Hi,

I'm back again with another question!

My pup Harry (A 9 1/2 week old CKCS) is nipping during play. I've tried saying no firmly and pushing him away but he just seems to find this all the more exciting and nips even more, often grabbing at my trouser legs or shoes! I know he's juts a baby but he's not taking any notice of what I tell him and I don't want to end up with a snappy little fella that ignores everything I say to him! Oh and because he's so tiny his teeth are like flipping needles and they really hurt! Once he's got hold often he won't let go!

I've also tried training him to sit and he just seems to completely ignore me! Is it too early or am I doing something wrong?

I plan to take him to training classes but am having terrible trouble finding any in my area (Severn Beach/Pilning/Easter Compton in Bristol area).

Anybody have any tips or pointers as I really want to train him to be obedient and a well-behaved little chap.

Thanks

Jasperooni

P.S. Thanks everyone for the tips about training him to wee & poo outside. The first time I took him out he performed straight away! He seemed to sense outside is the place to go! And it's a lot easier than soggy paper!

Buy a copy of "The Perfect Puppy" by Gwen Bailey. It will explain clearly exactly what you should do to solve many problems, and to stop even more even starting.

Pushing a puppy away is, to a puppy, a great game! They come back for more (as long as it doesn't hurt, and I know you don't want to do this).

You're quite right to be concerned that it could "all go wrong". It can, so easily, and it's always the dog who suffers most.

Buy the book, it's invaluable (and no, I don't get a commision on sales!)

Hi Jasperooni :) I have a 9 week old puppy so I know exactly how those needle teeth feel :( I have been very lucky up till now, if he gets too lively and starts nipping I just hold him back gently and say "NO", this seems to calm him down and I quickly grab a toy and make him play with that instead of biting, so he learns that he is not suppose to bite people but can bite his toys. It seems to be working very well but each puppy is different.

I'm from Bristol and was recommended a class in Winterbourne which I will be taking Marely, I'll get the details from my friend if you want.

Clair
xxx

I posted about this subject several weeks ago regarding our doberman puppy. From other peoples insights into the problem and information given - the problem with harry has settled down a little. i.e. we never let the nipping/jumping up go unchastised (grammer/spelling?) using a firm no and ignoring him or as last resort putting out of room for a few minutes.

He still does nip but not nearly as much as used to. Dont know whether we have "trained " him or whether it is a stage that puppie go through and gradually get better. Think probably latter as how many dogs do you know that still mouth owners when they are adults ? I don't know any anyway.

Good luck ! (typing this whilst looking at the scabs on backs of my hands lol)

Karen.

Hi

Thanks for the advice, I'll get the book straight away!

I'd love the details of the classes in Winterbourne thanks Clair. I think I juts need a really good class that we can both learn at! My e-mail is alison.nye-webber@boipluk.co.uk if you wouldn't mind sending me the details! Thanks again

Jasperooni

No problem I'll ring my friend tomorrow and email you the detail of the class - If you see some looney with a Pharaoh Hound come and say hello :D it's only me.

Clair
xxx

I have emailed you the details

Hi

My Great Dane pup LOVED attacking my trouser legs - especially when I was walking down the stairs!! However, I have cured him. I realised that when he starts biting I *reward* him by shouting, trying to push/pull him away, and running even faster to get away. So, whenever he went for my trousers I stood still and told him no till he stopped - therefore removing the element of fun. Voila - no more bitten knees (he can reach higher than most :) )

Best of luck
Chloe

Hi I to have a 9 week old Bull Terrier pup and I to find that if you run or push her away she does it even more and boy do those teeth hurt.I just say a firm no and she sometimes does it even more I find taking no notice of her she gets fed up and stops also I distract her with her toys and this always work.I think it's just a thing they go through.I live in Chipping Sodbury and goo to socialisation classes at our vets also have joined a training school in Iron Acton.
Kim

Hi Kim, I'm so pleased that your new puppy has arrived :D . Hope she is settling in ok, any puppy pics yet :) I've got relatives in Chipping Sodbury and I live just up the road (well motorway) in Sea Mills, it's a small world we live in :-)

Clair
xxx

Hi Clair,she has settled very well one or two little accidents but then she is only nine weeks,teeth like a shark,but apart from that she's great. I have no pictures yet as we have a new computer and our old camera is not compatible so we have to go and spend some more money much to hubbies disgust.Thanks for showing a interest keep you updated
Kim

Hi Clair,

Thanks for sending the details. It's my business e-mail so I'll pick it up Monday. I'm trying desperately to ignore Harry when he nips but it's so difficult! I'm hoping it's just a phase! I'll have to look on the Net and find out what a Pharoah Hound looks like as I've never seen one, but once I know, I'll be sure to pop over and say hi!

