Crate training. UPDATE: Biting and growling in nonplayful way. pg 4

[Brindlebtch]

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Yep, best book ever written on how to raise a pup! You do have to modify a bit if you work or have a particulat hard head - but a really reall good book. It is the one I started with when I got my first pup!

 

[arabianequine]

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I suspect the reason she 'bites' at you (puts her mouth on you) is more a reaction to something unexpected than anything else. You said you had started it recently. Do not let her get away with the protest. The whining part is because it is perceived as a correction. And if talking back to you (the 'kinda bite' as you called it) results in subsequent freedom again, she got away with showing you no respect at all and you're really not serious about the correction in her opinion. If your pup wants to chase, make sure you have a flat collar on her when she is out. You already brought that up yourself. That way there is more for you to hold onto. But I would certainly keep on handling her and yes, I would personally continue to hold her by the scruff, but next time, better prepared to 'take issue' with protest. Nothing dramatic. Start with scolding and if that does not work, you could for example lay her on her side or back. In all fairness though: I know not all dog owners are natured alike and not everybody sees 'offense' where it needs to be seen or can react adequately. So if you are very unsure about how to handle something, maybe go find someone who can help. I would be glad to, but suspect I am a bit too far away.

Yeah thats what I thought and when she whines and she just touches her mouth to my arm she does not really bite but I think if I don't let go she would so I do and then she will run around all hyper for a bit again till I can get her to give me eye contact and sit she knows sit real well. I am getting a better collar today I have a chain choker but I don't want that to stay on everyday day and night and it says not too actually. I am not willing to not show her who is boss and be a little more hands on....well this last time I got a smack in the mouth before she ran off and said no bite. It seems when I am in a panic so to speak it makes her more excited. Yes you are a little far but I have been thinking about taking her to a trainer.

I think I also mentioned this in another post of mine.

Thank you for your help and offering to help personally.

 

[reveriereptile]

Thanks for all the help and advice. I've read a lot about the breed since I've wanted one since I was a kid. I do know they can have food aggression and other behavior problems. I assumed most of the behavior problems would happen more as she got older. I've helped raise other puppies that my mom bought or my MIL and SILs puppies. I think one problem I have is myself not showing more of a leadership role over her. My husband said I was probably to friendly with her the first few days and now she thinks she is top dog. Her outdoor pen is mainly for when we have to leave for an hour or two instead of having her stuck in her crate during that time. I only put her in it when it is nice out and not over 80+. My FIL is usually around and checks on her while we are gone during the time she is in the pen. I do put a frozen water bottle in the pen with her besides her toys and water. For exercise she goes on short walks since I'm still getting her and myself use to the leash. I do make sure she stays to the side or behind me and that I walk out the door first. We also have play time in the living room throughout the day. I have about 9 toys laying around for her to play with. We play till she gets wore out and is ready for a nap. I did look up online the Dog Whisperer and It's Me or The Dog websites for tips. I'm going to try some of the tips I read. One of the tips was the Take and Give game which you say "Take" while offering a toy, then offer a different toy and save "Give" to exchange the toys. Suppose to be helpful when they have something they shouldn't to get them to let go of it. I'm going to buy a collar and make the leash shorter to keep her out of stuff and for better corrections. Our Walmart was remodeling today so I wasn't able to get a collar since I couldn't find them. I also did get a Kong toy that I will give her for her to focus her mouthing onto it instead of hands or feet. I'm going to work with her to have her "work" for her food, toys, and affection by having her go for a walk or 15 minute sessions of basic training. I did come across Cesar Millan saying when a puppy gets overhyper and starts jumping or nipping to do the no touch, no talk, and no eye contact with the puppy to ignore it that they learn they don't get the attention they want and settle down. Has anyone tried that to see if it works? I'd appericate anymore advice. I am going to work more on leadership and whatever I find works best for her to teach other family members that come around to use the same rules so everyone is on the same page.

 

[saxet]

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Indeed. No choke chains left on dogs please. Like halters on a horse. What if.....

