Puppy Biting While On Walks - 16 Weeks

[mscindyvee]

^^^^ THIS ^^^^

e-collar is to reinforce your command. If they don't understand the command they cannot understand the reinforcement so can't connect how to respond to the stimulus. Also, if/when you purchase, don't buy any e-collar that doesn't have at least 100 settings. The cheap ones at pet stores have 10 - 15 settings and you'll find #4 doesn't do anything and #5 makes them squeal. These are the things that give e-collars a bad name.


^^^^ and THIS ^^^^

Best thing you can do for your dog is train with other puppies his age with an instructor who understands working breeds. Some people & puppies do OK at pet store classes, but I can't recommend them for a feisty Doberpup.

I would never want to do that so thank you for that tip. Right now, I am just going to have a consultation with a trainer so I can learn to be a better leader. He doesn’t nip my boyfriend as much or get as persistent as he does with me so I figure I am doing something wrong, not Chulo.

 

[Ravenbird]

Pretty sure I am not the only one here that has never used one and likely never will. Not what I would consider 'required' for training most Dobermans.

There are certainly lots of people who don't have to use an e-collar and plenty of dogs that don't need one. I never needed one nor had a dog that needed one until the dog I have now. I thought I was pretty smart, savvy trainer and knew plenty about behavior and training and that I would never need that kind of "help". Well, I was wrong. My motto now is "train the dog in front of you". Not all methods work for all dogs. Dogs end up in shelters and euthanized because owners don't want to be seen as "cruel" or have to explain why they have a prong or an e-collar on their dog. The dog ends up out of control and the person gives up. There are a LOT of Dobermans now that are very headstrong, independent and push their owners to the brink - I encourage anyone to train with Firm but Fair ways in whatever method works best to solve the problems at hand. I don't believe in telling people that they are failing because they have to use stronger tools.

 

[Rits]

There are certainly lots of people who don't have to use an e-collar and plenty of dogs that don't need one. I never needed one nor had a dog that needed one until the dog I have now. I thought I was pretty smart, savvy trainer and knew plenty about behavior and training and that I would never need that kind of "help". Well, I was wrong. My motto now is "train the dog in front of you". Not all methods work for all dogs. Dogs end up in shelters and euthanized because owners don't want to be seen as "cruel" or have to explain why they have a prong or an e-collar on their dog. The dog ends up out of control and the person gives up. There are a LOT of Dobermans now that are very headstrong, independent and push their owners to the brink - I encourage anyone to train with Firm but Fair ways in whatever method works best to solve the problems at hand. I don't believe in telling people that they are failing because they have to use stronger tools.

So agree on training the dog in front of you. Even between my two, they each are different in their training needs. I also personally would never take my dogs somewhere offleash without an ecollar on for their safety (and others). Ripley has a great recall and has been called off while in drive but I don't want to take any chances that 1 time she may blow me off and can't hear me because she's got her blinders and earplugs in due to prey drive. All it takes is that one time for a mistake... they aren't robots!

 

[Gilbertiv]

Hi there! I have a Dobie (Chulo) who is about to be 16 weeks and is smart, eager to learn, but will occasionally attack me while we’re on walks. I know he’s trying to play because I see his tail wagging, but sometimes he gets my skin and draws blood. I have tried redirecting with a toy, grabbing his muzzle gently while petting him and saying “settle” “no biting” and then releasing when I feel him relax and calm down. But he’s only getting bigger and stronger and eventually I’m not going to be able to hold the leash far enough so that he can’t reach me or be able to gently muzzle him. When he gets mouthy in the house, walking away and giving him a “time out” works fairly well because he does not want to be separated (we also keep a house line on him at all times) but I can’t do that while outside on a walk. Any suggestions?

Mine is 11 week problem walking pulling biting, frozen, getting worse not better what collar should I go with ?

 

[Ravenbird]

Mine is 11 week problem walking pulling biting, frozen, getting worse not better what collar should I go with ?

Collar at this age should just be a plain flat collar. You would benefit most from training games that get your puppy to pay attention for just a minute or two at a time. Long walks for potty or exercise should be for fun & games at this age with some short lessons of looking at you or luring into positions. Biting is always off limits and you could say No, then offer a tug or ball for distraction.

