my puppy was nipping quite a lot and i posted on here and got loads of advice which seemed to work, however, this last week he has been seriously biting me. He keeps jumping at me when i sit down. He has broken the skin quite a few times and ripped out my earing. I am at the end of my tether and dont think i can take any more. It is only me he does this to. He nips others gently when he is excited, but he really goes for me. i cant sit down anymore. My husband has to lift him off me. I have tried all the advice and read many puppy nipping posts, but i think this goes beyond normal behavior. when people vist he doesnt do it to them, or the kids or my relatives just me. His front lip goes up and he wont stop. It is so bad that i dont think i can keep him. i cant spend the rest of my life stood up. he goes for my face and arms, just now he went for my throat, please help me i am desperate. Thank you.

I suggest you go to the vet to make sure there are no medical issues and then ask for a referral to a reputable, accredited behaviourist who will come and visit you and suggest the appropriate strategies to use with your particular dog in your particular situation.

hiya stann,

i don't know if this is of any use, but when my lab was a pup, and i was at work, hubby used to work from home, and she did the same to him-minus the lip curling. She constantly ran his feet, legs, hands-any part she could reach! I think in her case it was a demand for attention.

needless to say, he got sick to death of it-the biting in particular, and in the end i suggested picking her up without looking at her or talking to her and putting her out of the room and shutting the door, leaving her for a few mins (if she whined, until she stopped), then letting her back in. He only had to do this 3 times then she stopped.

tohme's advice on having a vet check him over is worth while i think.

let us know how you get on.

nic x

I dont know if it helps but when we got our first puppy, he would nip and bitew me terribly he never did to anyone else only me.
He used to try and lie on my head and bite my neck.

OH and I thought he either thought I was a big toy to chew on or that he was trying to dominate me.
A few stern NO's! and ignoring him done the trick and he is now an angel and a mummys boy at that!

Hi

You dont say how old your puppy is?

However, mine did this to me for about 2 months between the ages of 10 and 18 weeks. I got so fed up with it so I do sympathise. He was very aggressive, lip curling and everything,  and I started to think that it was his temperament in general. My partner had to get him off of me. However, one day I gave him such a telling off - not just a stern no but really let him know that I was not just angry and upset but dissappointed too. He seemed to understand as the biting slowly tailed off.

He then transferred it onto my partner, but not so badly,  so we started to take him right out of the situation. We used to give him a good telling off and then pop him in the kitchen behind the gate where he could see us carrying on as normal. We ignored him for about 15 minutes each time and then let him back in and he used to really make it up to us before we would go back to normal with him.

He is now wonderful and understands his place in the pecking order. I think at one point he thought I was his mum as they can be quite aggressive with mum too. I really do understand how awful this feels, its terribly hard not to take it personnally when you love them so much. Please dont give up on him, as I would hate you to miss out on what could potentially be a wonderful dog. Try taking the other posters advice and feel free to PM me for a moan at any time.

Caroline xx

My boy is 14 weeks old. To be fair to him i have just finished my end off year exams and probably haven't spent enough time with him this last fortnight. we had a really good afternoon today, when i got in i played ball until he bit me, then i took the ball away and stopped playing. We carried out our usual routine, then i played again until he bit me and i moved away and took the ball. He ran and jumped at me and i completely ignored him then he came and sat on my lap and went to sleep. it must just be an attention thing with him. I wish you could reason with him sometimes and tell him he will get more attention if he didnt bite, wouldnt it be much easier then? My husband hasnt had to intervene once today. I will keep you informed on tomorrows progress. Fingers crossed.

all this behaviour sounds like normal puppy behaviour, dont give up on him, I know its hard and painful. Ou Staff went through this stage and we were getting totally frustrated but the ignoring works and you have to be persistent.

Hi - it sounds to me as if your puppy sees you as a playmate and not a leader and you really shouldn't get your husband to intervene, you need to deal with the problems your self or the dog will never accept your guidance.  i suggest you find a good training class and spend some quality time with your pup in a controlled environment.  A good instructor will be able to show you how to build a good strong relationship with your pup.  If you are in Essex come and see me!!

