Biting and I am a little SCARED

[Pam and Ginger Snap]

Ginger, who is 5 months has started to bite.  Whenever I try and pet her, she tries to nip at me.  If a say her name, she barks at me and goes into the play bow.  Next she starts zooming around.  If I am sitting on the sofa, she jumps on me and tries to bite me.  If I stand up, she still tries to nip at me.

 

If I ignore her, she continues to bark at me, with different octaves. She jumps on us and tries to bite us, with purpose.  She jumped on my son, 11 today and ripped his sweatshirt.  She also nipped at his hand it hurt him.  She did not break the skin, but it hurt just the same.

 

This sounds wierd, but she gets a "different face" which kinda scares me.

 

She is teething, but has ample chew toys and it's not teething, but actual biting.  Ginger recently started going to Doggie Day Care for 7 hours on Thursdays.  I wonder if this has anything to do with this new behavior.

 

She is walked and played with...She eats well and sleeps in her crate at night.

 

I don't know what to do, or how to handle this challanging behavior.  I am feeling very frustrated. I have to admit, I am a little envious when I read all the posts about all the doods and how nice they all seem. 

 

Any advice is welcome.

Pam

[Lorraine Bromley]

Well I had forgotten all about Neely's nipping. He is two and has no biting nipping problems at all. If we do play ruff, as my boys are in their 20s we have him get a toy and keep it in his mouth while we play. If he drops it we stop and say no...get your duck, ball whatever. Then when he does we restart. This just helps when he gets playful and has his mouth wide open and he can catch his teeth on us or someone zigs when they should have zagged.

But really I have forgotten all about that stage. It mustn't have been that bad after all.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I really don't think that I would "ignore" this behavior when it occurs.  Although she's a puppy and these certainly are typical puppy behaviors I think she needs to be taught that this is not going to be accepted.  I totally agree that obedience training is critically important, especially at this stage of her development.  They just don't understand our "language" and when she sees you getting excited/frustrated she escalates.  She needs another outlet for all this energy, and training will provide that.  I wouldn't worry too much about the zoomies, but I would not allow it to go any further....no jumping or nipping.  I would start with a correction the second that started, and if it didn't stop I'd give her a time out in the crate.  This is an opportunity for her (and the family) to calm down.  I also agree with implementing the "nothing in life is free" approach...sitting and waiting for food, going out the doors after you, etc.  Most of all though, I'd say get some formal training in place.  Good Luck!  If you do start with a training program, you may want to join us in the Training Group.

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Pam you are not alone.  I would not be afraid it sounds like an over energized puppy.  A couple of things I've done are cross my arms over my chest and turn my back for the jumping.  From experience the nipping usually comes with the jumping thats why I raise my hands.  Others mentioned time outs and "no mouth", which I have used also.  I agree with leaving the room when Ginger barks.  Lots of training and consistency.  I've made the mistake several times of relaxing on the training.  It does get better.  By the way Ginger is such a cutie. 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Take an obedience class!  We took two during her crazy puppy stages - one at 16 weeks through 22 weeks; the other around 7 months when she was a TERROR.  Training really strengthens your bond and will help curb that behavior. It will be okay.  Exercise and train, exercise and train.  When she gets out of control like that, get out the best, smelliest treats ever and train on sit, down, stays, recall, etc...it will wear her out mentally.

[Jennifer Tramell]

This sounds normal but I think it needs to be addressed.  To me, she is challenging you and bossing you around - but I think this is normal development as she is determining her place in the family.  The "different face" is likely when it changes from the "please play with me" to "play with me or else".  You may have also noticed a different tone in her bark from asking to demanding.   

Different dogs go through this with different intensities.  We always said "No Bite!" and if they actually nip they need to be reprimanded.  The initial mouthing nip ("come on, please play with me?") can be handled with a calm, yet firm "No Bite."  and then placing the dog in a sit position or otherwise ending the play. Make sure you don't sound like you are asking, you are actually answer her question of "Can I get you to play with me?".  If this escalates to a more demanding nip/bite, you need to be louder and more angry sounding but still very much in control, "NO BITE!"  You are saying "This is NOT acceptable, you will NOT do this!",  not yelling "Stop! Stop! I can't handle this, please stop!"  I have watched mother dogs with their litter of puppies and you should see how mean they sound when a pup bites them.  Many times the pup bothers and bothers the momma trying to get her to play, finally, they start nipping on her.  She really tells them off - a sharp bark, shoves them with her nose, and may reprimand with a nip of her own.  As soon as Ginger responds to your correction (stops nipping, her face goes back to that cute "I'm sorry" look, steps back, etc) change your voice to a welcoming "Good girl" and pet her without the nipping.

Don't be discouraged - you are doing great.  The trick to a well behaved dog is to recognize a behaviour which you won't tolerate and find a way to stop that behaviour.  This is exactly what you are doing.  Remember the terrible two & threes?  This is what Ginger is going through.  Address the behaviour now and you are on your way to a wonderful doodle :-)

Hope this helps, it is only my experience and nothing professional. 

[Kristen Juarez]

Jennifer I think your so right. They are like there in a trance when they do this. I've been yelling stop, and walking out of the room till he calms down and giving him something else to chew on. It does get better. I think it is a dominence thing going on

[Jodi and Stella]

You have been getting very sound advice and I'm sure Ginger Snap will outgrow this. (sounds like she's living up to her name!)

Stella was real mouthy when she was younger and still will bite when getting caught up in the moment of playing. Good luck!

[Kristen Juarez]

Henderson, is 4 months. He does this also. Its just with me though.When it first happened he was 10 weeks old, and it is scarey.  He doesnt do it as much anymore and when he does it doesnt last long.  I noticed that when i'm gone longer then usual that day he is like that, i call it mad doggin. But its only when i havent been at home, and he wants my attention. nThe older he gets the more hes out growing it. good luck

[Pam and Ginger Snap]

Thank you everyone for the great advice!  She lost the two pointy teeth at the bottom yesterday and the two at the top are loose! 

 

I have been talking her for extra walks and I signed up for a 3 week  9-4 class.

 

 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Sounds like a great approach....keep us posted!