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11 month old nippy and bitey

Renzo Red

New Member
11 month old nippy and bitey ... he does not know how to settle! if I am sitting on the couch he comes over and starts biting my sides , hands etc hard! I grab him by the scruff and he turns and bites me harder .... he def thinks its a game! he is now 70 lbs and all I can do to protect myself is grab him and get him in the crate... he comes out and has calmed down until I am relaxing again on the couch. please advise ... this is my 6th doberman and I never dealt with this ever but I had all of them neutered at 6 months.. he is intact
 
Neutering won’t fix this behaviour crate should be his safe zone not punishment. Try to get his lip in his mouth so he bites himself then he’ll start to realize how hard he’s biting get up walk way ignore the game he wants to play
 
Please remember that even though he looks like he's an adult (albeit, perhaps a little gangly, yet), he's still got a lot of puppy brain, in there.

What do you do for mental/physical stimulation with him, during the day? He's is ready to chill when you are?

The best thing when they get nippy, IMO, is to basically ignore but redirect. If he's getting on the couch with you while getting nippy, start working on "OFF." (not that he can't then be nippy with four-on-the-floor so, again, redirect his energy).

Just sounds like it's a game to him (to echo was @Js4fn said). Wanting to engage with you is not a bad thing! But totally understand that being nippy is not a desirable trait.
 
What he needs is clear boundaries, knowing what is allowed and what is not. If he knows basic obedience - sit, down, stay, go to place (bed on floor), use that as well as the word NO. As in "No, go lay down". That tells him clearly that biting is a NO, and then you give him something else to do instead. If he doesn't have these basic commands then start teaching that (separately, not when he's misbehaving). Most behavioral problems start because you think you told him "never do this to me" when what he heard is "you gotta go to your crate now, I don't feel like playing". The word NO is universal for "Stop what you are doing right now" and then reinforce it.

He's full of play and energy, this sounds like a game and he's making up the rules. Play games on your terms - use a tug, teach him "out" to let go and then give it back as a reward - this teaches him that by giving you control, you keep playing. Play fetch outside with a ball, again, only bringing it back to you makes the game continue by you throwing it again. The idea is that the fun continues only on your terms. Take him on long walks with lots of time to sniff but without getting out of control pulling or being disrespectful.... and/or do some active training in obedience or agility or nose work with a group. He needs mental stimulation as well as physical and he will be the best dog ever once he looks to you as the one that brings games to him, rather than him pushing you to play.

I got a really high drive pushy Doberman after having two that were totally easy-peasy. She taught me more than I thought I ever needed to know. @Ddski5 also had one that tested his learning curve. They are different and will take more work and more discipline, but they will absolutely make the best dog you ever had.

And I agree with what's stated above: this is nothing to do with being intact and yes he still has a puppy brain and will do some uncalled for things - you are officially entering the Doberteens.
 
Learned something today! Simple technique , a judo move on a pup...better than shoving a toy in their mouth

Neutering won’t fix this behaviour crate should be his safe zone not punishment. Try to get his lip in his mouth so he bites himself then he’ll start to realize how hard he’s biting get up walk way ignore the game he wants to play
 
I agree with the others; especially the part about not letting him up on the couch if he's going to be a brat. Furniture is a privilege, not a right.
 

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