Puppy grew up?

Liddoterry · 10-18-2011, 03:03 AM

I have a 8 week old Gsd. We had her for abou a week so far and she is behaving really well. She knows many tricks, and very friendly with our 1 year old dog. But not long ago, they started to fight. My pup is biting her to hard and they just start fighting. It's to the point were they can't be near eachother. They always run towards eachother and launch attacks. I don't know what to do, my mom wants me to get rid of my dog for the sake of hers, since hers is a chihuahua. Is there a way I can get them to be friends again? Or is it a thing to see who's dog is boss?

KZoppa · 10-18-2011, 04:12 AM

You have an 8 week old puppy. Its not fighting. Its actually harsh play. You need to work on rule enforcement for BOTH dogs in a positive way. GSDs are vocal players and do play rough. Considering your 8 week old puppy is probably already twice the size of the chihuahua, they should NEVER be left alone unsupervised.

Chihuahua's also tend to have attitude problems in regards to other dogs. Its refered to as little dog syndrome. Little dogs dont tend to realize their size and suddenly this puppy, who is bigger, is playing roughly.

If you cant immediately supervise and correct EITHER dog, your pup or the chihuahua need to be crated. You need to teach your pup how to behave and properly interact with dogs of all sizes and he needs to learn that rough play with the chihuahua is not allowed EVER! Again, use positive methods as negative methods can lead to a negative association which will increase the problems.

Consider keeping a leash clipped to puppies collar to drag around so you can easily pull your puppy back and correct. You will also need to teach the chihuahua how to properly behave around the puppy (and possibly other dogs if he's not been around other dogs). The chihuahua needs to reassociate the puppy with good things. Neither dog gets treats or attention unless the other is in the room. Look up NILIF and begin using it immediately! for both dogs. Its never too early for a puppy to learn to work for what they want or get. Also, you need to wear your puppy out before allowing him to be around the chihuahua. This will also help because a tired puppy is a good puppy. Please also look into a good puppy obedience class as this is a great step is socializing your puppy in a safe controlled environment. A puppy class will also allow your puppy to begin learning and working with distractions.

read through the puppy section. You'll find similar threads and good advice in those as well. Good luck and please, if you're old enough, dont get rid of your pup. All this can be corrected and fixed through proper training and learning what it means having a GSD pup around.

also your puppy will not be mentally or physically mature until usually about 2-3 years of age and will tend to act very puppy like more often before that point.

Alexandria610 · 10-18-2011, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KZoppa

You have an 8 week old puppy. Its not fighting. Its actually harsh play. You need to work on rule enforcement for BOTH dogs in a positive way. GSDs are vocal players and do play rough. Considering your 8 week old puppy is probably already twice the size of the chihuahua, they should NEVER be left alone unsupervised.

Chihuahua's also tend to have attitude problems in regards to other dogs. Its refered to as little dog syndrome. Little dogs dont tend to realize their size and suddenly this puppy, who is bigger, is playing roughly.

If you cant immediately supervise and correct EITHER dog, your pup or the chihuahua need to be crated. You need to teach your pup how to behave and properly interact with dogs of all sizes and he needs to learn that rough play with the chihuahua is not allowed EVER! Again, use positive methods as negative methods can lead to a negative association which will increase the problems.

Consider keeping a leash clipped to puppies collar to drag around so you can easily pull your puppy back and correct. You will also need to teach the chihuahua how to properly behave around the puppy (and possibly other dogs if he's not been around other dogs). The chihuahua needs to reassociate the puppy with good things. Neither dog gets treats or attention unless the other is in the room. Look up NILIF and begin using it immediately! for both dogs. Its never too early for a puppy to learn to work for what they want or get. Also, you need to wear your puppy out before allowing him to be around the chihuahua. This will also help because a tired puppy is a good puppy. Please also look into a good puppy obedience class as this is a great step is socializing your puppy in a safe controlled environment. A puppy class will also allow your puppy to begin learning and working with distractions.

read through the puppy section. You'll find similar threads and good advice in those as well. Good luck and please, if you're old enough, dont get rid of your pup. All this can be corrected and fixed through proper training and learning what it means having a GSD pup around.

also your puppy will not be mentally or physically mature until usually about 2-3 years of age and will tend to act very puppy like more often before that point.

I agree with everything stated above, especially the bit about the little dog syndrome. I have a 16 month old GSD, and I have had her since she was 4 months old. I also have a 2 year old Chihuahua. Although mine used to play a lot and seem to have fun, as the GSD got older and came out of her shell more (she's a rescue, so the first few months she was decently timid), the more the Chihuahua dislikes the way Alex (the GSD) tries to play with her. I think once Alex starts to calm down and get past the puppy stage, the more they will be able to get along. As it is, they sleep together and are around each other when i'm home - but as for leaving them unsupervised together? I just don't do it, simply because neither realizes their size differences compared to each other.

