Need a puppy whisperer?

Question

My 2 month old Golden retriever is good as gold with me, but when my 13 year old son walks in the door all she wants to do is bite him. We tested it last night, I held her, real calm, he picked her up and the biting began. Back to me, good as gold.

Help!

Answer 1

The puppy is 2 months (8-9 weeks) old and the boy is 13 years old... both are high energy ages. My guess is that the puppy wants to play and see your son as a more likely candidate for play than you. Since the puppy has no hands, she has to use her mouth to get his attention. It is highly unlikely that there is any aggression in this biting at this age, especially from a Golden.
Have toys available that the puppy is allowed to chew on and when the biting starts, have your son scold her harshly (not strike her, just scold her) then hand her a toy she's allowed to chew on. Once she has the toy, praise her IMMEDIATELY.
She will learn over time that chewing on people is not desirable.
While she is growing, make sure your son is in on the training and that he is not always playing rough games with her, but also spends some quiet time with her (such as grooming time).

Addition: For those people recommending some sort of physical punishment... Look at the puppy's age, please. She's just a little baby. Flicking her nose, spraying her face with water or alpha rolling her at this age will not have the effects you are seeking.

Answer 2

We are talking about a puppy here for goodness sake. All puppies bite when they get excited. The pup will regard your son as his litter mate and is no doubt excited when he comes on the scene. Yippee! someone to play with.

I kept two puppies from my last litter and they are conti nuously attacking and biting each other all day long. If I appear they start on me. I have the teeth marks and the bruises to prove it. It is the only way for them to express their feelings at the moment but they do grow out of it, believe me.

To stop them from eating me alive in the morning, I just fold my arms accross my chest and do not give them any eye contact whatsoever and they start to calm down. Perhaps your son could try this when he walks in the door. Every time the dog jumps up at him to bite, tell him to turn his back on him. The pup will soon get the message.

It is no use hitting the puppy on the nose, it is a very sensitive spot and this will make him 'head shy' and, in my opinion, there is nothing worse than seeing a cowering dog.

Goldens are friendly creatures and you do not want to dampen their enthusiasm. A firm NO is all that is needed.
It's the tone of your voice that counts.

Answer 3

Wow! somebody is jealous! The puppy has already attached herself to you! This is not normal for a golden retriever to do. They are quite the lovable kind. But she is seeing to much love from you to your dear son! Your pup is showing anger while your son comes in the area where you two are together and this means you will share (her) time with him! What I think is best is for the next 2 weeks let your son be the care giver of the pup. He should feed her, walk her, give her all the attention and love, also discipline her. He should always treat her with a snack for good behavior along with a scratch behind the ear. Now if this does not work there is a more serious problem, she may feel threatened by your son. If she came from a home where there are other children they may have frightened that pups and the fear followed her home with you. Same advice could help that also. Good luck! TeeVee.

Answer 4

Let's see.

You've got a Golden Retriever. Right. Okay, now what were Golden's bred to do? Run out into a field and bring dead birds back to the owner.

Golden puppies are renown for using their mouthes to do things.

Are you certain this isn't what is going on.

Pat B and others have given you great advice.

Do not listen to the physical punishment crowd here. You'll end up creating more problems than you solve.

Answer 5

First no one can instruct you or your dog over the net...I'll assume the "biting" is rough play from the pup...Dogs tend to view all pre puberty children as litter mates and rough play starts...that being said you control the play as the "parent" both of the child and the pup.....firm, but gentle direction is you key here...redirecting and rewarding until it sinks in.....

Answer 6

Hold on I'm getting something... ah ha! maybe the dog feels threatened by the boy,I'm sensing some kind of jealousy... maybe the dog wants to be the only one you pay attention to... or maybe the dog senses something in the house..an evil being that threatens the boy or that the boy carries along with him!

Answer 7

Probably your son is a lot more exciting, while you are more calm. She associates him with play (and puppies bite when they play), while she associates you with quiet time.

Answer 8

your son needs to ignore the dog, no playing , no petting

he sees your son as a playmate and not a leader like he sees you ,

and your son needs to not run from him or have fast movements around him , just needs to be calm around the dog

and you need to teach him how to be in a leader role with the dog , he needs to walk the dog on leash and make him heal and sit and lay down so the dog learns to see your son as a pack leader then he will start respecting him and your sone will be able to play with him again


B.

Answer 9

As much I dislike getting "bad points" here :)
Your son should first get the pup on his back and "bite" him back :)
Thats what mother would do to a misbehaving pup :)
Good Luck!!! :)
Only one bad point?? Are all the "experts" out for lunch??? :)))

Answer 10

All you need to do is flick her on the nose, squirt her face with water, or sumthin whenever she snaps or bites him. My samoyed, Nakita, was the same way, but with me. But now, we can't be sepparated! I hope everything works out for you and your bro!