New Rotty is a handfull

[oz rowan]

Is my first post and need some direction on some behaviours of my new Rotty. My boy is 18 month old (entire male) who was with another family since a pup. I have had him for about two months and although I feel I have bonded and formed an alpha position, he can be annoying with nipping and pulling on trouser legs & jumping when greeted. I continually correct the undesirable behaviour & praise the good.
On the lead his behaviour is great.
The biting is the main concern as my first instinct is to punish with a slap, as a playfull/demanding Rotty latched onto your butt hurts, but I understand that he may become afraid or simply not understand.
Any advise is welcome.

[Laura]

Are you going to Obedience training classes? If you aren't I suggest you go and stay there until your boy is at least 3 years old. When he starts his nipping thing I would tell him to sit if he doesn't sit put him in a sit and hold him until he calms down and then praise him when he is calm, let him go and walk away. If it continues repeat the same thing until he stops. But as I said Obedience training is a must, it teaches you so many things about your dog and yourself.

[Judi W]

Yes, to training classes and start immediately.

Hang a tab from his collar so you always have something to take hold of. This is not a little puppy, but a young adult and you need to make it very clear to him that you take great offense at having teeth put on any part of your body. Take hold of that tab, turn and face him frontally, keep advancing into him making him back up and using a very strong voice give him an excellent tongue lashing. I don't know what kind of corrections you've been giving, but obviously he is not very impressed by them.

Keep in mind that you either haven't really established that alpha position or he would not continue to abuse you, or you have not been clear in informing him that you will not accept this treatment. Probably a combination of the two.

[Dbaum]

This is a classic: "On the lead he is great" TO which my trainer replied, "then leave him on the lead."

He is on the lead because you say, "No" whilst correcting him. After awhile, the "No" is enough without the correction.

You are not there yet.

Do yourself and your dog a favor. Keep him on his lead, in his crate/kennel/backyard or kennel when you are not there.

He just needs to learn the rules.

I know it is difficult. BUt it will be very rewarding when he is a good companion dog. You need discipline to hepl him learn as quickly as possible.

Keep him on lead and give him LOTS and LOTS of praise when he is a good dog. Remember for every "no" and correction you give him, he should get an (at least) equal amount of praise.

Good luck and be strong!