puppy problem?!?

Re: puppy problem?!?

Emma Bartlett — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:09:55 GMT

There is a good book by Sarah Fisher 100 ways to train the perfect dog. I also like Cesar (mainly because he likes Rotties and bull breeds....and anyone who likes rotties and bull breeds is fab in my book) but i am wary of the TV prog as inexperienced people try to attempt techniques and can often get things wrong!

I always recommend that an APDT registered puppy class is the way to go with a new pup

Re: puppy problem?!?

Lynn Perry — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:12:23 GMT

Yeah, like people have already been saying, the open mouthed pounce is puppy play at its finest. You should see them with their litter mates at 5-6 weeks old, they're positively gnawing on each other! One thing we always did, and found worked well, was to react in a way that the dog could relate to. And that was by using appropriate noises. Whenever puppy got a bit over excited and bit us we'd make an 'ow!' sound (which was more of a high-pitched yelp), even if it didn't actually hurt. But puppy would go 'hold up, what's happened?'. And it was from this point we could start stressing the 'gently' command which is what we use to stop our two pouncing other dogs.

Another way we taught ours although it might seem a bit loopy is to teach puppy not to bite just like a lot of parents have taught children. When puppy bites you, you bite back (gently of course!). You'd be amazed how fast puppy learns how not to bite when you can relate in actions it understands better than it might understand commands.

Keep working at it though, and you'll be just fine ^_^

On another topic, Cesar Milan IS very good, but I would avoid some of his techniques as they require forcing a dog to submit to you (the technique where he sometimes forces a dog to the ground) which at puppy age isn't good given you need to be establishing a bond too. Puppy parties are usually a good way to help introduce the 'no biting' play and getting puppy used to 'playing nice' as well as starting socialising.

Re: puppy problem?!?

Katie B — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:54:24 GMT

[quote user="les punton"]

thanks for that, she is my 1st staffie pup, iv always had dogs but always had them apart from 5mths upwards. I got my bull mastiff as a pup but shes a bit of a dud and has never shown any aggression or 'roughness'. She met a dog her size and didnt play as rough...encouraging!

Im not scared about her greeting other dogs and dont lift her away (see this all the time with big dog) but im very aware of what other people think!.

All my dogs have been placid but I think its just a case of I cant remember them little!

thanks again for help

[/quote]

I remember crying the day after as he was so rough, I thought he was going to be vicious but it's just play. You see them with their litters and their so rough. Don't worry she will grow out of it, still a cute stage though as they learn something new everday.

Re: puppy problem?!?

les punton — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:04:34 GMT

Im not scared about her greeting other dogs and dont lift her away (see this all the time with big dog) but im very aware of what other people think!.

All my dogs have been placid but I think its just a case of I cant remember them little!

thanks again for help

Re: puppy problem?!?

NorthernLass — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:05:06 GMT

Very cute puppy

I like Cesar Milan too, seems to have some very good ideas/methods

Re: puppy problem?!?

Katie B — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:20:23 GMT

She is just a litlle too cute, what a darling!

Re: puppy problem?!?

Katie B — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:11:49 GMT

When I got my lab puppy, he was the same and I was worried he would turn into a vicious dog. But he is as placid as they come. It really is just play however if you see the lips curl up then that means it is getting a little too rough. I always say Gentle to my doggie when he is mouthing or is playing with another dog. If it gets too rough I just give him a gentle tap, normally this snaps him out of the zone. The most important thing is not to become tense or nervous, generally pther pups will let her know if she is playing too hard by yelping. Also don't get into the trap of pulling her away from other dogs as this could in turn promote her to become a vicious dog, they become fearful, if that makes sense as they have never had that socialisation, which is so important.

When she is mouthing you and chewing gently, praise her by saying good gentle. Sounds really daft but this way they associate that word to what there doing. If she bites too hard on you, then turn away from her and ignore her for a couple of minutes. If she is with another dog and bites them too hard and still carries on being too rough then take her out of the room and put her in her bed for 5 minutes then let her out. If she is too rough again repeat the process. You didn't say whether this was your first dog, mine is so it was trial and error with him. I got advice from other dog owners and watched Cesar Milan The Dog Whisperer, he has some great techniques. Above all make sure she knows you are the boss. Does your vet do puppy parties? as these are great for socialisation. The main thing is don't be frightened of letting her play with other dogs. I see so many people (particularly small dog owners) pick there dog up when another dog comes over to play. They put them down and their dog is vicious, the only reason for this is because they have been babied and picked up and so they have learnt other dogs are not to be trusted/liked. Try these techniques and if you can watch Cesar Milan on Sky 1. He really is brilliant and gives great tips. Hope this helps. Sorry for rambling.