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laxhcky4
JH
Posts:23
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| 06/21/2010 11:42 AM |
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Sorry for the long post, this is my first pup and I have a few issues I'm looking for help on. We picked up our pup last saturday and she's doing really well so far but have a couple of issues.
1) Within the last couple days, I feel that she is starting to test our dominance and she has been nipping at us a lot more. Its not just nipping either, she's growling and bearing her teeth. She does this more with my wife than myself but we want to put a stop to this behavior. When she gets riled up like this, I usually grab her mouth and push her upper lip on her upper teeth. Is this an alright way to handle this? Is there any other methods we could try?
2) Some of the above behavior happens in the house and I also want to put an end to the rowdy behavior in the house. We have some toys for her to play with and chew on but she works herself into a frenzy with toys, shakin them in her mouth etc. How can we teach her to be calm in the house? Just put a leash on her, keep her next to us and not let her get away with it? Should we withold the toys in the house and just give her some type of bone to chew on to keep herself busy?
When she does get wound up and bites, we will put her on her back and hold her until she calms down but when we release her, its right back to the same thing. I think she thinks its all part of a "game"
3) Sometimes she is real attentive to us and responds well to "here". Other times, shes off exploring, checking things out and won't even look at us when we call her name. I'm sure some of this is normal puppy behavior, but would like her to be more attentive to us. Should I be rewarding her more when she does come to us? We will give a couple pieces of food for a reward once in a while or else we just pet her calmly.
4) She's used to running around with a leash on in the yard and in the field. Sometimes when we try and walk her, she either stops to smell/chew everything or else she's out ahead pulling. I realize she doesn't have the attention span to Heel but is there anything we shouldn't allow her to do?
All of this said, I still want to let the pup be a pup and I do not expect her to do exactly what we want at this point. I'm just looking for a little advice so we are going about this in the right way. I don't want to be making these things worse by my actions. |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7835
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| 06/21/2010 7:40 PM |
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You didn't say how old your pup is, but I assume around 8 weeks since you just picked her up. So, when mine start nipping I gently hold the lower jaw with my hand and press down gently on the tongue with my thumb. As soon as she pulls back release her and tell her good girl. Usually stops the nipping quickly. You are right to want to nip this in the bud now as the older she gets the worse it will get.
Usually when they get wound up and wild at that age, they are getting tired. I would put her in the crate for about thirty minutes and let her calm down. I do not like the roll on the back as it is not usually that effective and if you don't know what you are doing can actually make matters worse.
With regard to the recall, unless you can reinforce the recall, do not call her. I would keep her on a long leash so when you call and she ignores you can give her a little tug and get her back to you. When she does come I would not hesitate to give lots of rewards (can't give too many food rewards for a recall) and also show allot of excitement. You want to be the best thing on earth in this pups life so act like it.
As for loose leash walking I will walk the dog and as soon as they quite paying attention and walking with me I change direction. I don't say a word, just turn and go another way. Eventually she will realize she needs to be watching. This may take a while though, so don't get discouraged.
I would also encourage you to enroll in an obedience class for puppies when she is old enough. It will help you and your pup in lots of ways: socialization, training, someone to asks questions of, etc.
Good luck and be sure and post some pictures of your pup.
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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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trueblushorthairs
MH
Posts:129
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| 06/22/2010 6:53 AM |
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You didn't say if you are going to use the dog for hunting. YES, a puppy needs to learn manners and needs to learn the HERE or COME command. BUT, so many who have not trained birddogs in the past treat the pup as if it were any other pup. Obedience, such as heel or handle can be put on the dog a little later, if you are going to use her for hunting. Running a pup with a checkcord shortens the dog. You say she is off checking things out, that is exactly what you want if the dog will be a hunting companion. You also don't say where you live, but range is huge in Texas, Oklahoma, etc. We have to have dogs that will range pretty big if we are going to expect them to hunt and find wild birds. NO 50 or 100 yard dog will do much in this part of the country on wild birds. However, even if you will hunt tight cover, need a 50-100 yard dog, she still needs to learn to hunt, to be independent, to be bold, to explore if she will hunt.
I would tell you, assuming she will be used for hunting, to take her to places she can explore, preferably get into the occasional wild bird, let her chase anything and everything, don't hack at her, stay quiet, let her run. At home, teach her to not nip, teach her the HERE command, etc. Reality...if the dog isn't somewhat independent she cannot be much of a hunting companion. |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7835
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| 06/22/2010 8:44 AM |
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| Sorry for diverting the topic a bit, but trueblue where do you hunt wild birds in TX? |
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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:4448
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| 06/22/2010 1:41 PM |
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My take on the whole "what makes a hunting dog" is that a dog will be what a dog will be - UNLESS we implement extreme measures that will alter the psychological balance of a dog.
