biting 15 month GSD

[codmaster]

Hi Suzie,

We have a dog, Baron our now 19+ month old male GSD, with a similiar habit. We got him at 7 weeks old. I know, it was a little too young to take him from his littermates and mother for him to really learn bite inhibition; but our breeder kind of insisted and so we caved in.

Baron has always been a "mouthy" dog with him grabbing my wife and I. He is usually a very gentle dog until he decides he wants to mouth. Now, he doesn't bite or apply very much pressure so I wouldn't call what he does biting; but rather really mouthing but it can still hurt if he does it as he is moving1

he is not nearly as bad as it sounds you are going thru. Like someone else already said, we have tried everything that a great many people have suggested and what we have used very successfully with earlier dogs - "Ouch" or a "yelp" and ignoring him, corrections and punishment of increasing severity (he usually comes back harder then thinking that you are playing with him), timeouts, scruff shakes, nothing works very well. I have also used the command "kisses" as some one else also mentioned and about 2/3 of the times when I use it, he will stop mouthing and start licking.

I THINK that he is getting a little better as he gets a little older and hope it continues.

Most of the time I can see a certain "Look" in his eye when he is getting a little crazy and I know if I reach down to pet him, he will start mouthing; while most of the time he is fine and likes to be petted.

He will also roll on his back and invte me to scratch his belly and then he will start mouthing (with a seemingly evil grin on his doggy face). He usually doesn't mouth the many new people that he meets - seems like you have to be his good friend in order for him to do this. The little 9 y/o girl, who lives next door and her friend thought it was hilarious when Baron did it to them.

I agree with the rest of the advice here - see a really good experienced trainer or an animal behaviorist who is famliar with GSD's.

And let us know of your progress - your dog can and will be "fixed"

[bluesmum]

Hi, he is seeing a behaviorist / trainer soon and we have got him booked in for some swimming (introducing some fun)
His behaviour has improved over the last couple of days and little steps is what we are hoping.
He went to the specialist vets yesterday and they say he is still in some discomfort from his back/rear leg, not sure which is the cause, chicken and egg scenario, but I think it is linked to his temperament so if we can manage his exersize better and see the signs quicker it can only help, his worst case is to have another op on his back or to remove the muscle (petineus???) but Im hoping swimming may help, he did have some hydrotherapy sessions but I dont think they helped, size of pool etc.
It is good ( in a sadistic kind of way) to know that others have gone through and are still going through a similiar issue to mine.
Glad I found this website.
Good luck Suzie

[bluesmum]

Hi all. thought Id give you an update, We had a behaviourist around and her opinion is- he is not aggressive just DESPERATE to play and obviously the games we were playing were not adequate ( we did play but I think we were too boring, worrying about his back etc.) we now play tug, give him more mental stimulation with the games, making him earn everything-NILIF, it seems to be working!!!
In the last 2 weeks, I think he has bitten me maybe 2-3 times and by distracting him with a toy or leaving the room without saying anything other than ouch it has not escalated.
We have started a swimming routine and that helps and we are starting a new training course tomorrow, schutzhund and working trials (probably without the agility side) to hopefully work his mind as well as his body!!
It sounds quite pathetic really to know that these simple things could be the answer but it seems to be doing the trick!
By the way, the behaviourist did go away with a souvenier-a bruise!!!
Thanks for all your tips.

[Effie325]

That's great!!

[MaggieRoseLee]

Quote:It sounds quite pathetic really to know that these simple things could be the answer but it seems to be doing the trick!

Not pathetic, that's GREAT NEWS!

[rucker105]

Hi Suzie,

I've been away from the forum for a while, but I read through your posts, and honestly I have gone through the same thing with my young male. He's going on 14 months, and has made HUGE improvements in his behavior.

Just as codmaster said, they get that "look" in their eyes...and you can just tell they are going into that obnoxious mode that leaves you bruised and frustrated. My boy hasn't gone into that mode in well over a month now!

Turns out he also needed more mental and physical exercise, and more DISCIPLINE! He was bored, and even though he always ended up in his crate afterwards, he seemed to enjoy the game while it lasted. I tried everything to stop it, but the best way to stop it is to PREVENT it from even starting. I've kept him so busy, he doesnt have the energy to act out. If for some reason I can't run him til he's too tired to move, I supply him with plenty of chew toys, bully sticks, etc.

I'm glad to hear things have gotten better! Believe me I was at rock bottom (covered in bruises, welts, and emotionally drained), but that's when you really have to step it up and get focused. NILIF to the extreme! He's a dominant boy, as yours seems to be as well, but the thing to keep in mind with dominant dogs is that you can't just establish yourself as leader when they're young and expect them respect you as they mature...its an ongoing process.

Feel free to PM me, I could discuss this topic at length!

[MaggieRoseLee]

Quote:Turns out he also needed more mental and physical exercise, and more DISCIPLINE! He was bored, and even though he always ended up in his crate afterwards, he seemed to enjoy the game while it lasted. I tried everything to stop it, but the best way to stop it is to PREVENT it from even starting. I've kept him so busy, he doesnt have the energy to act out. If for some reason I can't run him til he's too tired to move, I supply him with plenty of chew toys, bully sticks, etc.

Think that can't be said any better for MOST of our pups!!!