Do not fear the mouth-on too much. There is a distinct difference between contact and a true bite. (believe me!) and she does not sound like one that would really bite. But every time you pull away from her contact, she learns that if there is something you don't want to do, all you have to do is open your mouth. That might not be what you are looking for. Tip: No dog can bite you if you have them by the scruff of the neck, right behind the ears. Some very very accomplished ones might spin and still bite, but as far as the nips that we are discussing here, it is a good way to avoid contact and not pull away (thuis letting her 'win') And you are also right about the 'panic'. They sense our lack of control. Even if you don't feel it, the more matter of fact you can sound, the more in control you seem and actually will be. It is hard though, but have you ever loaded a horse in a trailer thinking "it won't"? Yup. It most likely won't. And what about that time when everyone seems to be watching and you truly do not want to look incompetent? You say to yourself that today, everyone is about to load just beautifully. And that might just happen too. A lot of all this is about what goes down the leash/leadrope.

If you can fool yourself, you very well might fool them too!

 

[saxet]

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Like all advice given here, a lot depends on the idividual dog. I know plenty of dogs that simply won't be ignored. They would have remodelled the house by the time the unwanted behavior subsides.

And some will bite to hard (in your toes for example) that you are squirming, whick is a reaction. I only mean to say that it does not work for all pups of all breeds. For your pup, -the way you described her- I would instead recommend a lot of interaction, but done on your terms. I doubt you have been 'too sweet'. There is no such a thing. But you can be sweet and firm at the same time. Maybe it would help you and your pup to establish the rule that you mostly, you initiate play, not her. If she comes to you with a toy, first say 'no' and ignore the request. When she is ready to go on to something else, you can initiate the game she wanted instead. An adult will often play with a pup, often inspired by the puppies request. But when they say 'no', or 'not now', that is loud and clear and really accepted by all pups. If you can try to keep in the back of your head that you should seem in control towards her, maybe that helps you with all kinds of decisions that you will constantly need to make. And I still recommend a good puppy class. They are often a world of fun and if you manage to find good help, it will likely help the both of you a lot.
Good luck!

 

[reveriereptile]

She seemed better within the last two hours. I went out to her with a bag with some dog food (didn't have treats at the time). I then started teaching the sit command and kept saying "sit" till she did and then I would give her a piece but she would have to slowly eat it from my fingers. I did that for about 10 minutes and then I tried the off/take command that I've tried working with her before on. I hold food in my closed hand and keep saying "off" till she quits trying to bite or lick my hand then I say "take" and offer a piece of food when she stops. I then took her for a walk which she didn't want to go away from the house so the walk back was easier. I kept her beside me or behind me and walked with my head up and shoulders and back straight with confindence. I brought her into the house and gave her attention. Then I offered her the Kong with peanut butter which kept her busy for a while. I held her in my lap and she started to bite and I said "no" firmly and got her the Kong to bite instead. I put her back on the floor and she ran around but then got a hold of the arm of a shirt on the back of a chair so I said "let go" firmly but offered a toy/treat instead which she let go and I said "good girl" after she was done. She got into a couple other things which I did the same for and she dropped the item for the toy/treat. I then practiced more with the sit command which she started to get better with. She is now napping from being wore out. Now my question is, am I on the right track? Also should I offer a treat or toy to get her to let go of something and praise her after she lets go or am I rewarding her for chewing on the item?

 

[redhen]

This is probably the wrong way to do it..but its always worked for me..
My dogs today would never ever think of even putting their teeth on a human.
What i did when they were pups was when they started to do their puppy biting.. I would grab the scruff of their neck and give them a shake... and say VERY loudly "NO BITE!" and i would stop playing with them...
You have to REALLY get their attention and be firm with them. Just like momma dog would do...
I have even put my pups on their backs and held them down with my hand on their chest and side of their neck if they wouldnt stop "playing " rough... And say the same thing to them "NO BITE!" And look at them right in the face when you say it...
The VERY important thing is...you have to follow through with it EVERY time he does it.... otherwise they dont understand.

 

[reveriereptile]

I may try that. She doesn't seem to listen to good so adding the scruff or holding her on her back might give it that extra bit to get her to stop. My husband and me both have been doing the same stuff whenever we try something so we both are on the same page. We also tell our little cousins to do the same also.

 

[redhen]

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I would just try the scruff first...
The back thing is a last resort thing and you have to know how to do it so the dog dosent get issues..

Good luck!

 

[reveriereptile]

I'll give it a try and see how it goes.

Here are some pictures of her when she is being sweet.