I have a 10 week old lab/rott/pit bull male and he's doing really well so far. But sometimes when I take him out for a walk he growls and bites at me. Any suggestions??
2007-05-31 07:19:49 · 23 answers · asked by abubbae 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
OK, one very good suggestion is to take him to puppy classes, there he will understand that you are master, not him. Dogs live in a world of ranking. Alpha, beta, dominance and submission, etc.
Then, roll him on his back (I know he's getting big, so get on the ball with this one), and hold him there until he stops struggling and growling and biting. This is you telling him that you the owner are the dominant, alpha "dog" and he is on the bottom of the totem pole. As he is struggling and growling, etc., keep him on his back and FIRMLY say NO!! Do not let him up or feel bad for him. If you give in, he will think you are the submissive one and he is dominant. You don't want that, that will make him aggressive. As you have him on his back and he becomes better with this, hold his paws and have him allow you to touch his paws (this is so he gets used to having his paws touch for nail trims, treatment, thorn stuck in paw, etc). And as he is calm look in his ears, eyes, mouth, belly, etc.; again to have him being used to touched. If you don't nip this in the bud now, there's no changing him. I know this from experience from friends and from working at a vet hospital. Hope he does well for you. If you have any other questions or more problems arise, call you vet and ask for a trainer for this kind of problem; there are some trainers that specialize in this kinds of animals.
2007-05-31 07:35:02 · answer #1 · answered by Kate V 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Scratch Cujo and get a Yorkie. They are 10 times more intelligent and other than licking you, they are not dangerous at all. The breed of dog you are describing is probably genetically predisposed to bite, and most likely a lawsuit waiting to happen. You don't say whether you live in the city or in the country, but any dog that is rott/pit bull (attack dog) AND Lab (energetic) sounds like a big risk. That is not intended as a smart remark, but a serious observation. At 10 weeks, he IS, after all, still a baby, but the only thing I can suggest (not having had to experience the problem) is to command that he sit. Teach him to leash, and concentrate on voice commands. He may be biting you because he is teething, and he will outgrow that. But, if he is really trying to attack, you need to establish your authority over him. Good Luck....
2007-06-08 04:40:54 · answer #2 · answered by Dan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I bought my rottweilers a horse lead and used the handle end as a tug toy it would keep them busy and reward them for "doing their duty". Puppies are playful and need something at all times I also used this as a training aid when my dogs were bad they could not play and I would tap them on the rump with the handle telling them NO, using the same thing as a reward/punishment tool seemed to be easier on them, as they were less likely to destroy my home. Rotts are known chewers so lots of toys are needed. Idea go down to the local butcher and get a shank bone (ask that they cut it for you) roast it in the oven with beef broth for an hour @ 350 and also use this as a training aid letting the pup chew on the bone while you hold it that will show it that the bone is the toy and not your hand,if you just hand it to the pup you'll never get this lesson across and you'll never be able to take things away from him when it's bad in the future, anyway this is all from personal experience your pup may be different but give it a try couldn't hurt.
2007-06-08 01:56:00 · answer #3 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry, but that answer by hanksimon is WAY OFF. He is advising you to act like a submissive litter mate. You need to show that pup who is BOSS. That mix has rott and pit bull and you need to take LEADER OF THE PACK status ASAP. Growling and nipping is corrected by a jerk on the lead, as stated by another answerer, or by grabbing the scruff of the neck and in a growling voice, say NO or KNOCK IT OFF, it's more important that you have a deep threatening tone, the words don't matter. If he nips and doesn't stop with the scruff growl combo, rap him lightly under the chin, get his attention and repeat the growl. Immediatly after he stops the bad behavior, PRAISE HIM. If THAT doesn't work, take him to a professional. Dogs under 16 weeks should not be in puppy kindergarten, as they have not had all of their shots and are susceptible to parvo and other diseases. But a private session is recommended. After he's had all of his pup shots, get him in puppy K for obedience training. Nip that and no pun intended, in the bud. GOOD LUCK!
