how do i get my dog to settle down when i dont want to play?

Question

she always wants to play and i play with her alot but when i dont want to play i cant get her to settle down, she jumps on me and bites my hands and i tell her no and push her away, i dont know if she thinks im playing or what but when i try to push her away she starts biting my hands, so i tap her on the nose and say no and she just keeps coming back, she bites and barks and goes crazy anytime i dont want to play. Shes crazier when i dont want to play then when i play with her! I dont know what to do about it, i cant be playing with her ALL the time!

Answer 1

i tought my dog the word chill -

we will play and when i want her to calm down i tell her to chill -

i got her use to this word through telling her good chill everytime she would lay down and just walk by me and lick me or sniff - or just being lazy - when ever she wasnt active - and she now knows when were playing ruff if i tell her paychence chill - she immediately calm,s down and i say good chill good paychence - and it is a reward to her for me to give her praise -

i do have a book called aint misbehavin here is what the book actually says - 9 ill find it and post in aminute )

ok theres a few things - so ill try to put it in here short but as close to what is written ( its a really good book you should consider buying ) -

its titled under the section if you dont want the dog to think hes the boss follow these rules -

Dogs who have no reason to view humans as leaders sometimes decide to take over -

( ill skip a few because you already have your dog )

2 - pass up wrestle on the floor games, choose balls frisbee agility training so playing is a win win game not a power strugle
3- handle your dog a lot but dont rough house or HURT him with your hands ( teaches dogs to be aggressive )
4- ( skip )
5- train puppy with out yelling or hitting
6 - enable him to win ( succeed at what he is doing ) and praise him as if good behavior were his idea
7- reward him with treats when he LETS you be the boss
8- ( everyone should take a leaderhip role all family memebers )
9- dont allow dog to mouth your hand even if its gentle ( licking on fingers, or palm of hand, or play biting ) this can become a sneaky way of controlling you
10- ignore your dogs nips stares barks - giving into them will encourage her to control you - instead give her an alternative thats acceptable to both of you - ( maybe hand him a chew toy or rawhide )
11- dont get sucked into petting your dog - if he nuzzles you remove your hand sit on it or get up and walk away -
12- figure out if she wants or needs something - it may fulfill her needs - but just because she wants it doesnt mean she needs it - ( your attention in this case ) how freely you give yourself up is up to you - not the dog -


there are alot of little sections revolving around this issue -

another area says to try to throw your dog a toy before the "agression" starts ( theres three types )
and that may deter her from even coming up to you and bothering you -

it also says to give out of contrl dogs a time out - take him to a corner of the room tell him to sit and stay - ignore him for about 2 minutes - they say this is long enough - then allow him to come back out and sit down or lay down - or give him a toy - of he tried playing with you again - tell him no firmly - and try another time out - for this he doesnt need to understand your words just that his behavior will result in getting a time out - ( they say the time out should not be more than two minutes ) if he is whining you are to leave him there until he calms down and gets quiet - then you call him to you and give him a treat and praise him for being good - if your word is quiet when you want him to calm down form running around you would say good quiet - not good girl or good boy - because a dog cant boy or girl - but he will eventually realize when he is playing with you and you stop and say quiet - he will become calm and then you give him a treat -


like i said there is a lot more but im hoping some of this will help -

Answer 2

Puppies are like little kids. They need a set routine on a set schedule. Have a specific play times throughout the day complete with her favorite toys and chewies. When play time is over put the toys away and have her lay down. If she won't stay in her bed, as the others have said crate her. tapping her on the nose is not good; she thinks you are still trying to play. When you say no say it firmly and follow through. When she is ready to nap, ALWAYS put her in her bed and say "go to bed." Gradually, she will understand what the words mean. When she first starts obeying the go to bed command, give her a treat, gradually tapering the treats off. If you are consistent your dog will be well trained and most enjoyable. Stores like petsmart offer basic obedience classes. Definitely a good investment. Good luck with your puppy.

Answer 3

Lissa,
I don't know how old your dog is but a lot of dog owners make the mistake of treating a dog as an equal and that's where it becomes a problem. You have to train your dog to where she plays when YOU are ready to play and not the other way around. Ignore her when she comes up to you to play, don't look at her and don't talk to her. Pushing her away is attention and that's exactly what she wants. I've learned so much when I attended dog school with my dog. For example don't feed the dog at the same time every day, switch the times and do not let your dog eat while you're eating because once again you are letting the dog be equal with you. I know it sounds cruel but you have to let her know that you are the Master and she is JUST a dog. Don't let her sit on the couch with you, and only pet her when you want to pet her.
Try it and see how much this really works you will be amazed.

Answer 4

Your dog is just excited, that's all.

Don't just leave her alone though, take her outside in the backyard where it is gated and let her roam free with maybe some chew toys or a ball. It depends on your dog, but big dogs usually need to get rid of all their energy and will want to play more than toy dogs that love to sit on your lap and snuggle instead of play.

About the biting though, don't hurt her in any way when you push her or she may get aggresive (Louder barking, little growls in between barks, etc.) Simply give her something to do or pet her and firmly say "NO." When you're done being busy, *then* you play with her.

Answer 5

OK... It's going to get better as the nights start to lengthen and temperatures get more normal. Try exercizing them for an hour at 5-6pm and feeding them the second half of their daily ration when you get back in. They need to get up when you do and exercize then too. Could you put a couple of crates draped with blankets in your room so each has a little den?

Answer 6

It sounds like she has a high energy level. Take her for a long walk everyday. Also sign up for an obedience class. She would benefit from learning manners and her place in your "pack". If she is hard to walk on a leash get a "gentle leader" (it's like a horse halter but for dogs) She won't be able to pull you around. It really sounds as if she is bored and to her, negative attention is better than none.

Answer 7

we have a Queensland Heeler and he is the most hyper dog i have ever seen. from the time we get in till the time we go to bed he is hyper. he just wants to play all the time. he is smart as a whip though. we taught him the command "break time" and he settles down and after a few minutes the is laying down like his brothers. just be patient and understanding. hand signals like your saying stop helped us. also we sometimes use a deterrent. at petsmart they sell a thing called a kong. fill it with peanut butter and let her lick away.

Answer 8

Then play with it for like 3 seconds just make it fetch a ball or something, pick it up & put it down like usually running helps, to it rather than from it
i have the same thing, my dog bites my foot but playfully though im sure your dog doesn't mean it
what kind of breed you have?
good luck though

Answer 9

Simply get up and walk away from her--into another room if you have to for a minute until she settles down. Take her to obedience classes so she has an outlet for all that energy plus learns to obey you!

Answer 10

obedience classes is the best answer. (On TV Ive seen remarkable demonstrations by talented people in that field.)
You may not be able to avoid the agonizing "confrontation"
moment, when you TAKE CONTROL, which may seem both to you and the dog to be unbearable hatred or death-dealing.
But in the animal world, this is the way they deal with each other. And the "leader of the pack," either shows that he is the boss, or he is eliminated.
.