Desperate help needed!!

**Tamtam** · 11-03-2012 07:56

The nose is the most sensitive part of your dog. Smacking the nose will just increase the biting. If you ever tune into Cesar Milan (dog whisperer) he never smacks. It's not a natural form of punishment for the dog. He says that when puppies are disciplined by their mummy dog she will give a gentle bite in the neck area. He recommends you use two fingers to quickly give a firm touch there to imitate what the mother dog will do. If you go on his website you can read about it. Smacking a dog?? No I don't think so. Also remember your dog is a puppy... You need to train now and they chew and bite. I do the quick touch on the neck with my dog and she responds and doesn't continue. Check out some of the episodes online or something. He's very informative about what to do with your dog.

**sajimum** · 11-03-2012 07:58

Please don't hit her, it is not necessary. We have a golden retriever and they tend to be very mouthy puppies. It hurts doesn't it? I remember our girl latching onto my clothes and legs and not letting go, it was awful. But, as your husband said, they grow out if it - in the meantime, ignore ( I used to stand really really still or, if it hurt to much and she was really hyper, go inside), yelp as a PP suggested, and redirect to a chew toy. Unfortunately it might take a while and is going to be one of the challenges of having a puppy. Definitely a puppy preschool - most now use positive techniques rather than fear based ones such as hitting.

**becclesm** · 11-03-2012 08:06

Originally Posted by Tamtam

The nose is the most sensitive part of your dog. Smacking the nose will just increase the biting. If you ever tune into Cesar Milan (dog whisperer) he never smacks. It's not a natural form of punishment for the dog. He says that when puppies are disciplined by their mummy dog she will give a gentle bite in the neck area. He recommends you use two fingers to quickly give a firm touch there to imitate what the mother dog will do. If you go on his website you can read about it. Smacking a dog?? No I don't think so. Also remember your dog is a puppy... You need to train now and they chew and bite. I do the quick touch on the neck with my dog and she responds and doesn't continue. Check out some of the episodes online or something. He's very informative about what to do with your dog.

I'm definitely not encouraging hitting the pup hard, I'm not talking about a hard rough smack on the nose but a verryyy light one, just enough to distract them. It's worked with my dogs in the past and when I studied animal behaviour we learnt about ways to establish authority. But every person is different and it's your dog so you train it your way.

**becclesm** · 11-03-2012 08:14

I work in the animal industry, as well my kids, animals are my life so I just wanna stress I'm not encouraging animal abuse in any way! At work if a dog is misbehaving/ trying to bite us, we give it a light tap (maybe I shouldn't have said smack before there's so much stigma around that word :S) on the nose, it's just enough to distract them from what they're doing to get their attention and tell them no. I've studied this stuff extensively, I could ramble on for pages about it but unfortunately my DS requires my typing hand to feed him soon.

**StretchmarkBarbie** · 11-03-2012 08:16

We have a labrador as well. Went through a very similar thing with her. What we found worked was to yelp/growl if it hurt. And then if she came back again we did the pinch on the neck. If that didn't work it was straight outside by herself. It took time and a lot of patience but she was a baby who needed to learn this was not ok behavior. Please don't smack your puppy. Even lightly. So much physical and emotional damage can be done.

And just to add, my lab is almost 4 now and she is the most amazing dog. All that hard work is so worth it in the long run!

**lones** · 11-03-2012 08:52

We've had similar issues in the past - their little teeth are so sharp and they're so used to playing rough with their litter mates so it def takes a little bit of time and consistent training to help themn understand how to behave within their pack. Jan Fennel's book 'The Dog Listener' has made a huge difference to us. It helps you to understand how to be the leader of your pack etc. If you google her there should be some good ideas etc to try too. If I can find the list of websites I found when I was looking, I'll come back and post them

**waterlily** · 11-03-2012 09:07

Thank you so much for all the advice I really appreciate it. I understand what you were trying to say bec

We won't be smacking or even pinching the neck. I know she is an animal but I just couldn't do something to another being, it's not my thing.

I really appreciate all the advice. This morning I decided to use a very deep stern voice with her and she improved somewhat. I am her favorite so she listens to me more so then DH but she doesn't misbehave for him. They fall asleep in his study together all the time. Lol. I'm clearly the favorite but she clearly respects DH as the leader over me

**katherinelouise** · 11-03-2012 12:00

I have a 13 week old english staffy and she's biting a lot too! I've been gently holding her mouth closed and saying no. Is this alright, it seemed to work with our other dogs, but I don't want to do the wrong thing with her. I hate smacking them, cos they start fliching no matter how gently I do it. I know she's only getting carried away cos she's so sociable and happy to be with us, and I don't want to punish her for that.
Macy also jumps onto our legs while we're walking, what do I do for that?

**Kyls** · 11-03-2012 12:35

Dog Whisperer dvd's are brilliant! Definitely watch them. I used it and still do for my male 40kg American Staffy. He's not desexed either. Fantastic for learning a calm approach to building a healthy relationship with your dog. My dog pays more attention to me as pack leader than DP. Its great!!

**Tamtam** · 11-03-2012 12:59

Becclesm.... Didn't think you were advocating hard smacks! I don't think anyone would!?! I hope. Just remember seeing something on dog whisperer about it.

I live by what the dig whisperer says! We adopted a dog from AWL last year. I watched every episode and I totally think it made all the difference to how I treated our dog.

Water lily..., there's also an episode where he shows how to train your puppies. And he uses a Labrador to do it. Among others. Google it online or something?!? It might be helpful in you establishing yourself as a pack leader. (that is if you ascribe to his thinking, I know lots who don't. But I think he's awesome!)