In regards to the puppy crap being thrown your way - welcome to puppyhood. The monsters will try to rule at every opportunity. I like dogs who try your patience and push the envelope, but that's me. These dogs usually know what they want and learn quickly - a self taught feeling about them.
Have fun, stick to your guns,have a no non-sense approach and maybe you'll survive the next 18 months.
Francine |
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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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trueblushorthairs
MH
Posts:129
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| 06/24/2010 7:04 AM |
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| Bev- Spur, Aspermont, Childress, Turkey, Colorado City, etc. |
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trueblushorthairs
MH
Posts:129
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| 06/24/2010 7:07 AM |
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| Francine, I'm confused on your, " a dog will be what a dog will be" point. Do you mean that breeding or breed makes a dog a dog? Or, do you mean that they'll just figure it all out without much training? Or, do you mean that they don't need to learn to hunt as their breeding will kick in and they'll figure it all out and that if breed right for your needs then range, desire, etc. will just be there and experiences don't help much? Or, am I way off. |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:4448
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| 06/24/2010 7:49 AM |
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A little of each.
Inheritable traits are the most important factors. Drive,nose,range,intelligence,cooperation. Can you imagine having to teach a dog to hunt? What a waste of time and a hugh disappointment in the breeding. I would not own a dog that did not have the know-how to hunt and did not display drive and cooperation within their first year of their life.
Knowing priorities and balancing training is a good way to form a plan. Versatile dogs need much exposure to develop their abilities to the fullest. If testing is a priority then less exposure or more controlled exposure is needed. In preparing for DKV testing I have not found more exposure in a less controlled environment to be a hinderance - altho, there are some who may have had different experiences.
A pet peeve of mine are owners who are more interested in what a dog can bring to a test then what they can bring to the hunt. We breed innate ability not training.
Anyway, that's how I feel about dogs and hunting.
Francine |
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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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trueblushorthairs
MH
Posts:129
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| 06/25/2010 7:03 AM |
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I guess it depends on what one considers "hunting". I've seen tons of dogs at hunting tests with no idea why they were out there. May have not had the innate hunting desire or ability. However, a well bred shorthair should have the hunting ability and desire bred into them. But, the best bred dog in the world if stuck in a kennel and never allowed to gain experience, learning where to hunt, how to use the wind, where birds should be in different situations, and exactly what we are looking for, will in many cases be worthless no matter the breeding. In other words, can't stick one in the kennel, take the dog out on opening day and expect them to seek proper game. Further, they do need to be taught to seek "proper game", game birds. How many pups chase rabbits, want to mouse around, chase deer, chase dickie birds, etc.? Most. They need to be "taught" to hunt the game we seek and not not to hunt the game we do not. These dogs still have enough fur built into them they will seek fur, unless ignored or shocked off of it, rabbits, deer, etc.
Many owners I have seen think that a dog that sniffs around, stumbles onto a bird here or there is hunting. To me, hunting is...the dog wants to tear out of the kennel when you get to the lease, he is about ready to rip your arm off until you tell him otherwise, you turn him loose, and he rips out seeking game with near reckless abandon. He charges hard, seeking game, hitting proper objectives, uses the wind in the most efficient method, doesn't ever potter, doesn't look to me for his direction other than using my direction as his guide. He slams on his birds, shakes in anticipation of the flush, then retrieves only when sent, with passion.
Some, again, think, stumbling on a bird and pointing it is "hunting". To me, not even close.
So, to me, a dog must be taught, to an extent, through experience, how to hunt only by being taken to areas that hold wild birds where he can learn to hunt and handle them. |
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Splat
Illinois (Northern)
MH
Posts:3130
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| 06/25/2010 8:02 AM |
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Bev pretty much covered what I would suggest cuz I took alot of advice from her when I got my pups. We use the cage as a sort of time out thing if they get too wild. Also I put peanut butter in a kong and they will calm right down and enjoy.
For me with the biting I did what you are doing kinda push the upper lip onto one of their teeth and I say ah-ah! It sort of lets them know what a nip/bite feels like kinda like if mama dog bit them and said knock it off. |
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laxhcky4
JH
Posts:23
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| 06/25/2010 8:02 AM |
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After a couple of days of corrections from both my wife and I, Stella is behaving a lot better. I guess I just didn't expect the "testing" to come so quick. We tried a couple different techniques. The two we had luck with is holding her behind the head and put two fingers in her mouth until she pulled away and realized our hands in her mouth isn't fun and pinning her on her until she completely gives in. I think in the beginning we were letting her up to early, she would be calm for 10-20 seconds but in hindsight she was just preparing for another struggle. She's much more cooperative at this point. Thanks for all the advice and I'll be putting up some pics this afternoon. |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:4448
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| 06/25/2010 10:10 AM |
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OOOH, pictures!
I hope it's one fo her behaving.
trueblushorthairs,
we have much the same picture of what a hunting dog is. |
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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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