So frustrated....I'm starting to give up

Erieve2003 · 10-30-2007, 12:38 PM

I have a five month old cockapoo who has a problem with nipping. I have to keep her gated off away from my child almost all day because she has nipped at him a few times and I'm terrified she's going to hurt him.
I've been working hard with her to try to correct this problem. She knows the sit command, and I've been working with her to try to get her to sit and stay until given the command to move. I've been using the choke collar as advised by my friend/dog trainer. It works like a CHARM for him, and my husband...she listens really well. When I try to work with her, she growls, snaps at my hands and tries to chew on the collar/leash whatever is attatched to her. I know she's probably trying to assert her dominance and I need to stay calm and assertive, but I don't take very kindly to being growled and snapped at, and I'm starting to loose my patience. My kids come first and if she won't listen to me, I don't know what to do other than give her away. I'm SO frustrated....it absolutely kills me that she's behaving this way, and I have no idea how to make her listen. Any ideas???

Mina's Dad · 10-30-2007, 12:55 PM

When the puppy nips make a noise like it hurts (yelp or say "ow"). I only had to yelp for a few days with my puppy, and now she never does it. They don't want to hurt you, and they should stop if they think they are hurting you.

Remember to stay calm, you getting excited only escalates the situation. I know it's hard to do some times, but it really works.

Curbside Prophet · 10-30-2007, 01:09 PM

Sounds like a normal puppy to me. The behaviors have nothing to do with the pups need to assert dominance. Training is NOT transferable. So what works for your husband does not necessarily mean it will work for you. You may need to improve your communication with the dog (timing), but this isn't the dog's problem. I understand that it's frustrating, but you do have a puppy after all.

So my first bit of advice is to accept that this is normal puppy behavior and that you must "train" appropriate behaviors. It does not make the biting, and growling acceptable, but if you blame the dog for its natural behaviors, why have a dog? I assure you, unless your dog is deaf, she can hear you just fine. What you need to do is give meaning to your words...you need to offer instruction...you need to rehearse the behaviors you want when you want them.

Have you read the stickies in the dog training forum on NILIF, and "The Bite Stops Here" article? Have you considered puppy school? Are you opposed to keeping this dog tied to your waist? What behaviors would you like to change, and what is the priority? Has the breeder offered any advice?

sbcvulcan · 10-30-2007, 01:11 PM

Since you mentioned your dog does respond to your husband but not you , I woudl say you need to become its primary caregiver if you are not already with the nothing in life is free doctrine.

I'm not so great at puppy problems like this but you are correct to place your kids safety first.

You will know if your dog is starting to respond or not to any ideas posted here.

Kerna · 10-30-2007, 02:11 PM

How old is your child? I have a 4 year old and the puppy no longer nips at her when my husband or I can see (just using voice commands "Ah, ah, ah" or "off") but there are times when my daughter and the dog are briefly unsupervised (this is not normal but it happens) so I've made my daughter a little metal can with some coins in it to shake when the dog is misbehaving. Unfortunately my daughters commands haven't had the same effect as ours so giving her a way to startle the dog into another behavior has seemed to work well.

Erieve2003 · 10-30-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curbside Prophet

Are you opposed to keeping this dog tied to your waist?

No, actually...but I've never heard of this before. It keeping the dog with you at all times supposed to enforce it to stay with you or is there something else I should be doing with her at the same time? Like I said, I've never really heard of training like this before and I am interested in trying it, so any guidance you could give me will definately help! Thanks

Erica

Dogstar · 10-30-2007, 03:19 PM

It'd be another way to get the dog out of the crate or babygated area and integrated with the family, but keeping her with you and able to be controlled by you.

Are you in any obedience classes with this pup? I would HIGHLY recommend that- and I'd make you teh primary trainer, not your SO. Additionally, I'd get rid of the choke collar and use more positive methods. Clickerlessons.com might be of interest to you.

Curbside Prophet · 10-30-2007, 03:29 PM

Using an umbilical cord on a dog is really nothing scientific. It's usually recommended to people who want their dog around them, but not in a crate. All the leash does is keep the puppy close and provides a handle should you need to move them away from an object or into another position. It facilitates many other things too, indirectly.

For instance you may communicate with the dog more. Dogs don't know English, but they can learn cues. If you start saying the same things over and over again, like come, or sit, your dog will come to anticipate the cues and the rewards that follow. Your dog will become more attentive and confident.

It also helps you to pay attention to your dogs behaviors. If you're standing in the kitchen preparing a sandwich, and your dog decides to chew on the cabinets, you can redirect his activity to something more appropriate...perhaps chewing on a Kong with a swab of peanut butter.

Also, dogs are social beings, so being locked up behind a gate can be frustrating for the dog, and you could be the recipient of that frustration. If your dog is a natural follower as most dogs are, being near you may be settling to him.

http://dogstardaily.com/video/bite-inhibition-stage-3

TooneyDogs · 10-30-2007, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curbside Prophet

Are you opposed to keeping this dog tied to your waist?

In this particular case I have to suggest not using this tactic as the dog is attacking the leash (and the hands). This works well for the compliant, want to walk with you type of dog. The unbilicals real advantage is teaching the owner/handler how to avoid an/or overcome leash handling errors. The other general purpose use is to ensure the handler stays by the puppys side during potty training. I'm not too keen on the idea of its use as a bonding tool either...proximity by itself doesn't equal bonding.

Dogstar · 10-30-2007, 04:27 PM

Actually, I've found it works pretty well for leash-biters, as it becomes sort of an ievitable thing- leash goes on = chewies come out, and good stuf fhappens for the puppy.