Isabel actually instigates fights sometimes, and then gets mad when Alex goes to bite her leg. Anyway, don't feel that either dog is in the wrong, or that because the Chihuahua isn't necessarily understanding or liking the way the pup plays that the ChiChi is wrong. I seem to have a lot of people who have seen my two 'fight/play' and told me what a bad dog my Chihuahua was and how she was a vile little ankle biter. No, she's a sweet dog, but she's a Chihuahua. There's a reason that some of the stereotypes are out there.

I'd follow the above mentioned advice in regards to your two, by the way! If you ever have any questions about GSD/Chihuahua pairings, don't be afraid to ask or even PM me about mine! I've had a few road bumps so far, and I'm not afraid to admit it's been a little rough around the edges with the two vastly different breeds. But it's working in my household, with a little preventative measures and careful watching of the two when they're out together.

Liddoterry · 10-20-2011, 03:17 AM

Thankyou both for you help. Im now following Kzoppa advice and now im crate training both of them. I never once herd of NILF, my GSD does know half what it says so it wont be long till how the site says "Being the boss"
and Alexandria610 i will take your offer, hopefully i wont become a bug with every little problem.

so far everything is going good, The dogs are behaving but i think my GSD is to smart though. When i have to go inside for a bit to go restroom or answer the phone. She takes advantage and fights with the Chihuahua that it causes the chihuahua to bleed or lose hair. is there any other way to prevent this? KZoppa, u said to use positive methods. but how?

Liddoterry · 10-20-2011, 03:28 AM

left out something...

Im dont want to put the blame on my GSD but it is, my chihuahua is a very very calm dog. The only reason it will go near the GSD is to play like with her toy rope or the frisbee. other than that she wont go near her. shell be off laying on the grass or chewing on a stick.

KZoppa · 10-20-2011, 03:57 AM

Postive methods include a lot of factors. I'll try and include some websites to check out that should be beneficial.

You have a GSD puppy. They're known as land sharks and fuzzy gators for a reason. The first year to year and a half of having a GSD puppy can consist heavily of the dog just having so much energy and needing to learn the rules and boundaries. I definitely suggest you read through the puppy section. There is tons of great advice there on raising a GSD puppy.

When you cant supervise 100% interactions between your puppy and chihuahua, you have GOT to seperate them. A playful puppy can very easily unintentionally hurt your chihuahua. The thing with these dogs is you have to realize just how smart they can be and that sometimes you have to stay a step ahead of them.

HEAVILY suggest getting into a beginning obedience class. This is an excellent way for your puppy to learn and a way for your to learn how to handle things with your puppy at home. GSDs play rough. They have to learn how to play gently.

Positive Reinforcement Dog Training

The above site is all about positive methods.

Also check out the videos from tab289's Channel - YouTube

The above youtube user is a professional dog trainer who uses positive methods such as clicker training and reward based systems to train.

Also look make sure you are crate training in a positive manner. You dont want them to associate the crate as something negative.

OP, if you can tell us your general location, we may be able to recommend trainers in your area that you might be able to look into.

KZoppa · 10-20-2011, 04:03 AM

Teaching Bite Inhibition

How to teach my puppy to leave it

Teaching your puppy to 'leave it' is beneficial in more ways than one. In this case teaching your puppy a strong leave it can help your puppy learn the chihuahua is off limits for rough play.

The following video could also prove to be beneficial

How to teach your puppy to "wait" and "leave it". - YouTube

KZoppa · 10-20-2011, 04:08 AM

If you subscribe to the youtube videos above, the posters who uploaded them also have several other videos that would be beneficial in training your puppy.

Also look into making a flirt pole. Look into activites to engage your puppy. A tired puppy is a good puppy. Keep in mind with these dogs not only need physical excerise but mental exercise as well. Mental exercise in the form of training. Working your puppies mind can tired him out more than just physical activity.

Here is also a video on how to begin clicker training.

You Tube

KZoppa · 10-20-2011, 04:29 AM

Crate training positively MyPetGets - YouTube

How To Stop a Dog From Barking While Crate Training - YouTube

German Shepherd Puppy Obedience - YouTube

German Shepherd puppy obedience training - 4.5 months old - YouTube

Liddoterry · 11-10-2011, 09:29 AM

Thank you do much kzoppa!!! I been at this for a month now and it worked! Plus it helped build their relationship! My Gsd dosnt play to ruff and also!!! I caught them cuddleing. Haha. But really thank you kzoppa. If it wasn't for your video help I would have had to give up my Gsd. Thank you!

10-18-2011, 03:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
Liddoterry New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 4	Puppy grew up? I have a 8 week old Gsd. We had her for abou a week so far and she is behaving really well. She knows many tricks, and very friendly with our 1 year old dog. But not long ago, they started to fight. My pup is biting her to hard and they just start fighting. It's to the point were they can't be near eachother. They always run towards eachother and launch attacks. I don't know what to do, my mom wants me to get rid of my dog for the sake of hers, since hers is a chihuahua. Is there a way I can get them to be friends again? Or is it a thing to see who's dog is boss?