2007-06-07 14:56:07 · answer #4 · answered by Guinness 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yup, stop that behavior now. If you don't it's going to get worse...guaranteed. While walking, I'm hoping you lead the walk. If not, start now and always lead from the moment you leave the house until you get back inside. When he growls or bites at you, he's engaging in normal puppy behavior used to establish hierarchy. If you don't take the lead now, he will. Correct both actions with a quick tug upward on the lead and when he looks at you say no and continue the lead walking. Be patient, calm and consistent in all aspects of dog training. Remember, lead your dog in every thing he does and soon he'll look to you for his next move. Hope this helps. Good luck.
2007-05-31 07:40:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
How often do you walk him??? If you are only walking him once or twice a day then it is going to take a longer time for him to get use to the leash. The more often you walk him the more comfortable he will get with the lead. If you don't have time to walk him sever times a day then put his lead on him and walk around the house. Do you leave his collar on at all times? If not do so, so he can get use to the feel of it. I also suggest a no choke harness the seem to work wonders and if your puppy pulls with it on it won't hurt his throat. Consistency is the answer.
If you pup gets to out of hand for you make him lay down then lay on top him to show who is in charge. I don't mean full body weight just enough to subdue him. This is what mother dogs do to show who is in charge. But do this as only a last resort.
2007-06-08 04:25:12 · answer #6 · answered by kathi_rodgers 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is a very enegergetic pupy that needs lots of play and exercise. He is probably playing. You need to teach him bite inhibition (See Dr. Ian Dunbar books and tapes in the library.)
1. If he nips you, then yelp! This will surprise him and he will stop.
2. If he nips you again (he will), then yelp and turn your back for 15 seconds. Then turn around and pet him. If he comes around to you and barks or licks you, then he is apologizing. Pet him and accept his apology.
3. If he nips you a third time, then yelp and turn your back for 2 minutes... this is an eternity for a puppy. Then turn around and pet him. If he comes around to you and barks or licks you, then he is apologizing. Pet him and accept his apology.
4. If he nips you a 4th time, stop all play and leave the area. He will learn that nipping is not good.
This is how puppies learn not to bite too hard when the are little with their siblings in the litter. For dogs that like interaction, ignoring the dog is a powerful message.
2007-06-07 08:32:09 · answer #7 · answered by hanksimon 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT ACT SUBMISSIVE LIKE SOME PEOPLE HAVE SUGGESTED... You have to get him out of that behavior right away. Flip him over and make him relax, just let him know who's boss, don't hit him or anything though, not because its mean but because that's suggesting play, you reacted to his bites. If he does this in the house or anything, just simply ignore him. Every day though, you should flip him over on his back and make him submissive to YOU, not the other way around. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he should be terrified of you, just get him to respect you. Continue flipping him over a few times a day untill hes no longer aggressive.
2007-06-08 03:35:16 · answer #8 · answered by soccer_girl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he is testing you- he is trying to play and see if this kind of play is acceptable. it should not be. this kind of behavior could cause alot of problems for you when he gets bigger and wont settle down on command. train him now by making him sit each time he nips at you. give him treats when he is acting right. do not let him be the boss. you decide what he does. i have 3 pits and these animals need firm guidlines for behaivior. teach him to be calm in public and you will also have a calm dog in the house. a pinch collor is very helpful. also look on websites that are pit bull advocates such as
pbrc.com and indypitcrew.org
type in training bully breeds on google...please!
2007-06-08 07:04:04 · answer #9 · answered by sten0820 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can you check if there's anything internal that hurts him? If a pet dog bites, they're probably feeling ill without you knowing it. have him checked with your vet. If he's all ok, then a clicker training shall do it. You should always show him that you are the master. If he wants something, and it's not for him or it's not time for him to have it, don't. Be gentle but firm. And God bless you for your patience with your dog. But he's just a puppy and he will change with proper training.
2007-06-08 02:02:01 · answer #10 · answered by Ann F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