Getting worried...

jennie_c_d

 Life. He's 5 months old!!! LOL It seems to happen, later in the day. They're just tired and cranky, like little kids. They don't know what to do with themselves, so they act out.

 

Good point. :P I've just never had experience that much with puppies before him, so I'm relieved to know that while this is not appropriate behavior it is normal for puppies to be like this. I wish he had a backyard to get this energy out. :-/ But our vet who my mom is friends with offered for us to bring him over to hang out with their dogs on their acre of land. :D Hopefully we can do that sometime soon.

How much FORMAL training has this pup had?  This is not something to blow off, especially for someone who has little experience with pups.  You really need to find a good positive trainer and get him started.  S/he will not so much train your dog, but teach YOU to train him and that's what you really need.

glenmar

How much FORMAL training has this pup had?  This is not something to blow off, especially for someone who has little experience with pups.  You really need to find a good positive trainer and get him started.  S/he will not so much train your dog, but teach YOU to train him and that's what you really need.

 

He's going to obedience class right now with a positive trainer, when he was in puppy class he also learned some stuff(though he already learned it from us).

 I think you've gotten some good info - Bugsy definitely got crazy at times - overtired with no off button, he could be a real PIA.  Crate time always helped.  It also sounds a bit like redirection/not sure what to do stuff to me, redirect him to what you want him to do. My friend's boxer did this and at 18 mos still pitches fits on the leash when he is unsure.  I'm not suggesting it is OK, just that it isn't uncommon for pups.

Hang in there, keep working with him and this too shall pass

kpwlee

 I think you've gotten some good info - Bugsy definitely got crazy at times - overtired with no off button, he could be a real PIA.  Crate time always helped.  It also sounds a bit like redirection/not sure what to do stuff to me, redirect him to what you want him to do. My friend's boxer did this and at 18 mos still pitches fits on the leash when he is unsure.  I'm not suggesting it is OK, just that it isn't uncommon for pups.

Hang in there, keep working with him and this too shall pass

 

So basically he's just looking at me for what he should be doing? So like the next time he gets that look in his eye when I know he's going to start just have him sit? Because that's what I usually do when he does that, though it's harder at night when I can't see his face very well. :P I'm relieved to know that at least it's not uncommon for puppies to be like this.

 Thanks hun! :D I'm reading up on the protocol for relaxtion link I was given right now hehe. 

To me, when  a pup is showing his butt like this on walks, walks need to take on a whole new structure.  As in, walk a few feet, stop, ask for a sit, etc.  And NEVER stop talking to him.  Unless he starts his jumping, and at that point, you need to turn to stone.  Even now when we go for walks, my dogs are constantly listening....and my youngest is over 5!  I talk to my dogs constantly when we are walking and one little "eh" is plenty for them to stop whatever I don't like them doing.

You might also want to discuss the issues you are having with your trainer.

glenmar

To me, when  a pup is showing his butt like this on walks, walks need to take on a whole new structure.  As in, walk a few feet, stop, ask for a sit, etc.  And NEVER stop talking to him.  Unless he starts his jumping, and at that point, you need to turn to stone.  Even now when we go for walks, my dogs are constantly listening....and my youngest is over 5!  I talk to my dogs constantly when we are walking and one little "eh" is plenty for them to stop whatever I don't like them doing.

You might also want to discuss the issues you are having with your trainer.

 

Alright I will try doing that and see how it works. :D And I will. :) Thanks!

So I just practiced some heeling, sits and stays outside with him. I took out the can of pennies with me and anytime he started to jump I gave the can a little knock and he stopped and I praised him. It seems to be working. :D What are you thoughts on that?

glenmar

How much FORMAL training has this pup had?  This is not something to blow off, especially for someone who has little experience with pups.  You really need to find a good positive trainer and get him started.  S/he will not so much train your dog, but teach YOU to train him and that's what you really need.

 

Agreed, and until then, learn to use a Gentle Leader - you can use it to close his mouth before he gets to biting your arm.  There is a video you can buy that shows you how to use it.  

I do not think he is being "dominant" but it is pushy behavior designed to get you to do what he wants.  Dogs are opportunists, and you really need classes with a pushy puppy.  I'm not much of a fan of punishment BEFORE training.  It can have an opposite effect, such as having him basically hate his walks with you, but noise aversion is effective in some cases, just be sure to also reward him when he is doing what you do want - and attach a cue to the good behavior, such as "four on the floor" or whatever you want to say to get him to do the required behavior.  BTW, praise sucks for most dogs - they prefer treats.

 

spiritdogs

glenmar

How much FORMAL training has this pup had?  This is not something to blow off, especially for someone who has little experience with pups.  You really need to find a good positive trainer and get him started.  S/he will not so much train your dog, but teach YOU to train him and that's what you really need.

 

Agreed, and until then, learn to use a Gentle Leader - you can use it to close his mouth before he gets to biting your arm.  There is a video you can buy that shows you how to use it.  

