So, basically, while we're out on walks, my 4-month-old puppy won't stop biting his lead, and when I tell him off, he jumps up at me and starts biting my clothes. I've had a look online to find out why he's doing it and what to do, and most people were saying there's no point scolding him, you just have to ignore him and then praise him when he lets go of the lead. However, when I try to ignore him, he couldn't care less; he just carries on biting the lead and then does exactly what he does when I tell him off (jumping up and biting my clothes). I'm really at my wit's end; walks have become a bit of a nightmare for me. I'm really hoping to find a solution to this, so thanks in advance! 😌
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So let me get this straight—I’m supposed to tell the pros at the training club, "no, that's not how you do it, do it like this"??? You lot must be joking, they'd just have a laugh at my expense. I’m there to learn, not to correct them!
Well, yeah, I’d hope so! You’re well within your rights to say you’re not comfortable with a certain method, even with the "club pros"...
And let's be honest, shaking a PUPPY, as the others have already said, isn't exactly the idea of the century. If you keep laying into your dog every time he does something you don't like, without trying to understand the reason behind the behaviour, well, you'll see just how "balanced" your relationship ends up being.
Anyway, here’s some food for thought about blindly following that kind of advice (thankfully we’re not all like that): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seT8Vt1ykLw
To get back to the point, we’re talking about a sensitive little Border puppy who can’t handle his excitement, and your suggestion is to use massive physical punishment. It’s just a hard no.
I read an article, by the same author I think—it’s terrible what people put their pets through just because a "pro" told them to. :0
So, let me get this straight, I’m meant to tell the pros at the dog club "no, that’s not how you should do it, it's like this"??? Are you lot mad? They’ll just laugh in my face. I’ve come here to learn and I’m supposed to be correcting them?
Well, yeah, I'd hope so. You’ve still got every right to say if you’re not comfortable with a method, even with the "club pros"...
And let's be honest, shaking a PUPPY, as the others have already said, isn't exactly the brightest idea. If you keep laying into your dog the second he does something you don't like, without even trying to understand why he's behaving that way, you'll see just how "balanced" your relationship ends up being.
Here, a bit of food for thought on following that kind of advice blindly (thankfully we’re not all like that): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seT8Vt1ykLw
Getting back to the point, we’re talking about a sensitive little Border Collie pup who can’t handle his excitement, and your suggestion is to dish out a massive physical punishment. It’s just a no from me.
So, let me get this straight, I'm supposed to tell the pro at the club "no, that's not how you do it, you do it like this"??? Are you lot mad? They'll laugh in my face. I've come here to learn and I'm meant to be correcting them?
Well, yes. If they're teaching customers things that are harmful to the dog, then of course you should. And shaking a dog—out of all the mistakes you could make—is the one that can cause brain damage, so it's the most serious; I'm being dead serious here.
Especially since just because someone set up a club and called themselves a "pro", it doesn't mean they have all the answers... 🙄
There was a time when the "pros" in teaching would rap the knuckles of kids chatting in class, while other "pros" in the spiritual world were becoming cult leaders...
In fact, putting blind faith in an authority figure is very human:
So @becool, if I’ve got this right, I’m supposed to tell the pro at the club, "No, that’s not how you’re meant to do it, it’s like this"??? You must be joking; they’ll just laugh in my face. I’m there to learn, and I’m the one who has to correct them?
Well, yeah—if they’re teaching owners stuff that’s harmful to the dog, then of course you should. And shaking, out of all the mistakes you could make, is the one that can cause brain damage, so it’s the most serious. I’m being dead serious here.
So hold on a second, if I've got this right, I'm supposed to tell the trainer at the club "no, that's not how you do it, do it like this"??? You lot must be joking! They’ll just laugh in my face. I’m there to learn, and I’m expected to correct them?
My dog does exactly the same thing at the start of our walks. As soon as we’re at the door, he starts jumping up at me because he’s so excited. I just nudge him back, step away, or turn my back on him while saying "no, sit". I'll keep doing that as many times as it takes until he sits, then he gets a treat. He gets really impatient waiting for the lift too, so he’ll jump up again and grab the lead in his mouth, tugging at it. It’s the same routine there: "no, sit" and a treat.
Mind you, he doesn't do it once we're out on the street, and he doesn't bite my clothes. But he pulls and pulls...
My other girl is older and it rarely happens with her, but if she’s had enough of being on the lead, she’ll sometimes bite it and try to run off while tugging. Again, I use the same command once or twice and she usually stops.
You’ve got a puppy who is still learning, plus it’s a high-energy breed, so you’ve got a lot of energy to channel there.
As mentioned before, these walks are exhausting because either they’re pulling your arm off or you’re just standing still, but stay patient—we’ve all been through it!
Oh sure, let’s just use a metal lead and shake the puppy to make him let go! We might as well do the same with the kids. Mind you, I’ve actually seen some idiots behaving like that before. But seriously, Docline is right: when your pooch gets worked up, you just stop and wait for him to calm down. Once he’s settled, he gets a treat and a pat, then you set off and start again. You might only manage three metres at first, but that’s just part of the process. Have plenty of patience and stay zen—it’ll be fine!
My 6-month-old Mali does the same, and definitely, DEFINITELY don't let him go for your clothes. You can shake him or whatever (that's what they told me at the training club) even if it's just a nip, because when he's fully grown, it’ll be a different story entirely, won't it?
Another question: what kind of collar are you using? If it's no good, get a chain lead like I did.
Are you out of your mind?!!! 😡😡
Shaking a puppy!!!!
Do you want to turn him into a total wreck by causing brain damage???
Stop that right now and report your club to the RSPCA!
When your dog gets too hyper, turn yourself into a statue for as long as it takes for him to realise he needs to channel all that excess energy.
Give him plenty of praise as soon as he's calm, and then set off again... even if it's only for three steps before he starts up again.
But don't worry, they're a breed that learns very quickly.
Christophe and his "expert" tips, as per usual unfortunately...
Anyway, Lisa, Docline’s advice is spot on.
You need to manage to teach this little bundle of energy how to contain his excitement; work on getting him to settle down and make sure he learns "no". At the same time, in other circumstances, you should give him an outlet like playing tug-of-war.
My 6-month-old Mali does the same, and whatever you do, DON'T let him go for your clothes. You can shake him or whatever (that’s what they told me at the training club) even if it’s just nipping, because when he’s fully grown it’ll be a different story, won't it? Another thing, what kind of collar are you using? Otherwise, buy a chain lead like I did.
Are you out of your mind?! 😡😡
Shaking a puppy!!!!
Do you want to give him brain damage?
Stop that right now and report that club to the RSPCA!
When your dog gets too over-excited, turn yourself into a statue for as long as it takes for him to realise he needs to channel all that excess energy.
Praise him the second he’s calm, then set off again... just three steps if he starts up again. Don't worry though, they're a very bright breed and they pick things up quickly.
My 6-month-old Mali does the exact same thing, and when it comes to clothes, you absolutely MUST NOT let him get away with it. You can give him a bit of a shake or whatever (that’s what they told me at the training club) even if he’s just nipping, because once he’s fully grown, if he’s still doing it, it’ll be a whole different story, won't it?
Another question, what kind of collar are you using? Otherwise, try getting a chain lead like I did.
