Puppy Biting While On Walks - 16 Weeks

[mscindyvee]

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?

 

[Ddski5]

He sure is a handsome boy.

Here’s one of many post to read.

Advice for managing puppy biting?

I want to start by saying I know puppy biting is normal and to be expected! My puppy is 3 months old, so I know we have a long ways to go. However, I am wondering if anyone has some tips to help manage it? Some days are worse than others, but I know most of what his “triggers” are. Most of the...

doberman-chat.com

 

[Ravenbird]

Yes, what @Ddski5 suggested. So many threads in the puppy section and the training section on this topic.

It IS harder to control while trying to take him on walks, but be just as persistent as he is. Use the word NO to let him know that it's totally off limits to bite. Also, if you haven't already, begin teaching sit and down. If he bites while walking you can make him sit or down for a few seconds - kind of like your time-out at home. Don't try playing keep-away with your hands & leash, that just makes everything more lively and game-like to him.

Best of luck, keep us posted on your progress and photos as he grows!

 

[mscindyvee]

He sure is a handsome boy.

Here’s one of many post to read.

Advice for managing puppy biting?

I want to start by saying I know puppy biting is normal and to be expected! My puppy is 3 months old, so I know we have a long ways to go. However, I am wondering if anyone has some tips to help manage it? Some days are worse than others, but I know most of what his “triggers” are. Most of the...

doberman-chat.com

Awww, thank you! I will read that post! I’m so glad I found this forum and a community of Doberman owners!

 

[jazzies mum]

Agree with all the above but will add that you will need to make a BIG effort to remain very calm and low key yourself. He wants to play and any excitement is rewarding for him.

 

[mscindyvee]

Yes, what @Ddski5 suggested. So many threads in the puppy section and the training section on this topic.

It IS harder to control while trying to take him on walks, but be just as persistent as he is. Use the word NO to let him know that it's totally off limits to bite. Also, if you haven't already, begin teaching sit and down. If he bites while walking you can make him sit or down for a few seconds - kind of like your time-out at home. Don't try playing keep-away with your hands & leash, that just makes everything more lively and game-like to him.

Best of luck, keep us posted on your progress and photos as he grows!

Thank you! I had a harness on him and I think that would amo him up more when I would try to keep him away from me when he’s leaping and snapping. Today he did it again but since I had the leash on his collar, I think it slowed him down faster. I am trying to figure out his triggers/moods so I can try and curtail or minimize these scenarios because my legs have taken a beating! I appreciate the guidance!

 

[mscindyvee]

Agree with all the above but will add that you will need to make a BIG effort to remain very calm and low key yourself. He wants to play and any excitement is rewarding for him.

Thank you! That is the hard part of staying calm! I notice that my nervous system gets activated and it causes a LOT of stress! I appreciate the tips!

 

[EricA]

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.

Sometimes things as simple as an immediate and loud / angry sounding 'NO' can be enough to let them know that their level of biting was not appropriate and not going to be 'allowed' or tolerated. That works a lot of the time and especially so when they are young and still learning bite inhibition.

When you watch a pair of young Doberman pups playing together (and learning things like bite inhibition) you may notice how when one gets out of line chewing too hard on the other that the one getting chewed on will let out a loud and sharp yelp to signal to the other that 'that was NOT fun!'. They definitely tend to try the verbal stuff FIRST when they are trying to tell the litter mate that 'enough is enough'.

If you look at the same exact interaction from the perspective of the other dog (the one that did not let out the yelp) -

You can sometimes spot when the one dog has had enough of the chewing from her sibling and decided to put an instant stop to that garbage using a bit more pressure with her teeth. Squeeze until they hear a 'yelp' - They just let the other dog know that playtime was over.

 

[mscindyvee]

I am going to try the loud and immediate “no!” because I think I was afraid of that potentially flaring up his excitement but it seems he might just need that because the gently approach is not working and he’s getting too big! Thank you for the tip!

 

[Ravenbird]

I am going to try the loud and immediate “no!” because I think I was afraid of that potentially flaring up his excitement but it seems he might just need that because the gently approach is not working and he’s getting too big! Thank you for the tip!

Dobermans tend to respond best to "Firm but Fair". Some are more responsive than others, but when you notice your puppy totally blowing you off when you tell them something, chances are you are not being firm enough. One person said you can't ask a Doberman puppy to do something, you have to tell them.

