Getting worried...

punkchica321

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?

Sit is fine, because it's incompatible with jumping.  You might even try to clicker train him.  Have the clicker in your hand.  If he jumps on you and mouths you, stop.  Give him absolutely no attention (wear thick clothing if you have to).  When he finally stops, count silently to five, then click and treat.  Repeat if he does it again.  In this way, he will learn that he only gets good stuff if his feet are planted on the ground.  Even a pushy dog is just interested in gaining resources (which include treats, toys, you, space, getting where he wants to go, whatever - and that's why I hate the word dominant - your dog is after resources, not to push you around for its own sake).  If you PM me and tell me what general area you are in, I will try to find you a decent place to take classes if you can do that.

 I'll be honest, I haven't kept up with the clicker. :-s I used it to help him understand what it meant but then honestly forgot about it. I'll give it a go again to see if it works for this though. I'll have to reintroduce him to it though. :P

spiritdogs

punkchica321

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?

 

Sit is fine, because it's incompatible with jumping.  You might even try to clicker train him.  Have the clicker in your hand.  If he jumps on you and mouths you, stop.  Give him absolutely no attention (wear thick clothing if you have to).  When he finally stops, count silently to five, then click and treat.  Repeat if he does it again.  In this way, he will learn that he only gets good stuff if his feet are planted on the ground.  Even a pushy dog is just interested in gaining resources (which include treats, toys, you, space, getting where he wants to go, whatever - and that's why I hate the word dominant - your dog is after resources, not to push you around for its own sake).  If you PM me and tell me what general area you are in, I will try to find you a decent place to take classes if you can do that.

I was going to suggest the thick clothing also, something that can make it comfortable for you to stand there long enough for him to understand that behavior doesn't' get him anywhere.

 I'll give you some examples of what goes on with Zoey. I very much become a very uninteresting tree when she acts up, and she knows I'll stand there until she gives me her 'correct' attention rain or shine. lol.  

Lately she's really been trying the jump up when I bend over to pet her, I always have her sit ( yes I've slipped a few times - like I'll be walking through the house and she'll come flying over and jump up, and I'll give her a little scratch-so I blame this on my inconsistencies) so she'll try to jump up as soon as I'm done and going to stand back up, I immediately pop up and bring my arms up & away from her - if it's bad I'll turn around. almost 100% of the time her butt is back on the ground within 5 seconds! She's a pup and she's always gonna test me - and what I said previously doesn't help!

I've rarely used vocal corrections with her - since I clicker train - I always redirected or asked for a different behavior ( and people don't listen when you say 'she doesn't' know what that word means' i.e. telling it to her over and over is not going to get a different behavior!) But lately when I have had to use my stern voice ( which is not very often) - when she's messing with the cats or being a butt to Amber, she's like 'holy crap what was that!?!' and stops immediately.

I've always not allowed her to 'jump' all over me when I'm on the couch, on the ground etc. My BF & friends on the other hand thought it was 'cute' - even though I told them that it wasn't a good idea - and if I actually tried to enforce it - it still wouldn't work, there would be be lots of excuses!! ( oh its ok, ooops i forgot, oh she just wants love blah blah blah). So any who at almost 30lbs now I think they're regretting their decision!! She doesn't jump on me on the couch but has NOOO problem blasting over onto my BF & jumping straight on his head. She literally does that, if you lean forward ( cuz she came at you from the top of the couch) she'll do a flying leap and jump on your HEAD.

 so like other people said, they're opportunistic, animals will always do what works for them, as soon as you let him know 'that doesn't work anymore' they have to realize they have to do something else (insert good behavior with training here). I'm talking all animals, even my donks try stuff with me all the time, its like living in a house of toddlers LOL

I think you've got some really great advice, don't give up! this is the 'crazy age' when most puppies loose their homes, its up to you for Simba's success!! ( yes Zoey's at the same age, and has that 'oh boo mom's no fun, hey what's that!! i remember when she had me locked on her radar 100% of the time, not so anymore, better things to sniff etc. But that's when you gotta get creative and make you the funnest and most valuable thing in his/her life)

punkchica321

*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.

IMO, I'd ditch the trainer and behaviorist. Do they know hes a 6 month old puppy?

Agreed.  Yes, this is puppy behavior that can certainly be contained and controlled.  No, I don't see it as dominant behavior either.

tiffy

punkchica321

*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.

 

IMO, I'd ditch the trainer and behaviorist. Do they know hes a 6 month old puppy?

Oh no I know. My mom is being ridiculous and I don't agree with her, the trainer or the behaviorist. I think he's being pushy, which EVERY puppy is, but they think that he's being dominant. *Rolls eyes* 

 Also, got the gentle leader tonight! I just started to get Simba used to it a little bit by putting the nose loop on and keeping it there for a few seconds before praising him and taking it off. Also I got him a toy that will only be used for walks, he got it out of my pocket and trotted back with it to the house, which I suppose is better than him jumping and nipping. :P 

 I should also add ditching this trainer is easier said than done, when my mom is not listening to anything I'm saying and agrees with the trainer. :|

Which I find amusing because the other day when he jumped on the trainer in class she said it was puppy behavior. Suddenly he's being dominant? My mom thinks that the only time he jumps is when we try to walk in front of him. Uh..no. Sometimes he's fine with this, he'll jump after peeing, after pooping our just randomly. I wish you guys could all just talk to my mom and get it through her head, I know I'm trying to. :P

 So this is an update, the trainer came to the house today and saw first hand that this was not dominance and that he just had pent up energy. Not to be all I told you so to my mom but...told you so. :P

Also he's gotten better the past couple of days and that toy trick really seems to work! As soon as he's done doing his business I'll have him sit and give him the toy and it seems to work. There have been a few times when I wasn't quick enough but it's getting better. :) Also the trainer pointed out, as well as my mom, that he really trusts me. Maybe that'll make this whole thing easier. :P