Need help in north Dakota..
 

Hey
My Ruger is now 5 months old. He is still biting a lot. Last night while trying to clean his ears he was showing his teeth and nipped at me. Also he has been to puppy school and has just recently started the beginner class, in the class we are asked to use a choke collar. The collar worked well for two days or so than it just stopped and he would start biting the leash or me. Need some pointers on biting and if anyone knows of a GSD trainer in North Dakota that would be much appreciated.


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Is this new when cleaning the ears? If so, I'd have a vet take a look to rule out an infection of some sort.

I agree with the above, first rule out pain. If the exam shows nothing try giving a good treat when examining the ears. I don't think that a choke collar is appropriate for a 5 month old pup. Hopefully someone will know of a good trainer.

Re: Need help in north Dakota..
 

The trainer think he is alpha over me and some people think it's cause he is teething but sense I got him he as all been a bitter and we have always stuck to the same thing for stopping it.


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Need help in north Dakota..
 

I don't like choke collars at all (just my opinion) but I definitely don't agree with them being used in training/puppy class. That's when you're supposed to be building trust with your puppy. Is the class based on positive reinforcement? If so, I don't think a choke collar has its place there.


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I don't think "alpha" theory is helpful with a pup either. Puppies bite and German Shepherds bite a lot, it doesn't necessarily mean the they want to be alpha. Teething is more likely.There's a lot of good info on biting in the puppy threads.

Re: Need help in north Dakota..
 

I also thought teething cause he seems to be bleeding everyday..... I'm going to a new trainer on Thursday that has 3 shepherd's her self.

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Let us know how that goes and good luck. I've never had a puppy as bitey as my shepherd. Still think that a vet visit would be good--check out the bleeding.

Re: Need help in north Dakota..
 

You can see where the bleeding is coming from and it's his teeth. I'll try the vet and the new trainer. Thanks for the luck

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he is extra bitey due to being in the teething stage.. from 4-8 months is usually the extra bitey /teething stage.. and he doesnt need a choke chain either, he sounds like a typical sharky teething puppy...