I tried this yesterday, but not sure I know what I am doing ! My husband and I adopted a dog from an animal sheltler her in Virginia. She is a beautiful dog, part German Shep/husky. The Vet thinks that she is about 6 months old. We are having some problems and I was wondering if anyone could help me. I have had dogs all of my live, but never one that did all of this at one time. She jumps all over you of courst, but the main thing is she bites. She always wants her teeth on some part of your body. I have tried ignoring her and that works sometimes, saying ah ah does not bother her, no does not bother her. I try to always put something else in her mouth if I can get to something before I am mauled.
We start obedience school May 6, 2003 and she is being spayed on May 16, 2003. Please help.

Thanks,

Sharon

I would think that your pup hasnt had much training poor tyke. Treat your dog as if she is a very small puppy. As soon as she has her teeth on you yell NO! or ouch! really loud and turn your back on her. You must be persistant with this and everybody should do the same.

My pup (14 weeks is still mouthing) he now usually stops nipping or chewing you with a no, after 6 weeks of constant no! NO!. Sometimes I must resort to solitary for him, into the kitchen if he persists in mouthing.

Im sure others will have some more advice for you. I would recommend that you buy a book on training a young pup, The Pefect Puppy by Gwen Bailey is one always recommended.

Perhaps you could ring and speak to the trainer at the obedience school you are going to attend and see what advice they can offer.

Good luck Im sure that you will have success as long as you are persistant when she is biting you and your family.

Thanks so much for answering me. I was beginning to wonder if I was just doing something so wrong. I love her so muchand she is so pretty and loving, but you are right. I do not know who had her before or what she was put through. I will try to do just what you said and you made me feel like there is hope for her.

Thanks again

Sharon

Hello Sharon,

Firstly I definately agree with Jackeyandsydney, the Perfect Puppy is a fantastic book, definately get that one.

I would also think about giving her an alternative behaviour when she starts the grabbing. Teach her to sit or to hold a toy, as soon as she starts the bad behaviour, give her the command and reward with a toy or treat.

Something that you don't want to do is to use force to stop the jumping and grabbing, this not only because you will ruin the beginnings of your relationship with her and ruin her trust in you, but also because some methods using force can hurt the dog or even become a game....ie pushing them off.

Make sure your trainer is up to date with training methods and be patient.

Lastly, I wonder if this behaviour has been going on since you got her home, or if it's started recently. If this is the case, she may be due in season (this changes the bitches behaviour, sometimes quite dramatically) and if this is the case, you should wait until she has had the season and for about 13 weeks after, so the hormones are back to normal before having her spayed. If the behaviour has been going on since you bought her home, it's obviously just her having no previous training or manners.

Good luck and hope you enjoy your training.

manda
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