Hello all you lovely dog owners i am really in need of some kind advice. My Bichon is 14 months old neutered but i am having terrible issues with him partly my fault i expect but here we go...... he is very mouthy quite harsh at timesand the barking is unruley i feel my neighbours will be sending me an asbo before long he jumps up like a kangaroo at people grabbing their coats and is just so naughty in general. i have been to training classes and he is walked 3 times daily twice to the park once street walking he is played with at home and fed a raw diet (nutriment) please if anyone can advise i would be greatful especially someone with knowledge of Bichons.

> but i am having terrible issues with him partly my fault i expect

I'm very much afraid that it IS your fault (sorry.)  But it's something that should have been resolved long ago.  However, I feel that you would be best going back to basics and starting again just as you would with an 8 week old puppy.

There isn't a great deal of difference with breed, as the training for bite inhibition is the same whatever breed you have.  It will probably take longer with an adult dog, as pupsters seem to "get it" if you are consistent.  I'll repeat - you must be consistent.

This is the best advice that you could take.  Ian Dunbar is THE BEST.

http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=64170.0

Good Luck. 

So boring but Jean is right it really is consistency. My Shih Tzu was very bitey, I would say always have some thing to redirect the bite onto. I still have to leave a toy by my bed for when we get up or she will be on my slippers! Thankfully the jumping up biting has stopped.  I know you we feel like this isn't working but it may take a couple of months to really ingrain it and you cannot give any oh I'm tired I will let that one go as it will set you back.

With the barking have you figured out why he is barking. My pup barks only through major excitement so when her lead comes out when my brother gets in from work or when I come back to the car after shopping even though he is there. You can teach to bark on command and then once they have that start rewarding the silences but quickly.

Good luck!

Have a search on "Bichon biting" as there was one a while ago who was having a lot of similar issues. It may be a breed thing I used a lot of these tips to help with my puppy (10.5 months now).

I'm kind of assuming this is the same poster with a different username -dog's age is the same, breed is the same. Fed on same food.

> I have been to training classes

Are you still going?  Some dogs (and owners) need the discipline and support of regular training.  Going a few times when a puppy just isn't enough and you will need to continue daily sessions at home too

Have a look for a trainer who is experienced with helping owners, as well as dogs, as you sound as if you need help to understand exactly what is happening and what you can do to change these behaviours.  Perhaps if you tell us where you are someone might be able to suggest a trainer

In the meantime get a copy of The Puppy Primer, a book by Patricia McConnell and go back to basics with your dog.

Yep I am one of those DAB. I love the formality of a class she loves the interaction with the other dogs but we are a work in progress!

Well spotted Goldmali

Hope you are coping If it is you Tracey.

I have no idea why i am being classed as someone else i read up on bichon biting on here and the same issues yes as for the food he has only been on nutriment for just over 1 month i have sent a message to the other bichon owner to ask if her pup has settled as i am having these issues.My name is Dawn not Tracey and i am new to champdogs came on for some advice as a froend said it is a good place to ask i said partly my fault with barking as i do speak when he barks instead of ignoring but in no way is all the other behaviour my fault i do everything i can to try to stop this.

Hi i am in yorkshire

> but in no way is all the other behaviour my fault i do everything i can to try to stop this.

You dog will behave in ways that react to/are relevent to what he is experiencing in any given situation, unless you put the effort in to teach him HOW to behave in that situation. If he play-bites and the person he play bites screams (for example), he may think they are having fun and bite harder, ergo, he is reacting to the situation. Or if he thinks the screaming is a threat, he may intensify his efforts of playbiting in  order to pacify the person that is now threatening him - ergo, he is reacting.

As the dogs owner, you are responsible for his behaviour. In order to do the best you can for him with training, it makes sense that you first understand the basics of dogs behaviour and how they learn.
You are the teacher, your dog is the student,  if the student is not learning the desired lesson then it is the teacher at fault, not the student. Look to your teaching methods and adjust them to your student = learn to teach. Do not expect the student to learn how to learn.

> i do everything i can to try to stop this

Teaching appropriate behaviour is the key to eliminating unwanted behaviour.

You might take some note of mastifflovers post.  She practises what she preaches and has had more than a little success.