So, we need a little help!

[bizzbeth]

I've been blessed in MANY ways with Oliver. Potty trained really young, was easy to teach tricks to, never got carsick (and we drive A LOT), doesn't pull on his leash when walking, has never been a sick boy, loves baths.... BUT
I am going CRAZY over his barking and nipping. He's six and 1/2 months old and I have CONSTANTLY kept on him about nipping by saying no and closing his mouth with my hand for a few seconds (he does it when he wants to play or when I tell him not to do something, so i know that is bad) He barks whenever I tell him "NO" it is seriously like he is talking back!! (It's funny in a way but I know it can end up being a problem!!)
Can someone please suggest some things I can do. I really love training him and he really is a good and smart dog (too smart, I think haha) and I just need some suggestions about the barking/nipping/teen behavior.
Thank y ou all, in advance. I know someone can help me out

[bizzbeth]

P.S: he does know the command QUIET but he'll only do it for a couple of seconds before he starts barking again (when he's in the mood to be heard) So is it like stay?? where you have to start for short periods of time and just work with it?
Uhh.. I'm stuck!

[Dan & Corinne]

Well, Oliver sounds like a very smart guy. Do you think by saying "No" when he barks sounds to him like you are barking with him?


Jewel was a nipper too. When she would nip me, I yelped, like a dog, REALLY LOUD like she hurt me. Then I would roll her on her back and put my mouth by her throat and growl and kept her that way until she relaxed. Then I'd let her up and praise her.

I don't know if she stopped because I was doing that or if she just grew out of it. I say that because she turned into a pure monster everytime I tried to groom her and the growling thing didn't work for that.

[bizzbeth]

Thank you very much for your suggestion- yes he probably thinks I'm barking back at him. I'm just so upset because i have two roommates (BOYS) who just DON'T UNDERSTAND! One of them (let's call him MEANIE HEAD) always says "well he wouldn't be like this if he was trained better" and he is kidding (i think?) but it really hurts my feelings because i DO try hard to train him. It's hard because neither of the boys are do what I ask when it coes to acting around the dogs. My boyfriend wants to hit him on the snout when he's bad and I don't want that and meanie head just yells at him all the time and I don't want that either and neither of them will listen to me when I tell them how I want him to be trained (and he's my dog!!!!) I can't stand it. arg........... so i'm venting.
And I don't want THAM to train him- it's just Oliver can't learn consistancy if I'm doing one thing and both the boys are doing something else in reaction to Oliver behaving (or not behaving)
Sorry!!
Anyone have any other suggestions about this nipping/barking? when did your pup grow out of playful nipping?
Thanks

[Dan & Corinne]

Your situation sounds really frustrating... Jewel stopped nipping a little after she finished teething. I don't recall exactly, maybe around 8 mo or so (I think).

[bizzbeth]

well hopefully after he is done teething (a couple more months) he'll stop being a crazy pup! I can' tbe upset now. He's cuddled up by my feet. Anyways- that's for the support. hehe

[MyTrixie143]

Closing his mouth, rolling him on his back, will not work with him. I am sure it works for others but it won't with him, it will only make matter worse. The only thing you can try with him is yelping like a wounded puppy and walking away from him "to lick your wounds". Once he realizes that he can not play with you if he bites then he will quickly stop the biting behavior. If you have ever watched puppies play you will notice that if one of them is being too rough and the other puppy yelps, the one who is too rough will back off and will learn to be more gentle so he can play with the other puppy.

As for the barking, try ignoring him when he barks, turn your back on him, the instant he is quiet turn around and reward him for being quiet. Increase the time he has to stay quiet for you to give him attention so that he will learn the longer he is quiet the more attention and praise he will get. Although it does not seem like it, by yelling or saying no you are giving him attention and he will of course continue to keep barking. He is a puppy but although alot of people will say he will grow out of it, chances are he will not, some may be lucky, but in most cases it is not a puppy thing, rather a behavior that was acquired as a puppy.

