agression or bad behaviour - Page 1

Purchased a male six days before his eight weeks.  His behaviour is that he constantly bites my feet. This started two weeks after he arrived here.  I have had a lot of male dogs and only one female and they have all grown out of this habit.  I know GS are different now than they were 9 years ago, but, have they really changed all that much, or, is it the breeder's lack of affection in the litters.  I socialised my pups - they were breed inside, they were bathed and towelled.  I could not do this with this boy.  I know that he is an ALFA.  He is quite good at school and loves socialising with young and older dogs.  Help

Firstly you should be wearing shoes, i guess you may be walking around in bare feet a certain target for a Puppy if this is so then you know what to do, wear shoes then spray some bitter apple or Lemon on your shoes and ankles he will not like the taste of that stuff and that will put him off
When he does it just pick him up by his loose skin on his neck and give him a little shake and say No' in a sharp voice. He will squeal when you do it and that is good do it everytme he nips or bites, Never hit him in the face or smack him just pick him up as above,
Hektor grabs my Shirt sleeves like ligtnening and i do the same as above he has caught my arms with his teeth that is a natural thing for a Working Pup to do anyway, its a part of his growing up the only thing is when he gets to be grown up that you are the Boss,
As for him being Alfa it is just a part of what the Males in a pack do i would not read to much into it as to what he will or will not be just stop this problem soon but he will grow out of it if you stick to the above
Steve1

Sounds like a normal pup with drive too me. Sorry to say, if you're giving in already and letting a 8 week old pup be "Alpha"????????? then you're screwed. Take him back and exchange him for a pup with no drive.

And if this is a joke, haha.

Just sounds like a normal puppy to me. Make sure he always has something to chew on. Teething is tough on those little guys. It sounds like pray drive and typical litter playing instead of "Alpha" attitude. Also, you might try keeping a leash and harness on him in the house so you can get to him quick. Sounds like he could be a chewer and try to never leave him alone. He will get into trouble quick. Sounds like you have a great pup. You will work it out, just remember they think like animals, not humans. Most of all the mistakes i have made with mine have been attributed to over thinking. Maybe he just wants to play and chew.

A good book to get would be from the Monks. "The art of raising a puppy" or "how to be your dogs best friend"  both these books are very helpful it is normal puppy behavior and should be redirected to a toy. Treat the puppy as a momma would do so and give him a firm shake and roll him on his back. At 8 weeks I dont think he has developed an Alfa mentality yet. From what Ive seen 4 to 5 months you will see the social structure set in place. But those two books are very good in helping with these behaviors amoung the many great books out there. Also on the leerburg website. Your puppy from 8weeks to 8months can be very helpful> Post a picture of the cute boy when you get a chance I would love to see him.

Best of luck with an amazing puppy

Please this is a a puppy.......GS puppies bite.  It is what they do....    It has nothing to do with not socializing a puppy by the breeder. IF they are inside our out -  It is genetic.   Was your prevous GS wl or sl.?

I am unclear on on why it is such a big deal about bathing your puppy.

I would like to ask you - is this a WL or SL - what is your puppy going to be - such as schutzhund, pp, or just a pet?  The biting is something important you need to consider.  First, if you are planning on doing schutzhund or pp - I personally don't think you need to make that biting a bad thing.  IT is a trait you need to embrass - you know he is going to do it - have a rag for your pup to chew on instead of you.  Even if he isn't going to do these types of work - you bought a GSD and it is in their blood - just like herding, prey drive, etc - why would this be a big deal on the biting.........Set him up for success - put on some shoes and keep something for him to chew on when you get him out... 

Just my opinion .


YogieBear

......and friends wonder why I laugh at dog people.

Julie,

I have seen some puppies do this who are also alpha types. I am assuming about the bath and things you mean this puppy is very willful and challenges you maybe with growling and does not back down.

My puppy is not alpha so when she tries to bite i correct her and now she backs off if she just hears me say "eh". But, on another forum i read people who had complaints just like yours and they were bleeding and really bit up and the pup didn't stop no matter what.