 

[EricA]

Dobermans tend to respond best to "Firm but Fair". Some are more responsive than others, but when you notice your puppy totally blowing you off when you tell them something, chances are you are not being firm enough. One person said you can't ask a Doberman puppy to do something, you have to tell them.

Back during the scamdemic when (some) Vet clinics would not let the humans come inside - I took the girls for a weight check and they sent a pair of Vet assistant young ladies outside to bring the girls in and check them. The one girl asked if they followed commands and that is EXACTLY what I told her. 'If you TELL them and not 'ask' them they do'.

I even gave her an example. Once she took the lead she disregarded everything I had said and -

The Dober girls (both) drug those poor girls inside like they were freaking toys attached to the ends of their leashes!

I had a pinch collar on the one girl to make sure she did not drag one of them around even and instead of using the leash (and pinch collar) that I had ON the girl she declined and used her own leash that she brought instead.

Some people do not listen and have to learn things the hard way. (or never learn at all because they choose not to listen)

 

[EricA]

I am going to try the loud and immediate “no!” because I think I was afraid of that potentially flaring up his excitement but it seems he might just need that because the gently approach is not working and he’s getting too big! Thank you for the tip!

Which is WHY you want to nip this in the bud sooner rather than later.

 

[mscindyvee]

Back during the scamdemic when (some) Vet clinics would not let the humans come inside - I took the girls for a weight check and they sent a pair of Vet assistant young ladies outside to bring the girls in and check them. The one girl asked if they followed commands and that is EXACTLY what I told her. 'If you TELL them and not 'ask' them they do'.

I even gave her an example. Once she took the lead she disregarded everything I had said and -

The Dober girls (both) drug those poor girls inside like they were freaking toys attached to the ends of their leashes!

I had a pinch collar on the one girl to make sure she did not drag one of them around even and instead of using the leash (and pinch collar) that I had ON the girl she declined and used her own leash that she brought instead.

Some people do not listen and have to learn things the hard way. (or never learn at all because they choose not to listen)

Thank you! Today I have been practicing on approaching him as “I am telling you, not asking you” and I can say I have seen a small progress which is all I am wanting! This behavior of his is mainly when I have him on the leash so today I did have to grab his collar to keep him from lunging at me and then commanded him to sit and then settle, which he did. I will keep everyone posted on his progress!

 

[Kaiser2016]

This behavior of his is mainly when I have him on the leash

Yes, one of the lessons to learn about Dobermans is that they should be kept on leash for 2 years. They must earn their freedom by demonstrating their obedience while ON leash. Of course we didn’t do this because we didn’t know better and it was an uphill battle. An eCollar helped to solve that problem.

 

[mscindyvee]

At what point did you start using an eCollar? Did you get training on how to use it? I have heard that they can be used at any age and have been considering it but I am still on the fence. Thank you!

 

[Kaiser2016]

At what point did you start using an eCollar? Did you get training on how to use it? I have heard that they can be used at any age and have been considering it but I am still on the fence. Thank you!

We started at age 4. Reputable trainers will tell you nothing earlier than 2 and I agree with that even though it makes life hard until you get there.

 

[Rits]

Good rule of thumb with ecollars is if they don't understand what you are asking them 99% of the time with no ecollar, you are not ready for an ecollar. Your pup is a baby so no ecollar for quite a long time!!

Do you have him signed up for obedience classes? If not, I would get him signed up for one, today!

 

[Ravenbird]

Good rule of thumb with ecollars is if they don't understand what you are asking them 99% of the time with no ecollar, you are not ready for an ecollar.

^^^^ 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.

Do you have him signed up for obedience classes? If not, I would get him signed up for one, today!

^^^^ 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.

 

[EricA]

At what point did you start using an eCollar? Did you get training on how to use it? I have heard that they can be used at any age and have been considering it but I am still on the fence. Thank you!

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.

 

[mscindyvee]

Good rule of thumb with ecollars is if they don't understand what you are asking them 99% of the time with no ecollar, you are not ready for an ecollar. Your pup is a baby so no ecollar for quite a long time!!

Do you have him signed up for obedience classes? If not, I would get him signed up for one, today!

I have just reached out to a trainer today that is my boyfriend’s friend so those are on the way!