[Lorrie]

I'd say MyTrixie143 has got the dog-psychology absolutely right there. Good call.
In the end you'll turn Oliver into a true gentleman, because you're clearly dedicated to his well-being, but I don't hold out much hope for similar success with your room-mates.

It's hard because neither of the boys are do what I ask when it coes to acting around the dogs. My boyfriend wants to hit him on the snout when he's bad and I don't want that and meanie head just yells at him all the time and I don't want that either and neither of them will listen to me when I tell them how I want him to be trained

They will be much harder to train - perhaps a lifetime - although withholding food and certain favours has been known to work on some of them.

[jetess]

I admit i was getting frustrated when maisy kept nipping but she did stop when she stopped teething. so hopfully when oliver finishes teething he will stop.
Your situation with the others in the house does sound quite frustrating they need to understand that its your dog and you are training him your way. You'd think they would help you out and not just critise what your doing.

Anyway just keep doing what feels right and he`ll come through after awhile you just have to stick with it.

Good Luck!!

[Tophersmom]

The dog we had before Topher had a serious barking problem...oh my goodness could this dog bark! Plus it was a sharp, loud bark that hurt the ears.

Well, we did some research and found that by yelling at her to stop (as we were doing) was, to her, like we were barking right along with her...lol...little did we know! We found that what worked for us was first, to teach her how to "speak" or bark on command. Once she mastered that, she was able to learn "quiet" on command. It took time and lots of treats, but she finally did do it. It's a long process...especially learning to be quiet for extended periods. You just have to be consistent with the training and it will work. Being consistent with any type of training is the most important part.

It is a problem, though, when you have people in the house who aren't going to be helpful with the training. It's like taking two steps forward and one step back, for the dog, when you have people around who are going to do all the wrong things when the dog barks.

Can you sit your roommates down "sit!" lol and discuss it with them? Perhaps train them how to do the same things you are doing (whatever techniques you choose to use...mytrixie's ideas were good, too!) After all, I'm sure everyone in the house will benefit from having a quieter dog!

Oh, as far as the nipping goes, I've found that Topher (now 8 months), is really growing out of that stage. We sternly say 'no' and with hold play whenever he nips, but he hasn't done it for a while now. Perhaps it's a phase they go through as puppies (?) I don't know.

Good luck! You might want to look into an obedience class, too. It's a great way for us doggie parents to learn how to do the right things.

[Yorkie3]

As you're training him, it probably wouldn't hurt that when you're not with him to have plenty of safe chew toys. If it is teething that should help some with the nipping.

[gutu28]

Try spraying him with a water while firmly saying "no"...it worked VERY well for Cali's barking

[Lorrie]

There is a programme on UK Television at the moment called "Dog Borstal". Big beefy, military-type chaps train very difficult difficult dogs (all sizes) and their owners. They use a plastic bottle with a few pebbles in it, watch the dog carefully and just as it is about to do something/anything naughty they shake the bottle and say firmly (not shout) "No".

I've trained difficult dogs/owners in the past. Never tried that and thought it couldn't possibly work - it's all done for the television, I cried. I tried it with a friend's German Shepherd and West Highland Terrier.

It worked, almost first time, with both. I was gobsmacked - might be worth a try - and won't cost you anything.

[Paddys mum]

Hi,Paddy is still nipping too at 9 months so this week ive started yelping at him when he does it and the kids and the hubby do the same,hes got the message within a couple of days!! Its amazing! Try getting a behaviour specialist in for meanie head and threaten your boyf with the same thing!!!!!!

[bizzbeth]

thank you all for your funny and informative suggestions. Both the boys know I'm sensitive about the dog and his training so they are working on being nicer. They both came in last night and talked to me about the dog. So at least they know I'm unhappy about the yelling and such that they do while I train a different (BETTER) way. hehe
He DOES know the quiet command it is just a matter of how long.... so we'll work on it.
Thank you all. I have just had a couple of hard days. Hopefully good things lay ahead.
for helping me out