Puppy training advice please! - Page 1

I have a 10 week old pup who was purchased for sport, first one specifically for sport. He's a litlle monster and I not only expected that but rather enjoy it, to a point! My problem is biting the wrong thing. I've read all of the advice about redirecting and that works sometimes but the rascal will go around the toy and bite my hand instead. My trainer showed me some games to play to build drives and confidence (both he already excels in). I sit on the floor with my legs opened and have him chase a rag over my legs, behind my back, and when he gets it I will only tug and then let him have it when he has a full grip. He's so proud! BUT when he's chasing the rag he comes for me, bites my legs, toes, even my back, anything he can get his teeth into.  And he bites HARD, when he snaps his jaws you can hear it in another room! I don't want to do anything wrong with him but I also want him to understand I'm not the bait. I always wear heavy jeans, shoes and long a long sleeved cotton shirt under a sweatshirt, his teeth still go through! Don't get me wrong, I'm loving his drives but need a better way to redirect. I'm on my way out the door to do some short tracks with him, a couple long ones with Drake and hopefully when I get back I'll have some suggestions waiting.  Thanks.

Congratulation on your new puppy.   He is at such a fun age.  

You mention he is doing this when you are playing with the rag.  So while you are moving the rag he is always after the rag, but when you stop he then starts biting you?   If this is the case, one thing you might try is when he starts getting all crocodile with you, end the game, put him in his crate and walk away until he settles. I wouldn't make a big deal of it, just pick him up & put him in his crate until he calms down. 

Or is he biting you while you are moving the rag for him? 

It's so hard to say without actually seeing what he is doing to you, or  seeing what he's like.  I know when mine have been little like yours is now,  I would get "mauled" in the way you describe, but it never really bothered me.  That could mean your pup is much more crazy than what I've experienced or  you have a lower tolerance than I do, who knows! 

What does your trainer say about it?

Buy a flirt pole for now.  The only source of movement will be your rag/tug on the end of the flirt pole.  After a bit of this, the dog will be looking for the tug/rag. 

Right now your hand and arm is moving as much as the rag.  Why wouldn't it be considered prey?

He is actually biting at my leg as the tug is taken over it. He will also go for my hand in motion as opposed to the tug.  I took him to the trainer last week for the first time and this was when he showed me how to play.  I didn't go today, it's only 7 degrees F and didn't think I could keep him out in these temps for over an hour.  I will discuss it with him but needed advice in the interim.  I have done no corrections as yet, didn't want to do it wrong, I've only redirected so far and when it doesn't work I don't play much longer   I'm not into pain. The flirt pole sounds like it might work but he is also going after stationary body parts while the rag/tug is in motion.  It's like he's doing the hunt but wants to bite something else while he's waiting to pounce. He is starting to understand eh eh eh but it's too late when he's got a grip, then it's all fun on his part, pain on mine and I have to pry his jaw open which isn't easy either, he's got one hell of a grip! Even when I pick him up I have to watch where his head is because he'll reach around and grip my upper arm, I know to keep him well clear of my face!  Like I said, he's a little monster, exactly what I was looking for but that bite needs directed to something other than my flesh.  Thank you for the advice, I knew I could count on you guys.

The flirt pole is a great idea.