controlling excited pup...correct immobilization help?

[scigeek69]

Hello all, posted this in the "Puppy Development" section, but then realized that I may get quicker responses here...I am the proud new owner of a 10 week old pup! He has been doing great, but from time to time he gets really worked up chewing and starts to try and mouth/bite me. I want to avoid him thinking putting his mouth on anyone is OK and have been trying redirection to one of his toys. It works for a while, but at times he comes back to my foot, arm, etc. In one of the stickies I have read Judi W referring to an immobilization technique that seems to have worked for others on this site. Sounds like a combination of holding the collar and the neck or chin? I just want to be sure that I am doing the immobilization correctly to reinforce that people biting is not an acceptable behavior. Once he is done with his shots we will be starting off with a puppy class. Any/all advice will be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance for your replies...

[brunie's mom]

This is common in all puppies. Redirection is the way to go with puppies. Use soft toys, and keep one in all places at all times. Put the toy into mouth and say "good bites"...shake the toy in front of his nose...so that he understands that the toy is fun. Instead of saying a loud "NO"....make a sound such "AUGGGGKKK"...praise. You want the toy to be more fun to bite then you.

You will have to do redirection for many weeks even months, till they understand to get a toy when they want to play and bite instead of you.

As far as immobilization , some pups really start getting more hyper if they are held back. The easiest way is hand through the collar and on the neck, and the other hand on the chest...and talk quietly or whisper to the pup...most will relax and calm down. Sometimes they just need a time-out, when they are overtired. Pop them in the crate, and within a minute they are passed out.

Gina

[QuietDaze]

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

This is common in all puppies. Redirection is the way to go with puppies. Use soft toys, and keep one in all places at all times. Put the toy into mouth and say "good bites"...shake the toy in front of his nose...so that he understands that the toy is fun. Instead of saying a loud "NO"....make a sound such "AUGGGGKKK"...praise. You want the toy to be more fun to bite then you.

You will have to do redirection for many weeks even months, till they understand to get a toy when they want to play and bite instead of you.

As far as immobilization , some pups really start getting more hyper if they are held back. The easiest way is hand through the collar and on the neck, and the other hand on the chest...and talk quietly or whisper to the pup...most will relax and calm down. Sometimes they just need a time-out, when they are overtired. Pop them in the crate, and within a minute they are passed out.

Gina

Great advice Gina! I was going to say that I did the same with my puppy. At first I would tell him 'no' and hold him back with my hand on his chest and that was just too much fun for him, he'd get even more hype. Then I just treated him just like I would a baby. Hold him, stroke him, talk to him and he'd calm down. Also figured that like a baby he seemed extra hype when he was sleepy.

Congratulations and enjoy your pup! Puppies can make you want to put them out in the streets sometimes but it's worth it. They are so much fun and get big before you know it.

[ladyofherbals]

I have noticed that when Isis turns into a demon, she is tired and into the crate she goes for a nap. This evening she was into ZOOMING and my poor golden Gabby watched her and tried to keep out of her pathway. I should have named Isis MAZDA for the zoom-zoom! I say No Bite when she is inappropriately biting and redirect her to her stuffed babies and say OK with excitement. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

[zorro13]

Also keep in mind this is a teething period for a pup, which is also a stressful time. Offer chilly bones (found at petshops, these are great items), ice cubes, frozen pieces of hotdogs, soak a towel in water/freeze that--offer to pup to chew on. Chewing reduces pressure from teething, so give a variety of items to the puppy at this time.