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Permalink Reply by Stacy M on January 14, 2012 at 2:03am

We have been yelling "Ow" and walking away. Any time someone yells "ow" everyone must completely ignore the puppy for about 30 seconds. A second "ow" and playtime should be over for at least 5 minutes. 

Shout "ow" even if they aren't biting very hard, or if it might have been an accident. 

Not "time out" per say. Don't put your puppy in a kennel or anything for biting you. Just turn and walk away. Everyone. 

That's how dogs learn not to bite each other as pups... cuz nobody wants to play with you if you keep biting them too hard. 

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Permalink Reply by Laura Rochette on January 14, 2012 at 10:20am

Lucy is 8 mos and still is very "toothy," although it is getting better. I am still working on "Leave it" when she grabs something (my gloves, my pants, my socks--or worse, other people's) and I give her lots of legit chew toys and chew treats. I know I'm not helping, but I do sympathize! Other things she has learned quickly, but this...and going down stairs--still not clicking. Oh, and the "yelping": with Lucy that has never worked no matter what I make it sound like.

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Permalink Reply by Laura (and Marty) on January 14, 2012 at 5:26pm

Hi Vicki!

Have you tried to increase the amount of exercise she is getting as Bev Levy suggested? 

Our puppy is generally pretty good with controlling his urge to bite and nip (we redirect him with a "settle" command then give him a good chew toy and praise him), but there would be certain times in the early evening when he'd get a little "obnoxious" -- try to nip, herd, and yeeesh, just refused to listen.   Just as with Sophie, the "yelping" or "ow" sound we'd make didn't really seem to phase him too much.  So, we decided to add another walk to our schedule right around the time he's start "acting up", and it seemed to work wonderfully in minimizing the rough, wanting-to-herd-and-bite play.  He'd come home from the walk and plop down and chew on his Dogzilla icebone instead.  :)  If you can fit it in your daily schedule, definitely try increasing her exercise. 

As far as a time frame, mouthy dogs will be mouthy dogs if you let them -- so just be positive and don't give up!   I've worked with a lot of herding breeds (this is my first corgi though) and they are definitely persistent!

Another thing we did for our puppy (and still working on) is that he gets bored with most regular dog toys at times.  And of course, boredom often leads to undesirable behavior.   So, we actually bought a few dog intelligence puzzles (like from Nina Ottosson)....and they work like a charm! 

Not sure if it'll work for Sophie, but it's worth a try!

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on February 14, 2012 at 11:57pm

Hi Vicky, it sound like you have a really smart girl who is also quite willing to please, as she has learned the many things you describe.  I think that 6 weeks is too long to not see definite progress.  Generally speaking, if you have a behavior problem and you do not see progress in two weeks, you are not doing the right thing to turn it around and you need to adjust your approach.

In your case, the pushing her off and negative physical interaction is probably taken by the pup as play on your part and may even be contributing to her excitability.  Pups, like children, have varying responses to the same exact situation and what is all right for one kid, may have another one getting totally out of control, then scolded and punished. Same with dogs.

What to do? First make sure NOBODY is playing rough with the puppy.  Try to keep interaction calm and your petting slow and with open palm, so your touch is calming.  Teach her that you will sit on the floor and pet her, using a soothing voice, when she needs attention. A minute at a time will do, but, that way, she'll experience it's nice to be with you in that calm way. When you see that she has a lot of energy, take her outside (leash or yard) even briefly and keep a favorite chew toy especially for these times. She needs to expend that energy and cannot bottle it up, so find ways that are acceptable to meet her particular needs.  Don't keep all her toys out at the same time, rotate them for more interest.  Make sure she is not crated too long at one time, this creates problems in itself. Try some of the things others here have suggested and use improvement as a barometer to evaluate your approach.

The puppy is just being a puppy, she needs to learn that people are not like her littermates.

Remember that teaching is not about scolding, it's about coaxing the wanted behavior fro the dog.  I read on your page that you lost your dog after 15 yrs.  It's hard to go from that to a young energy ball, but I'm sure, with gentle guidance, she too will become a "Lady".

 

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Permalink Reply by Priscilla, CARLY, and Frankie on February 15, 2012 at 9:31am

I feel for you , i really do.. Carly was exactly like that , i nearly drove myself crazy trying to get her to stop wondering what i was doing wrong .. Then finally with all my efforts she stopped it wasn't any one thing , she just figured it out , at about 5 or 6 months old..i believe. I had to  put a towel around my hands to cut down on the broken skin , my arms were full of cuts . We even had her in training classes early on to help me train her , none it it was a instant fix sorry:(

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