Good evening, I’d like to know how to correct my puppy's behaviour. She turned 4 months old today. Every time my children play together (not even with the puppy), she goes over to them and starts biting them, even when the kids shout that she's hurting them. I know she probably just wants to play, but I want to fix this. Even if I keep her on a lead in the house or make her lie down, she always starts up again.
And that’s not to mention when we’re walking her on the lead outside. If I’m just walking, it’s fine, but if I run, she tries to bite my calves. The kids can’t walk her because she just wants to bite them. I really want to sort this out before it becomes too difficult or an accident happens. My children are already quite nervous because two weeks ago I had a large Golden Retriever that jumped at my daughter’s face and we had to have him put down.
The puppy was already doing this before that happened, but I really need help as I don't want to be forced to rehome her.
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As soon as a child gives the dog any attention, they’re rewarding him. Even if the child pushes him away with their foot to avoid getting bitten, they’re still rewarding him. That’s the real problem, actually.
So, if the dog approaches the child all excited, and starts nipping and so on – if the child has the ‘misfortune’ of playing with the dog, they’re teaching him that behaving like this *pays off*. It gets him exactly what he wants: attention.
Do you see what I mean? That’s why having a ‘teacher’, a behaviourist or even a dog trainer come round to the house and show the whole family how to apply these principles would be a really, really good idea. Because there are a lot of people who need training. Every single human!
I’m writing this out for you and, in theory, it’s easy enough to grasp. The problem is the application. Teaching the concept of respecting personal space is something you really have to see to understand. It’s dead simple—takes 10-15 minutes max and then it clicks. But it’s so hard to teach over the web.
The idea of extinction—basically, No Talk, No Touch, No Eye Contact. It’s the simplest thing to understand, but the hardest to actually do. Essentially, it involves acting as if the dog isn’t even there. All the time. Especially when you get home. When the kids come home from school. One by one. They walk in, and it’s No Talk, No Touch, No Eye Contact.
IF the dog persists, an adult has to step in and stop them, making them respect your personal space. The child shouldn’t be doing that part themselves. All they do is ignore: No Talk, No Touch, No Eye Contact. And... as soon as the dog settles down, that’s when you can have a bit of a play.
A dog should never be the one to initiate play. It’s not up to them to decide.
So, a behaviourist or trainer needs to show your young children how to play with the dog, and especially when and how NOT to play when it’s inappropriate. Does that make sense? I’m going to go into a bit more detail on just this one point.
First off, I didn't have my dog put down because he jumped on my kids; I did it because he bit my child in the face. Honestly, I'm just wired differently, and I didn't post this to get insulted. I came here to get some tips for my puppy, period. And yes, I've researched my dog's needs; I know she's an active dog, that's not the issue. Look, I just want some advice so she stops nipping at my children. This isn't my first dog and it definitely won't be my last. And for the record, she is absolutely not being mistreated—she's very well looked after. My only problem is that I want to find ways to get her to stop biting the kids and for us to be able to run around with her, that's all.
There are three aspects to integrate that could completely change the outcome in the future. They are fairly simple to conceptualise and understand, but very difficult to implement and supervise from a distance. The best thing to do would be to hire an expert; they’d tell you pretty much the same things as me, but they’d be there in person to show you how to do it.
Here are the three concepts in question:
1. Respecting personal space: essentially the 'human bubble', especially for the little ones.
2. Interruption: meaning I tell them to stop, and they stop.
3. Inspiring, teaching, and conditioning calmness. "No talk, no touch, no eye contact" (Cesar Millan).
A dog behaviourist who knows their stuff can teach you this in about three sessions at most. From there, you're set for life with a completely different relationship where:
1. The dog will naturally respect people's personal space.
2. They will learn that being calm is the only way to get any attention.
3. They will learn to stop what they're doing on command.
At 12 years old, he can certainly learn how to hold a lead properly (get him to watch some videos of dog shows to see how the handlers position and hold the leads: the dogs are always on their best behaviour). He can also learn how to teach the dog to walk to heel—there are loads of posts on that subject on here.
But yes, having a puppy is a lot of work, and even more so with the breed you’ve chosen... Best of luck, and stay patient.
Cheers, and unfortunately there aren't any in my area so I really need to look for one. I’ve got mates with dogs though, and when they come over they bring them along so they can play outside together. I take her for regular walks with my 3-year-old daughter, and I’ve even started getting her to pull the wheelbarrow. After a 20-minute walk (as I’m in a tiny village), I take her to the football pitch and let her run around by throwing a stick or just her tug-rope. On rainy days, I get her to run on my treadmill. Sometimes my eldest wants to take her for a walk (he’s 12), but after 5 minutes she starts trying to nip his calves. I’ve told him that when that happens, he needs to stop running and make her sit and wait until she’s calmed down, but it doesn't usually work; she just jumps up at him and nips his hands. I know she just wants to play, but how do I get her to understand that she can play without using her teeth?
You shouldn't just give them a toy and leave them to get on with it. Get down on the floor and encourage your puppy to come and have a chew on their rope toy, for example, and spend a few minutes actually playing WITH them. At this age, you can't really expect a puppy to play by themselves, you know?
When they're pestering you and it's not the right time, it's better to say "wait!" instead of "no". "No" is such a vital word that could save a dog’s life in a dangerous situation, so it’s best not to overuse it for everything.
* How many times a day do you take them out to a park where there are other dogs they can play with?
Thank you so much. I always give her her toys or bones whenever she starts nipping like you mentioned, and I always give her a firm "no" as well. I know she's teething and that it's just in her nature. I'll keep doing some more research, thanks again.
Every puppy in the world mouths; it’s a natural need.
When you prevent a natural urge from being expressed, you run the risk of causing real problems further down the line.
There are loads of posts on this forum covering techniques for dealing with nipping; the basics involve redirecting them to an allowed object. You can teach them manners by being the one to initiate "rough and tumble" play with the puppy, letting out a high-pitched yelp if they get too worked up, and then leaving them on their own for several minutes. But you shouldn’t try to stop a puppy from using its teeth altogether. If an adult dog ever instinctively bites for whatever reason and hasn’t learned to gauge the pressure, that’s when things get dangerous.
Yeah, that’s right, but you’re all telling me I’m not a good owner for Anouka, but you’re wrong there. If I’m looking for advice, it’s exactly because I want what’s best for her. You’re saying I mistreat her, but where did I even say that? I only said she’s in the house with her lead on. I didn’t say she’s tied up in the house; no, she just wanders around the house with her lead trailing. And I’m not getting rid of her, and I never once said I was rough with her. I know you shouldn't be harsh with anyone; I’m not stupid. I know how to train her, but I just don’t know how to get her to stop nipping. I want to play with her without the biting – that’s all I’m trying to find out. I love my girl, she’s part of the family, she’s like my seventh child. I just want to be able to play with her and my kids without her constantly nipping.
If you have such an abrupt attitude towards dogs, you shouldn’t get one. ‘Getting rid of’ is a very harsh turn of phrase and it sounds like you don't really want a dog at all.
A dog's behaviour mirrors its owner, so if you're not prepared to listen to the advice on this forum, I suggest you go and see a vet. They can explain the basics of dog ownership and the bond between you.
You’re quite right that you aren't here to be insulted, and nobody is doing that – we’re just speaking our minds, that's all.
