Help with hyper-active biting puppy

[rhylmarova]

Hello everyone,

I have been reading some of the posts over the last few days and hope you will be able to help me with a bit of advice.

I have had dogs before but this is my firts Rott and on top of that, it is a male. We have got him when he was 9wks old, now 12wks, we feel we are doing good progress in terms of training of sit, down, come etc. Even the 'day' nipping and biting routine is calming down substantially. However, the last three days, we have had a hyper evenings. The puppy suddenly starts running around mad and even runs into me and bites me. I follow the standard of sitting him down, saying 'No biting' and tapping him on the nose. When it escalates, I grab him by the scruff of the neck and shake him and again 'No Biting'. I even sit him down and say 'Calm down' and 'No Bite'. This is going on for about 2 hours! He will not settle. He will than fall down on the floor and fall asleep.

Two of the three days, we have had new visitors coming over. As he only had his second injection yesterday, I cannot take him out for walks (even though we have a back garden and he has constant excess to it). I am trying to invite as many people over as possible to get him socialized properly. Also, we are starting puppy classes next Sunday.

However, my stress level is hard to control when we get to the evening and I would much appreciate any help and advise.

Thanks!

Renata

[brunie's mom]

Welcome to the forums.
It sounds like you have a very normal, busy , happy puppy. The hyper running, biting,etc. is very normal puppy behaviour. It is called FRAP (Frentic Random Activity Periods). Just let the puppy run and get the energy out.
Do not start scruffing, shaking or yelling....this just brings the worse out of the dog. If you want him to calm down...you must be calm. Take his collar, put your hand under it and hold him gently still ...while talking quietly to him.

Sounds like he could use some more exercise. Can you throw the ball around for him in the garden? or play a game of tug??

Gina

[JeanT]

Sounds like the zoomies to me. Do you by any chance have a fenced yard to let him zoom in? My young dog zoomied every night (not for so long a time though) before falling into a deep night's sleep. Still does a modified version of it. As for the biting - keep a ball or toy handy.

[damp]

Originally Posted by rhylmarova

Two of the three days, we have had new visitors coming over. As he only had his second injection yesterday, I cannot take him out for walks (even though we have a back garden and he has constant excess to it). I am trying to invite as many people over as possible to get him socialized properly. Also, we are starting puppy classes next Sunday.
Renata

Please read those threads:
Critical Periods of Canine Development

Socializing Puppies

Also do a search for socialisation... and get your pup out to explore the world. It's high time.
Besides the importance of socializing, you will find the mental stimulation will calm down a pup but it will not "cure" the biting and puppy behaviour but only patience and repetition.
Some says: A tired pup is a sweet pup, but I say: A mental tired pup, is a calm(er) pup and will be a better companion in the long run!
Enjoy your pup and Good Luck!

[GuySusanDurnil]

I don't know what we did right, but we've never had a biting problem with Maynard, 6.5 months now. He may be getting it out on our older dog, but he's never even looked like he wanted to bite a human unless we were trimming his nails and all we have to do is tell him "No".
When he was younger, I think he tried growling at his humans a couple of times, but we growled back louder and he decided he we were more intimidating than him.
The best way I've found to calm down the Zoomies is to grab his collar and hold still; he sits right away.

[rhylmarova]

Hi guys,

thanks ever so much for your replies. I was just a bit concerned as everybody arounds bombards you with warnings about possible agressive behaviour etc. I want to make sure we teach our puppy to be a good dog and at the same time have normal 'doggie relationship' with us. The provided threads were of great interest.

To answer some of the questions. Yes, we have a fenced back yard/garden and I take him out several times a day to play or just to join me when I put out clothes for drying etc. He can also go there anytime in the day himself to do his bit if he needs to. We throw ball around and he is a pretty good gardener (to the extent that I have very few plants left :-)) But I guess that is a normal puppy..needs to learn by exploring.

Yesterday, we did not have a hyper evening as we have spent over an hour outside playing and just hanging out with my partner and Lion (the little devil). As we had the second shot on Tuesday, we will be able to go for regular walks now.

Any additional experiences and advise is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Renata