puppy problem

[spartan78]

ok we have a 12 week old australian shepherd. she knows basic commands like sit and shake and shes house and crate trained. the only problem is shes getting into a bad habbit of biting me and my parents. ive heard to do different things, like hold her mouth or just say "no" and leave her. any advice? also is it true that playing tug of war with a rope will encourage her to bite?

 

[renogaw]

at her age, playing tug of war is a dominance thing. if you lose, you will forever be the beta of the relationship. so don't do it.
for biting, she's going to bite at her age, and it sucks that the teeth are so sharp that they really hurt. get her some nylabones. when she bites you, say NO and give her the nylabone, and praise her for chewing the nylabones. but realize, she is playing and she will eventually grow out of it with the right correction process.

 

[poniegirl]

In puppyhood, excitement can be expressed in few ways. Biting and barking and spontaneous peeing are the worst expressions.
I agree with Reno that you have to establish yourself as the alpha from the word go.
In a dog pack, the submissive language is to lie down and expose the belly and throat. I do this (mine are 4 yrs and still sometimes..): Make her lie down and hold her on her side in this prone position until she stops. You will have to hold her neck and rump until she settles. You may need to speak calmly to her for a moment (try to choose a key word or phrase). When she is calm, stroke her, let her up and praise her. If she reverts to a playful nip, repeat the process again immediately and each time she behaves in the manner you want to correct.
You may have to repeat it until you think she'll never get it. Eventually, she will calm and you will be able to let go, but make her stay until you stand up. She must have the feeling at all times that you are the leader, not mean, but firm and having expectations from her.
Never make this a game and never express anger when she is in this prone position.

 

[firefish9]

I have an austrailn and mine does the same thing. I think he is trying to herd. Every morning mine wakes me up and bites my legs until I'm in the shower, after I get out he herds me to the breakfast table!

 

[tome]

I have to agree with Ponie and Reno, I have used the trick of when the dog bites, say no bite and give em a toy. This way the dog doesn't bite you, and its a way to tire him out.

 

[reefreak29]

just beat him everytime he bites u

 

[dragonzim]

Originally Posted by reefreak29
just beat him everytime he bites u
Yeah, thats a great idea.... (SARCASM!!!!!!)

 

[ice4ice]

No beating the dog. I like to yell, no scream at him real loud with lots obscenity just to let him know you mean business. Works everytime. Especially with a cat when I caught her making her mark in a corner in my cellar. Boy, you should have seen her run fast. Since then she uses the litterbox now. LOL !!

 

[phixer]

Originally Posted by reefreak29
just beat him everytime he bites u
:hilarious

 

[shogun323]

Perhaps yall can help me out. My dog Sammie has a habit of stealing my Cohibas and smoking them all. WTH?!?!?!
(disclaimer this is not my dog nor my pic. It was taken from the internet for an attempt to be funny. I wouldn't mind havin him though. One can't have enough buddies to smoke stogies with!)

 

[renogaw]

its a plastic dog squeeker, not a real cigar btw. at least it looks like one lol

 

[poniegirl]

Looks like she just wants to play a hand of TX Hold'em. I'm in if it's nickel ante.

 

[fishfatty]

Wow you are lucky she is house trained already...My 7 month old welsh terrier still has accidents every other day!