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Originally Posted by bibby4141  Thank you all. I would say yes she is trying to be "Alpha". So, put her in a room away from us "time-out"? I've held her down for 3-5min a few times while still being bitten, that does't seem to work. Maybe time away will. I'm guessing it's a tiny muzzle to fit her. That should be real fun  .Must buy one and try that at bath time. As far as housebreaking we take her out first thing in the morning and she sometimes pees outside (mostly sniffs around and looks on the ground) and will then come in and crap on the floor. She will use pee pads about 85% of the time and poop on them about 50%. She almost always uses them when she is in her play pen. |
The trick to successfully training a pup is to always use positive reinforcement!
IMO growling at a pup and/or holding it down is doing nothing but intimidating it. All that does imho is frighten a pup. The only defense a pup has is its teeth! I don't necessarily buy into the alpha thing...yes, you do need to show your pup you are in control; but not by intimidation I know there are lots of people who say it is ok..I say no. Get yourself a book by Tamar Gellar.... here is her website where you can read about her. She is in to positive dog training:
The Loved World Foundation by Tamar Geller - Home
Just for now, I would use a muzzle for bathing if she bites so that she cannot hurt you. Just be very gentle and reassuring. She will soon understand that a bath is not going to hurt her. To get the right size muzzle, speak with your vet. Mine ordered a tiny one for one of my fosters who bites. He now is starting to do well without the muzzle when I trim his hair...but I used it for a long time.