How do I fix this behavior now?!

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by candigirl

i have had her for 4 weeks and this behavior started a few days after i got her. I have been doing the techniques since then to no avail. I was not complaining about the cost of the shots i was simply mentioning that as a fact. If worse comes to worse(i said last straw) then that would be my only option- to sell her not give her away, my mom has been bitten a few times also and is complaining that she is wild and telling me to do something about it and i just feel very hopeless. If i can find an affordable trainer in my area im willing to try that option but i wont give her to a shelter

1st- She was WAY to young when she came to you. Granted, you didn't know any better. Let's start there. Having a pup separate from its mom and litter mates too young will bring about these difficulties. It sucks, but you are her mom/pack now and it is up to you to teach her.
2nd- There is a language barrier. You speak and know how to communicate with humans, she is a dog. There are ways to communicate, you need to learn them. Find someone (behaviorist or trainer) that can teach you proper techniques. Especially when she is so young. She should have only been in your home 1 week instead of 4. It shouldn't be physical force, or intimidation.
3rd- Relax. She doesn't hate you or is doing what she is doing to be "alpha" or anything like that. Honestly, she doesn't know any better. She's exploring and needs to know what her boundaries are.

Don't set such high standards that neither you nor her can accomplish. She's far too young to expect much from anyway. Like I said, under normal circumstances she would only have been in your home for 1 week, meaning she missed out on 3 weeks of socialization and doggy etiquette from mom and litter. She might be a little behind, but by working together you can fix those unwanted behaviors.

[Furbaby Friend]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

1st- She was WAY to young when she came to you. Granted, you didn't know any better. Let's start there. Having a pup separate from its mom and litter mates too young will bring about these difficulties. It sucks, but you are her mom/pack now and it is up to you to teach her.
2nd- There is a language barrier. You speak and know how to communicate with humans, she is a dog. There are ways to communicate, you need to learn them. Find someone (behaviorist or trainer) that can teach you proper techniques. Especially when she is so young. She should have only been in your home 1 week instead of 4. It shouldn't be physical force, or intimidation.
3rd- Relax. She doesn't hate you or is doing what she is doing to be "alpha" or anything like that. Honestly, she doesn't know any better. She's exploring and needs to know what her boundaries are.

Don't set such high standards that neither you nor her can accomplish. She's far too young to expect much from anyway. Like I said, under normal circumstances she would only have been in your home for 1 week, meaning she missed out on 3 weeks of socialization and doggy etiquette from mom and litter. She might be a little behind, but by working together you can fix those unwanted behaviors.

Spot on.



You cannot expect the little one to learn everything in only 4 weeks... especially when it has not been consistent. She is a BABY. Just like a skin baby, she is an infant. You would not expect an infant to learn manners or rules in only 4 weeks, so you should not ask that of her. It isn't fair.

I know it is hard, but be patient and stick with it. Seek out a behavioral specialist if you are getting frustrated and need new techniques and tailored guidance to your specific situation.

You are her mommy, she needs you. It would not be fair to just give up on her for not knowing better and being a baby. You need to teach her what she missed out on... think of her as developmentally challenged and have patience above all. Remember this could take months to correct. Good luck and keep us posted!

[zekie's mom]

Try spraying bitter apple on your hands and feet. That worked for me. If they have something they are not suposed to have, offer them their favorite treat as a trade.

[Furbaby Friend]

Originally Posted by zekie's mom

Try spraying bitter apple on your hands and feet. That worked for me. If they have something they are not suposed to have, offer them their favorite treat as a trade.

I wish bitter apple had deterred Rylie. She actually LOVED the taste of it... go figure She literally licked it off where I sprayed it and then went for the bottle! I guess licking was better than biting though

[roseylovestosho]

Originally Posted by zekie's mom

Try spraying bitter apple on your hands and feet. That worked for me. If they have something they are not suposed to have, offer them their favorite treat as a trade.

