I just adopted my primarily German Shepherd and Husky mix at 10 weeks old. He was rescued from a barn where he lived with his mother, then lived at the rescuers house with 6 other dogs for two weeks. It seems like he hasn't had many boundaries. I have had him for 4 days. He's very smart - walking on leash (in a puppy way) the first day, knows "come", "walk" "let's go", and of course, the potty commands. He's a good boy, but I feel like I can't play with him because he's biting all the time. He's great outside and has even learned to retrieve, but once inside, I am the toy. He's got two Kongs, soft toys, Nylabone, 3 bully sticks, soft chew toys, and is almost potty trained with only a few accidents that I can see were my fault. I feel desperate and almost cried myself to sleep last night because I am so afraid that I will have a HUGE dog with no manners, and, quite frankly, the biting is no fun at all. I am making mistakes, it seems like all of them - shoving him into his crate when I can't stand the biting any more and I KNOW I am not supposed to do anything to discourage him from the crate. I can't bring him around other dogs yet because he has only had one round of shots. He is enrolled in Puppy Kindergarten after his second round which he will get next week. I am actually crying now because I feel so desperate and I completely understand why puppies are surrendered and I really do not want or intend to be one of those statistics. I have started using the clicker with him and he is responding, but very very difficult with all the biting. Suggestions are welcome and forgive my pity party!
The biting is normal....... Shepherds tend to be exceptionally mouthy and bitey.....
It will get better, its just tough for awhile until he grows out of it. When he gets too bitey, shove a toy in his mouth and play tug or some such. The biting is normal instinctive behaviour and right now he doesnt know yet that biting you is wrong. Remember though that in his own way, the fact that he is biting you means he is showing interest in being your friend ...in his own little puppy piranha way.
Theres a reason people call shepherd puppies landsharks!
He will grow out of it with time, just have to bear with him until it gets better.
And remember.....everything you see as hellraising right now is his potential just waiting to be tapped! The ones that are total **** on wheels as puppies seem to grow up to be great dogs who are capable of doing big things! Redirect his biting onto toys, give him things to chew, because he will chew no matter what, and try not to be hard on him for chewing on you. He is a baby and it takes time for them to develop self control
This is almost identical to what I was gonna post.
I kind of miss the puppy biting days. Sure it seems like you're constantly saying "no bite" and shoving a rope or tug in their mouth. But once it's done it's done. Don't be afraid to play a little rough with the pup. And just accept that for a while you're gonna have scratches and bites all over your arms. My female was like having a velicoraptor living with us. Just focus on basic obedience, redirect biting to toys, and bond with the pup. Besides potty training bonding is the most important thing with a pup. Everything else can be taught as pup gets older. The bond is so important with young pups.
And don't be afraid to post some puppy pics.
I have had several nipping pups but never one as bad as my current landshark Josie! This is my first GSD and she is a biter. I used this method and even my boys said in two weeks "wow she isn't biting anymore". She still mouths at us but she isn't biting down.
This is Sarah Hodgson who is one of my favorite writers on basic dog training skills. she has a lot of other very helpful youtube videos that are free to anyone.
I hope this helps you as much as it did me. Good luck!
This is my take on the video: I like the replacement toy, not the kisses thing or putting butter on my hand or giving him a pacifier or the name of the "breed". Instead of a drag line I would prevent him from biting by keeping him with me or crated instead of letting him roam in the house. Every time he bites a kid or you or your dress, it ingrains further. There was still a lot of biting in the video (practicing the behavior) and missed opportunities in which she could have rewarded him for not biting. Not sure if I saw the first sign of possession at the end of him chewing the rawhide when he pushed her hand away after which she petted him. Granted, it was hardly noticeable but I thought I saw it and I know that dogs' early signals can be easily missed.
Personally it looked too cutesy for me. Interested to hear more feedback.
Wow, I have had my puppy for 2 weeks and my husband and I are feeling the same exact way! There should be a support group for the puppy biting! It is soooo frustrating, I totally understand! It is very hard to stay calm and patient when you're getting blood drawn multiple times a day by puppy teeth! We have had to put ours in the crate too for a time out when he gets so amped up he is just all teeth. And it sucks that we can't even get at the soft fluffy head for pets! Thanks to everyone else for the suggestions and support. It helps to know that it will not always be this way.
Raising my pup has been such a whirlwind that I forgot my forum password and have just seen your response. Thank you so much. This forum has been my solace. Much appreciated.
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