Puppy biting and growling!

[cizikas]

My puppy is 10 weeks old. He seems to be a good learner already listening when you ask him to sit or come however, sometime he wants to have the last say. Example, when i tell him to come down the stairs he comes with teeth showing, growling and racing to get to the bottom. I stand there sometimes frightened that he will fall and he jumps at me (into my arms). I'm not sure if this is an attack or just a play thing.

He bites alot when playing and sometimes gets too excited also starting to show his teeth and growls.

Our discipline method is to yell NO and hold him down. When holding him down he seems to be calm but as soon as we let him go he's back at it again.

We have been taking him to leash-free zones for the past week and when dogs come up to him he seems to be a little scared always going between my legs. When other people pad him he seems so gentle. However, last night a huge dog approached me, he ran between my spouses legs hiding but then the dog jumped up at me and he came running out from between the legs growling and showing his teeth to this dog. Now I am really wondering if he is going to be really protective and aggressive.

I have him registered in puppy kindergarten but cannot attend until he is 12 weeks old.

Is my method of holding him down the correct thing and maybe just worrying too early after all he is only 10 weeks old.

P.S - WILL NEUTERING HELP! I LOVE HIM SO MUCH.

[Carol Burke]

I think you are probably worrying too soon. Holding him down on his back until he calms down is the thing to do. Do not rough house, play tug of war or any games where he is encouraged to growl. Throw a ball and have him bring it back. When he gets over excited stop whatever you are doing with him and make him calm down. His reaction in the park to the large dog is normal. Good luck.

[Codys ma]

What you are describing is typical puppy behavior. There are many previous posts on this exact subject and there is some great advice. Try doing a search on puppy biting or puppy growling.

As far as the off leash park, I would wait to take him there until he is at least fully vaccinated. Your pup is very prone to getting parvo, and you can't say for sure that none of the dogs in that park are carrying that virus, or any other viruses for that matter. His immune system is still developing so he is very susceptable to disease. For exercise, several short walks during the day will suffice, and his playing will surely wear him out.

When he gets too wired up and begins to bite and growl, try a time out someplace away from you. If you have a playpen you can put him in there, or get a baby gate and place him in the kitchen until he settles down. Being ignored by you is the ultimate punishment in his eyes. Also, try getting a kong and stuffing treats in there for him to work at, have lots of chew toys handy and if he starts to bite you give him something to chew on.

Good luck!
Kim

[MJ22LAM]

Sammy is just over 3 months and does that often, especially after my boyfriend comes home from work, or after one of his naps.
They can be painful, I usually distract him with training. I get some training biscuits, and we practice: sit, come, heal, stay, down.
etc. then some ball, it usually works, if he to worked up, I put him on his back, and speak to him softly rubbing his tummy this usually gets him close to nap mode.



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MJ-ICQ 44365363

[cizikas]

Thanks for all the great information. I stopped taking him to the leash free zone, boy have you put a scare in me.

Sorry I haven't been back to you sooner, but I have been reading this site for the last day and half. Since reading it I have stopped the holidng him down on his back and starting the time out method. This seems to be working a lot better. He has stopped quite a bit but we still have some more to go. My question today is I have company coming over in about 2 hours three kids. One of them is 3 years old.They have been over before with "Tie" and "Tie" seems to dominate the 3 year old. The other two kids are great they say no and leave him alone when he starts to bite. However, the 3 year old runs and jumps screaming. I have explained to him don't run just say no and I will help you. I want "Tie" to get use to these children because they play a special part in my life because they are my brothers and we are close so he visits quite often. Do you think a muzzle will help with the nipping the 3 year old or do you think I just continue to be there at all times and help discipline the 3 year old and "Tie" without a muzzle. I do not want to crate or remove "Tie" from them ever.

Thanks Vanda

[CarolineS]

Your 10 week old puppy is probably at exactly the same stage in his life as your 3 year old nephew. They both have to be protected from themselves. I don't think you should muzzle the puppy for what is normal behavior any more than you should gag your nephew for screaming.

Although it takes a lot more time and effort, I think you should work on showing both of them the correct way to conduct themselves. In the long run, you'll have a better dog and a child who knows how to treat animals properly. Perhaps you can enlist your brother's help with his son. Running and screaming just excites the puppy and will increase the nipping and maybe your brother can get this through to his child. You can work on your puppy.

If things get out of hand, I would give them both time outs. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

[cizikas]

Thanks for your reply.

My brother is a great lovers of rotti's also and last time around with the visit he helped alot. I will continue to do what we did last time and just keep on our toes with training the both of them.

I must say it did for work for the two older childre (7 & 8 year olds) so we'll let you know how things work out.

I love all this advise I'm glad everyone is supporting and helping me.

vanda.