Exactly. Dogs do not just willingly give you toys because you say "hey I want that, and don't get mad that I'm taking it from you for no apparent reason..." he's a puppy and doesn't know any better! Teddy does the same thing to me! He will NOT for anything in the world let me have a toy just because I try and grab it. I usually have a piece of chicken in my hand, let him smell it, say "drop it" when I see he's about to let go and then give him the chicken and congratulate him! I've been doing this for a week and guess what, he still doesn't get it! It's going to take time, he's a baby! And let me tell you from experience that the whole "alpha" theory stuff is not going to work. Grabbing him by the scruff MIGHT work in the short term but will not work in the long term. He WILL become more aggressive with you! I know you think 4 weeks is a long time, but it is not a long time if you are switching methods (i.e. rolling him over, grabbing by scruff, spraying) he does NOT understand why you are doing what you are doing. He is nipping at you because he thinks he is playing and unfortunately he did not learn bite inhibition from his littermates because he was taken way too young, so now its up to you to teach him. The "ouch" method takes time for him to learn, AND you need to actually make being around you fun so that if you stop playing with him because he bites you he will understand! Bite=end of fun! If you are constantly disciplining him and you yell OW when he bites you, why is he going to stop if you're not offering a positive alternative (i.e. enjoying spending time with you?) I had the same problem with Teddy in the beginning and he took a while before he realized that biting=end of play. Sometimes he gets out of hand and I need to give him a short time out...he understands because when I bring him back he no longer bites! If you cannot take care of him, please don't just randomly sell him. He is a dog that requires patience and training and not anyone is willing to give it. If you honestly care about him, and you absolutely cannot commit to training him, give him to a rescue and don't resell him.

[Ivy1]

Try greasing your hand or hands with butter ,It really works.They will lick and not bite or rough play Give plenty of praise. It works like a charm on toy breeds.

[candigirl]

Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement. I guess time seems to go by a lot more slowly when you're frustrated that you're trying so hard and getting nowhere so you lose sight of the bigger picture-not to mention being a first time dog owner. I explained this to my mom and she's back on board too. I'll try the bitter apple spray on my feet and when she bites i'll give her a sprits of water and say NO,if she continues i'll put her in time out(her pen). i never try the water technique before so i'll stick with this one and be consistent for as long as it takes. I have a feeling she's bored lately(not sure if this is contributing to it or not), i made the mistake of keeping her toys in her pen all the time so now she doesnt have much interest in playing with them when i let her out she'd rather play with me(nipping me) or explore the house lol. I'll be heading out today to buy her a bunch of new toys & chews. I was petting her lastnight before bed and she was just laying there looking at me, licking my hand as if to say "be patient with me"..now i know i could never give her away to anyone.
I'll keep you all posted and thanks again i don't know where i'd be if i didn't join this site

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by candigirl

Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement. I guess time seems to go by a lot more slowly when you're frustrated that you're trying so hard and getting nowhere so you lose sight of the bigger picture-not to mention being a first time dog owner. I explained this to my mom and she's back on board too. I'll try the bitter apple spray on my feet and when she bites i'll give her a sprits of water and say NO,if she continues i'll put her in time out(her pen). i never try the water technique before so i'll stick with this one and be consistent for as long as it takes. I have a feeling she's bored lately(not sure if this is contributing to it or not), i made the mistake of keeping her toys in her pen all the time so now she doesnt have much interest in playing with them when i let her out she'd rather play with me(nipping me) or explore the house lol. I'll be heading out today to buy her a bunch of new toys & chews. I was petting her lastnight before bed and she was just laying there looking at me, licking my hand as if to say "be patient with me"..now i know i could never give her away to anyone.
I'll keep you all posted and thanks again i don't know where i'd be if i didn't join this site

Glad to hear it! They're not all evil, only when the terrier in them takes over.

[caw]

I'm happy to hear you're keeping your puppy. All these ladies are right. When she bites too hard say "OUCH" and immediately get up and stop playing with her. That's what her littermates would do. You don't have to stop playing with her for "long" periods of time, but long enough that she realizes you won't play with her anymore right now. The more lessons she gets in a day, the quicker she will get the message. Work with her and she will learn the lessons. Actually, she sounds like a really smart dog. If she's learning to sit, come, etc.....and you sound like you're doing a great job with her basic obedience training. Keep up the good work. All puppies can be shockingly mean at times. She will grow up to be your little sweatheart.....I guarantee it!

[roseylovestosho]

Originally Posted by caw

I'm happy to hear you're keeping your puppy. All these ladies are right. When she bites too hard say "OUCH" and immediately get up and stop playing with her. That's what her littermates would do. You don't have to stop playing with her for "long" periods of time, but long enough that she realizes you won't play with her anymore right now. The more lessons she gets in a day, the quicker she will get the message. Work with her and she will learn the lessons. Actually, she sounds like a really smart dog. If she's learning to sit, come, etc.....and you sound like you're doing a great job with her basic obedience training. Keep up the good work. All puppies can be shockingly mean at times. She will grow up to be your little sweatheart.....I guarantee it!