Doodle Puppy and older Dog

[Diane Denney]

My Lincoln doesn't play fair with my older dog. I am posting a video here so that you can see what I am talking about. Does anyone have any advice. Please keep in mind that I usually intervene. Will he outgrow this with training? Thanks a bunch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMnY0ao_xLo

[Diane Denney]

So what you are telling me is that they will always chew? Even after they mature? This is not what I hoped to hear. My dog Scott went through a phase like most dogs, but he only chews what he's aloud to chew. I can leave him alone in the house with my three cats all day, and he wouldn't hurt a fly.

[Diane Denney]

No you are not alone Lindsey!! Hang in there. I've heard some people say that their Doodles went from Lions to Lambs at about a year old.

[Diane Denney]

I can't remember what Lincoln did after Scottie zonked him. Scottie has been pinning him down by the neck trying to teach him the rules. I guess he does stop for a minute but then he's right back at him. Scottie runs away when he's had enough, but the Doodle runs after him. This is not so cool in the house as they are both huge as I mentioned before. In the backyard Scottie has no escape, and if the Doodle doesn't stop he can't run away which he does often. Lincoln is rougher outside even than inside, and he's even rough on us outside. He jump bites, and I have used posturing, holding his nose, holding under his tongue. He fights it, and doesn't quit. He is really big and strong now so it's even more difficult. He just doesn't know how to play soft with any of us. I'm hoping he gets it one day. He is in training right now. He goes every Saturday. I am doing everything humanly possible and taken much advice to try to get this dog to behave. He is really sweet in other respects, and rolls on his back to have his belly rubbed, but he just doesn't know his limits. We just weighed him last Saturday. He is now 60.8 pounds, and he's 9 months old.

[Diane Denney]

I was starting to clunk him under the chin so that his teeth clang together. I heard that this can put off the biting behavior. I've heard mixed reviews about the knee thing so I was reluctant to use that method. I'm about willing to do anything to teach him. He is just really excited when he does these things. He's not aggressive is what I'm trying to get at. Nevertheless it's unacceptable behavior. I never let any of the children around him unless I'm there and he's in a sit. My step daughter is 14 and will be coming to stay soon so I'll have to make sure she understands the protocol with him. It's not easy to get everyone in the house on board. Even my husband. What I should do is let my husband go out back and do the training as he's a lot bigger than me. I'm pretty tiny. The trainer commented at the training session how strong Lincoln was. FYI he goes very submissive when I go to put his Gentle Leader on, and I was told that during training he should always be wearing it.

[Diane Denney]

Oh yes he lacks manners so badly!!! Well I did the knee thing last night, and he bit my knee!!!! I kept it up though, and finally he laid down or sat there, and sort of frustrated growled and then barked at me. I don't know what that was about. He seemed to get it a bit. He doesn't like forced air either so I thought about getting one of those air cans at PetSmart that they use to ward cats dogs off counters and see how that would work too to keep him from counter surfing too. Yes they are very smart and can treat each human individually I noticed. The trainer told me smarter isn't neccessarily better!!!! He said they can be even more difficult. It's so hard because I'm getting angry now, and he'll sense that. I need to take a time out from him when he's like that I guess. He doesn't have very good bite inhibition as when he mouths he goes too hard. I've been hand feeding him a little at his feedings so that he associates my hand with good things and maybe will respect me a bit more. Just a shot in the dark. He is not food aggressive at all. I can take a bone from him, and put my hand right in his food bowl while he's eating which I have always made sure I do when I get a puppy so that they get used to my scent. Last night he was lying beside Scottie at the side of his bed, but he was chewing a bone. If he's got something to chew he's fine. I let them wrestle again last night and Scottie ran away again, and his tail was somewhat down as he fled. Not all the way down, but about half way. Scottie is a very submissive dog. Thanks again for all of the help.

[Adina P]

We do the knee thing too here. The way it works best for us is to make it COMPLETELY impersonal---just like a law of nature: When dogs rush humans, the humans' knees jut out and it doesn't feel good to run into knees. --it involves no reprimanding or staring down or bad feelings. Just act as though it were a reflex on your part. And then give them plenty of love and praise (calmly so not to rile him up) when they have all four feet on the floor. Or if that praise is too much, just ignore him for a minute or so till he calms down. The hard part for me was being QUICK enough with that knee.

[Diane Denney]

Yes very well said Adina. I'm still having a little trouble with it as he is so big and I'm only 5'2" and change. He is already over 60 pounds and only 9 months and tall!!! I think he's going to be a big one. I took him to day care today, but he was still full of beans when I brought him home. I couldn't believe it. He seems to be getting a little better, but still has selective listening. I'm going to power train tomorrow for a while as I didn't get enough in this week with work and terrible weather.