Puppy Advice (merged)

foreign_correspondent

thats cool, glad you got her to the vets and that you have a plan!

mojy

We have a 14 week old Golden Retriever puppy. We got him at 8 weeks old and he has been coming along nicely, except for one thing. Biting!
He began mouthing and we discouraged this when possible. His biting is now much worse than it was and it really hurts! At first, we tried by saying ouch or that hurts etc. but this seems to egg him on now and he really attacks you. He has began puppy training classes and the trainer
has suggested saying nothing to him when he does this. To take him and crate him for 3-4 minutes and leave the room. Then to let him back out but not speak to him for a further 5 minutes or so and then to call him over.
This seems to have made him much more agressive this week and he constantly seems to want to bite me, baring teeth and really going for it.
I would appreciate any help with this as he really is a lovely dog.
It has been many years since we have had a puppy in the house and so are a bit out of practice.

Milford_Cubicle

This sounds really odd behaviour, as Golden Retrievers are usually such placid dogs and the puppy trainers suggestions are certainly what I'd be doing to try and discourage the biting.

The only thing I can suggest is that your pup has discomfort somewhere, possibly his mouth so would suggest taking him to the vet for a check over - explain to the vet what's been happening. If he's given a clean bill of health, then I'm sure other more experienced owners will be able to give you some better advice than I can!

mojy

No,we think the behaviour is out of character as well. This is our fourth Goldie and we cannot recollect this type of behaviour with any of our previous dogs. I think perhaps it could be a dominance thing with him. Maybe we haven't established his place in our pack yet.
Thanks for the quick reply.

MrsTinks

I would also get his mouth checked and try giving him chew toys like puppy kongs but to help relieve his ichy gumms leave them in the freezer for a while first so they are really nice and cool!
I've never tolerated biting from any dog and I'm VERY firm about it - slightest sign of biting and there is consequence. As this is a young puppy I'd continue with removing him from the fun for at least 5 minutes and then ignore him when he comes back in the room. The second he starts again straight back into time out.
Was he separated early from his litter mates? Could it be that he's never learnt that mouthing and biting hurts? If that's the case then letting him have interaction with other puppies and calm dogs might be a good plan - learning that biting hurts by being bitten often helps pups realise that biting ain't all nice...

Loopy_Girl

My friend had a Lab and had exactly the same problem and the breeder they got him from said, as he was a male, he was trying to ascertain his status in the household and also came out and showed her how to firmly smack him on the nose when he done it. Personally I didn't agree with the smacking but it really made a difference.

Unfortunately they didn't keep it up and he started biting again and as they had a 2 year old they took him back.

Perhaps you should ask the breeder for advice you got him from?

suki1964

At 14 weeks he is teething so his biting will increase

It does sound to me like normal puppy mouthing tbh. When its been a while since your last pup you forget how bad it was. I remember sitting in the garden balling my eyes out within a week of getting my boy and by time he was 16 weeks I really thought I was going to have to send him back as he was the dog from hell with the biting

Hes a wee darling now and has a very soft mouth. In fact if he has something he dont want to give up, I put my fingers in the sides of his mouth and shout ouch and he drops

What you need to do is never go near the dog without having a toy. If he goes for the hand - give him the toy. Praise for playing with the toy - time out if he goes for the hands. A sharpe OUCH should be enough for him to back off - and give him the toy.

If he doesnt settle and still goes for you - take him out of the game - out him in the hall or kitchen or where ever its safe for him and leave him for a few minutes. Dont let him back to the games untill he has settled down, never reward bad behaviour - just always praise the good.

Could be that you wont be sitting down to watch tv for a few weeks yet while you are up and down putting him in and out of the room, but keep at it - it works

Get a copy of The Perfect Puppy By Gwen Bailey - loads of great advice for devil dogs

Loopy_Girl

All this advice basically sounds like what Jo Frost does on Supernanny!!!!

Maybe you need a naughty step or reflection room!!!!:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

suki1964

Loopy_Girl wrote: »

All this advice basically sounds like what Jo Frost does on Supernanny!!!!

Maybe you need a naughty step or reflection room!!!!:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Is there not a book or a programme called train your children as you do your dog?

Same principles really :rotfl::rotfl:

border_collie

I wouldn't use my crate for punishment. Time out could be turning your back and not saying a word or walk away.

Crates are too valuable a tool for your dog to associate them with punishment.