Please don't listen to the negative comments people have made as I am sure you are quite upset and that's why you posted for help.

But, another poster made a good suggestion that you might want to exchange that puppy if it is really an alpha and/or high drive if that is not what you are looking for.  I am not embarrassed to say that I did not want an alpha and made sure my puppy was not showing those traits.  So, it's ok if you do this as it will be better for you and the puppy long term.

Otherwise, i would suggest you find a Sch club  as I think they might be experienced with this type of puppy and can give you more suggestions than I can.

Maybe the experienced people on this board can offer you suggestiosn for working with a high drive or alpha puppy. Hopefully, they will respond and help you...

Hnag in there and good luck!

Julie, you must not lay this situation at the door of the Breeder.  That would give you an excuse not to take responsibility for training him.  When that pup enters your Family/Unit, he starts to learn from his new Human Pack.  You also mentioned you wondered if there had been a "lack of affection" - The fact that this is in your mind, are you perhaps being overly gushy with affection? Thinking that the more displays of love, will bring more love from your Pup.  Sadly, not so, if love was enough, the majority of Owners would not have problems or issues would they?

Respect is high on their list, but you need to respond clearly and confidently.  Guiding the puppy to an appropriate behaviour - without bargaining, cooing, asking or persuading!  Guide and show him, not treating him like bone-china, but in a sure of yourself manner.  Add an appropriate word with the behaviour required, and say in a positive way, not in a sheepish fashion!  Then you can say; "What a clever chap" (said with a pleasant approval sound - not gooey and over-excited like you are surprised he co-operated with you)!

Anything done with an attitiude that you strongly disapprove of, ensure you stop it.  As was previously said, if he is biting in a bullish way, grab the scruff of his neck, and actually give a slight lift upwards, so his front paws are lifted up, facing you, and quickly say something that will partner the action indicating that you are far from pleased - simple as "OI, NO"!!!  Hold for afew seconds, for him to feel a sense of "WHOOPS, not a good idea"!!  Then release - but importantly continue naturally and relaxed with what you were doing.  Do NOT bear a grudge.  If you need to repeat then do so, i.e. a sense of 'did you not understand the first time'????  But don't be mincy about this, as he will just feel able to escalate, knowing is that the extent of your firing power!!  LOL.  Don't go mental, but be cool, confident and very determined to him that certain behaviour will NOT be tolerated, and he will be in no doubt by your response!

Make sure you are doing long DOWNS with your boy.  Even have the leash on, and keep him laying down next to you in the room, but prevent from getting up for 15-30 minutes on a daily basis.

Julie, you have probably forgot what it is like having a puppy, and determined confident repetition will have your pup on the straight and narrow in no time.  Remember he becomes what YOU ALLOW him to become - none of my dogs are going to become any where near the Status of Alpha (in fact very few dogs actually want that responsibility) - So take hold of those reins and lead him in a firm but fair direction, that he can feel proud to follow and trust you.


Regards,
Vixen

This is a thread which is going a bit silly. We are talking about an 10 week old Puppy here not a damn full grown dog and what the heck is the good of forcing a 10 week old Puppy to stay in a down postilion for 10 to 15 minutes every day remember it is 10 bloody weeks old
I am afraid if this lady cannot handle a Puppy that age then she best give up dogs altogether i find this is going a bit stupid with some of the replys on how to handle a pup of that age,
As i said in an earlier post wear some damn shoes for if you were the pup would not be attracted to your bare feet what else do you expect, As for being Alfa and that is another word NEVER used over here in Belgium a lot of cods wallop it is to.
What you mean to say the handler is a soft touch
Most Dog training is done by the tone of your commands talk to a dog in a mincy soft voice you will lose out the dog will run you, talk to the dog in a voice and tone which commands respect and it does not mean shouting at the dog and with it your body posture then the Dog will know is place and that applies to all dogs they do know there place but it is the handlers in most part that need training not the dogs
Steve1