A houseguest had my new pup (4 months) all worked up by playing a game, should I tell her not to?

Question

She (the human) does this thing where she pokes the dog with her foot or hand, then draws it back so the dog instinctively lunges at her hand/foot and nips it.

I am obviously trying really hard at this point to discourage all nipping and jumping at people. This game had her all in a frenzy. Should I just ask people nicely not to play games like thta with her, at least while she is so young and not fully trained yet?

Answer 1

DEFINATELY. Most problems with dog behaviour begin at the age of 8 - 16 weeks, what starts off as a game for puppy, turns into a problem at 6 months, when pups teeth actually make deep cuts, the pup is so big it knocks people over, and eventually the owner labels the dog as bad and gives it away for some other sucker to try to remedy and re-train, or worse still it gets put down along with the multitudes of mis managed, untrained pets.

Tell them NO, no, no.

You keep up the good work of your teaching and stop letting others come along and undo it all. After all, will they be around in another 10 years with a dog that is still intolerable, or just you!!!

Answer 2

If she was teaching your kids to pick fights with other kids in the neighborhood would you stop her?

If she drove your car and was peeling out at intersections and running red lights would you stop her?

If she came into your house and rearranged your furniture and threw out all your houseplants would you stop her?

If she borrowed your chain saw and started using it to cut a hole in the corner of your house would you stop her?

Of course you should stop her. You don't have to be offensive about it (although it's entirely possible she may decide to take offense - but that's her problem, not yours), just tell her, with a smile, that you're trying to train your dog not to be aggressive and you don't allow the dog to show aggressive behavior even in play. If she has any social sense at all, she'll offer you a quick apology and stop. If she doesn't have any sense and either continues to do it or tries to excuse it ("Oh, it won't hurt your puppy to have a little fun once in a while") - don't say anything else, just pick up your pup, take him to another room in the house, close the door, return and continue your visit where you left off. In other words, if your words don't resolve the problem, your actions will.

Your dog is, among other things, both your property and your responsibility. You would not let anyone misuse other things that belong to you, nor would you allow them to use things that belong to you in an irresponsible fashion. Your dog is no exception.

Answer 3

I would absolutely tell your house guest not to play this type of game. She's teaching the dog a bad habit and it may be hard to break when the time comes. You can very nicely just tell her that you're trying to teach the dog not to bite and jump. I have a friend who has an annoying little dog that jumps up and bites her in the face and she thinks it's cute and funny. When the dog does it to me I am not amused and sometimes it actually hurts a little. I have started to avoid both of them for this reason. Good Luck.

Answer 4

yes, I don't allow that type of rough play with my dog, because when the dog gets bigger he won't know when to stop. He'll think he's playing but maybe hurt someone for real.I just explain it that way, and people are generally understanding.

Answer 5

Absolutely!

Answer 6

i don't have young ones yet I play. i don't particularily want violent console video games. I play them for the plots and the sense of fulfillment one gets from defeating a or many CGI enemies. 3 of my everyday video games are Dante's Inferno,Darksiders and devil might Cry. there is your religious perspective.

Answer 7

encourage people to play with a ball or a toy and play fetch tell them not to play games that encouge the dog to bite people

Answer 8

I think that you are a fantastic dog owner, I wish more people would think like you, there would be a lot less dog attacks and mauling .

Answer 9

Stop this immediately!!! Your dog is going to be the one to suffer for this abuse when she starts to retaliate and turns into a biter!

Answer 10

YES! Tell all of them!!! This your dog, you are the only one to say what is acceptable and unacceptable in your home.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!