Author Topic: Biting revisited  (Read 2822 times)

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Offline Jane S

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Biting revisited
« Reply #15 on: August 28, 2004, 03:28:20 PM »
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Tether her to something with the lead. Then you go to another room. As soon as she is quiet let her back.
This may be ok in a training class situation where all dogs are under close supervision but it's not a good idea to leave any dog tethered by a lead unsupervised - accidents can happen sadly :(

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Offline PennyB

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Biting revisited
« Reply #16 on: August 28, 2004, 04:13:47 PM »
And also wouldn't the dog associate this with negative behaviour and so may become reluctant to go on a lead at some stage
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Offline suki1964

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« Reply #17 on: August 28, 2004, 05:12:20 PM »
Well hes very good at sitting to command - I make him sit for everything, from dinner to putting the lead on and off. Hes still learning down which is taking longer because he gets so wound up he starts to nip. Hes not possesive with his toys or anyone  and he will - when in the right mood - even let me put my fingers in his mouth without biting (I can even hold his tongue no worries). He hasn't even chewed anything in the house hes not supposed to, nor has he destroyed any toys. Apart from the biting he really is a perfect dog :)

It all changes the moment I start to play with him or groom him. And as for carrying him - well Im sure Im going to lose my nose or ear one of these days :(

Do you think that I should just carry on doing what Im doing and hope that he learns eventually? Or should I be looking for help with a trainer at this stage? Im terrified that he is going to nip someone when we are out and its just awfull telling people not to pet him when he so loves to meet people :(




 
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Offline Cob-Web

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« Reply #18 on: August 28, 2004, 06:32:23 PM »
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Last night he caught my hand drawing blood (not a lot ) so I yelped with pain and moved away from him as normal and as normal his response was to run after me and attach himself to the bottom of my trousers by his teeth :(
Molo does this when he gets tired, hungry or overexcited -  first thing in the morning he can literally dangle off my trousers :rolleyes:

I have considered it to be just normal puppy behaviour, and have been following the advice that has already been given, yelp, ignore, isolate. We to are limited as to how we can isolate him; but find that moving to another area of the room with our backs to him, and our attention firmly on something else seems to have an affect. It can get too much sometimes, and when icos it hurts it is really difficult to flinch or pull away every time he eve nsniffs your face/arms or hands  :(

They sounds very similar in that Molo also allows me to put my hands in his mouth, and he has settled really well, not possessive with toys or food, very little crying at night or when alone, and picking up basic commands well - in fact I have been thankful that he is very much 'The Perfect Puppy'  :)

Try not to worry to much, as I am sure that doggies of all ages can sense anxiety, and respond to it. Also, and this is really hard, I have given Molo times to 'play' with my hands, without me flinching in anticipation of a nip   ;) , so that we can  practice the yelp/ignore technique.

My first training class was so funny, we all had to sit on the floor with our pups, and Molo was constantly bouncing around and nipping my hands, face, arms etc. All the others were sitting calmly, listening to the tutor, and every two seconds I would 'yelp'  :lol:

When I really want to give him a cuddle, I make sure I have got a raggy toy in my hands and refocus his attention on that each time he moves to nip/chew me!

As for meeting other people, I want to make sure that Molo is well socialised with loads of different people, so if people come up to him, and ask whether they can pet him, I always say yes, but warn them that he is still at the 'nippy' stage...most people understand, and move away if/when he nips them.

Try not to worry too much, I am sure it is just a phase that will consistent training he will grow out of  :blink:

If you would like to PM me, we can chat further if it will help. My OH has been far less able to tolerate this from Molo than I have, so I do understand it can leave you at your wits end  :rolleyes:  
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Offline suki1964

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« Reply #19 on: August 28, 2004, 10:21:31 PM »
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They sounds very similar in that Molo also allows me to put my hands in his mouth, and he has settled really well, not possessive with toys or food, very little crying at night or when alone, and picking up basic commands well - in fact I have been thankful that he is very much 'The Perfect Puppy' 

I said right from the start that these two could be brothers :)

The dangling off the trousers will be the death of me, his favourite place to do it is when Im coming down the stairs  :o  I had resorted to wearing shorts to fox him but its a tad too cold now.

Id love to do puppy classes but I work different shifts so cant commit to going on a weekly basis and I doubt hubby will go. He cant see that there is a problem. When Alfie bites him, he gives him a sharp tap on the nose and he can obviously hold him more firmly then I can. I cant do the tap on the nose, its just not in me to do that to a pup. And I think that the way he reacts to him could be some of the problem, whereas Im with Alfie all day and the primary carer and can see when hes pushing his luck, hubby gets to see him for a couple of hours in the evening and thinks hes fine and no trouble at all and lets him away with murder   :huh:

Im letting him socialise as much as possible and do warn that hes a puppy with sharp teeth and he might just catch them a nip - luckily most people are respectful of that :)

Rachel thanks for the offer of a chat :) Hopefully you will be coming to newlands corner and we can swop horror stories and success stories and come to realise that they are not so bad after all :) But its nice to know theres someone out there going through the same willing to be a shoulder - thanks

 
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Offline PennyB

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Biting revisited
« Reply #20 on: August 29, 2004, 01:40:37 AM »
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Id love to do puppy classes but I work different shifts so cant commit to going on a weekly basis and I doubt hubby will go.
In that case why not do a 1-2-1 with a trainer. After Ruby's puppy classes were a disaster I found another trainer who was brilliant and did a few 1-2-1s with him then did the intermediate group class. The cost might seem a lot but its amazing how much you learn in so short a time as its just you and your dog and it ends up well worth the cost and you can choose when you go and your dog benefits.

Tapping the dogs nose could also be part of the problem or at least you may have problems in the future.

It really does take time for this to resolve itself (and I mean it feels like a really long time)
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Offline suki1964

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« Reply #21 on: August 29, 2004, 07:01:46 AM »
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In that case why not do a 1-2-1 with a trainer.

Penny, that sounds like its going to have to be the way I go, Im obviously not getting the message across to him :( Do you know how I go about finding a 1-2-1? My vet doesn't even have details of puppy classes

Im really against the tapping on the nose, but thats how hubby has chosen how to deal with it and there are only so many battles I can fight in a day
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Offline PennyB

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Biting revisited
« Reply #22 on: August 29, 2004, 01:30:22 PM »
I started in my local area asking around the dogwalkers for classes as there's always someone who has an opinion about who's the best and why. Some of the classes run 1-2-1s as well. Am surprised your vet doesn't have the details for classes but what about asking the vet nurses as they usually know more of what goes on in the community.

Which area do you live in?

Also try looking on the APDT website for certified trainers in your area (if there's no one nearby then I'd just keep stalking dog walkers—great way to get to know more people as well).
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Offline Tracey J

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Biting revisited
« Reply #23 on: August 29, 2004, 11:23:10 PM »
I just wanted to add that I think Molly was immune to any form of training when it came to mouthing/biting.  I think improvement has come with age (and constant training ie. exclusion, yelping etc.)  She is nearly 15 months now and still brushes against us with her teeth, (I was reduced to tears of misery and frustration on many an occasion with her).  Now when she does this, thankfully, we just have to say 'teeth!' firmly and she gives lovely kisses.  I can totally sympathise with you, he sounds just like our demon pup.  I hope you find a solution quickly for this little problem so that you so that you can enjoy your little angel all the more :D  
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