Hi all, newbie with a Newfie here!

Our Newf pup is nearly 14 weeks now and has developed a habit of growling, jumping up and biting while in the garden or out on walks. He doesn't do it all the time and it seems to happen suddenly for no apparent reason.

He is much better inside as any aggression while in the house gets him shut away on his own for a couple of minutes, so he seems to have learned that it's not a good idea! However, that's not really possible while out on a walk so just wondered if anyone has experienced similar behaviour and could offer some good advice?

I've tried yelping, telling him "NO!" firmly, giving a light smack on the nose, ignoring him and pinning him down (which only makes him more excited) and nothing seems to work. I know I need to be consistent in my reaction when he does it, but which is the best reaction to be consistent with?

Thanks in advance for any help,

Neil.

This sounds more like normal puppy play to me -the way a pup would play with another. He just needs to learn some manners, that he can't act like this with humans. You are making things far, far worse by smacking him and pinning him down -by doing so you could be creating a seriously dangerous dog as sooner or later he will have no choice but to start defending himself. And soon he will be much stronger than you too!

Here's a good article to read: http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1/bitestop.htm

I'd also suggest using a headcollar for walks, then you can so easily control his head and stopping him form jumping up will be easier.

Just to back what MarianneB has said.

This is a baby, remember, so don't be too tempted to immediately label his behaviour aggression. It could just be very boisterous play from a rambunctious puppy. His puppy play nipping is likely to seem aggressive because he is a much bigger puppy! In my breed and line (terriers) they all go through a dreadful stage of nipping at feet and ankles and trouser legs- it's play but could easily be misconstrued. Babes at this age don't know the rules and what they can or can't do so he needs to learn bite and jump inhibition (his growling is likely to be play too).

Get yourself into a good APDT puppy class as soon as possible. In the meantime have a chat with your breeder and they really should be able to advise and help. They will know the little development stages of your breed as well as any peculiarities of your line. Just be aware many pups can go through a stage when they seem to be like little, nipping devils. This stage won't last forever.

Just wnated to add that by pinning him you will seem like a bully. Pinning is a very strong message from one dog to another and should never be used on a pup of this age (not at any age IMO because we are not dogs and do not have the teeth to back up such a powerful threat and thereby open ourselves to a great risk)

yep, its not aggression nor inexplicable.
its straightforward text book puppy behaviour.
did your breeder not explain this stuff to you?

Thanks to all for the replies.

We have started puppy-training classes and he's fine there. I phoned the breeder and he said when their puppies do that they get a pinch on the neck and a good telling off - I've tried that and it does nothing except perhaps get him more worked up.

The only thing that works is to shut him away on his own for a few minutes but, as I said, I can't do that when we're outside. Does anyone have any advice on what to do when he starts biting whilst out on walks?

I realise it's not real aggression but it really hurts and draws blood when he bites so we'd really like to find a way of discouraging him!

Thanks again.

neil,

Try the headcollar as MarianneB suggested. This should give you control over his head movement without you hurting him. If you can get that control then any jumping up or biting movements towards you on lead should be met by standing still and ignoring him until he stops. As soon as he settles quietly praise/reward and move forward. Keep repeating this in small stages and don't go too far from your house because, of course, if he starts the minute you go out of the door you simply, without looking or talking to him, go straight back in. This process will drive you mad and requires lots of patience on your part but be calm, collected and consistent and it may work.

Don't keep going at it hammer and tongs, he's a baby and you don't want to enrage him. You are simply teaching him what do do want by reward and ignoring what you don't want. He doesn't understand yet what you want. Dogs are social animals and do like to work with their pack. I think the key here is to limit his head movement enough so he cannot make physical contact with you but you must not hurt him at all.

Another thought is to teach him in the house to walk to heel, with a collar but no lead. You then transfer this technique to outside and so keep his attention focussed on getting the treat and finally on you. Do this by using treats as a lure. The only thing here is you need to be taught in situ how to do it properly because he will initially jump at you to try and get the treat. Could you ask your trainer at puppy class to help you with this, even get them to do some one to one work?

I don't feel I can say more because training by remote is not a good idea. You need someone to help you with the pup. It seems at the moment as though you feel a bit anxious, understandably. IMO, although this is puppy training, get it wrong at this stage and you may be storing up problems for the future, so it would be worth getting help.

You need your puppy to trust and respect you. Physical interventions and aversive training may appear to work short term but if you have a pushy pup he may never forget or forgive and when he is more confident he may decide to up the ante and then you have problems.

Does your puppy do this at the end of the walk, when going back on lead?
If so, he is telling you he wants to carry on playing, at least if you understand that you can continue the games (eg tuggy) in short bursts on the way home, so going on the lead doesn't mean it all ends at once.
Or he may be very tired by the walk, could you be walking him a little too much as he is still very young, and getting him tired out - like a hyperactive toddler he will have a tantrum?
You could try using a chain lead, as that isn't nice to bite, and if he is actually nipping your hand, put on leather gloves so you really can ignore it, and keep walking briskly and calmly on.

Hi, no advice as such, just wanted to offer you some encouragement.
I know what it's like with a huge pup, that puppy biting can be alarming at first! You will get him out of this, stick to the advice from MarianneB & freelancer and stay well away from hitting him/pining him down etc.