Hard dog vs. Soft dog. When did you know?

[Mary Beth]

My Sting pulled that once at 8 months when he was 90 lbs- the glint in the eye then ram right at me. Fortunately I had a thick parka on. I was so ticked off - I alpha rolled him. He never did it again. I then worked with him and taught him (yes bite that tug I'm holding) no, when you feel the urge - I am not a decoy, nor is the cat. It didn't inhibit his bite - he loves tug and will bite hard down on the tugs. He just had to learn what he could bite at and what not. At 5 months, Sting was not as advanced your working line pup, but he still needed to learn - no chasing after the cat - no playing tug with the leash and so on. I know you posted as is this hard or soft - well, it is hard, in my viewpoint, but not acceptable for any pup. Your pup bit your daughter out hiking, now when you stop her and she hits the end of the leash - she turns and bites you. To be frank, this doesn't sound like you have a handle on the problem.

[Lilie]

Originally Posted by Capone22

I grabbed the leash just as she was going to jump at my daughter and said no. She hit the end of the leash pretty hard, giving herself a correction.. turned around and jumped and latched onto my bicep giving me the worst bite she has ever given me.

I'm curious (because I think this would provide the missing link for me) did your pup hit the end of the leash with impact, twist in the air and grab your arm? Or did your pup hit the end of the leash, recieve the correction, turn and run the length of the long lead towards you, leap and grab your arm?

[Kyleigh]

Originally Posted by Lilie

I'm curious (because I think this would provide the missing link for me) did your pup hit the end of the leash with impact, twist in the air and grab your arm? Or did your pup hit the end of the leash, recieve the correction, turn and run the length of the long lead towards you, leap and grab your arm?

I am wondering the same thing.

Last fall I had Kyleigh on a tie out in the front yard while I was gardening. She was about 6 or 7 months old and all of a sudden a squirrel came REALLY close to her. She took off after the squirrel ... as I'm yelling LEAVE IT, and running to her. She definitely hit the end of the tie out and popped back (almost flipped over) and I was right in her path ... she bit me, and good!

BUT, I didn't do a thing about it because I figured it was "reflex" mouth popping closed? Or something like that ...

She never has gone after another squirrel while on her tie out tho!