 

[mscindyvee]

There are certainly lots of people who don't have to use an e-collar and plenty of dogs that don't need one. I never needed one nor had a dog that needed one until the dog I have now. I thought I was pretty smart, savvy trainer and knew plenty about behavior and training and that I would never need that kind of "help". Well, I was wrong. My motto now is "train the dog in front of you". Not all methods work for all dogs. Dogs end up in shelters and euthanized because owners don't want to be seen as "cruel" or have to explain why they have a prong or an e-collar on their dog. The dog ends up out of control and the person gives up. There are a LOT of Dobermans now that are very headstrong, independent and push their owners to the brink - I encourage anyone to train with Firm but Fair ways in whatever method works best to solve the problems at hand. I don't believe in telling people that they are failing because they have to use stronger tools.

Thank you so much for that perspective and I totally agree that there is no “one size fits all” approach for every single dog, let alone, every single Dobie. My boy is great mannered for being so young and I have recently made an appointment to work with a trainer on the biting episodes while on leash. I am hopeful that I’ll be able to redirect his hyperactivity ! I will keep the group updated!

 

[mscindyvee]

So agree on training the dog in front of you. Even between my two, they each are different in their training needs. I also personally would never take my dogs somewhere offleash without an ecollar on for their safety (and others). Ripley has a great recall and has been called off while in drive but I don't want to take any chances that 1 time she may blow me off and can't hear me because she's got her blinders and earplugs in due to prey drive. All it takes is that one time for a mistake... they aren't robots!

Thank you! I can definitely see the value of using an eCollar for reinforcing the recall to make sure he stays safe . I appreciate the perspective!

 

[mscindyvee]

Collar at this age should just be a plain flat collar. You would benefit most from training games that get your puppy to pay attention for just a minute or two at a time. Long walks for potty or exercise should be for fun & games at this age with some short lessons of looking at you or luring into positions. Biting is always off limits and you could say No, then offer a tug or ball for distraction.

One thing that has been successful with getting my pup to move when he stops is to say “this way! This way! This way!” in a rapid, high-pitched, excited tone while also tapping my leg and it excites him to want to follow me. Try it out!

 

[mscindyvee]

Collar at this age should just be a plain flat collar. You would benefit most from training games that get your puppy to pay attention for just a minute or two at a time. Long walks for potty or exercise should be for fun & games at this age with some short lessons of looking at you or luring into positions. Biting is always off limits and you could say No, then offer a tug or ball for distraction.

I agree. I also heard that since their bones are still fragile, using a flat collar is best to not injure them and it should not be pulled hard on them. Try and redirect the biting to toys but I have found not leaving them all out at once worked best with my pup so he doesn’t get desensitized and gets excited. Nyla bones have been great to help him get the chew out as well. Also implementing a short training session with every feeding has been helpful too! He’s adorable!!!

 

[mscindyvee]

Hi all! Just wanted to give an update that Chulo’s biting has improved drastically! I took much of your recommendations and using firm “no,” ensuring I am the leader by going in/out of doors first, making him work for his food, implementing work during play, and using a squirt water bottle (only two times or so) all helped him with his bite inhibition. He now rarely ever bites me and even if he does accidentally, he does not bite down. He is doing so great so I wanted to share and say thank you for all the advice and guidance. It truly helped and is entirely appreciated.

Middle photo is him with his dad!

 

[Ravenbird]

Thanks for the update - and lovely photos!

 

[WANTED]

Hi there! I have a Dobie (Chulo) who is about to be 16 weeks and is smart, eager to learn, but will occasionally attack me while we’re on walks. I know he’s trying to play because I see his tail wagging, but sometimes he gets my skin and draws blood. I have tried redirecting with a toy, grabbing his muzzle gently while petting him and saying “settle” “no biting” and then releasing when I feel him relax and calm down. But he’s only getting bigger and stronger and eventually I’m not going to be able to hold the leash far enough so that he can’t reach me or be able to gently muzzle him. When he gets mouthy in the house, walking away and giving him a “time out” works fairly well because he does not want to be separated (we also keep a house line on him at all times) but I can’t do that while outside on a walk. Any suggestions?

I agree mostly with Ravenbird . Don't play when he gets like that and react sternly with a loud NO and jerk leash, be consistent. Remember he's a puppy and will test you, my girl did that until about 5/6 months.