Pet Control for the Elderly.?

Question

My grandparents have recently bought a new miniature schnauzer puppy and are having problems handling it. When it gets hyper it gets a little out of control. We know that walking it enough will help control this but we are talking about the elderly here and they just don't have the energy to walk it for an hour a day. Another thing that the dog is doing is that it has a bitting problem. It doesn't just nip, it bites when it plays with somebody. Not when ever, but always! But by no means is it an aggressive bite, but I want to make sure that it does not develop into one. If someone could help me with this question and help control this bitting black blur that buzzes around my grandparents feet at 90 mph, that would be a great help.
thanks,
Mr. Discus!

the dog gets some walking but not as much as it should.

Answer 1

It is never a good idea to let Puppy play with your hands or feet – no matter how cute it seems. This teaches Puppy it is OK to bite skin. Even though tiny puppies playing tug-of-war with your big finger is cute, it is teaching a very bad habit! Never let a puppy do something once that you do not want him to repeat. It is far easier to prevent bad habits from developing that it is to retrain an older puppy or adult dog. Here are two techniques to teach puppy not bite. Technique #1 is less physical and I recommend it first. It may take a few days or so for puppy to catch on. Technique #2 involves physically stopping puppy. Some puppies (or dogs) may actually perceive this as a challenge to try again so I do not recommend it is as much.

Technique #1 – yelp and walk away:

Puppies are very social creatures and refusing to engage in play can be an effective training technique. As soon as puppy starts to bite or nip, give a loud, yelping OUCH!!! Glare at the pup, get up and move away. After a minute or so, get a toy and return to puppy. Encourage the puppy to play with the toy. If he goes for you with a nip, repeat yelping and walking away.

Technique #2 – shake can:

If puppy does not respond to a verbal command only, try a shake can. Get an empty and clean soda can and place about 10 pennies in it. Tape the mouth shut. When your pup starts to nip, give the verbal command and at the same time give the can a good shake or drop it next to puppy (not on him please). This will help reinforce the verbal command. As soon as he stops, praise and give him a good toy to chew.

Technique #3 – shake down:

If Techniques 1 and 2 fail, then try this. I am not as fond of it as it involves physically grabbing the pup for reinforcing the "No Bite!". Start with a loud yelping OUCH; at the same time as you grasp the loose skin on puppy's neck. Give a firm scruff but not a shake and firmly say "NO BITE!" Do not pull puppy up and away, just scruff him. Release puppy and get him involved with a good toy. After a while, stop the scruff and just use the verbal.

Play Initiated Nipping

Certain games encourage biting and should be avoided when working on "No Bite": tug-of-war (my dogs are not allowed to play this with humans until they are well aware of the "pack hierarchy" and will release the toy when told to.); chase and tackle games; and other games where you actively encourage the puppy to bite a person. Dangling treats and encouraging a puppy to jump for then can encourage snapping for food as well as injure growing joints. If you play tug-of-war make certain YOU start the game and YOU stop it. If puppy brings you a toy and encourages you to play, reverse the rules (see NILIF below).

Nothing in Life is Free:

It is also a good idea to get your puppy used to working for things – even play time. Before you feed puppy, have him sit and then feed. Do the same before leashing up for a walk. If the puppy brings a toy and asks you to play, turn tables and do a bit of training then play. Puppy learns that if he listens and obeys and does something, there will be a reward. This also helps establish humans as higher in the pack order.

Should your dog continue to bite and not respond or if the biting is accompanied with aggression, growling or anything you do not like, contact a behaviorist. Also, have your dog examined by a vet. There could be an underlying factor for the biting. A dog that is sore or not feeling well may bite. It is his way of saying something is not right. Also, a poorly socialized or scared dog is more prone to bite, as is a startled one. Teach your children NEVER EVER touch a dog, even one they know, without the owner's permission. Teach them never to handle a stray or loose animal, even if they know it. Children should contact a grown-up instead. Teach children not to tease or hurt dogs. Even the most tolerant dog can be pushed past his limit and retaliate. Even if the children are plainly at fault, it will be the dog that suffers. Prevention is the key.

Answer 2

I know this is never a nice thing to think about, but i think this puppy is just too much for your grandparents right now. I know that animal shelters are FULL, as i used to volunteer at one. But i think you should possibly try re-homing this dog, either by talking to a rescue group, or finding someone you know who could give this puppy the time and attention it needs. If this puppy ever bit just a little too hard, it could do more damage to your grandparents than it could to you or me. I hate to say it, but i think this puppy needs to find a new home. Your grandparents just don't have the energy that this puppy has. He would be better suited for an active family with the energy to care for and train a small puppy. And if your grandparents still want a dog, think about looking at your local animal shelters for an older and Much Calmer dog, one that they can handle. I hope this helps....i don't know if it is what you wanted to hear.

Answer 3

I appreciate all of your concern for your elderly grandparents...Just how elderly are they.? and where were you when they picked out a fast buzzing torpedo.....why didn't someone help them with a more laid back dog and not a full blown puppy.
Your grandparents can take care of the dog .
They might be elderly, but I don't think they are stupid. Let them live their own life and you go over and walk the dog for them or build a dog run for the pup.

68 year old grandparent with 5 dogs and a koi/goldfish pond and 2 cats.

Answer 4

Have your Grandparents employ one of the neighborhood teens to daily walk their dog. As for the biting, buy squirt guns and explain to your grandparents that everytime the puppy bites, squirt him! An easy way to curb bad behavior, and physically easy enough for all!

Answer 5

Try to convince your grandparents that if they seriously can not walk the dog for atleast an hour a day, to give you the pup and find and adopt an older dog, there are tons in shelters that need homes and they can help your grandparents find the one that is right for them.....

goodluck