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Topic Dog Boards / Behaviour / good manners and singleton puppy
- By gsdowner Date 06.10.14 12:59 UTC
Well, pup is nearly 5 weeks old now and although potty training, learning to sit a d recall are all well on the way, pup growls quite a bit at the youngest bitch during play. I understand some of this acceptable but have noticed pup trying to bite her face if she gets close. I discourage her trying to bite feet and fingers but she has tried to bite my chin and lips recently. What measures can I put in to place to help teach her manners?

I have organised for us to go to the local puppy classes for her to interact with pups a little older than her as no one with litters locally could help. Class is aware of her age and we will be going on friday.

Is there anything I can be doing?
- By Merlot [gb] Date 06.10.14 15:05 UTC
It has to be madness taking a 5 -6 week old pup to a puppy class. Surely other puppies there must be older and out walking ? How can you possibly make sure they have not been in contact with any dogs with illness ? 
Manners can be taught the same way as with any new puppy, the age makes no difference. Pups at this age play with their mouths, be it with you or other dogs. They learn by reward, if the younger bitch she interacts with has had enough she will let pup know. You too must begin to stop all play if it gets to rough. If pup plays nicely play can continue.
I cannot believe a well run puppy class would allow a pup of this age to join. The risk of infection is too great until jabs are completed.
The singleton I had learnt from her Mum and Granny not to play to hard. He learnt from us that we would only play with toys. His new owners were informed how to interact with him and that he was "a special case" they worked hard to make sure he learnt his manners after he left us.
He was a lovely dog with great manners and a brilliant ambassador for the breed. It was possible with a combination of our work prior to his leaving and the right owners continuing the training once he left.
Aileen
- By madasarat [gb] Date 06.10.14 15:58 UTC
I agree with Merlot, I wouldn't take a puppy that young to puppy class. When I had a singleton pup the rest of my pack were allowed to tell him off when necessary as long as it was reasonable. I did limit his access to our male as he couldn't cope with the puppy, wouldn't tell him off and would run from him. Last thing i wanted was for the pup to learn he could terrorise  other dogs!
We did take our pup to visit trusted friends where he mixed with their adult dogs and learned polite interaction and we ensured that he was placed with an adult family with a female dog to help continue his education. He did very quickly take advantage of the other dog but has grown into a lovely boy with a fab temperament and his owners are delighted with him.
Interestingly he was less mouthy than the girl we kept from our next litter (one of six) who still likes to mouth occasionally now at 16 months!
- By Goldmali Date 06.10.14 17:08 UTC
I'm utterly shocked as well. 5 weeks is NO age for a puppy to go to classes, and quite apart from possible infections (at this time of year, kennel cough is rife for a start), you could easily cause irreparable damage by older pups being too rough, causing your pup to have a dislike of other dogs for life. Playing with your adults is perfectly fine and WILL teach a pup to behave -but don't forget she will have the puppy license for a while yet. But biting faces, growling etc is HOW pups play with each other and what's wrong with that? I assume your breed will play like mine, all centred around the face and neck. Even my adults will do that. How you teach the pup to not play like that with YOU is no different to how you would have done it had she not been a singleton.
- By gsdowner Date 06.10.14 20:08 UTC
I'm sorry, I should have been more clear. We haven't joined the class, we are going to watch. She won't be playing with the other pups but watching their interaction. We will carry on as we are then. Thanks.
Topic Dog Boards / Behaviour / good manners and singleton puppy

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