131/2 week puppy being naughty - biting children whilst playing. We are anxious to stop this behaviour now. he does not bite hubby because he has told him off whilst doing so quite severely (without hurting him). I don't like to be so harsh and just tell pup no in a severe voice and try to ignore him for a while (quite hard when he jumps all over you) Children tell him off also by saying no but he just ignores them. husband says should wack is backside when doing it but this iseasier said than done - you have to be quick.

Has anyone got any other suggestions to correct this little minx before he gets to big. I hope its a puppy thing and he grows out of it. I do feel he is only playing but little teeth are so sharp.

We have had a dobe previously - don't remember him being so mouthy.

Don't smack him - he's being a normal puppy!!! Pups do mouth and nip during play, and this behaviour does need to be discouraged, but stopping play as soon as he bites/mouths/nips you would be far far better a solution than smacking him or shouting at him.
If he jumps up at you when your stop play just turn away and fold your arms until he has calmed down again, then praise him for being quiet and calm.
He will learn that it's not ok to play with people the way he played with his littermates, but you have to give him time!!

He's not naughty, he's just being a puppy. Don't slap him, particulaly infront of your children, you may perform a measured slap but when the children copy you, or your husband, they may not be so carefull. And heavy handed slaping could lead to big trouble in the future. Tell your children to stop playing with the pup if it nips, to stand up and walk away from it - into another room if needed. Do not return to the game for about 10 mims. You and you husband should do the same as the children will expect to do as you do. The pup will soon stop when he finds that there is no fun in biting as his playmates leave the room when he does. Try not to compare him with the earlier Dobe. dog and puppies, like children and adults differ. Have fun and enjoy your puppy. Ja:)kie

Hi Karen

All puppies bite and nip, (unless there is something wrong with them) it is part of growing up and it is up to us to teach them that human flesh is sacred :-).

You and your husband probably have the speed and co-ordination to grab him over the top of the muzzle and say "Enough" or whatever single word comes most easily to you.

Your children will probably need to take a different tack and standing cross armed, looking in the air (definitly not at the puppy) may serve as a "time out" and make him think twice about what he is doing.

He will be teething again shortly if he is not already and once that is over then you should see the mouthing drastically reducing as a) he gets the message and b) his mouth gets less tender.

HTH

Christine

I disagree with speedsmum....this pup has already learned who to respect (ie your husband) and who not to respect (ie the children) and in a large boisterous breed like a dobe, I do not think there is an option to "give him time to learn how to play", he needs to be told NOW whilst he is a puppy. You say you do not want to tell him off severely,but it clearly works because he doesn't bite your husband & he takes no notice of you!
I do not think children should discipline dogs, but I feel most strongly that you should be supervising this play with the children and intervene & tell him of very strictly when he tries to nip them. If he treats children like litter mates then a time will come when he will challenge them, and that is not a funny situation.

I have to say I agree with Sam , if you look at a not so old thread by somebody called Ashmal you will see a similar scenario .
I have a Dobe and children and at this age you are setting the stage ,the children have to show authority over the dog ,play with the puppy yes of course but the children have to know where to draw the line and you should be supervising this .
Liz :)

Of course he need to be told now while he's still a puppy, i'm just pointing out that hitting him probably isn't the best way to tell him!!! Ignoring him will make him understand that he'll only get attention when he DOESN'T mouth, and it will stop.
i'm with Kerioak - although it's hard to get kids to stop playing with a pup it's what needs to be done. i'm not convinced that smacking/shouting at a pup will get it to respect you..

I'm sorry to say that although grabing the pups nose and shouting will work, when your back is turned the children will try doing it too. Unless of course you have angels. So many dogs get blamed for growling at children and some of the time it is because the children of the dogs family have been alowed to be physical with the dog. Ja:)kie

We taught or youngest to have a big voice ,When the dog misbehaved ( and don't forget young dobes are spring loaded and will carry on jumping up at a child even when being ignored ) the youngest ( cos he was the smallest )would give a big boomy 'NO' ( not easy when you're 8 ) would stand to his full height arms crossed and would remove himself from whatever was going on .( He developed quite a strut ! )
It all takes time, I think firm but fair
Liz :)
I think wacking his bum will just teach him to nip and run

I'm with Kerioak on this one I'm afraid folks. Both myself and my partner are fit, strong confident people and we have no kids so maybe we could be a little more heavy handed then those of you with kids. Our dobe thinks it's great to jump up with his two great muddy paws, usually managing to scratch your face with his claws, opening his giant jaws to have a good old mouth on any available flesh at the same time. I've got some nice welted scars to prove it.

We use the 'knee into chest' method even today when Hugo gets over excited and forgets himself - it's very effective. And we've used the hands over muzzle technique with a hearty shove backwards when he just wouldn't quit chewing on us.

Another interesting method was taught to me by a breeder with a pack of beagles - when the dogs jump up at you, stand on their back feet. They seem to form the opinion that you're such a clumsy oaf it's not worth their while. Not tried this one but the theory seems quite sound if you can avoid any injury.

Good luck - dobe pups are just the cutest aren't they?!

Lady G

Hi everybody who has replied.

Taken all information in. I agree with everyone one way or another. I take the view that because he is going to be a large dog - this problem needs sorting now and do not want to wait and see what he grows up to be.

The problem with telling no and ignoring is that he will then proceed to jump up to attract your attention and nipping in very painful places if he gets opportunity - especially on my 11 year old son! The kids are supervised - they do not play alone with dog . He even gets them when watching tv. he will jump on top of them onthe settee and proceed to nip. he does stop when they say no in loud voice (my neighbours must think we have all gone mad). I have now told kids to put up knee sharply if he jumps when they are standing. When standing this is fine but when they want to walk off somewhere they have to walk backwards .

He does not seem to be learning - but know it is a case of perseverance - as he is probably waiting for a time when we let him jump or nip and then he will think he has won and moved up the ladder in the house.

Puppy classes start in 4 weeks - roll on. Can take him out now as 14 weeks- the exercise might tire him out so doesn't want to play nipping/chasng games so much.

Thanks
Karen.

Hi Karen
This our first Dobe and we've learnt soooo much since we got him
They are daft but clever ( as you already know having had one before )
Our neighbour asked me what the dogs name was and when I told her she said ' strange ,I thought his name was no!!!'
he's great with the kids now though and as I child mind as well there is a steady stream of kids through the house ...and he hasn't eaten any yet :D
Mind you he's probably too full from the car ;)
Liz