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

[mscez]

Augustus`s mom, boy I can really sympathize with you on this one! First thing, have you checked the archives for similar questions? There is a search button just under the "Post New Topic" and "Post Reply" buttons, upper left....

You'll find a variety of answers there--from screeching "Aaaakkkk" when he gets to nipping, to bitter apple spray, to redirection of biting towards an appropriate item.

Know also, it's a phase they go through. (Great big heavy sigh!) that doesn't make it any easier to deal with, I know, but there's comfort in knowing you're not alone.

Good Luck!


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Connie Z. & Luke
(MsCEZ)

[AngelBunny]

Augustus`s mom:

Where did you get your dog? Dr. Jeykell one minute, Mr. Hyde the next isn't normal.

You say your 6 mo old puppy is "already bigger" than you--how *big* is your puppy??

[2RottieMom]

Comparing your pup to what you used to have isn't the same. In my opinion from what you are saying, your trainer wants you to muzzle the pup and then get him to bite? That doesn't sound quite right to me. Pups do teeth even after their baby teeth are out but to go after your face, isn't teething to me. I've used bitter apple spray on Dakota and it worked. When he starts biting on something that he isn't suppose to, I grab a bone or toy of his and give it to him.

[SantaCruzHumane]

You need a new trainer, someone who can really evaluate what this behavior represents (uncontrolled play vs. aggression) I can tell you that no ethical trainer will muzzle a dog, then cause it pain to elicit biting so that corrections can be applied. You don't teach calming behavior this way.

[Ethár]

Oh dear....

Your trainer is NO GOOD!!!! Don't listen to him.

Hmmm 6 months old... If you go to my homesite and read under the link "Development" you can read following for your dogs age:

12-16 weeks: Half sexual maturity First period with problems. The hormones increases. This can express as aggresivity. The dog tries to climb in rang. The puppy has to be put in its place. It is now important to start the "environmental training" (see link).
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It is vital to put the pup in its place BUT NOT be cruel with muzzel and hitting like your trainer says. Persistance and to be MORE stubborn than the pup is important. Of course you have to give him "hell" if trying to bite you - but you have to be fair.

If you want to read about environmental training and good activities to do with your dog please go to my site: http://home.swipnet.se/ethar/totte/default.htm

Press the link "In English" if you don't understand Swedish.

I strongly believe that if you start with environmental training and ACTIVITIES your dogs bad energy will be directed in good energy.

Good Luck and let us know!

Even if you keep your trainer you must not go along with EVERYTHING that he says. Speak also to other trainers.

[Echowe]

Augustus's mom,
This is what I would do and I am sure many might not agree with me.
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.

[Carol Burke]

I agree with Echowe. It sounds as though this dog is out of control and needs a very firm correction to get the message. It is not normal for a six month old to act like this. Yes, mouthing, but not aggressively going after you.

Get control and get a new trainer.

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Carol
Darrlburg Rottweilers

[Augustus`s mom]

Thanks to all!! The muzzle is in the trash!! As to his size, the wrong food (too much protein and fat according to the help of the nutrition forum) might have caused him to grow too fast. He`s on the right food now. I haven`t measured him, but I can pet him on the back while standing, and he can put his front paws on my shoulders. Last vet check one month ago he was 70 lbs. I`ll check the archives, and your site, Ethar. Our trainer is a SchH trainer who also does all breed classes. Maybe that type of training is required to train for the sport? I have no idea. My dog has SchH III titles going back to Santo in his pedigree,so the trainer seems to be much more strict with him than he is with the other dogs in the classes. I just want a good housedog. Anyone know of a good trainer in the St. Louis, MO area, please PM me. Again, thanks to all of you for any help you can give. I AM as stubborn as Gus is. I won`t give up on him! Love him too much!!! Carole

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[rottmommie]

i agree wholeheartedly with echowe....this is called taking the alpha stance. i have repeatedly done this with my boy, and it works....but you cannot let him get up until he submits by looking away., otherwise HE WINS. I LOVE MY DOG. BUT I DONT LOVE HIM ENOUGH TO LET HIM GET PUT DOWN SOMEDAY BECAUSE HE HURT SOMEBODY!!!! this comes with the kind advice of my veterinarian. I also think you need a new trainer. POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT WORKS. FIND a trainer that uses positive reinforcement for the training method.