Kim, wow a Bull Terrier! I can imagine they're quite strong little devils once they start chewing! Lucky my cavalier is such a tiny fella and easy to manoeuvre!

Thanks for all your help

Jasperooni
(aka Allie!)

Hi Clair,I firgot it was you I spoke to about the lose of my dog,but such a lot has happened and I've had no time to get on the site but back as usual now. Maddie is doing fine she is very good, a little b****r sometimes but then thats pups for you.Have you got your new pup yet and if so how are you coping? I have just bought a new camera and I am trying to get the thing up and running but all this new technical stuff does my head in,but when I have got it right I will send you some pictures.Where about's in Sodbury do your relatives live?
Keep in touch
Kim

Hi all,

This is my first time on this website. I too am having the same problem with my 12 week old Chocolate Lab puppy. I've tried everything that I've read of...standing still, saying no firmly, substituting my arm etc for a toy, ignoring him, placing him in another room..I've even tried smacking him gently on the nose...which I really hate doing. But everything seems to encourage him toget wilder. He has now even started to 'go' for me and start jumping/ biting at my face. He's so young and I really don't knw what to do.

Any advice anyone?

Hi Franc
My first time on the website, I have a Chocolate lab too 13 weeks old (today) Chester, he was/is not so bad anymore doing the same. i have been saying "no biting" to him and making him sit to do a time out until he's calmed down.......that's an understatment!! I think the jumping up at your face as something to do with the fact that labs like to look in your eyes to see what mood your in, try looking a bit stern, it might help,who knows, I'm no expert!! Good Luck. Let me know if you find any other way to.

Hi Chocky,

I'll try the looking stern thing. I did try to kinda growl at him as his mum would do...but I guess i got the mad one of the litter. I thought it also might be to do with having a female voice, which isn't as firm as a male one! I think your 'time out' idea is a good one..I'll try and come up with a version that works with Beau. Maybe its a chocolate labrador thing...the vet did tell me that they are renowned for being a bit boysterous (sorry about the spelling). Good luck with Chester...and please post if you find a solution!

Francy

Hi Francy
I was testing out various options on Chester last night ( we have the kids on a Weds ) and he found it
great fun to tug at the bottom of my boyfriends daughters trouser legs!! When I told him off by "no bitinng
he launched himself at me and started biting......I was not amsused as he had been doing so well, but the kids
presence made him so excited,......as soon as his mouth went to my finger's I began to fake cry and turn away...well
he didn't know what to.....he stopped in his tracks, came and sat by my legs and just looked at me with
his head on one side, i continued to ignore him and took myself off into the lounge, leaving him in the kitchen,
asked no one to go in to see him for a while (only probably 5-10 mins) It worked!!!!! never atempted to
nibble me and on returning to Jemma's jeans, she told him NO and he let go !!!
Unfortunatley........lesson forgot he's back to being a complete loon this morning, I had a bucket full of
ice brought in from the garden for me this morning, what a hon!!
I shall keep progressing.........

Oh I'm sorry to hear that your dog is doing the same now! If its any consilation, Beau does only do the launching at my face thing when he is super excited...but its really scary!

I was also trying a few things last night with Beua. Whenever he started nipping and ignoring my 'No bite' commands, I picked him up and put him in another room too. He cried for a while, but was better behaved when he returned to the room with me. Its difficult to keep persistantly doing this though. I also started shouting 'out' to signal I was going to put him out...maybe he may learn that if he hears me hollering 'out' in future, he may associated this with being placed on his and stop nipping and misbehavin. Its a long shot, but I hope it works.

I'm also thinking about obedience classes or 'Good Citizen' classes. Maybe a combo of the two may work. Keep me posted on how it goes!

Hi all.....GOD I LOVE THIS SITE !!
instead of thinking " my god ! my pup is out of control" i read this and you all list the exact things my 12 wk Newfoundland pup is doing.
I ignore her , say no , if she keeps up she gets sent to her room!!!!
Zoe and Cru'Ella x x

Chester is "street legal" on Sunday, so he can start to go for short walks, I have also booked into a training class (although he is doing very well on his own, i'm not sure what he will be like in a room full of other pups!! We start on the 22nd, should be fun!! Hopefully his walking will give him something new to concenrate on other than swinging off trouser legs!!! Although some friends have a choc lab, who was well behaved as a young puppy, they said it was only when he started to go out and realised there was more to life than 4 walls and a garden that he started to destroy things in the house !!! Hope not!!