andrewwheatley
Posts:12
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| 07/06/2011 7:26 PM |
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Hey Guys,
My name is Andrew. I was hoping to call upon the great GSP forum for some knowledge involving puppies and biting. I have recently acquired a 10 week old GSP puppy. I have had him since he was 6 weeks old and he has always has a problem with mouthing hands but recently it has turned into more of a problem because he is gaining size and strength. Around me, he seems to be a calm well mannered puppy but around my friends ( mostly girls - who talk in a high pitch baby voice) he goes crazy. He proceeds to bite anything and everything. I have tried holding his jaw, my finger down his throat, tapping him on the noise or even ignoring him completely but I am afraid that all of those seem to make him more excited. Because he will be such a large dog, I am afraid he will hurt someone if I don't stop this now. Please help!
Oden (Odie) at 9 weeks
Thanks in advance,
Andrew
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Max2
Oneonta NY
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Posts:1115
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| 07/07/2011 4:54 AM |
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Hi & welcome !
Beautiful pup also. You have come to the right place . I am interested to see some of the responses to your question.
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Chris |
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JMSGunner
Bucks County, PA
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Posts:785
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| 07/07/2011 5:03 AM |
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Cute pup.
What I personally did was taught "no bite." To this day still works if my 14month old is getting mouthy when playing.
I would say "no bite" and substitute a toy or bone when he was biting my hands.
Another thing we did was tucking his lips in his teeth so HE knew it hurt when he bit us!
OR, just tell your girlfriends stop baby talking him and they won't get bit!  |
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Jackie & Gunner
Impressive Gewehr von Catskill 4/19/2010
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Splat
Illinois (Northern)
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Posts:3136
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| 07/07/2011 5:39 AM |
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When mine were pups we would grab the nose give it a squeeze and say "no" then if we could give a toy....I have kids and at the time our first dog was a puppy they were 9 and 5 years old and they would even gab and squeeze the nose and say "no"....
With training dogs I think sometimes people think that if they are the owner then they are the only one to give commands or do training but you sort of need everyone to pitch in and you can't be afraid to ask....if my pup was nipping at my kids by the time I got over there it was too late so my kids had to grab the nose and say "no"....you need to explain to your guest that they might have to do that and they shouldn't be worried about doing it...also you should speak up and explain that if they talk to the puppy and get him worked up it causes issues so they need to ignore him, unless of course just their talking to you gets him worked up...
At this time to I hope you are working on when people come over that the pup doesn't jump up and over crowd for greeting...I have my dogs sit and wait at the top of our stairs when people come over, some people have a rug or spot their dogs go sit when people come in the door...you also need to tell friends to ignore the dog when they come in so the dog doesn't get too excited...I have lots of kids coming and going so I needed my dogs not jumping on people when they came over cuz parents and little kids don't like it...
for biting you can also try a water spray bottle, but I used that method for barking and staying at the top of the stairs... |
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MainCreeksRemi
Wisconsin
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Posts:824
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| 07/07/2011 6:36 AM |
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First, congrats on the new pup. He's very handsome!
Try to remember that he's a puppy, it will take time for him to understand what is expected and what is acceptable behavior. Everyone in your house and who visits puppy needs to be on the same page and not allow that behavior. Come up with a command that you want to use to teach him no biting. We used "No bite" for my girls and Remi. I am not a fan of just saying "No" because no is used too much in our everyday vocabulary. No bite will be used specifically when he is getting too mouthy. From there, redirect him to a toy or something appropriate to chew on. You will get sick of it! But after a few weeks, that command will start to sink in and they'll understand. Make sure you have plenty of chewy toys for him- thats one thing puppies love to do is chew chew chew!
With the high pitched talking- I think that tends to excite any dog...especially a puppy! So I'm not surprised he turns into a little maniac when they talk to him that way! LOL
He sure is cute, be consistent with it and patient. He'll get there! Good luck! 
