[AbroadWithPuppy]

Hello,

I recently have adopted a four month old puppy (a little mutt that was orphaned and brought to me starving in a box) and am having a SERIOUS problem with her nipping/biting. She bights hard and constantly at my ankles, jumps up and bites me. I try tapping her nose and putting my finger down her throat, squealing loud and then ignoring her to teach bit inhibition. I also always divert her attention to a chew toy. It is starting to scare me how she is play biting because her mouth can be snarled back to show her teeth. She is definitely playing, but seems to have a real problem controlling her mouth – biting and mouthing everything.

I fear that one of the reasons is because I need to leave her with my guard when I travel for work, and Malawians (I live in Malawi) don’t like dogs and so might not follow the rules. I don’t want to completely blame on him, I also think I have a problem being the ‘convincing’ alpha female and have not provided enough structure in her life. Another reason is that she was traumatized from her life before…she came to me without food for two days and even had scars from worms living in her skin…..

I’m wondering if anyone has and advice regarding the following:

-Is four/five months two young to be to worried or start serious obedience interventions?
-I have a huge yard and field outside my house and so I don’t use a leash. Is this actually harming her?
-Also, am I too late in controlling her nipping? I’m so worried that she will be unsafe to take in public and I really want to be able to take her traveling with me.

Please help! My dog is a really great addition to my life: she is clever and a great and needed companion… I have the time to train her correctly and the desire, but seem to be falling short of being a good dog parent. Any advice or support would be appreciated!

Thank you,
abroad with my new little puppy

[fuzzie]

These are some basic bite inhibition training tecniques, but I don't know if your puppy is too old to benifit from them.

When your puppy nips you hard, yelp like a puppy,act more hurt than you are, and leave the room, closing the door behind you. You don't need to leave her for more than a few minutes. As your puppy learns, make "acceptable nips" lighter and lighter, until puppy only has to put her mouth on you to "hurt" you. This should teach her that biting hurts people and she should never do it.

Good Luck!

[gills]

I'm trying to get a sense of what is happening when your puppy is biting. Is she trying to get you to play with her, do you think? Or do you think there's something else going on?

At her age it's definitely not too young for her to learn good manners, and for you to insist on them. This going beyond teaching "commands"; it's about teaching her to be polite. Have an image of the kind of dog you want in your mind, and how you want her to behave. Then insist that she be that dog. Make everything you do a step toward that image, and don't settle for less.

Also, don't let your compassion for her prior trauma inhibit you from teaching her; dogs live in the "now", and if you go easy on her because of that you wont' do her any favours. In your situation, the kindest and most loving thing you can do is teach her well, and be fair but firm.

[Elana55]

When I first read this I thought it might refer to visiting a bbar.. Alas, tho, this IS the dog forum so it was about a dog nipping.. not taking nips.... *sigh*

Originally Posted by AbroadWithPuppy

She bights hard and constantly at my ankles, jumps up and bites me. I try tapping her nose and putting my finger down her throat, squealing loud and then ignoring her to teach bit inhibition. I also always divert her attention to a chew toy.

I am not quite sure what you are doing here with the finger down the throat routine. The way to stop biting is to stop playing. Game OVER the instant the dog "misses" and nails you, whether intentionally or in play and accidentally. dogs are amazingly accurate with their mouths and can learn and should learn.

If the dog bites and snarls you stand up, fold you armas and separate yourself from the dog with a physical barrier IMMEDIATELY. Return in a little whiel to continue the ply and the minute this starts again, repeat.

I would also teach this dog to gently take a treat and/or food from your hand so that no food aggression gets started.

Originally Posted by AbroadWithPuppy

I fear that one of the reasons is because I need to leave her with my guard when I travel for work, and Malawians (I live in Malawi) don’t like dogs and so might not follow the rules..

Would your guard abuse the dog? What do you mean by not following the rules? If there is abuse going on, or if a dog this young is acting aggressive, is it possible this person is encouraging it? If so, that has to stop.

