Pros, PLEASE HELP.. 6 mth. old male bites me!!

[franlofter]

Another thing that might help is not to give him pigs ears or anything like that for a chew. My dog got real crazy when i gave him those type of chew treats I stopped giving them to him and he has been great. plus you are only to give that type a treat once a month or so not good for dog. Good luck

[rottmommie]

Well I am absolutely sure that somebody will call me a moron or cruel, but when i have to put my dog on his back and take the alpha position, i grab the skin of his neck( underside, not his neck just the skin.) and i pinch it til he submits. and he does submit, and he cant bite me that way. he isnt being hurt or abused at all, and the vet and trainer both taught me this method. by the way, his sibling i am told is incorrigible, and they had to take him back to the breeder. the breeder told me that the owners refused to discipline the dog in any way, saying that it is cruel!!!! the dog is doggone mean now. how sad!

[Orville Story]

Don't Alpha roll your dog without a trainer present to instruct you. You have to know when the dog has totaly submitted before you release him, or the entire process will have the reverse effect. Don't do anything else this week with the pup, we will get everything on the right path next weekend.

[Augustus`s mom]

I`ve used most all of your suggestions today. Boy, what a long day its been!! I`m exhausted and so is Gus. But it`s working!! I can already see a change in his temperment. I`m giving lots of praise, treats, etc. when he`s good and quick and firm corrections when he tries at bite me. The alpha stance and knee to the chest did sound extreme to me at first, but my hubby pointed out to me that I was already using my knee to defend myself. Gus acted surprised when I kneed him and sat down {to think it over?}. Next time he tried to bite I did the alpha stance and I won. He turned away. I got up and he followed me trying to make up by LICKING MY HAND. He got a big hug and a treat but he stayed glued to my side, leaning into me and putting his big head on my leg. I took him out in the yard to play ball like nothing had happened. He ran for the ball, brought it back to me then sat down next to me,leaning into my side again and licking me. I know this will have to be repeated EVERY TIME, but I think he`s started to get it. He seemed much calmer this evening. I`ll keep him busy playing, going on his walks, etc. with LOTS of praise and treats for good behavior and I`ll keep you all posted on his progress. Can`t thank you enough!!!!!!!!!!!!! Carole

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[Augustus`s mom]

Mr.Story, I guess we were both typing at the same time. That was the third time I tried the alpha roll and you`re right, the first two times it did make it worse. Guess I just got lucky today. I won`t do anything else but praise and redirect him til we meet.

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[Trish]

I must definately agree with Orville on this...


The Alpha Roll should NEVER be used by anyone unless they are experienced enough to use this Last-ditch process (in my opinion..)

Agustus Mom. take a look at this web site, I believe you will find it very informative..
http://www.dogwhisper.com

I wish you best of luck..

[Ethár]

TO AUGUSTUS MOM:

Some here now said that you should not do the alpha roll.

...well, You have DONE it already and it worked out fine.

BUT PLEASE, don't do the alpha roll several times because the dog gets used to it and will become harder and harder...

Firm corrections NO! and pinch in the ear or grab him by his cheeks is probably what you need to do from now on.

It was GOOD that he licked you and showed submission - he has got the message.

Make rules and always stick to them and the dog will learn what he is allowed and not allowed.

Remember also that some age-periods is so called "ghost-periods" - and your boy is in one right now.

Take it a little easy with him, but don't let biting-behaviour pass!

Good Luck!

[Augustus`s mom]

I am just going to "cool things down" til I meet with Mr. Story over Labor Day. I didn`t mention it, but Gus was a "rescue" of sorts. His breeder/owner had given him to his teenage son, who was abusing the tiny pup. I just happened to be driving by the yard where this brat was poking him with a stick. His eye was injured, so I made the owner a deal. Sell me the pup or I call the law!! Wisely he decided to sell Gus to me. The vet is working with the University of Missouri Vet school and an eye specialist here in St. Louis to hopefully save the sight in that eye. Maybe abuse at that very early age has something to do with his behavior. I won`t do another thing until Labor Day except love him!!!!!!!!! Carole

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[rottmommie]

I am so glad somebody had the guts to tell an owner that was abusive something like that. sure wish it worked that way with kids!!! i love my boy, and i would do anything to keep him happy!!!! i cant understand why anyone would abuse an animal!

[WorkinDogz]

Good luck with his eye Carole!! I think you are making a very wise decision to follow the advice of YOUR TRAINER.