Your pup will not be a pup for long and if you don't get your relationship worked out now there may be problems in the future.  You got your pup to enjoy him not be bitten by him and although at 14 weeks biting during exciting play is normal he should stop when asked.  Dogs unfortunately do not have the power of reason, only of what is right and what is wrong, what is fun and what is not.  Have you thought you might be paying him too much attention??  Are you inadvertently teaching him that you will give in to his demands??  Are you trying to make up for the time you had to spend away from him whilst you completed your exams??

It is problably normal play behaviour but your relationship does need work so please find a good trainer.  Best of Luck

Behind a childgate in a seperate room from the family, but still able to see you all talking and interacting but excluding him, walk past and ignore even if he barks at you for at least 30 mins and untill he has laid down and grumbles to himself pittifully, any sooner he'll think he's won. Let him back in with you after chill out, but if he's bad, put him back again and again and again. Once he behaves himself, pet him. Continue with this untill he gets the message and he will. They are like stroppy teenagers and when they get out of hand you have to be a good parent and send them to their room and of course nobody will speak to him while he's in the naughty room as he has upset you.

I think you may have hit the nail on the head there deaks. I spend the most time with him and i do everything for him, this started when i could no longer do all of this as i was busy. I think he was trying to get my attention as thinking about it now, he went back to toileting on the living room carpet while i was on the computer. When i moved to clean it he started biting me. I am hopefully going to start classes this friday. on a good note, he hasn't attacked me today. He has tried to puppy nip my hands but quickly gave up when i sat on them, (yes i was sat), I play with him twice a day, (since yesterday) and i wont even speak to him if he tries to bite me at other times, i just get up and move and already we have seen a result. He has even sat on my lap today twice without attacking. His biting seems to have calmed. Funny question though, does anyone think that it may have also been because i was really stressed and he could sense it. Another point to mention is that i noticed today he reacts to the tone of my voice if i speak very softly he is very calm and gentle, the opposite to firm 'NO'.
Does anyone elses dog do that?

>he reacts to the tone of my voice if i speak very softly he is very calm and gentle, the opposite to firm 'NO'.

I think they all do that! Just like small children, if you want them to be calm, you behave and sound calm - if you want to wind them up, act and sound excited!
:)

the funny thing is though, people always say you must speak firmly and deeply to them, this seems to wind him up further. Loud noises dont bother him at all. Just goes to show vets arnt always right though because my old vet said i needed to be louder and deeper to stop him being naughty and this doesnt work at all. Does it depend on personality?

A deeper voice is generally firmer and a higher-pitched voice is generally more exciting; which is why children wind pups up a treat and they're often more ... respectful? ... of men. You don't need to be louder to be firmer. ;)

But it works both ways - men often find it hard to get the right amount of lightness and enthusiasm into their voices for verbal praise to be most effective!
:)

Hi

So glad you seem to have it under control now. With regards to your comment about a softer voice, my boy has started to react more positively to a calmer voice now. I think you are right, they do sense when you are stressed which is probably why a quieter voice works

Caroline

I have another funny question. Do dogs sense what time of the month it is as my husband commented that his severe misbehaving, (not just naughty pup) ties in with this or is it as already ststed that it is my mood he is reacting to? My stressy time is usually the week before and he doesnt seem to react then. Maybe he is having pmt in sympathy lol.

sounds like a male with hormones! LOL! im having the same problem with my husky pup,she throws herself at me to bite and has cut me several times,when told no,she growls and bites harder.i was so wound up last night i started crying saying i couldnt cope anymore as i thought she is an aggressive dog.now reading replies on this post,its not only my pup,so am determined to fix it,as i have a 10 month old baby,who on  occasion,she has tried to do it to him too!! totally unacceptable behaviour!ive put a very long post on here asking for help,so rest assured im in the same boat!

my pup exactly the same!  But so was my other dog and she grew out of it.  Having a handy 'distractor' nearby helps!

well my friend is pregnant and even before she knew herself her dog started acting strangely and has continued to do so!  Apparently, iguanas attack women during their ahem 'special time' so its likely that dogs can sense it too.  My dogs know as I'M the one growling!

When your husband moves the dog he is confirming himself as pack leader and so commanding respect from the pup who as yet does not seem to view you as being above him in the pecking order.