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Loved by Kelley:
Remi (7/3/2010) GSP
Morgan (5/17/2008) Choco Lab
Nallah (8/6/2006) Black Lab |
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everbell
Kanata, ON
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Posts:3166
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| 07/07/2011 7:15 AM |
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At 10 weeks he is trying out his mouth and getting used to his teeth. It's important for him to be allowed to mouth, but also to learn what is too much.Especially with these dogs, they need to learn to have a soft mouth ... that is, carrying prey without puncturing it. So make sure you are consistent with "no bite", tell the girls to stop talking in their highest pitched voices and I'm sure he'll turn into a little gentleman. These guys learn very quickly.
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Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
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everbell
Kanata, ON
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Posts:3166
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| 07/07/2011 7:16 AM |
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| BTW -- he sounds exactly like my boy was at 10 weeks. And Bo has never bit someone to hurt them. |
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Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
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DesertRoseKennel
MH
Posts:1033
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| 07/07/2011 7:45 AM |
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He's grow out of the vampire phrase I promise! Those needle teeth are awful though.
I second what others have said, would just add to it. I use either the hand around the muzzle and a little squeeze (not to hurt, more to get them to snap out of the fanging hysteria) or my thumb in their mouth on the tongue and press down with my other fingers under the jaw. I don't let go until they quit struggling and acknowledge I'm in charge. I like the tongue thing better but sometimes it's hard to get in position for that. Either way, whatever phrase you like, say it every time - "No bite!" or "No teeth!"
If that doesn't do it and they persist in coming right back to bite again, then I step it up and grab them by the scruff of the neck and either lift their front end up or their whole body so it hangs off the ground. I say nothing, just stare them down. You'd be surprised how it's like flipping off a light switch and they nearly always go limp - and acknowledge you are in charge. As soon as they do that, I put them down and off they go.
Good luck. And get ready to say "No teeth" ten thousand times until this stage is over...
Jean |
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"Our dogs are bred to be champion hunters who sleep on the bed"
www.desertrosekennel.com |
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andrewwheatley
Posts:12
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| 07/07/2011 7:46 AM |
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Thanks for the quick and awesome replies. I knew I could count on you guys.
He is definitely still a puppy but it amazes how much smarter he is than any other do I have owned. They seem to be more like humans than anything. Usually he doesn't bite throughout the day but when he gets cranky around bed time he gets really snappy. Kind of comical because it is like a real child lol
Any other good tips for a new gsp owner? All are welcome
Thanks again,
Andrew |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
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Posts:7856
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| 07/07/2011 7:55 AM |
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| I was going to ask if the problem was at a specific time of day and you already answered. I can't add anything to what others have said about the mouthing, but will warn you that when they get tired, they get crazy. I even have a phrase to describe it based on my second GSP because she would get wild. I call it the Crazy Halos. She would get wild and then escalate very quickly to the wild zoomies. When she got that way I would grab here and hold her when she was little until she would quit struggling and would lay quietly. Usually she struggled like a maniac for a while, then settled and quickly fell asleep. As she got older and harder to hold, I would put her in the crate where she would settled down and sleep. I did this anytime she would get wild and it worked great. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
   
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:4452
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| 07/07/2011 7:57 AM |
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I have gotten heck for this in the past but I will say it anyway -
age and strength appropriate - give a swat across the muzzle - the pup must be startled in order for this to work, otherwise it becomes 'I mouth, they blah,blah,blah me'
It's to the point and they learn the rules quickly
I'm not in favor of 'spot' training - what splat said is good advice - train all around manners
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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everbell
Kanata, ON
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Posts:3166
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| 07/07/2011 8:15 AM |
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As Bev said, they can be a handful when they are tired. Bo never learned (and still hasn't really ) how to shut down when he was tired. I would give him 30 to 40 minute crated timeouts. He would fall asleep within seconds of me putting him in there. At 4 years and a bit, he is starting to show he understand that he needs to nap when he is tired  .
