Bratty pup

sizzur · 06-04-2007, 02:14 PM

Hey all

I've been letting my pup play with several dogs so far and ALL the time she would be very annoying to other dogs. I realize that puppies will be puppies and they don't know any better but I was wnodering if any of you could help me with this problem:

My puppies just wants to play with the dogs but would always try to nip at their face whether it's biting their lips, cheeks, ears. Often the dogs don't really care when she tries to nip at their tails or sides but when she gets to their face, they would eventually become tired of it and start growling. My friends dog actually gave her a little nip to let her know that she doesn't like it. My puppy would yipe a bit and scamper off a few steps, then come back and start doin it again after a couple licks. All the dogs did not liek this and would try to avoid her.

How do you think I can help curtail this annoying habit of my dog's? I dont' want her gettin bit especially because one my friend's dogs is a pitbull. They get along and all, it's just when she start nipping at their faces.

sizzur · 06-04-2007, 10:54 PM

dawww no one has any advice for me? i'd love to hear some of your thoughts!

**TracyJo** · 06-04-2007, 11:03 PM

I am the biggest worry wart in the world when it comes to my kid and dogs so the advice I give will probably not be the best :-) But what I would do is to find well adjusted, stable adult dogs and other pups for your pup to play with. I'd imagine that she'll eventually learn - she may get nipped a few times during the learning process but I don't think that a well adjusted adult dog will seriously harm a puppy. Also too, use common sense. If she's bugging the Pit and it's obvious the Pit is getting overly annoyed with the pup, remove the pup from the situation. Maybe wear her out a bit with a game of ball before she gets to play with other dogs too.
It's not fair to expect the Pit or any dog to put up with an annoying youngester.

sizzur · 06-05-2007, 01:14 AM

Well said Tracy! She did get a warning nip from the pitbull, yet she still goes back to nipping eventually, even if she's tired from runnin around a lot, becaues my friend and I take our dogs to a park so they can run around fetch ball and stuff. The beagle that my pup played with was a well adjusted, very stable, calm, harmless dog yet even he got very annoyed of her behavior. I try to intervene when I think things are heating up or if i see the other dog's lips are starting to curl and I try and tell her that she shouldn't be doin that but she obviously doesn't understand haha..

bean · 06-05-2007, 03:29 AM

How old is your pup?

I don't know your friend's pit, but agree with TracyJo- find a stable, adult dog. Your pup needs to learn that this is not OK. And if a dog raises a lip, she needs to learn that next might come a correction. I'd let the situation play out, IF you know the dog. It may have to come to a dog pinning your pup, or maybe a little growly roll in the grass. A stable adult dog won't hurt your pup. My Frankie doesn't tolerate obnoxious behavior. She taught the neighbor's lab puppy, Coco, that it was NOT fine with her to jump up into her face. There was a couple snarky reactions, and then Frankie just had to pin her, as Coco didn't acknowlege the warnings. There was a little tousle- the lab wasn't hurt but finally got it. I knew Frankie was bitchy but not aggressive and had never gotten in a real fight, never has drawn blood. (She was well-socialized in her young years otherwise she'd be bad news with other dogs.) The neighbors used to bring Coco over now and again for an 'adjustment' LOL.

Puppies need to be able to read body language and what it means. I wouldn't necessarily intervene unless you see something that truly is aggressive. (or if you don't know the dog's owner and want to be responsible and not have the obnoxious pup in their dogs' face!)

Your pup also could benefit from learning "leave it" - a wonderful command! Have you done any obedience? My dogs know both "leave it" and "enough." (Enough is good for barking too!) In fact, now that I think about it more, a sharp "hey!" means quit it, whatever it is that you're doing. LOL I may use "Hey! Enough!" now that I'm really pondering... I guess "hey" is more of the distractor from what it is that they're doing... sorry, I'm digressing...

**Kratty** · 06-05-2007, 07:11 AM

Puppys can be really annoying to older dogs. The older dogs can get puppy overload too. You have to watch this situation very carefully. In an ideal circumstance, if the puppy is doing something that the older dog does not like,like biting the face, they will correct the puppy, by growling or a quick snap in the air. The puppy will normaly retreat, but when they come back and start licking, it like they say I'm sorry. You can see the behavior has change from biting to licking. I would say that is normal.

My Nikita does correct our little one from time to time. But know it only takes a growl and the puppy stops. You have to keep a watchful eye on these situations, I was really worried with my two at first, but after some time adjusting, it is working itself out. I intervene anything when I thinki it is getting out of hand. Like the others are saying, if you have an older dog that had a stable behavior, its a good training experience for the puppy. I won't let Alexis meet every dog we see, because of these reasons because every dog might not be so tolerent and also I want her to learn that its not acceptable to run up to every dog she sees. This may may lead to leash pulling issues in the future. You have to use your judgement in these situations.

**Luvbirds59** · 06-05-2007, 07:24 AM

I've gone though this with Petey too. He was extremely annoying to the other dogs, and sometimes still is. He got some really well placed nips and seems to have learned for the most part....that each dog is different and will tolerate only so much from him. Some dogs he knows better then to approach now, and others he still pesters to no end. What I do is give him a warning and then if he persists, I leash and remove him. It was cute when he was a little puppy, now that he is as big or bigger then all the other dogs he plays with...it is no longer safe or cute. For the most part....he is doing excellent with other dogs, but I always have to remain watchful and in control.

Carol