Hi, this is not just another moan or some niave none previous dog owner I am in desperate need of some good different advice!! I feel like I am in a constant battle with my 12 week old pup ans she is wearing me out, I do beleve that I am strict but fair with her she eats after us she does not go on the furniture she does not go upstairs ect and all the rules apply that are supposed however she is very much loved, it's just that she can get very nasty with me she will pull my clothes and bite me and no matter how much I tell her to let go or what things I try she will never give up and will curl her lip and bite me, she is starting to wear me out as I feel I never get anywhere with her and it's a constant battle of wills I try putting her out ignoring her praising her lots and nothing!! I have to get really really stern and over power her but she does not learn and will do it again what am I doing wrong and im really starting to wish I had never got her please if anyone could help many thanks

http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1/bitestop.htm

If you're becoming frustrated and overwhelmed, she will pick up on this so try and relax - she is only 12 weeks and very much a baby ;)

Drop notions of battling wills, rank reduction and too many rules - she has to learn what you want her to do - she wont instinctively know that any behaviour is inappropriate.  Puppies learn by reward based methods and this requires oodles of patience and consistency throughout the household ;)

Read this article http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1/bitestop.htm which will help with the biting and mouthing.

It's probably worth you registering with the forum (free to do) as you may find you have other Qs or wish to reply to members who respond to your post

Regards, Teri :)

I have a particularly bumptious little pup the same age as yours.  Instead of wearing yourself out trying to stop her doing things spend time teaching her interesting things that you can reward.  She is old enough to learn the sit, down, come and sit stay commands.  All these can result in a treat and much praise.  Give her challenging toys, the ones with treats inside, and don't let her get overtired because like children it makes them really ratty.  Keep her occupied when she is awake, and let her have good long sleeps inbetween,  and along with the bite inhibition links posted by our other members you should soon find her behaviour improving.

I know the bitey pup stage seems to go on forever but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Honest! If you follow the bite inhibition tips and remain consistent you'll get through eventually. Just don't lose faith in yourself or start disliking your pup because at 12 weeks she's still very little and at the moment she explores the big wide world teeth first!

I'd also second the advice about not letting her get overtired because pups of this age don't have an off switch!

My puppy is now coming up to 8mths old, I thought the biting stage would go on forever, but don't worry, it won't.  It gradually gets less and less, and when the big teeth come, the play bites don't hurt nearly as much.

I was covered in scratches, and constantly getting bitten & pulled, with holes in clothes etc...  I perservered, whereas my husband had no time for her whatsoever, but now she is calming down, is a lovely dog, & even my husband has come to love her.