[Augustus`s mom]

WorkinDogz, Sorry, but I don`t understand what you mean regarding my trainer. I need a new trainer real bad. Right now the Forum is my trainer! BTW thanks for the good wishes for Gus. The Docs are really doing a great job. Got another question for everyone. How did a BYB get one of Ferro VD Teufelsbrucke`s offspring to use as a stud dog? German papers,OFA good Certificate and all! Plus the dam`s name is Myha VD Teufelsbrucke, but I got her ped. from the AKC going back 4 generations and there`s no Teufelsbrucke dogs that I ever heard of in there.

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[Hope]

Originally posted by Echowe:
Augustus's mom,
Next time when you dog jump on you to bite you, tell him in a firm tone of voice 'NO' and then push him down to the floor where he is flat down. Put your body weight on him and stare him in the eyes. 'Sit' on him till he looks away. I think you need to show your dog who the boss it. He is old enough to take some firm discipline. From your description, I don't think what he is doing is your normal mouthy rottie act. I would also find another trainer.

Could not agree more, but I would be careful with this dog. I had to do the exact same thing with my Mondo on two occassions, the first one at 13 weeks!!!!; the second at 5 months. I did not let up until the pup settled down and understood who was boss. Now he does everything I tell him to 99% of the time and only because I was PERSISTENT.

If you apply this technique, try not to overdominate your dog, and BE VERY CAREFULL!!!!!!!!!!!! Your dog may have serious issue in terms of wanting to challenge you, and at 70+ pounds, you want to head any warning signs that he might try to attack you if he feels threatened. I did this with my dog when he was a baby, so he learned the lesson early on, but it could be more risky trying this with an abused dog or one that you are not so familiar with.

You mentioned your dog is 70 pounds at 6 months, and this does not sound that bad. My boy is 77 pounds at just under 7 months and he is all trim muscle, no fat. Your dog's weight is not really a probelm, but it might be if you get into an all out wrestling match for alpha position.

If I were you, I would take this up with a reputable breeder before you start riding your pup too much, it could be risky at this point.

[Ethár]

HELLO AUGUSTUS MOM!

Don't fall back on the other side now.

I mean: You HAVE DONE the alpha roll so you have put "the machinery on". Now you HAVE to be persistant, more stubborn than the dog, never give up, train, train, follow your rules always, walk in/out of doors gates before the dog, not let him eat his food until you have allowed him etc.

I do NOT mean that you should alpha roll him again (do this only when you have found a good trainer).

If you are persistant and REPEAT exercises the dog will settle - but remember that it takes some time for the dog to understand. No need to be upset, just persistant!

Good Luck and I hope the vet. will fix his bad eye. It warmed my heart to hear your story on how you received your darling. Way to go girl!!!!!!

GIRLPOWER hahahahahah!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WorkinDogz]

Augustus'Mom;

I understood you to say you're meeting with Mr. Story over the Labor Day weekend. Did I misread that??

I assumed with him being a trainer (and by the sounds of his posts; a darn good one!) and you "meeting with him" that he would be your Trainer. (Even if you're only meeting him "one day".....he has the advantage of ACTUALLY being able to SEE your dog; and unless you hold your boy REAL CLOSE to the monitor; that's an advantage NONE OF THE REST OF US has )

Although much good advice can be received from the forum; not much replaces hands-on/EYES-on evaluation of YOU and the dog

Much can be learned via the internet....but IMHO, dog training should be accomplished the old fashioned way. By working with a trainer who can modify YOUR techniques and evaluate your dog using their own eyes and experience.

Especially when you're talking about something like an "alpha roll"....there is a "right way" and a wrong way. The right way can be helpful. The wrong way can make matters worse. Some things REALLY ARE black and white; as much a people would LOVE to believe there is a "grey area" in everything.

[Augustus`s mom]

Stubborn is my middle name!! I`m keeping up the training, but at a lighter pace til I meet with the Forum member this weekend. A reputable, educated and trusted man from what I`ve read here on this site. Gus does seem to be challenging ME and ME alone. He doesn`t act this way with my hubby, kids, friends,etc. Also it only happens when he`s in the main living area of our home. Not in the yard when we`re playing or when I walk him. This week it`s hotter than he--, so we play on the lower level of the house that opens to the back yard and patio area. I`m trying to stay away from the things that trigger his bad behavior til I learn how to deal with it the correct way. It`s going to be a long week for Gus and I but I know all of you are there for support and that really helps keep me going. Carole

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