glenmar
Posted : 12/30/2006 5:13:39 PM
What you have is a normal pup. He's not agressive, he's not dominant, he's a puppy.
You truly don't have to eat first, nor go through doorways first, not to teach him who's in charge. Stop being so concerned about proving that you are in charge and just apply clear and consistent boundaries and he'll be fine. This nippy stage is perfectly normal and HIS way of trying to get you to play....and everytime you push him away you are INVITING him to play more. So he does..the only way he knows how, which is with his teeth.
When I foster a litter I ALWAYS have a fanny pack full of goodies to exchange for whatever part of my body someone decides to knaw on. I say a very gentle....uh uh, no bite and give them something OK to chew on telling them THIS is what you can bite and then praise them for chewing on that and not me. Ignoring is a powerful tool also.....many is the time that I have walked across a room with 7 pups attached to my pants, socks and shoes....I just keep going. An EXCELLENT tool to have is a good supply of raw marrow bones....just be sure to remove most of the marrow at first so the richness of it doesn't cause diaherra. I start pups on marrow bones by 5 weeks of age and really save my skin by doing so. I don't react to biting of me anymore than that gentle, uh uh, no bite and the replacement, so it becomes not so much fun. Plus, I always have tons and tons of bones laying around.
What you are calling agression is just normal puppy zoomies.
Relax and enjoy your little stinker. The first few weeks are honestly the most trying!