Troubles...

[BigDog2191]

Mostly in my mind.

I really am not happy right now.

I've been thinking of giving up Rocky.

First, it would take a lot of stress of my back as well as my dad's. My dad and I probably wouldn't fight as much, cause when we do fight, it's normally about Rocky.

He's been hit and he's growing some defensive tendencies and I don't want to end up getting him euthanized--so this isn't just about me.

It seems like a day doesn't pass when I don't hit him... I didn't do it much when he was younger and I haven't for the past week but today--boy he bugged the hell out of me. I was so upset. Which is what is leading me to write this.

I don't know if I can control myself.. when he comes up and nips me real hard and then runs away and barking--I just lose control.

And with all this, I doubt he even loves me anymore...

Also, ignoring really hasn't worked at all... at all.

And there's house training, whenever my dad and I fight it's usually about how much it happens, how come I haven't trained him to stop yet, etc.

None of this is really my dad's fault and in fact, he seems to convince me out of not giving him away when I talk to him about it.

But... it's a lot of work and a lot of stress.

This is a vent really but... *sigh*

Take it as you like.

 

[Gustav]

Dogs are alot of responsibility aren't they! They are hard to look after and anyone who says it's easy isn't doing it right!
I'm sure Rocky loves you! He is just at that age! He will grow out of it, but it will take time and it is frustrating! Try not to hit him though! It doesn't help in the long run! And it will make you sad too as you will feel guilty each time for doing it!
Is he doing the nipping as attention seeking behaviour?
Please keep at it if you can, it will be worth it in the end!
I wish I could help! If only you lived nearby!

 

[EliNHunter]

You really need to give up Rocky and the sooner the better. This has gotten totally out of control and you need to do what's right for this poor dog IMMEDIATELY! The more you can't control your anger and take it out on Rocky with your human hand coming down on his sweet self, the more aggressive you are making him. He is seemingly a product of his environment. I can hook you up with a rescue group if you tell me your location. Please, just leave Rocky alone until he can get into a rescue group. Do not damage him anymore. And I seriously recommend counselling for you and your anger management. I don't want to sound mean, but we've been pussyfooting around your issues too long...

 

[MizRight]

It seems like a day doesn't pass when I don't hit him... I didn't do it much when he was younger and I haven't for the past week but today--boy he bugged the hell out of me. I was so upset. Which is what is leading me to write this.

I don't know if I can control myself.. when he comes up and nips me real hard and then runs away and barking--I just lose control.

And with all this, I doubt he even loves me anymore...

Also, ignoring really hasn't worked at all... at all.

And there's house training, whenever my dad and I fight it's usually about how much it happens, how come I haven't trained him to stop yet, etc.

Can I ask you if this is your first puppy? Also, what does he do that makes you so angry you need to hit him? How much exercise does he get? And does he have company during the day? Puppies can be REALLY hard to raise, especially if it's your first time, but it is definitely not okay to hit him because he frustrates you. It seems like you know you shouldn't hit him, but you lose control. If you want to keep Rocky, you need to figure out the source of his behavior because hitting him won't fix the problem and will definitely make it worse. However, don't think he doesn't love you - if he didn't, he wouldn't be trying so desperately to get your attention. We need to figure out what's creating the behavior that's getting you so angry - unless of course you really believe you can't stop yourself from hitting him, in which case, you really should find Rocky a new home. The one point I think it's important to think about before you make that decision is that IF you give Rocky away, you need to know that you will probably encounter similar problems with any puppy and so perhaps a puppy is not the right pet for you?

 

[EliNHunter]

We need to figure out what's creating the behavior that's getting you so angry - unless of course you really believe you can't stop yourself from hitting him, in which case, you really should find Rocky a new home.

Bottom line is, this has been going on for entirely too long in the puppy's most impressionable months. He's taught him fear and aggression and he can't control his anger towards him. He's admitted that. We've been twoddling him and trying to help for some time and it just seems to be getting worse. That dog needs to get out of there or it will be a fiercely aggressive GSD at 100 lbs. soon. Bigdog has anger issues and they're being taken out on a poor puppy!! I'm not going to tiptoe anymore...

 

[BigDog2191]

I don't have anger issues, EliNHunter.

I'd appreciate it if you'd stop parading around telling me I do.

When he nips me and makes me bleed unintentionally it does get me angry. I'd like to see you take a bite to where you start bleeding and see if you don't get angry.

He's not fierce at all really. Ask one of the 30 people that have come over to meet him.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

BigDog, I do think finding Rocky a different home would probably be the best choice. Being nipped so seriously that you bleed is annoying, but he's just a puppy, and hitting him won't help at all.

 

[BigDog2191]

EliNHunter, stop it.

Seriously.

I didn't break his mouth. I just slap him. In fact, he's right next to me licking me arm as he tries to make his way up my bed.

I think you're the one with issues, not me...

 

[BigDog2191]

He's not in grave danger... geez people...

I'm not taking a hammer to his head...

 

[BigDog2191]

This is it.

I'm through with this place.

Thanks for your advice, EliNHunter.

 

[EliNHunter]

You're welcome. I hope you heed to the good advice given to you here. In fact, I had many bleeding wounds from accidental puppy bites through the years and never once succombed to anger for an over zealous puppy. I even had my nose ripped wide open by the sharp puppy teeth. And did I EVER lay a hand on them? No. Because that would be teaching them aggression for something they are unaware of. Best of luck to Rocky...

 

[BigDog2191]

Good advice is to give him away when they're just slaps...?

I'd hate to see you really give advice IRL.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

BigDog, you just said that he seems to be getting aggressive. Physically punishing a dog can make him scared and/or aggressive. That's all we're saying. If you can't stop slapping him, rehoming him would be the best idea.

 

[BigDog2191]

I said, he's growing some defensive tendencies.

But it's when I pick him up and I found that it was because it hurts the way I pick him up.

 

[EliNHunter]

He's not in grave danger... geez people...

I'm not taking a hammer to his head...

I don't care if you're even raising your hand ACTING like you're going to hit him. That is NOT how you train a dog! Don't you get it!??? You are TEACHING AGGRESSION. You choose not to listen to us who have a buttload more experience raising dogs than you have. You are choosing to not listen and try and condone your behaviour.

 

[BigDog2191]

THAT'S ONLY YOUR OPINION!

I know breeders who have bred for 40 years who have way more experience than you, who tell me it's correct.

I'M NOT TEACHING AGGRESSION!

What I am teaching is that it's not a good idea to nip.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

BigDog, hitting him is going to teach him to be weary and afraid of your hands. It's not going to teach him that "hey, maybe I shouldn't bite him." I know it's no fun to be nipped by a dog, but dog's nip. Slapping a puppy is like if you took a human baby and spanked it.

 

[EliNHunter]

I know breeders who have bred for 40 years who have way more experience than you, who tell me it's correct.

That's interesting. You act like you know who I am and what my experience with dogs is. When that's not the case. You are still making excuses for your actions with Rocky, which are WRONG!

 

[BigDog2191]

To you they're wrong.

THAT'S ONLY YOUR OPINION.

SO you've bred dogs for 40 years?

What kind Eli?

 

[BigDog2191]

SAYING, "THAT'S WRONG!"

Does not prove anything.

I could say that to you too, watch:

THAT's WRONG!