Some of the following may help:

You take over ALL interactions with the pup.Feeding, walking, moving his bed.
Remove toys. They can be introduced later for playing WITH you
Pup fed after all humans are finished eating and cleared up (pack order - top dogs eat first)
Pup not allowed to sit on your knee or on furniture - These traesured places belong to the top dogs.
Ignore all requests for attention - even cute ones- attention only given when you choose to give it as top dog not when demanded or requested.
Ignore naughty behaviour and walk away - avoid eye contact
When completely unexpected and dog lying calm stroke him briefly and walk away.

Sounds really mean but works really quickly. The aim is to confirm your place as top dog and as such pup will become keen to please you and gain approval at which point toys can slowly be introduced etc..

I have seen this succesfully work on a number of occasions when owners have been at their wits end.

Good luck

AM

Hi AM :)

No personal offence intended (honest ;) ) but since this is only a very young pup, the OP seems to be making progress and has now found a training class it's probably best that she sticks to what's working for now.

Beliefs about affirming "pack authority" etc have changed quite radically over the last few years and many of the behaviourists  who originally advocated some of the dog eats last, never on furniture, removing things from them etc have done a complete about turn :rolleyes: it's hard keeping up with the latest trends I know BUT I think at one point some of the methods thought to work best in fact were potentially catalysts for problems.

Regards, Teri :) 

No offense taken.
When I saw she felt she could no longer put up with the behaviour t I thought some of this advice may help. I have seen three dogs saved from rescue in this way.
Whilst I train and work dogs through praise etc there are times when pack leader authority is needed and sought by a dog but as you say training classes provide this too. I do feel dogs like kids need a bit of authority and some one to respect at times.
The changes over the past few years bit in your reply did make me smile as I was just thinking now I am in my thirties I am over the hill :)Must be true....
I have just returned to competitive training after a few years out and am really enjoying it again. My daughters are hoping to qualify for Crufts next year - Nothing like high ambition eh?
This is a great forum for sharing ideas - I have just found it

AM

Hi again AM,

>I do feel dogs like kids need a bit of authority and some one to respect at times<

Oh, don't start me on Kids :D  "spare the rod" and all that ..... :P :P :P

>This is a great forum for sharing ideas - I have just found it<

Glad you did, and welcome aboard - although you may just find it an eensy weensy bit addictive :rolleyes: - beats housework for sure,  Teri ;)

Most things beat housework tho!!!

I am watching my 8 week old GSD puppy playing with a litter of 12 week old kittens and they are deffinately in charge- They have just taught her how to pounce like a kitten - so funny to see.
If she steps out of line she has her nose smacked by one or other of kittens- who says cats and dogs can't be friends- this is fab.

Wow, an 8 week GSD and kittens - that's WEEKS worth of time wasting to watch them    Wish we were neighbours  :D

Two kittens leave this week though to their new homes :( I am very sad.
I have another litter due in Aug though- I get so broody when I have no babies around.
It also makes birds and bees talks with kids a walk in the park " Remember when this happened to Angel...?"
Wwe are so fortunate that we do take time to enjoy them all though- My cats have small litters meaning each kitten gets loads of time and cuddles and are so sociable.
I hope to have my first ever dog litter with my GSD when she is old enough - Hip scores etc allowing...

AM

Hi AM
        What breed of cat do you have??

Anne (Siamese freak) :D

I have Birmans.

Feel free to have a look on my site.

www.emikatebirmans.co.uk

Having been a dog person my whole life I now could not imagine not having cats or dogs