[Augustus`s mom]

Please advise on how to get my 6 mth. old to stop biting me. He`ll be just fine one minute, chewing on his cow hoof or pig ear. All of the sudden he jumps up, out of control!! He jumps in my face, biting at whatever part of me he can reach!! Very frightening!! He`s in weekly classes (even did one month of boarding school), is crated when unsupervised, walked at least twice a day, gets a lot of "free" time to run in the backyard (I`m always in the yard, too). My trainer`s solution is to muzzle him, then try to get him to bite by pinching his side or back and hit the muzzle when he tries to bite. This is not working for me. He hates the muzzle and works it off. I hate the muzzle, too! There must be another way. Trainer says I must stay "on top of the dog", but how? I know he`s just a teething baby, and it will be a couple years, or more, till he is mature. But he`s already bigger than me!! He`s friendly and very loveable one second and ALL MOUTH the next. We use the prong collar whenever he`s not crated (trainer`s rule #1).I`m a first time rottie owner, but the Am Staf I had for twelve years never did ths! Please HELP!!!!

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[Augustus`s mom]

Sticking a chew toy in his mouth when he starts to bite me does seem to be working. I am having a little trouble doing the alpha stance on him. Do I hold his face still with my body weight while I stare into his eyes? I tried sitting on him after getting him down, putting my arms on his head and looking down into his eyes. His back end comes up and he stuggles to back up from under me. Am I doing it right? I`m determined to get control of Gus. Should someone else help keep him down, or should I do it alone? Maybe lay out on top of him so he can`t back out from underneath? I`m a petite woman, but I`ll try anything!! Also THANK YOU to the senior member who agreed to meet with me at the upcoming show in St. Louis. Thanks so much to all of you on the forum!!!! Don`t know what I`d do without your help!! Don`t worry, I won`t let you down. Gus WILL become the kind of dog you all can be proud of, I promise!!!! Carole

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[Tenaj]

Carole, One day if you and I keep training and asking questions and being patient, hopefully we'll both have Gus' this forum can be proud of!!! http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif Janet

[Augustus`s mom]

Janet, you made me smile for the first time today. Thanks, I really needed it! Carole

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[poncho]

Echowe is right. My friend inherited a Pittbull male at 6months. The prevous owner used to wrestle, play tug etc etc. My friends Pit would start biteing towards your hand, if you backed away scarred he would come at you more agressive, the more you shielded yourself the harder he came.The first time I petted this dog he tried to turn his head to bite my arm, I grabed him by the choke and corrected him to the ground. I stood up after I corrected him, to explain to my friend why I had just done this to his dog. While explaining the dang thing jumped up to playfully attack me, I kneed him in the chest, sounds cruel some may disagree but these dogs and Rotts sometimes need harsh and immediate discipline so they know never to challenge or mess with us the 2 legged alpha's.

I instructed my friend to do this everytime his Pit wanted to bite him juring play or pets to start a game. After two times this dog has not bitten him once. I will not tolerate biteing of myself or any persons by my dog(s)even if I or the person is at fault for it. If my dog(s) continue bitteing after IMO, strict firm but fair discipline that spells out that this behavior will not be tolerated that dog will be put down.Do not think you can firmly correct these dogs with firm NO's and a simple correction with a prong or choke sometimes firm harsh and swift corrections will be necessary.

Loose your trainer he is a moron, he is conditioning your dog to bite just not you or him/her.......

Poncho

[Tenaj]

You're welcome Carole! Keep up the good work and keep that chin up! These puppies are something else at this age, aren't they? My Gus is almost 6 months also. What a handful! http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif