Ankle Biter

[groupieindenial]

I'm new here. Hi y'all! Just got my pup 5 days ago, he's 7 weeks old. He's quite the ankle biter, and has already ruined a few of my pyjama pants! Anyways, its really irritating, I can't ignore it cuz he hangs off me. I know he's playing, but it hurts, their little teeth are SHARP!! I say "no", and give him something he is allowed to chew, rope toy, squeeky toy, chew sticks but he just runs strait back towards my ankles. WHen he won't settle down, I hold him down till he's submissive, which is not long. He sits up, looks at me and lunges back at me! I assume he'll just eventually learn its not acceptable, and grow out of it. But wondering if there are any other tips. I read all posts on mouthing, but it seems as if its mostly repetitive reinforcement.

[babybluetx23]

Thats exactly is. Repetitive Reinforcement. DO NOT give in. As soon as you do your pup has NOW learned that he CAN get him way eventually.
Here is a Thread that will help you: http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/sho...ighlight=ankle

By the way - WELCOME!!!!! This place is ADDICITIVE! We are glad you are here. Stick around. You can learn MORE then you EVER thought you could from people here and they become a family that is ALWAYS there for you!

[JDUCE]

We used a can filled with pennies. When Duce would grab our ankles we would drop it and eventually he learned to stop. Now he 17 months and when he is bratty he will do it. . .a leave it command now works

Welcome!

[Jango]

AAWWWWWW.....baby teeth, such fond memories. It is a lot of repetition and redirecting. I thought my puppy was insane. I also was looking for a quick fix. It takes time and patience. I try to have a toy handy. When the puppy does "bite" something he is supposed to, TONS of praise. 7 wks old. Baby puppy, this is what baby puppies do. I know it's hard but it does get better.

[German Vanegas]

Originally Posted by groupieindenial

I'm new here. Hi y'all! Just got my pup 5 days ago, he's 7 weeks old. He's quite the ankle biter, and has already ruined a few of my pyjama pants! Anyways, its really irritating, I can't ignore it cuz he hangs off me. I know he's playing, but it hurts, their little teeth are SHARP!! I say "no", and give him something he is allowed to chew, rope toy, squeeky toy, chew sticks but he just runs strait back towards my ankles. WHen he won't settle down, I hold him down till he's submissive, which is not long. He sits up, looks at me and lunges back at me! I assume he'll just eventually learn its not acceptable, and grow out of it. But wondering if there are any other tips. I read all posts on mouthing, but it seems as if its mostly repetitive reinforcement.

I love those ankle biter puppies! Your pup is charged up with prey drive, which is a good thing, if you learn how to channelize it properly. Don't be too hard on him though. You don't want to break his spirit. Let him be a puppy, although you want your puppy to obey you, you have to understand puppy behavior... Have you read any good books on the subject lately?

[lcarothers]

Originally Posted by German Vanegas

You don't want to break his spirit. Let him be a puppy, although you want your puppy to obey you, you have to understand puppy behavior... Have you read any good books on the subject lately?

Ah, someone mentions book learning!
I am one of those voracious book readers! My reference library on dog behavior and training is extensive. There are good and bad books, just as there are good and bad trainers, advise, reasearch, and the dreaded "personal experiences."

I must say I wish I had found this site sooner! Overall, this site will give you a wealth of info, most exceptional.

Remember, your pup uses his mouth and those sharp puppy teeth to explore his new enviornment and get your attention. A calm "NO" and a slight clamp on the muzzle each time should get results in time if you are diligent with the training. I am hesitant to agree with offering a toy each time, it "rewards" this nipping behavior.

Good Luck, I almost miss those puppy days!

[groupieindenial]

Originally Posted by German Vanegas

I love those ankle biter puppies! Your pup is charged up with prey drive, which is a good thing, if you learn how to channelize it properly. Don't be too hard on him though. You don't want to break his spirit. Let him be a puppy, although you want your puppy to obey you, you have to understand puppy behavior... Have you read any good books on the subject lately?

I've been reading a lot on line, and ofcourse taking it with a grain of salt. I've been around rotties lots before, have a friend that's raised a few. So I have a good understanding of the breed. Because he's been learning so quickly, I noticed I am expecting a lot from him. THe last few days, the ankle biting has gotten way better. The replace with a toy wasn't working so much, the "no" command he's starting to respond.

[German Vanegas]

Originally Posted by groupieindenial

...THe last few days, the ankle biting has gotten way better. The replace with a toy wasn't working so much, the "no" command he's starting to respond.

Good. There you are channelizing your puppy's prey drive What you need to do is buy some stuffed toys and hard rubber toys (for dogs) at a pet store and re-direct your pup's attention to the allowed chewing toys. Try throwing the toys way from you and see if your puppy chases it and grabs it... Then let me know what he does right after that... I think you pup has lots of prey drive.

[groupieindenial]

Originally Posted by German Vanegas

Good. There you are channelizing your puppy's prey drive What you need to do is buy some stuffed toys and hard rubber toys (for dogs) at a pet store and re-direct your pup's attention to the allowed chewing toys. Try throwing the toys way from you and see if your puppy chases it and grabs it... Then let me know what he does right after that... I think you pup has lots of prey drive.

Yeah, I noticed he has a short attention span for each toy he has. I need to buy more varieties, especially when they start to go missing, under the couch, in the car etc... I did the throw toy thing, he'll chase it, mouth it for a sec, look back at me and lunge back at my legs. OR not chase it at all cuz my ankles are more fun. Like I said, its actually getting better already, cuz he's learning so much, so fast. Someone said on a thread it could be stressfull when their so young, but he is SO eager to learn. Always looking at me so attentively, ears perked, head cocked. So I've been chanelling this alertness and energies to learn, instead of ankle biting and rowdiness. I am amazed at how smart he is. He is almost 8 weeks old, I got him last friday, he is crate trained without whining at all now, can sit, lay down, shake paw, and mostly house broken. I got him from a reputable breeder, who schutzund trains, does temprament tests on the dam and sire, and goes to Germany to breed his bitches mostly. I got the pick of the litter too. I think I lucked out with this little guy, I'm pretty happy.

[German Vanegas]

Originally Posted by groupieindenial

...I am amazed at how smart he is. He is almost 8 weeks old, I got him last friday, he is crate trained without whining at all now, can sit, lay down, shake paw, and mostly house broken. I got him from a reputable breeder, who schutzund trains, does temprament tests on the dam and sire, and goes to Germany to breed his bitches mostly. I got the pick of the litter too. I think I lucked out with this little guy, I'm pretty happy.

I had the feeling your pup came from schutzhund lines. You seem to have got a well bred rottweiler pup. Don't stop learning and you will make the best out of him