Looks like we’ve done it again. Gotten ourselves a VBD. He’s cute. And so he remains alive. But he’s trouble. He might even be troubled.
We recently had a Girl Scout sleepover. He fell deeply in love with one of the scouts:
He must be supervised at all times. He’s a one-man wrecking crew. Things got a little bit easier when we built a jail for him:
We continue to try to educate ourselves on puppy training. I guess he’s trying, too:
My cousin said in this picture, he's saying, "Ummm...NOPE. That's not really going to work on me." I think she might be right.
Seriously, he’s nearly doubled in size. He’s still quite the handsome boy. But we are having some issues. No matter what we try, from which book, he continues to snap at us. I think he’s still playing — there’s tail-wagging involved. But he’s actually drawn blood from two of us. We’ve never had a puppy that was this tough to teach about “no biting!” Still hopeful we’ll get this worked out, and then all will be well. Have a couple of leads on very good “behaviorists.” Most people don’t want to start training puppies until 18 weeks, but I think we can arrange private consultation in the near future.
Our vet doesn’t think he’s a beagle/shepherd, as the first vet thought. She thinks he ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog. Another opined that he is a Rottweiler. I reckon time will tell. (If he is a Rotty, we REALLY want to nip that biting thing in the bud!)
He is just dancing in that first pic.
*laughing at William’s comment!*
Hang in there, Susie. I’m glad to read about the behaviorist – I think that will really help. (Wish I could find one where I live; not so many issues as you, but I definitely don’t know what I’m doing.)
Hail Cesar {Millan}!
Ah yes, the early months, I remember them well, we all breathed a sign of relief when they passed. Our black lab is now one year old but, one of the worst parts were the ‘love nips’ because her milk teeth were like needles.
We used a two pronged approach to sort it out, the first was to immediately stop all contact with her for a couple of minutes when she began biting. If that didn’t work, then we would slap a rolled up magazine against our thigh, she didn’t like the sound of that!
For all his training, its very important that he knows his place in the family i.e. last. So he goes through a door last, eats last and sleeps on the floor.
Best of luck with the little beast, he will repay you handsomely in the future.
My Mom bit their dog back on the nose and claims it worked!
I got nothing but laughter…. and a cat.
HAHAHAHA! Yeah, puppies are cute for like about a minute and then…
When Dexter bites (more gnaws on you when he wants to play) I take my thumb and first finger and gently place it over his face and move his upper “lips” down and over his upper teeth. Super subtle but he HATES IT and immediately stops. I don’t say anything so I think he thinks my hand is the un-fun one and not me.
Don’t know if it would work on a pooch.
He looks very shepherdy to me. Maybe some lab too? Or something heelerish? You could always DNA test him.
Beast of luck with the little pooper. xxoo
Sounds like a job for Ceasar Milan!
http://www.cesarsway.com/
He saved our pup from certain banishment!
So glad to see you have a VBD again. We used to bite our dogs ear, not too hard, but enough that they know it hurts. That is what the dogs mother would do if they bit her. Sounds a little gross to put the dogs ear in your mouth, but it does work. Good luck!!
A Very Bitey Dog… maybe take him to the orthodontist and get him braces? Nobody bites very well for a few weeks after that.
Good luck!
OK, we have a dog whisperer coming this Saturday night. Fingers crossed.
Let me know what your dog whisperer says, Susie. The new member of our herd is a one-year old, but he likes that hand nipping thing. It’s been a tough week.