New to Dobermans need advice on biting and general behavior - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

chickchick8182 · 11-13-2012, 04:04 PM

Hi I'm new here. I'm needing some advice or techniques for my 6 mo old ( vet estimate) Doberman/ Irish Wolfhound mix. Perseus seems to have more of the temperment of a Doberman, very intelligent, energetic, stubborn in a way. The main problem I'm having is his biting of myself and my family members. He does not bite in an agressive way, it is playful I think or a way to get our attention, but it does hurt quite a bit and he bites pretty hard. Percy shows no agression towards any of my other dogs but he will jump up and bite us and he bit the neighbors pants the other day. I've tried yelling no in a firm voice and redirecting his attention to a toy. Any tips? I would greatly appreciate it.

voodoolizard · 11-13-2012, 04:08 PM

yes redirect with a toy... say no.. put the toy in his mouth and praise him loads.. with redirection he will grow out of it !!

chickchick8182 · 11-13-2012, 04:49 PM

I really honestly no nothing about Dobermans. He kind of just found me. So eventually he will learn this behavior? Right now when he bites me I say no firmly, give him his rope toy, and then a treat. What about the neighbors? Anyone who walks in our yard is fair game for him, and when we are outside with him, the biting behavior is particularly worse. I've tried water bottle training but I don't know if that is correct I don't want to scare him, but sometimes it is the only thing that will stop the biting outside.

voodoolizard · 11-13-2012, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickchick8182

I really honestly no nothing about Dobermans. He kind of just found me. So eventually he will learn this behavior? Right now when he bites me I say no firmly, give him his rope toy, and then a treat. What about the neighbors? Anyone who walks in our yard is fair game for him, and when we are outside with him, the biting behavior is particularly worse. I've tried water bottle training but I don't know if that is correct I don't want to scare him, but sometimes it is the only thing that will stop the biting outside.

if people come round to visit.. put him on a lead so you can control him !!

boomerjunier · 11-13-2012, 06:07 PM

I tend to let out a very very high pitched and load scream when my guy gets too rough or starts nipping (or if he hits my hand when we are playing tug). This tells him that he hurt me and he needs to calm down and be more carefull with his teeth. He immediately backs off when I do this.
I recommend you check out Dr. Ian Dunbar's books and look at the section specifically on bite inhibition.

Jenn · 11-13-2012, 07:50 PM

I do both as above. Redirect!
And if its constant, hig pitched voice then i remove him away from me and i go into the other room. He soon learns, he occasionally does it now when his excited but fin is still a pup so got a way to go yet. Definitly see an improvement tho, as if he does playbite its gentle unlike before!

chickchick8182 · 11-14-2012, 05:27 AM

Thanks everyone I will keep trying. I also plan to check out those books. Other than his biting Perseus has been great, no messing in the house, no chewing, no agression towards my other dogs so It's just this one thing he does. Thanks again

smudgeid · 11-14-2012, 06:55 AM

No water bottle training please. I don't know about the wolfhound, but doberman are often very sensitive to negative training.

If you do a search on bite inhibition there are tons of threads.

Redirect or 'cry' out & go away/ignore will soon teach him that it's not okay to bite.
Good luck,
Kate

**Jhagman** · 11-14-2012, 07:53 AM

Nothing that a Doberman hates more: being shunned or ignored. I used the high pitch squeal when Khaleesi was 6 months and doing that biting thing. I would also look away and remove my hands/arms so that she couldn't get the attention she wanted.

They HATE being ignored. Some of this is pure puppy behavior, too.

When Khaleesi was this young, a trainer taught me how to teach her to sit and "watch me" (stare into your eyes). Every time she'd do that calm, sit, watch me stuff, she got yummy treat. Now if she wants something really badly, she immediately sits and stares into my eyes (while my Cavalier Spaniel is jumping like a crazy dog). It's hilarious. It takes patience, but work on this 10 mins a day (short training sessions work best, esp. for pups) and your pup will learn to get attention, it's more productive to be calm and stare!

And I want to see a picture of this mix!

Stephenson_mindy · 11-19-2012, 10:48 PM

My 6 month old Doberman had biting issues when he was younger. We used multiple methods. When he but, intentionally or accidentally, we yelled ouch or something similar and removed hands and arms. We would then give him his toy and if it didn't change we ignored him. He is now amazing. No more biting! He does like to "mouth" us, which is he gently puts his mouth around our forearm to get our attention for something. Food, toys, going outside, whatever. He only does it as a last resort to get our attention though. But don't worry, it took a lot of patience and time to get him to stop his biting. But it was worth it!

NINKOjIN · 11-19-2012, 11:00 PM

If you are having more trouble in the yard than in the house, let him have his leash on in the yard, and when he jumps up and gets nippy, step on the leash to prevent him from being able to bite you, or attach the leash to something so that you can walk away and ignore him for a few moments. Have him sit before releasing him and continuing the play. Works pretty good for me, as my dog does not react well to the high pitched cries or other traditional methods (he just gets way more excitable). Ignoring and stopping play is the only thing that is working with us.