Puppy Advice (merged)

MrsTinks

I to a great degree am going to agree with foreign correspondant here...
I don't think first time dog owners should get puppies... sorry.
Yes they are cute and cuddly and sweet...
BUT... a puppy needs house training, they need puppy classes to socialise and they need patient training every day. 99% of them will chew things - not always because they are naughty but because they will loose their puppy teeth and grow their adult teeth and that means sore and itchy gums!
If you don't give them consistent training, especially when young, then ANY breed of dog can become a problem dog. I know - that hooligan in my avatar is now 3 1/2 and she came from a rescue at 12 months old with NO training - yes hard work has gotten us the gold good citizen award but we still have major dog aggression issues which we are working with a trainer to get under control. This could have been avoided if her first home had socialised her properly when she was young...

Honestly? Go along to your nearest rescue and get a slightly older dog, one that has had some training even if it's only basic! In a year or two IT will have trained you and you will be far more ready to take on a puppy - and having 2 dogs will be good for both of them too

I'm not even going to go into how long you can and should leave a puppy for during the day... because I'm sure others have covered it

proudmum_3

Hi Kink,
Glad to hear that all is well with Ben.

suki1964

4 months old and pups are teething and sometimes they just don't want to eat when fed.

Check for bleeding gums - frozen cloths sooth. Make sure pup has chews to help loosen further any loose teeth. Id on dry food try soaking it in a wee bit hot water first to soften before feeding

suki1964

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Wot she said

Mely

You could try giving him a quick squirt with some water and say 'ouch!' at the same time when he mouthes you.
I really wouldnt use his crate to punish him, as thats supposed to be his little haven and you dont want to put him off it.

Raksha

Please don't use the water squirt - it can be way too 'powerful' and seriously upset a more nervous dog or puppy. As I said in my previous post - the fact that it's getting worse means your puppy realises that something has changed and is getting the message - stick with what you are doing and it WILL get less, especially if you give the puppy lots of chances to play with you with 'raggers' (knotted ropes) and big soft toys.........

Raksha

4 months is key time for teething, and a puppy whose fed hard food will often appreciate having it moistened and allowed to soak for a few min (10-20) before being offered it.

Mely

As the dog is trying to be very dominant a 'small squirt' of spray with some water whilst saying 'ouch'! should work fairly quickly.
Good luck !

foreign_correspondent

i would not recommend squirting water at this dog.

suki1964

Mely wrote: »

As the dog is trying to be very dominant a 'small squirt' of spray with some water whilst saying 'ouch'! should work fairly quickly.
Good luck !

Puppy biting isnt a dominant behaviour - its how puppy's interact with their litter mates