

Yes, there are pics of Rocky in the member galleries.

Renne, I don't understand. It was working for a while but it does seem like what Adrienne said, because as soon as he nips he kind of runs away or jumps out the way as if I'm going to spray him.

When I do, it does seem to bother him.

I've tried yelping and leaving the room.

I've tried just the normal assertive No!

The water spraying thing is what seems to work best, should I continue?

 

[Renee750il]

He's learning to "nip and run" BigDogs.

You've taught him Sit, haven't you? As soon as he starts the nipping, give him Sit and stick to it. Every time he does this, give him Sit. He can't play or be having fun when he's in a sit . . .

How old was he when you brought him home?

 

[BigDog2191]

He sits by himself, without me telling him anything. Even when I play with him he rolls on his stomach (tug-o-war). So I haven't really taught him to sit, it's a bit difficult when he's sitting most the time.

I brought him home at six weeks old and he's now 7 weeks old. Close to 8.

 

[Renee750il]

That's why you're having so much trouble with the mouthing (nipping). Between 6 and 8 weeks that's one of the lessons mama dog teaches her pups - not to nip!

Still, give him 'sit' when he's nipping and move your hands out of his reach. Make him stay in the sit for 15 seconds or so - an eternity in puppy time, lol! Just do it every single time he nips, and make sure everyone in the family gets with the program too. You've gotta be consistent with these guys. They're way to smart not to be consistent with them.

 

[homelessdog]

I brought him home at six weeks old and he's now 7 weeks old. Close to 8.

Oh! I didn't realize he was that young. Why was he brought home so early? He still needs 2 to 4 more weeks with his mother. You're going to have your work cut out for you, but it sounds like you're on the right track.