10-18-2011, 04:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
KZoppa Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Maryland kinda missing CO Posts: 13,832	You have an 8 week old puppy. Its not fighting. Its actually harsh play. You need to work on rule enforcement for BOTH dogs in a positive way. GSDs are vocal players and do play rough. Considering your 8 week old puppy is probably already twice the size of the chihuahua, they should NEVER be left alone unsupervised. Chihuahua's also tend to have attitude problems in regards to other dogs. Its refered to as little dog syndrome. Little dogs dont tend to realize their size and suddenly this puppy, who is bigger, is playing roughly. If you cant immediately supervise and correct EITHER dog, your pup or the chihuahua need to be crated. You need to teach your pup how to behave and properly interact with dogs of all sizes and he needs to learn that rough play with the chihuahua is not allowed EVER! Again, use positive methods as negative methods can lead to a negative association which will increase the problems. Consider keeping a leash clipped to puppies collar to drag around so you can easily pull your puppy back and correct. You will also need to teach the chihuahua how to properly behave around the puppy (and possibly other dogs if he's not been around other dogs). The chihuahua needs to reassociate the puppy with good things. Neither dog gets treats or attention unless the other is in the room. Look up NILIF and begin using it immediately! for both dogs. Its never too early for a puppy to learn to work for what they want or get. Also, you need to wear your puppy out before allowing him to be around the chihuahua. This will also help because a tired puppy is a good puppy. Please also look into a good puppy obedience class as this is a great step is socializing your puppy in a safe controlled environment. A puppy class will also allow your puppy to begin learning and working with distractions. read through the puppy section. You'll find similar threads and good advice in those as well. Good luck and please, if you're old enough, dont get rid of your pup. All this can be corrected and fixed through proper training and learning what it means having a GSD pup around. also your puppy will not be mentally or physically mature until usually about 2-3 years of age and will tend to act very puppy like more often before that point. __________________ The more people I meet and talk to,the more I love my dogs and their intelligence. www.krystalscollarcreations.weebly.com Riley GSD/BC 1/10/05 Zena GSD 6/1/03 Shasta GSD 5/5/10

10-20-2011, 03:57 AM	#6 (permalink)
KZoppa Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Maryland kinda missing CO Posts: 13,832	Postive methods include a lot of factors. I'll try and include some websites to check out that should be beneficial. You have a GSD puppy. They're known as land sharks and fuzzy gators for a reason. The first year to year and a half of having a GSD puppy can consist heavily of the dog just having so much energy and needing to learn the rules and boundaries. I definitely suggest you read through the puppy section. There is tons of great advice there on raising a GSD puppy. When you cant supervise 100% interactions between your puppy and chihuahua, you have GOT to seperate them. A playful puppy can very easily unintentionally hurt your chihuahua. The thing with these dogs is you have to realize just how smart they can be and that sometimes you have to stay a step ahead of them. HEAVILY suggest getting into a beginning obedience class. This is an excellent way for your puppy to learn and a way for your to learn how to handle things with your puppy at home. GSDs play rough. They have to learn how to play gently. Positive Reinforcement Dog Training The above site is all about positive methods. Also check out the videos from tab289's Channel - YouTube The above youtube user is a professional dog trainer who uses positive methods such as clicker training and reward based systems to train. Also look make sure you are crate training in a positive manner. You dont want them to associate the crate as something negative. OP, if you can tell us your general location, we may be able to recommend trainers in your area that you might be able to look into. __________________ The more people I meet and talk to,the more I love my dogs and their intelligence. www.krystalscollarcreations.weebly.com Riley GSD/BC 1/10/05 Zena GSD 6/1/03 Shasta GSD 5/5/10

10-20-2011, 03:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
Liddoterry New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 4	Thankyou both for you help. Im now following Kzoppa advice and now im crate training both of them. I never once herd of NILF, my GSD does know half what it says so it wont be long till how the site says "Being the boss" and Alexandria610 i will take your offer, hopefully i wont become a bug with every little problem. so far everything is going good, The dogs are behaving but i think my GSD is to smart though. When i have to go inside for a bit to go restroom or answer the phone. She takes advantage and fights with the Chihuahua that it causes the chihuahua to bleed or lose hair. is there any other way to prevent this? KZoppa, u said to use positive methods. but how?

10-20-2011, 03:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
Liddoterry New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 4	left out something... Im dont want to put the blame on my GSD but it is, my chihuahua is a very very calm dog. The only reason it will go near the GSD is to play like with her toy rope or the frisbee. other than that she wont go near her. shell be off laying on the grass or chewing on a stick.

11-10-2011, 09:29 AM	#10 (permalink)
Liddoterry New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 4	Thank you do much kzoppa!!! I been at this for a month now and it worked! Plus it helped build their relationship! My Gsd dosnt play to ruff and also!!! I caught them cuddleing. Haha. But really thank you kzoppa. If it wasn't for your video help I would have had to give up my Gsd. Thank you!

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
German Shepherd Advertisement