Insane Puppy Biting

[dogon]

I have the dog fairly under control even given that he's going through a monster period (15 weeks - bring on adulthood ) but omg I can't believe the will power this dog has for ignoring all 'off' commands etc when it comes to biting feet, hands, clothes - even nearly the gooly area of my OH.

Nothing is working. quite simply Rodney goes nutso for the OH! (and also my son for that matter)

I need a refresher course here - some tips for OH perhaps. I know he knows the rules with me. Is this just a phase or will OH need to try something new? I'm guessing that Rodney lacks either respect for OH or quite simply views him as a plaything.

So....in a nutshell HEEEEEEEELLLLLLLPPPPPPPPP!!!

[Cockerlover]

When ALL else fails ,grab the little darling by the scruff of the neck (as its mother would do)& turn it on its side with a very stern NO! as soon as the act has been performed .

pup should get the message if you do this every time it snack attacts ,

[dogon]

Thanks CL. I've done this; when OH is not around though, so usually when he's going berserko around my son. OH forbids it I'm so glad I'm not the only one who does this. The way OH carries on I feel like some kind of animal torturer. I try not to do it often though because once - when he was really razzed - he growled and snapped at me . (Doggy, not hubby)

Anyhoo, the little monster is snuggled on my foot atm. Butter wouldn't melt

Ok...so just reassure me; it's just a stage. Right?

[Cockerlover]

Thanks CL. I've done this; when OH is not around though, so usually when he's going berserko around my son. OH forbids it :rolleyes: I'm so glad I'm not the only one who does this. The way OH carries on I feel like some kind of animal torturer. I try not to do it often though because once - when he was really razzed - he growled and snapped at me . (Doggy, not hubby)

Anyhoo, the little monster is snuggled on my foot atm. Butter wouldn't melt :rolleyes:

Ok...so just reassure me; it's just a stage. Right?

The fact that oh wont allow disapline says it all !!!!imo .

Cockers r to bloody smart for thier own good <& the little darling will pick up on your oh response to disapline ,therefor The little darlin has WON yet again .

You must be consistant with the disapline or pup will be getting mixed messages & continue to *snack attak *your other half

[Kavik]

Does your OH and son like to razz up and roughhouse with the pup? That could be part of the problem if they do.

What happens if they ignore the pup when he is being crazy?

Does the pup know some commands like sit? or can you send the pup to a mat or crate etc?

I am not sure I would do the scruffing that Cockerlover has suggested - if the pup is very razzed up he may bite you for doing this.

[Dogsfevr]

send OH off to obedience,

Sadly until your OH realizes he is creating a monster & that it will be more stressful on the pup when its older & no longer a novelty to retrain is going to make life hard.Pups need everyone to follow the rules.

My advice if they dont care ,stick to your guns with what your doing,The dog needs to respect someone & it seems this will be you

How old is your son?/Maybe work with your son on training & teaching & he may get some joy from seeings results.

I dare say pup has no clue where he stands with OH & the dog is getting confused but tell OH the day he does soemthing he doesnt like then he can only blame himself

[dogon]

but tell OH the day he does soemthing he doesnt like then he can only blame himself

:rolleyes: methinks that day has come!!

Thanks guys. OH has read this thread and, while not exactly hanging his head in shame, has conceded to being a bit tougher. My son is 11 and sometimes gets too excited and needs to be reminded NOT to be that way around the dog. Very frustrating but par for the course I'm guessing if kids are involved.

Kavik: my son does most of the roughhousing and when pup is in the crazy zone ignoring will not work. OH never roughhouses now - although he did, much to my chagrin, and pup will just go at his feet relentlessly making ignoring him impossible. What we do is this: stern NO and use OFF command, briefly walk out of room, briefly put him in pen or outside, distract with a toy after waiting 30 sec for no misbehaviour. Nothing works. We don't do the crate thing since it's getting small (I have ordered a larger one) and I'm trying to avoid making the crate a punishment space.

....having said all that Rodney does know what to do and will sit, drop, stay, spin, shake, roll, leave and take on command for any of us if we ask. Usually he's perfect at it with treats and 60-70% compliant without. I think we're doing pretty well. And Cockerlover, you are right, these cockers sure do have a strong will! I love that term 'snack attack' btw. Spot on!

Edited February 15, 2009 by dogon

[huski]

Does he like playing with toys etc? Maybe you could get your OH or son to play tug with him so he has a proper 'outlet' for his energy when he has zoomies?

[Dogsfevr]

my son does most of the roughhousing and when pup is in the crazy zone ignoring will not work.

I would probably adddress this are the most.

[rachiie]

Try diverting the pup's attention onto a toy instead of humans.

Probably a rope toy, or a soft toy would work best, and then just transfer the dog's attention to it.

Be persistent... If the dog tries to go back to the human, keep showing it the toy.