My bitch had a litter of pups 15 weeks ago.  One pup went to alovely home.  They had already had a ***** so knew what they were getting them selves into.  Unfortunately they don't seem to be coping, and seem to have forgotten how difficult  and time comsuming it is to have a puppy.
I have been in constant touch with the couple, giving lots of advice, but don't seem to be getting anywhere.  I'm sure the problem is that the lady is not in charge, but the pup is.  Although I thought the lady was being a bit more of the boss lately.  Unfortunately, her husband is ill at the moment and she is feeling like she can't cope.  I know she would totally regret it if I had the puppy back and I re homed it.  Should I offer this yet?  She does know I would have the pup back at any time.  This is part of her latest e mail.

   " sorry to have to seek advice yet again. We are taking Chase to a puppy life-skills class which seems excellent and he is doing well. But despite our efforts, and providing lots of chews and toys as a distraction, and using the behavioural approach, he is still biting just as much as before.
   THe difficulty is I'm getting to the stage of feeling pretty tired and wondering if I'm going to be able to give Chase the care and structured guidance he needs. He isn't a problem dog - it's not that, it's just that he does have this bitey habit which is hard to deal with and sadly we're both in a bit of a less coping state than normal.
   He jumps up and nips people on walks as well which is problematic and I'm worrying thinking of how things are going to be when he is much bigger - i.e. very soon"

Anyone got any ideas?  They are a lovely couple, I just think she is pre occupied with her husband being ill.  I'm lost for ideas of how to help her.

Could you offer to take the pup back for a few weeks until the husband is better and use the time to teach him to control his biting? I know it isn't ideal for the pup to be moved about but it might give the couple the space they need.

I actually think puppies are far more adaptable to changes in circumstances than we give them credit. With my last litter I had a puppy back from a family that couldn't cope with him. I found him a new home, but both the husband and wife worked full time, so I had him during the week and he went to them at the weekends until the wife had worked out her notice and could be with him full time. He is the most well adjusted dog you could meet. So maybe you could offer to have the pup back some of the time to give them a breather and you would be able to teach some manners.

I was going to say the same perhaps offer to have him a few weeks whilst husband poorly and give them space - then work with the pup and show them how to deal with him?  Might not be feasible but might be a stop gap for her.

She did mention this a couple of weeks ago.  At the time, I thought it would be a bad idea, because I thought the pup would just play with Mum (and bite her) as our pup, that we kept does.  The puppy biting is, just puppy biting I know, I think she isn't being dominant enough with him.  The nipping people on walks, well that did make me laugh (when she first told me!) I could just imagine this leggy, waggy puppy jumping at everyone, but why is she letting it!  He is obviously full of fun and he was one of the quieter ones of the litter. 
What does anyone else think of having him back for a couple of weeks?

obviosly i dont know the full circumstances .
If the ladys husband has a life long illness then taking pup back for 2 weeks isnt going to make much difference ,as circumstances are still going to be the same on pups return.
Personally if the lady had all this to cope with then maybe now wasnt the rite time for her to be taking on a pup (just my personal oppinion).
If the ladys husband is ill but going to get better or things are going to get easyer for the lady then taking pup back for 2 weeks might be all she needs but if it was me ide be causious on taking pup back and returning after 2weeks incase it unsettled pup to much.
Im sure wat ever u decide will be the best thing for this pup :)

The puppy biting is, just puppy biting I know, I think she isn't being dominant enough with him.

Just to say, in this day and age there is no need to be dominant with ANY dog,ever, let alone a puppy. There are far better ways now. :)

I meant, by actually saying no, dominant was the wrong word. (would put a smiley face here, but how do you do them?!)
I have just received this

"I've calmed down a bit since this morning. Had a nice walk with Chase, met Molly a six month old collie/lab cross who played fantastically with him. Owner said Molly chewed and nipped until her second teeth started poking through!
Consultant told Frank he hasn't got anything sinister but he's to have further tests.
   I will ring for a chat sometime soon"

I'm just sitting here, with my head in my hands.

Regarding the 'biting', has she read this article about to train it out?

Yes, I sent her that one, thanks.

I have had this happen to me twice now with people experienced in the breed having owned several before.  Unfortunately people forget in 12 to 15 years what hard work pups are and that they are older too.

In both cases I had the pups back to re home.

I've just spoke to the lady.  She said she's not the person she was and doesn't seem to be as strong a person as when she had her first dog of the same breed.  I think she's a worrier.  She's now worried that her daughter won't be able to cope, as she has just found out she is pregnant with her second child, first one is under a year.  So she's worried about her daughter, husband and pup.
I asked her if she wanted me to have Chase back.  She said no she loves him to bits, but if in the future she changed her mind she would let me know!  So I then had to remind her how long it takes for this breed to settle down, if ever, so for Chase's sake asked her to really think about it.  It's breaking my heart really.  I can just see him coming back sometime in the future.  It just shows, if I could have picked the ideal couple it would have been them.

I think the root of this problem may be in your remark that the woman is a worrier. I think this anxiety is transmitting to the pup and magnifying what is normal puppy behaviour into something slightly more 'over the top'. Maybe she needs to adjust her own behaviour. She could set aside a bit of time every day when her and the puppy just have some 'gentle time' together, (best done when the puppy is sleepy). She needs to clear her mind of everything else and just concentrate on calm thoughts and gently stroking the puppy.
Pack animals are very good at picking up signals, that's how they survive in the wild.

I think you are spot on, she just needs to relax.

The lady is still finding it hard to cope and wants me to rehome the pup.  So Chase is coming home until I can find a suitable home for him.  I feel quite relieved and just happy we have him back now and not in xxx months time.  I can't wait to give him a big hug!

Best that you are getting him home now rather than later. :)

Hi

readign through this topic the thought she must take him back now kept coming into my head. Get him back before he is older and has issues that are harder to solve.

So was so relieved when you say at the bottom he on his way home.

Puppies are hard work and when you have lost a old dog you have rose tinted glasses and forget the work involved. I know I say every time i get a pup never again lol.

Hope you find Chase a nice new home

Wendy

We have Chase home, what a wonderful pup.  Puppy biting, what puppy biting?!  He's a star mouths me as my pup does, if he's really excited.  House is in total chaos, as the two puppies are constantly playing (mine and Chase), while Mum is trying to referee!  Have found a lovely home for him already, through the breed rescue.
What an emotional rollercoaster, breeding is.