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Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
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MainCreeksRemi
Wisconsin
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Posts:824
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| 07/07/2011 8:35 AM |
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Only other advice is to implement basic training into your everyday activities. Do short sessions throughout the day and it will really pay off in the long run. Its never too early to start teaching them commands.
Also, exercise appropriate for that age puppy. Probably a few short sessions of exercise thru the day and evening. A great time to start crate training if you haven't already. I can't tell you how nice it is to have a puppy who loves crate time, or willingly will go into his crate when I need to leave. It makes leaving them home a little less heart breaking.
In a few months you will really get a taste of the GSP and realize even more why we're all in love with them! |
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Loved by Kelley:
Remi (7/3/2010) GSP
Morgan (5/17/2008) Choco Lab
Nallah (8/6/2006) Black Lab |
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andrewwheatley
Posts:12
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| 07/07/2011 12:21 PM |
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I have been working on sit, stay, down, and basic obedience. He is also really good at sticking close to me when we are out in the park/woods. I hope that he learns it is good to stay close when he is off leash so that he doesn't end up running away the instant I let him off.
Oden will also be starting puppy class this weekend so hopefully that curbs his biting lol maybe a bigger dog will have to teach him that biting hurts and that's not how you get people to play with you!
Thanks again and keep the posts coming for more suggestions |
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therozypozy
MH
Posts:471
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| 07/07/2011 1:18 PM |
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The only thing I would add, is squeal a little loud. When puppies are playing and one gets too rough and bites the other, they squeal really loud and the agressor lets go. It stuns them and makes the stop. I would do this along with hold the nose. It worked pretty quickly with Java when she was small and who is still very mouthy, but now never clamps down.
The pup is cute and congrats on your new addition. I also second that the girls not talk in the baby voice if that sends him into his frenzy mode! Like we say when the pups are getting too rowdy in the house, take it outside! So leave the baby talk when the puppy is outside and can play out his frenzy mode.
Roz. |
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CL66
MH
Posts:419
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| 07/08/2011 5:22 AM |
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| Not much to add other than when my first pup was a baby he was TERRIBLE for biting. I was constantly covered in lacerations and it didn't matter how much i yelped, reprimanded, held his tongue etc etc etc he would not stop. One time he nearly gave a friend a tracheostomy by jumping up and grabbing her neck!!!!!! Then when he was teething and lost his baby needles he just grew out of it. So basically yes it may be annoying but just because it's something he does now doesn't mean he'll grow up and keep doing it. |
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sraghunath1
London, UK and Bangalore, India
MH
Posts:98
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| 07/09/2011 1:07 AM |
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He's one good looking pup!! I have no advice specifically as I will take my first GSP pup in 3 weeks time but, all pups at that age tend to nip and try their teeth out. I've had four dogs and the only one that didn't do that was my Golden Retriever, which was remarkably calm. I am sure he'll grow out of it so long as you make it clear to him that its not acceptable. |
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MelB
MH
Posts:1217
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| 07/10/2011 8:58 PM |
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| when he gets that cranked up and will not stop he needs removed from the room and put in his crate to rest. They do get cranky when they are tired and you can correct all you want, most times they ignore it because as you said, they are like a child at that point who is over tired and throws a fit. He needs down time. He's to the point of being overwhelmed and is acting out. Definitely tell him NO BITE! and then it's time for bed. He will soon learn that acting in that manner gets him no where. |
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andrewwheatley
Posts:12
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| 07/11/2011 8:46 PM |
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Quick Update:
He is doing much better now. I think he needed to be scolded by more than one person ( that one person being myself) now I have everyone get in on the training which is working wonderfully.
Thanks again for the awesome responses. I will post more pictures and videos of him soon. |
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andrewwheatley
Posts:12
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| 07/15/2011 9:08 PM |
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| Alright so I have another problem. It seems that oden gets really snappy when he is getting in trouble. If he is doing something he isn't allowed to do I walk over and grab him. As you are grabbing him or trying to settle him he just bites and bites. It seems more aggressive than anything so it scares me to think of having an aggressive dog. Anyway to get him to not attack when he is getting punished? |
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