Puppy agression

Awesome · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 12:37 pm Post subject: Puppy agression

Hi

I am not sure if what I have with my pup is just 'normal' puppy hyper activity or if I should be concerned that he may be getting agressive.

He is learning his bite inhibition although we are not there yet. 95% he mouths with no pressure as if he is testing and then just licks.

BUT on the odd occasion it is as though he is challenging me and when I yelp because he has used pressure, he almost snaps at me and tries to bite - I mean really bite, broken skin etc.

When this happens, I put him into the kitchen and ignore him (after I have yelped and said NO).

Any views on this - should I be concerned?

Thanks

Jan

Forgot to say - he is 13 weeks

colette · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 1:49 pm Post subject:

No thats pretty normal Jan. Everything you are doing is right. Just keep at it, it will work. Obviously if you just let him carry on willy nilly, then it's not going to be getting better but you are doing a good job so keep at it!!

Milo still occasionally has his 'mad' moments and is 10 months now - this hyperactivity is pretty normal!

lablover · Account Deactivated

Don't worry at 13 weeks it won't be aggression Wink

It sounds like your doing really well, he's still a baby really. Is he worse when he's tired? Rather like babies and toddlers, puppies can get a bit over the top when tired. The can also try to push the boundaries (again rather like kids), and you're doing right by ignoring it and removing your presence. Another thought, as they get older, some puppies can be more excited by yelping - it's like you've turned into a squeaky toy Very Happy

and get excited.
He's still young and sounds like a typical puppy - consistency is they key - I would continue as you are and wouldn't be worried.
regards
Jenny

Awesome · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 2:34 pm Post subject:

Thanks you - that was exactly what I needed to hear Very Happy

It does seem to happen only at night time so I think he is tired or over tired.

Also I have been very bad Embarassed

and been taking him on too many walks and giving him too much exercise so I think he is really tired.

I was really just concerned with the biting part as I couldn't have him doing that to the kids but it is good to hear that he is 'normal'.

Thanks.

Jan

puppylove · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 3:24 pm Post subject:

hey guys, im new to the site and its truley a god send, i have bailey who is now 9 weeks, from what i read on the site it seems we are doing a pretty good job with him Very Happy

but the last few days the biting has become out of control, usually in the evenings, at times it gets to the point where his mouth is ever poised and looking for my hand to chew on and even to stoke him is impossible!!
the only things i can think of that may be contributing are that we have been using titbits for toiletting, so is he looking for them? and we have made a bit of a habbit of tug-0-war, which i know some people frown upon Embarassed

is this biting still normal? or is he posessed Wink

other than these moments he is an absolute angel and we love him to death....

another question while im here.....
toiletting!! i think we are getting it rite... we have had him for 2 weeks now and he is clean through the night and wakes me up at 6 every morning for number 2s then goes back to bed for an hour.. during the day hes taken out every 30 to 60 mins and performs pretty much every time, we usually get 1 or 2 tiddles on the carpet through the day Sad

how long is it usually before they/he will start asking to go out to go out?

paul x

GeriF · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 4:29 pm Post subject: Biting and Toilet Training

Luca is 13 weeks old also and behaves in exactly the same way when he is a little over tired. I find if I pick him up (at arms length so he cant grab hold of my arms!!) and pop him into his crate he usually settles down and has a sleep and then wakes up a much nicer pup!!

I am hoping that starting puppy classes next week will help with this as it does worry me when he meets children and new people!!

As for the toilet training, Luca goes outside to pee and poo most of the time but the back door is usually open so not sure if he would know how to tell me yet. Any hints from anyone else would be appreciated!

_Mary_ · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 4:40 pm Post subject:

I don`t think they always "ask" per se, CJ starts pacing when he wants to go out, some of them develop their own ways of telling you, keep an eye on them and if you see them starting to cirlce and/or sniff around get them outside pronto! Laughing

Puppylove, you say its usually when Bailey is tired, its a bit like kids I imagine (don`t have any myself) they get fractious when they are over tired, if you follow the advice given to Jan it should help Smile

Tug of war is ok I think, as long as you make sure you win the games Very Happy

sue51 · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 4:52 pm Post subject:

As Mary says, they get their own way of asking / letting you know when they want to go to the toilet.

Mine has different behaviour for different people; with me she will literally 'thump' me with her nose, and with my other half she will cllimb on him Smile

- the 'thumping' is definitely the less painful than the climbing - so got off lightly.

if for any reason we don't get the message, she just barks Very Happy

Sue

JohnW · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:02 pm Post subject:

Be very careful not to ascribe human thought processes to a dog. "Testing" is something which would not enter a puppy's mind. All they do is what they feel like doing at a particular moment. If the reaction they get makes the action worth while then they will repeat it. From their point of view, ANY reaction is worth it and that includes a scolding or even a smack. They regard this as infinitely preferable to being ignored. They really have no intention of hurting and if you think about it, how would they know? Not being the recipient and not speaking the language they really have no idea what effect their teeth are having. I’ve heard people say, “He is only doing it to annoy me.” Not true, Why on earth would the puppy WANY to annoy them?

Try in all things to avoid manhandling. If you want your pup to do something or go somewhere then try to think your way into making him WANT to do it. This is the whole principal of all training, whether that is walking to heel on the lead or retrieving on a shoot. Brain will beat brawn every time in dog training.

Regards, John

sue51 · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:15 pm Post subject:

I know where I will be coming when I get my next pup Very Happy

Having not yet even decided where I am getting from, and both breeders in the frame have not mated yet, even now I am looking at everything we did with Hally to see how, or if, we could do things differently. That said, I think we got away relatively unscathed first time around, and like children, no two dogs are the same Shocked

So much still to learn!

Sue