Originally Posted by AbroadWithPuppy

I don’t want to completely blame on him, I also think I have a problem being the ‘convincing’ alpha female and have not provided enough structure in her life. Another reason is that she was traumatized from her life before…she came to me without food for two days and even had scars from worms living in her skin…...

I don't know if you have to be a convincing Alpha Female to a dog. I never tried this. I would take a look at the stickie or NILIF (Nothing In Life Is Free) and invoke this starting.. now... with this dog. Any dog.

Originally Posted by AbroadWithPuppy

I’m wondering if anyone has and advice regarding the following:

-Is four/five months two young to be to worried or start serious obedience interventions? …...

No. You should start training now. Earlier is better IMO. Take a look at NILIF as noted. Also take a look at this site: www.clickertraining.com

I have a GSD and I used the clicker training method and found it very effective.

Originally Posted by AbroadWithPuppy

-I have a huge yard and field outside my house and so I don’t use a leash. Is this actually harming her? …...

Every dog needs to learn to walk on a leash. You can't travel or take a dog with you if it is off leash, so while off leash work is beneficial,. leash training is also beneficial. I love that my dog can go with me off leash, but in situations with people, traffic, other dogs, she needs to be on leash.

Originally Posted by AbroadWithPuppy

-Also, am I too late in controlling her nipping? I’m so worried that she will be unsafe to take in public and I really want to be able to take her traveling with me. …...

Train her to a leash and then try taking her some place and see. If she lunges at peole and tries to get at them to bite, you have a problem. Can you get to a dog class(puppy training of Obediecne 1)? This will help to socialize her. A dog that is to go places with you needs to be going those places, on leash, now to learn social manners. If her biting is so agressive you cannot do this, and it is this way at 5 mos old, you have a problem that needs a professional behaviorist/dog trainer to help you with.

I would also suggest you read:
"The Other end of the Leash" by Patricia McConnell
"Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson

[AbroadWithPuppy]

Hello!

Thank you for taking the time to read my plea for help and providing real answers! This is really great, I'm trying everything suggested and here are some other comments:

-Don’t worry, my guard would never abuse my dog, otherwise if I had any suspicion he would be gone! What I mean by not following the rules is like you say: he doesn’t stop the aggressive play, letting her tug at his shoes strings and such, and I think it is simply because he doesn’t understand the harm; but you are right it has to stop and I am taking the time everyday to remind and discuss him. It seems he sincerely wants to do the right thing so I feel positive!

-NILIF – going to look at it now!

-Finger down throat – a dog trainer I met here (he was traveling through) suggested this method to teach the dog to not bite. To basically gag the puppy with your finger when she nips. Has anyone else heard/tried this? It really wasn’t a good option for me, because I can’t bear to physically correct her.

-Clicker training – I thought I wouldn’t try this because I can’t buy a clicker here. But after your suggestion I think it is a good idea and will ask to have one sent from the US ASAP. Does anyone have another alternative?

-No, there are no options for obedience class here! But, I had some people over last night and she wasn’t biting them. It seems just when she wants to play with me, so I’m feeling a little better about the aggression scare, but I do need to start being more serious about the training. I’m looking into the books suggested now!

-I think what I need to do next is structure myself, make a real training plan day to day and stick to it.

Elana – sorry to disappoint even though I’m not sure what a bbar is

[Elana55]

Sorry.. I meant BAR.. like where they serve drinks.. LOL.. and taking a "nip."

My typing is terrible.. it really is. I reverse words, add letters and leave letters out. It is a sad thing.

You can use the word YES said in the same tone the same way instaed of a clicker. The clicker is more accurate.

ANYTHING that makes a loud click that is easy to operate will work as a clicker. Can you find a small electrical switch that makes a click when you press it or move it (and can hold it in one hand and operate it easily)? How about a REALLY loud PEN that the dog can hear? It needs to be something quick and distinct and singular like a click. It can be a bell, but it cannot ring or make the sound by accident, only when you have it make the sound and then you have to reward the dog EVERY time it makes that sound. Always.

I never did the finger down the throat thing and I never heard of it. I am wary of all those "traveling types" who sell their goods, wares or services...