November 11, 2008

Puppy trouble!?!?!?!?

My 9 week old, female miniature schnauzer/yorkshire terrier mix is stubborn and FEISTY! Whenever I go on the stair way, she starts barking at my, growling at me and biting my feet! She also does this too my family! She bites whenever I pet her.How can we teach her to stop biting, stop thinking that the stair way is her territory, and just make her less dominant.

We've had her for 1 week.

SHe has TONS of chew toys and kongs.

She seems to be good at being a puppy. I wouldn't let her have full run of the house this little. I only allow one room at a time, and when they behave in that room, they can graduate to more space. Too much space will overwhelm her. For no barking, I say "no barking" until she stops barking and when she stops barking, I say "good girl" She has to learn what behaviors you allow, and what you don't allow. So say "no barking" as many times as you have to for as long as you have to, and when she stops say "good girl" you must always remember to praise the good behavior. Any way the next time she starts barking, do it all over again. This will be stressful, but it will take less and less time each time you do it and before you know it you only had to say "no barking" once, or not at all. You get out of your puppies what you put into them, so invest in the stress a little now, so you will have peace later. For "no biting" I say "no biting", and point and snap my fingers. When she sits and behaves, I say "good girl" Biting will be hard right now. The baby teeth come out between 4 and 6-months-old, so be sure and swap your fingers for a toy, or bones. You may also wear something like garden gloves when you are training to spare your fingers if it gets too rough. Remember also that they can't focus as fast as we can, so when you are trying to pet her, you might think she realizes you are going to pet her, but all she might see is your hand coming at her. You have to be firm, but also patient. She is only 9-weeks-old, so hang in there. It gets better around 12-weeks-old. I would keep up the training to show you are the pack leader, but don't go crazy on the training. You have to take time out to play at this age also. Keep up the good work, you will get there.

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July 28, 2008

Patricia G @ 8:56 am

I had a German shepherd that the same. He stopped doing it when I start biting him back. Believe, the don like it. If he bites your feet, bite his and so forth
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GA 706 @ 9:03 am

I HAVE TWO SHIH TZU AND THEY LOVE TO BIT, BUT I USE BITTER APPLE SPRAY. YOU SHOULD TRY THAT, IT MIGHT WORK. JUST SPRAY WHEREVER THEY BIT AND THEY'LL END UP STOPPING SOONER OR LATER… IT TAKES TIME, BUT REMEMBER TO NOT PLAY CHASE OR WAVE YOUR HAND IN FRONT OF THEIR FACE SO THAT DOESN'T GET THEM STARTED AGAIN…
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Animangalicious @ 9:18 am

Usually when a dog is being dominant, it means the people aren't handling her correctly. You CANNOT think of your dog as a 'human', a dog is a dog, and only thinks during that time.

Also if you've only had her for a week, be patient. She might be acting dominating because she feels lonely or separation axiety, after all this is a huge step for her. She has to learn how to become a dog and live with humans.

When she growls at you, you have to think like the 'alpha' dog. You must take control. Anytime a dog growls at YOU, they are telling you they are taking control, and WILL bite you. You MUST tell them NO, and mean it. If she continues to do this, make sure there is a consiquence, so she knows you mean business, but DO NOT hit her.

The best way to make her stop biting is to say OW, and walk away. Dogs are SOCIAL creatures, and don't like to be alone. After a few weeks, they will learn not to bite.

Perhaps she feels separation anxiety everytime you go upstairs, or perhaps she is left alone too long. The big key with your pup right now however, is being the LEADER.

Make sure you enter a room before she does, make sure you eat before she does, and DO NOT play games like tug-of-war, hand games, or chase games. These teach your pup it is okay to dominate and bite you.

Remember though, puppies bite, thats what they do. They are teething, and they like to feel things with their mouths. Another good idea is to give them a chew toy or bone for her to bite on if she tries to bite you. Tell her NO BITE, then give her the bone or toy, and if she goes for it instead of you, praise her.

Praising always works better than physical abuse. If you bribe a dog with treats and affection, they tend to learn much faster!

Don't be too hard on her right now though, give her a couple of weeks. She is still just a baby afterall.

Oh and at this age, after all her shots, you need to introduce her to everything you can, and socialize her with other dogs. If she has a negative experience at her age, it will affect her for the rest of her life.

Good luck with your little one, =] I'm sure you can do it. Be a leader.

P.S - You can find a lot of helpful information from Cesar from Dog Whisperer.
References :

wishnuwelltoo @ 11:53 am

She seems to be good at being a puppy. I wouldn't let her have full run of the house this little. I only allow one room at a time, and when they behave in that room, they can graduate to more space. Too much space will overwhelm her. For no barking, I say "no barking" until she stops barking and when she stops barking, I say "good girl" She has to learn what behaviors you allow, and what you don't allow. So say "no barking" as many times as you have to for as long as you have to, and when she stops say "good girl" you must always remember to praise the good behavior. Any way the next time she starts barking, do it all over again. This will be stressful, but it will take less and less time each time you do it and before you know it you only had to say "no barking" once, or not at all. You get out of your puppies what you put into them, so invest in the stress a little now, so you will have peace later. For "no biting" I say "no biting", and point and snap my fingers. When she sits and behaves, I say "good girl" Biting will be hard right now. The baby teeth come out between 4 and 6-months-old, so be sure and swap your fingers for a toy, or bones. You may also wear something like garden gloves when you are training to spare your fingers if it gets too rough. Remember also that they can't focus as fast as we can, so when you are trying to pet her, you might think she realizes you are going to pet her, but all she might see is your hand coming at her. You have to be firm, but also patient. She is only 9-weeks-old, so hang in there. It gets better around 12-weeks-old. I would keep up the training to show you are the pack leader, but don't go crazy on the training. You have to take time out to play at this age also. Keep up the good work, you will get there.
References :

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