I do not think he is being "dominant" but it is pushy behavior designed to get you to do what he wants.  Dogs are opportunists, and you really need classes with a pushy puppy.  I'm not much of a fan of punishment BEFORE training.  It can have an opposite effect, such as having him basically hate his walks with you, but noise aversion is effective in some cases, just be sure to also reward him when he is doing what you do want - and attach a cue to the good behavior, such as "four on the floor" or whatever you want to say to get him to do the required behavior.  BTW, praise sucks for most dogs - they prefer treats.

 

 

I'll check out that Gentle leader and I do praise him WITH treats. :P Little pieces of hot dogs is what I used today. So should I not use sit and instead come up with a different cue? Like off or something?

I don't think it makes a huge difference what words you use, so long as everyone who deals with this pup is on the same page, using the same words.  Although, in the real world, it's better to use the word sit for sit since other people often think it's up to them to tell your dog what to do. I'll keep my thots on the rudeness of that to myself.

Jumping on me is not something I've ever tolerated.  And as little ones, my dogs got a sharp EHH OFF for jumping, combined with my turning away and totally ignoring.  If you are consistent with this, and EVERYONE involved with the dog is consistent with this, they get the message.  Anne is right.  Dogs do what works for them.....and in this case, it IS working because he gets a reaction from you.  That's one of the reason that I think its so important to really focus on the dog, chattering awy.....he's already getting your attention AND your input so he doesn't have any need to rudely demand it.

Not to disagree with anyone on this, but one of my boys will NOT take treats in public.  Praise is his motivator.  But, that IS highly unusual. 

glenmar

That's one of the reason that I think its so important to really focus on the dog, chattering awy.....he's already getting your attention AND your input so he doesn't have any need to rudely demand it.

 

That is a very good point! I never thought of it like that. And I agree everyone in the house has to be on the same page, its mostly my mom and I that do the training so I'll talk over what words she's been using and making sure she's using the same as I am. 

I can't stress enough how much this is just puppyish behavior.  I know it isn't your choice, but try to reassure your mom it IS something he will come through. Please don't take anything I say in this post as rude or pushy, I don't mean it that way whatsoever, it's just I know how irritating puppy bites are, LOL.

 

It CAN seem alarming and it shouldn't go unaddressed. T-Bone is 9 months old, when he was 4-6 months, he was a demon on paws. They ALL are. My beagles were, my Heeler/Coonhound was, my Akita/Pit Bull was, my Chihuahua/who knows was, my moms' bassett/beagle was. It's especially worrisome in large breeds that can be seen as "dangerous" by the public (much like My T-Bone and your Simba.) But they have to grow up, just like any other dog. I remember when my female beagle jumped up and grabbed a cashier, RIGHT ON THE NOSE. I was horrified! Obviously, with redirection, she grew out of that. Now nobody thought much of that, it's a tiny red and white beagle for Gosh sakes. If T-Bone, a GSD had done the same thing? Everyone and his brother would have told me about my (nonexistent) ticking time bomb.

I found with T-Bone, adding any sort of negative stimulus (Hey, hey, NO! siiiit, sit. Hey, pshhh! stop. HEY! *pop leash* STOP!) Only added to excitement. I started always having a stuffy for him to have hen he got the monster gleam in his eye, and I'd say "Ohhh what is that?" and hand him his toy. He learned it's really cool when you get over stimulated and excited to grab a toy and wrassle and have mom pat you and party, than for mom to turn around and ignore everything you do. If I were you, I'd never leave the house or play period without a toy ready to bust out. I'm not saying this is perfect but it really worked for my insanely mouthy puppy. Something else I taught him, was I'd have somethign super yummy like cheese and start sticking a finger in his ear, pulling his paws and tail, putting a hand in his mouth, etc. the second he stopped nipping I'd say "eaaasy" and reward. Now when he's getting worked up, wether for play or agitated at the vet, an "eaaasy" reminds him to hush and focus.

 

 

 Thank you for the suggestions! :D Oh I know, I bet if it was a smaller dog they'd be all "Aww look he just wants you to pet him.". *Rolls eyes* My mom spoke to a behaviorist and our trainer and they both think its dominance since he sometimes will do this if you walk in front of him. She said he shouldn't sleep on my bed with me. Honestly, I don't see him as being dominant after reading what everyone else wrote. Is he strong willed? Yes, but I don't think he's being dominant at all. I'll bring a toy with me the next time we go on a walk and see how he does.

sounds SO MUCH like BonBon when he's six months old. Out of the blue, he suddenly thought it's a great idea to jump and nip at mommy during walks. And I did cry too...ha ha. Forget about this whole dominant and why thing, don't think too deep. He is just being a pain in the b*** teenager. The term terrible six does not come up with no reasons. I worked with a positive trainer. We pretty much got rid of this habit within 15 mins. All we did is put him on a gentle leader, the moment he tried to jump and nip, I just pulled up the leash and the gentle leader will close his mouth. We just held the leash and release when he calmed down. It took pretty much two or three tries to get the message to him that NO, you can't jump and nip me. The next day, again he was getting a bit excited...normally he would jump and nip me. This time, his mouth was one inch to my skin and he just stopped right there. Ha, he GOT it!