11 month old nippy and bitey

[Renzo Red]

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

 

[Js4fn]

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

 

[LifeofRubie]

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.

 

[Ravenbird]

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.

 

[Fladobe]

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

 

[JanS]

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.

 

[Ddski5]

Well…you are past teething, so that’s not it.

You have your self a Doberman that is yearning for stimulation. If you don’t stimulate him, then he will find a way to stim himself. Being locked in a crate just because he doesn’t know any better is not fair and really not his fault. Do you do daily training or stimulation with him to drain his physical and mental energies?

You should have basic obedience already trained at 11months and if you have not, then you better start or Renzo Red is going to continue on with his shenanigans. Like I said, he just looking to feed his hunger for stimulation.

Not all Dobermans are the same. My 1st Doberman was a fricking manic beast that had to be drained daily. He was literally go go go all the time. My current Doberman has a wonderful on and off button and will chill/relax on command.

You are not going to change Renzo Red into a passive Doberman but what you can do is redirect his energy with training. I worked all day long, came home tired and did 1 hour of training everyday 7 days a week with obedience commands. I was determined that mine was not going to become a crackhead Doberman. Took a lot of work, energy, time, patience and discipline but we did it. No I did not curb him of his crazy antics but what I did do was make disciplined boundaries through the obedience training.

BTW…we did not train for entire 60mins. Always started with some play first to get him happy then eased the obedience training in there for 30 mins and then finished on a good note and a little more play.

You can do it…just have to get your arse out there and teach/train him.

Good luck.

 

[BGpa]

When we took Bonnie at 5 months to get help on BO training for US and her, at the place we got help with a big strong GSD rescue two dogs back, they recommended

1. at least an hour a day of exercise- walk,
and
2. another period of play/interaction/training mixed in of 30 min.

And
3. we found Bonnie had another active period we filled with play and chew toys and she conked after...boom like a tired toddler lights out.

If you can maintain a regular schedule you'll find the rest periods in between become natural, and you can use the crate to reinforce that, inc open door covered with a blanket- its their den where they go to switch off the first ever trainer told me- a dog psychologist and breeder, and behavioral trainer 30 years ago. Its not punishment, its the refuge.

If you cant walk, jog, bike or hike trails at least an hour a day, hire help or think hard on what you want...a PITA or a happy dog.
A tired dog is a happy dog..

This is the advice from the K9 trainer we used: 40 years of experience training, boarding LEO k9s, inc dobes back in the day and now training GSDs, Mals, and other working dogs for several LEAs and Border Patrol. PM and I'll send a link.

Last time I was there they were training and had some rotties and field labs for executive family type clients, but I dont want to misrepresent or appear to be selling...
just an example of where this advice came from...not some rando anon old fart on the innertubes: me.

Its possible this is what you may need help with if this dog is out of your league despite many dobes in past...ask the working line owners and trainers here for other names of trainers in your area who know dobes or how to find one...

One big tip was go to different places, esp with sniffies and you will get twice the bang -an hour of brainwork is equal to an hour of play.

If you have had these dogs before you know this is a LOT but its worth it. You just have one on the "needs more end of spectrum.

Remember what trainers say- dogs go thru periods of "remission" or critical learning periods...they forget or regress a bit...be patient go back to something easier they know and praise and work that.

search archives here or elsewhere, you'll see its not your fault. You just have to back up to the basics, and retrain in effect, until they get back on track.

If the basics WERE weak, then just go back to the beginning. Be creative, try different things. Not every dog learns the same so look for what does turn on the lightbulb and use that.

These dogs WILL train you, if you are not consistent. Try not to let frustration rule you, take a deep breath, find the center of calm...And mostly HAVE FUN!

Its never perfect, just keep at it and suddenly at 2 years in girls and (I read 3 in goofy big boys) that their brains come in and you have the best dog ever!

Amiright? Experts here please give thumbs up and correct if I am wrong...
I am not a trainer so take with handful of salt.

Only 2 girls for me so far but this has worked with both and a handful of other strong stubborn breeds: listen to the dog in front of you, apply kindness, love, patience
Clear communication and boundaries, consistency...treats for incremental inprivements...
And dont forget to give yourself affirmation and rewards too for all your hard work!

 

[GennyB]

if I am sitting on the couch he comes over and starts biting my sides , hands etc hard!

That's when I would grab the gear to have a quick training session. I find it does 2 things, first distract from biting and tells him I'm in charge here.
I would also start working with the command "leave it". Start with short and sweet little moments of a treat in your hand not far from his face. Say leave it and close your hand if he tries. After he leaves it quickly free him or whatever release word you use. He will quickly learn some impulse/self control.