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153 Posts
I really need your help.
My dad never touches Benny. He's not even allowed to acknowledge him anymore because Benny will pee submissively instantly. He treats my practically non-existent father like the leader! And for a pup so dependent on me, he really has been treating me like crap lately!
I've noticed he's WAY more submissive with men than he is with women. Benny's dad was also very aggressive with Benny's mother, so I wonder if he's being "sexist".
My dad can stick his hand in his bowl and Benny will walk off.
I know that when they hit this age, they're trying to find their place in the pack, but he's really ripping skin over here. I've been trying so hard to stop the biting using all the methods seen here.
1. Hold muzzle, hold close to body, say "no"!
That worked for maybe a week until he learned that every time he bites, he should dodge my hands before he gets reprimanded.
Once I learned how to get to his mouth quicker, he turned from taking the punishment to going ABSOLUTELY crazy. He screams at the top of his lungs, bares his teeth, grabs anything that involves skin, and munches down on it full-force and rapid-fire like a sewing machine. My hands are full of holes now, and it's REALLY become impossible to hold his mouth.
2. Ahem, method two: hold down.
Okay, this probably would have worked if I worked on it longer, but it wasn't effective in terms of keeping my hands clear of his mouth. I use it still, but I feel I'M getting punished more than he is.
3. Cover with body.
This is something that works a little better for us, but he's also learned that if he latches his teeth around my arm, it's harder for me to cover him when I'm wailing in pain.
And of course, this all revolves around-- you guessed it-- FOOD.
Today, I was feeding him by hand. I used my other hand to rub his muzzle because that's usually what triggers the aggression. I didn't think he'd react because I was feeding him by hand! But no, he snapped and latched onto my hand TWICE.
So, today I worked on his food aggression. I donned a pair of gloves (winter gloves, really no protection at all) and started sticking my hands into his bowl, rubbing his nose, etc. He was very aggressive. I think I had to lay over him 12 times and slap him across the nose six when he grabbed my hand (which made me cry because I don't like hitting him, but it at least got the message to him quick before I would need stitches).
Over time, he went from attacking to growling, and then he was full and wouldn't work with the food anymore.
I plan to do this every day, but I can't help but feel I'm doing something wrong (especially with the slapping). I've been using NILIF, what's going on?

My dad never touches Benny. He's not even allowed to acknowledge him anymore because Benny will pee submissively instantly. He treats my practically non-existent father like the leader! And for a pup so dependent on me, he really has been treating me like crap lately!
I've noticed he's WAY more submissive with men than he is with women. Benny's dad was also very aggressive with Benny's mother, so I wonder if he's being "sexist".

I know that when they hit this age, they're trying to find their place in the pack, but he's really ripping skin over here. I've been trying so hard to stop the biting using all the methods seen here.
1. Hold muzzle, hold close to body, say "no"!
That worked for maybe a week until he learned that every time he bites, he should dodge my hands before he gets reprimanded.
Once I learned how to get to his mouth quicker, he turned from taking the punishment to going ABSOLUTELY crazy. He screams at the top of his lungs, bares his teeth, grabs anything that involves skin, and munches down on it full-force and rapid-fire like a sewing machine. My hands are full of holes now, and it's REALLY become impossible to hold his mouth.
2. Ahem, method two: hold down.
Okay, this probably would have worked if I worked on it longer, but it wasn't effective in terms of keeping my hands clear of his mouth. I use it still, but I feel I'M getting punished more than he is.
3. Cover with body.
This is something that works a little better for us, but he's also learned that if he latches his teeth around my arm, it's harder for me to cover him when I'm wailing in pain.
And of course, this all revolves around-- you guessed it-- FOOD.
Today, I was feeding him by hand. I used my other hand to rub his muzzle because that's usually what triggers the aggression. I didn't think he'd react because I was feeding him by hand! But no, he snapped and latched onto my hand TWICE.
So, today I worked on his food aggression. I donned a pair of gloves (winter gloves, really no protection at all) and started sticking my hands into his bowl, rubbing his nose, etc. He was very aggressive. I think I had to lay over him 12 times and slap him across the nose six when he grabbed my hand (which made me cry because I don't like hitting him, but it at least got the message to him quick before I would need stitches).

Over time, he went from attacking to growling, and then he was full and wouldn't work with the food anymore.
