A Set Back?! HELP!!!

cookie725 · 06-05-2008, 09:05 AM

So most of you probably read my story about Vito's crazy antics the other day... If you didn't, he was just being a demon dog

-- stealing things, making me chase him, the usual puppy things...

Well last night, it got worse to the point that I actually cried. He didn't do anything amusing like the evening before (the great hot dog and scrubby stealing!), he was just, well, kind of mean...

Now I know puppies bite. And bite, and bite. But I feel The Don was a bit out of control with it last night. He was biting quite hard and I just couldn't make him stop. I tried the following:

1. Simply ignoring him when he bite. Standing up, crossing my arms, looking away, then walking away.
2. Getting him a gentle but firm muzzle hold with a firm "NO!"
3. Making him sit then get a toy
4. Eventually tried giving him a "time-out"

No avail. Nothing worked -- he even was growling and jumping at me or my hands. When I ignored him -- he bit harder. Now, I know he wasn't growling in a vicious way, and I'm sure he just wanted attention or to play. But I tried that. Usually, he is so good with me. I feel he's come along way in the past few weeks and was doing so good. Then last night, all was lost. It almost felt like he was hating on me -- and that's what made me cry.

Is this normal?! What am I doing wrong?

tg5452 · 06-05-2008, 09:30 AM

Don't let it get to you. My 2 have a private trainer we go to, one is 8 months and the other is 1. A few months ago they were doing the same thing perfect one day gone the next. I was fustrated and upset anytime they relapsed. With more and more training though they got better and better on acting out and listening. Now they still have their moments but when I say enough or no they listen. Don't give up hes still a puppy and will put you through the ringer but just know in the end it will be worth it.

poconogal · 06-05-2008, 09:38 AM

Hi Cookie - when I got Duke at 10 mos. old he used to do that and of course it was not acceptable. What I did was to yelp loudly, the way another puppy would, and then I would ignore him which is what littermates would do. That worked for me, he stopped the biting. Now my husband, on the other hand, would just give a stern NO when Duke would run by and bite his hands. Duke just kept biting his hands. Now we've had professional training and he will still occasionally mouth our hands, we just give the "off" command and he stops. Our trainer told us that the biting or mouthing our hands was a dog's way of testing our leadership - a dog by nature is constantly looking to work its way up in the pack.

zeus and me · 06-05-2008, 09:40 AM

you can not allow your dog to bite you..... go sign up for a obedience class ASAP. that way you get training also.

I am recalling a rot in our puppy obedience class many years ago. he would growl and bite his owner! the teacher grabbed that leash so fast! grabbed a bit of rubber hose and wooped that dog. It was very shocking to see........and I had mixed emotions about it. but in the end if your dog bites you......it will bite others also and that could be a death sentence for your baby. he can not be allowed to bite you. just my honest opinion....

the rot ended up being a great student for a few classes he was handled by the teacher who carried the rubber hose lol!she would just show it too him after that first time....and he stopped being a naughty dog

zeus and me · 06-05-2008, 09:47 AM

I should add that this was at a AKC kennel club! I truley was shocked! but that rot was NOT play biteing.....it was real aggression.

**Luvbirds59** · 06-05-2008, 09:55 AM

My questions for you are..... is he getting enough exercise, hikes, play time with other dogs? Mental stimulation, car rides, walks in different places? Quality play time, ball, tug? Ob training, a few times each day? Chew time on acceptable items like bones, bully sticks, etc. If you don't fill up his day....he will wear you down everyday with bad behavior for the next year or more. He sounds 100% normal, Doberman puppies can be a handful, and they need owners who are strict but fair. Raising a good puppy is a very long process; it is two steps forward and one step back and will last for two or more years. It can be very trying...we are here for YOU!

Carol & Petey!
ox

cookie725 · 06-05-2008, 10:11 AM

I thought he was getting most of the proper things. I did a lot of reading up on the breed before getting him. Dobe's are my all-time favorite breed, I knew I always wanted one -- and now was the right time. So I researched and read through a lot on this site too. (Everyone is awesome by the way).

My boyfriend works a lot, so it is mostly me and Vito. He is home during the day, but has the whole kitchen with all of his toys.
He gets walk/outside/love time for a while in the morning as well as fed.
When I get home, he goes out, does a little training, goes for a walk, and then it's eat time again. We play a lot in the evenings, plus he has a lot of yard space. I try to be outside with him most of the evening - playing and letting him run around. Usually we throw in training again in the evening.
Anytime I have to go somewhere - he gets to ride with. So we get in a few rides a week.
The only thing that Vito doesn't get (and I'm so sad about this), is other puppy play time. None of our friends have dogs, and we don't have a dog park. Which bums we out. We do have people stop by and visit -- but no other dogs.

**Luvbirds59** · 06-05-2008, 10:18 AM

LeAnne....when Petey was Vito's age we went for a hike in the morning 1+ hours, and then puppy play time in the evening....with out that amount of exercise....I would have lost my mind...I used to discribe Petey as a HANDFUL! He was exhausting on his best days. Thankfully at a year old he calmed down. You may need to take him somewhere other then the backyard to run off some steam, do you have a park near by? Also have you found a puppy class? You might be able to find another puppy for Vito to play with in class.

Carol & Petey!
ox

GunnersMum · 06-05-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeus and me

I am recalling a rot in our puppy obedience class many years ago. he would growl and bite his owner! the teacher grabbed that leash so fast! grabbed a bit of rubber hose and wooped that dog.

I'm glad you said "many years ago". There are other more effective methods of treating this behaviour in use today.

Definately register for an obediance class, if you're not already, with a breed knowledgable trainer as it not only shows you great methods of training but provides socialization (the kind where your pup learns that not every dog they see means play time.)

cookie725 · 06-05-2008, 10:27 AM

We do have a few training places I am looking into. I am only familiar with one guy -- and I know my dog won't go to him (he trained a friend's dog awhile back and I don't care for him). So I found a few others and am going to check them out tomorrow afternoon. This way I can get him into a class soon!

I live in a tiny town, so there aren't many local parks where Vito can safely be off a leash/run that I know of. There are state parks and a "beach" area that perhaps we could visit.

Hopefully, we will come across another pup for Vito to play with. I know the Doberman isn't even close to a popular dog around here -- it's weird. I can't even find a book about them within an hour radius!!!! Crazy, huh? For some reason, it's the pit bulls that are a popular pet in my area...