AM

i may try this as tonight we seem to be back to square one. he was sat on my feet asleep one minute and the next he had started again. i picked him up and put him out of the room until he stopped barking and then let him back in, this was repeated 5 times, each time he was left longer than the last. He gave up when i went upstairs for something and he went back to sleep. Is walking away from him the key or is it best to remove him in the top dog stakes? I dont want him to think he is the boss. Training class is full at the moment and the lady is phonong me with a contact number for another one or we have to wait a few weeks. I could have cried today as we seemed to be making so much progress, i didnt have any bruises left until tonight. We also went out in the car and until our new car is ready he has been sitting on my lap. He has always been really good in the car, but today he was a nightmare. I had to pin him to stop him biting my face. We pulled over 3 times and took him out. He has never done this before. I could have chinned him (joking he is my baby). When he gets like this he reverts to all the things we have been training him not to, like peeing on the carpet and eating his poo. It is like he is just rebelling at everything. If he was a girl i would say it was pmt lol. He must just have mood swings or something. I think consistancy is the key, so i am going to persevere. He went to his grandmas earlier with my hubby so i dont know if maybe she fed him something and that is the reason. ??? Hopefully with all your tips and my consistncy he will learn this is not rewarding and stop. Time will tell!

Hi Stann, Have you thought about Tohme's advice:

>go to the vet to make sure there are no medical issues and then ask for a referral to a reputable, accredited behaviourist who will come and visit you and suggest the appropriate strategies to use with your particular dog in your particular situation<

Personally I think mishandling the situation could make matters worse and I have every sympathy with you that you're trying to do all the right things but it's all too easy for someone too close to a particular situation to miss what the real causes are :(  Independent but in particular specialist advice is very possibly the genuinely best way to go here.  If for eg. you have misread this behaviour as being him needing put in his place when what he needs is something totally different you could make things worse :(  Sorry to sound critical - I don't mean to and can sympathise with your frustration at what is the best way forward.  Please at least give some thought to what Tohme has suggested before trying a hard line approach.  Good luck, Teri  :)

Hi Stann.  I had the same problem with our staff when she was a puppy, as soon as my husband left the room she would jump on me and start biting.  My arms were covered in bruises and scratches, it was very frustrating; I even told my husband at one point it was me or the dog!!  I had to learn to be more assertive with her, I am very quietly spoken but had to learn to raise the tone of my voice (not shout as it scares them and makes them distrustful) and with practice I finally won.  She is 5 years old now and sometimes forgets herself, especially when I sit on the floor with her but a sharp 'no biting' stops her in her tracks. Don't give up on him, it's just a power struggle going on, you have to show him who's boss!

Hi Stann. I have 4 Alaskan Malamutes and they can be a handful for a start. With a biting dog I find that by jamming my hand sideways into it's mouth hard and saying NO! as hard and loud as I can the dog will back off. EVERY time it tries to bite me I do this and within a very short time, problem sloved. Also pinning them on the ground and and standing over top of them or lying on them until they stop growling or struggling. Then back off very slwoly and talk calmly to them. The dog will probably come slinking his way over to you for forgivness. It works for me... Be careful doing this of course, but it gets the message across to them and they know who's boss.

:rolleyes:
What an excellent way of getting yourself seriously attacked. :(

Unbelievable :( :(

Chinook what your describing is cruelty! No wonder your dog skulks back to you it would have no idea why his owner just attacked and hurt him.You must have some utterly confused and sad dogs on your hands:( :(

Chinook, not so long ago someone advised similar treatment (to a Malamute as it happens) and the owner was seriously attacked and the dog put to sleep. The  owner tried to sue the website but didn't get anywhere. Whether you do this with your dogs or not, (and these days there is no need as we have all come on from the days of overly harsh dog training - Ian Dunbar never did this to his Malamutes!) it is folly to suggest anyone else copy it.

No worrys, he stopped doing this as ubruptly as he started it! One day he just didnt do it anymore, he mouths us now when he is over excited and sometimes gets a bit rough, but other than that he grew out of it. He does have an odd day now and then when he starts trying to bite and i get up and pack up his toys into the bucket. Then he needs to tip it all out again, (obviously) at which point he forgets about chewing my arm. Other than that my OH and i stand up and have a conversation without breaking eye contact and he gives up. He checks our faces to see if we are looking at him. (We must sound crazy). His obedience training seems to be making progress now so he is responding better to firm no or off. Another thing that is really strange that we discovered by accident is to laugh at him, fake laughs are better, as he lays down an barks at us laughing then forgets he was biting. We stop laughing, he stops barking and the situations over. It depends on his mood to which one is more effective, the fake laugh is a last resort as we look so stupid! Funny thing doesnt bark when we laugh naturally?