Need advice, please!

[Nicole]

I have been reading posts for almost a year now, and have learned so much from all the great advice on this site. I now need help, as I don't know what to do with my Labradoodle Winnie.  This might get lengthy, so bear with me, please. Our Winnie just turned one on Christmas Eve.  We got her from a shelter in February.  We saw her on petfinder, and after speaking to the shelter lady, we drove three hours to bring her home.  The lady told us on the phone,that she was eight weeks old. When we got to the shelter (all three kids in the car with us) we knew right away that this was a bad situation.  It was a house in very bad condition, and there were dogs tied up everywhere in the yard, some dogs were just running free.  The woman immediately came out of the house to greet us, otherwise we might have just backed  out.  When we entered the "shelter" it was clear that this was a hoarder operating as a shelter.  There must have been at least 60 dogs loose in the house.  It was impossible to walk without stepping on any.  Amidst this chaos she pulled out this cute fluff ball puppy.  My mind was racing.  I knew I should walk away, but my heart was breaking for this little puppy and my children, in the middle of all these dogs.  I then came to find out that she breeds these dogs for profit, so she can operate this "shelter"  The mom we were able to meet.  She was a very sweet dog.  Dad was tied up a long distance away from the house.  We brought Winnie home, thinking we were rescuing her from the rescue.  We took her to the vet.  She had ear mites, worms, and kennel cough.  We also found out that she was actually only 6 weeks old. Since then we have loved that dog.  We have had her in obedience classes, we train her at home and the kids play with her everyday. She also goes to doggy day care once a week.  The trouble is that Winnie loves our dog, but seems less excited about us. She has never enjoyed being petted, and does not seem bonded to us.  ALthough she always wants to be in the same room with us. As a little puppy she was very mouthy, leaving nasty marks all over the kids and me.  Now she is 12 months old, and is still mouthy.  I don't think she bites aggressively, it is always during play, or when the kids want to snuggle with her.  She does not break the skin but does leave bruises. Is there anything, given her history that we can do to teach her not to bite?  We worked diligently on the puppy mouthiness, this is different though.  I have never owned a biting dog.  We love her but I worry about my children, and other kids in the house. I don't want to give her away, the kids and I do love her, but I worry this might get worse. Any advice, please?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

As far as the snuggling some dogs are not snugglers. I am sure that she loves you to bits!  As for the mouthiness, I think there have been other discussions about this and the posters received helpful advice.  Suggestions I remember are to have a jar of pennies handy and shake it as a deterrent, or a squirt bottle and spray her. Some people have yelled like they were hurt. Some have strongly said no and put the dog in time out. You can break this habit! Good luck.

[Adina P]

Gosh what a horrible situation you got her from!  I have heard of some person who breeds doodles in order to make money for their rescue operation.  The idea is quite twisted and makes no sense. 

 

My recommendation is to take her to obedience training with a trainer that has a good track record for helping their students get results.  Maybe a trainer that has competition obedience titles.  I think with concerted training (where she obeys reliably on and off leash) you will have made some changes in her respect and bond with you.  Then you can better correct her and redirect her when she's acting naughty or nippy. 

 

My Rosco was a HORRIBLE nipper as a puppy.  He only bit me but he also left bruises (and he was a HUGE puppy) and frequently scared me terribly.  He was BAD.  And this lasted until he was a year--so longer than most nipping puppies. He'd bite my belly, my back, my legs...whatever he felt like whenever the mood would hit him and nothing I did really worked.  Granted I could have been doing it wrong, inconsistently or whatever, but the point is the nipping continued.  What finally seemed to do the trick is I got serious about training.  Correlation or causation?  We'll never know but my experience tells me it was indeed focused obedience training with consistent consequences and rewards that made the difference.  Not only did he begin to respect me but our bond grew quite strong and he went from not-very-cuddly to a major love bug!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Winnie's lack of bite inhibition probably stems from having left the litter at 6 weeks of age, although it certainly sounds like there were many things in her early weeks that may have contributed to her temperament.

We recently rehomed an owner relinquished doodle who had also been sold at 6 weeks old. His issues were a little different from Winnie's. At his new home, he bit the other dog, just in playing; he did not intend to hurt his new brother or be aggressive, it was just the way he played, and he missed the part of his puppyhood where his siblings and mother would have taught him not to do that. When his adoptive brother jumped, cried and yelped loudly, so did this dog. In fact, he acted more distressed than the dog who got bit. It really shocked him that he had hurt his brother. It was a breakthrough moment for him. His mouthiness started to get better almost immediately.

This is simplistic, and will not solve all of Winnie's problems, but if you and the kids really yelp in pain when she touches you with her teeth, it may help.

I also second Adina's suggestion to get serious with her training. A lot of structure and limits helped the adopted doodle tremendously, too, as well as the chance to be successful at something and earn praise.

And thank you for not wanting to immediately give up on Winnie.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh, and you and the kids should jump away from her immediately when she mouths you; really act shocked.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

I would recommend a trainer who is a certified applied animal behaviorist, look for CAAB title, who can come to your home and see the interactions and environment of your home and Winnie.  Then work with you ongoing to address the specific issues.  It is not a great situation where she came from but it does sound like things that can be worked on.    I would also recommend reporting that breeder, rescue.. but maybe you already have:)  good luck!

[Kyoko]

I agree with others in regard to really good obedience class. It helped Charlie a lot to over come some of her issues. She is now 2 years old, and we have been in school ever since Puppy K!!! ( Now in Rally and Agility) Charlie was mouthy until may be 6 ~ 7 months old.... Trainer helped us in regard to this as well, and stopped within a couple of weeks... She never once mouthed since then. Obedience really helps!!!

[Lesley, Wellington & Bingley]

 

Hi, please forgive me for copying a reply I made in another similar discussion. I hope you find it helpfull.

 

The mouthiness is not uncommon at 1 year old - and if it usually happens during times of excitement then you need not worry, but be sure to remain consistent in how you deal with this.

 

If mouthiness happens as a greeting - when people just arrive for example - have a soft toy to put in your dogs mouth that he can carry around. If this is not enough - make sure the dog is away from visitors or yourselves until he has calmed down - then allow him in to greet calmly. This may take 10 minutes at first, but then the time should lessen when he realises that calm behaviour means he gets to be with the family/visitors.

 

•  Mouthiness during play and too boisterous play.

It sounds like your doodle has just got used to playing with your children as he would play with another dog. The problem could be down to the way he is allowed to play with them. For example a great rule for children and dogs is to always have a toy to play with. So games become 'find it' and 'fetch' games - not bundling around on the floor, or 'catch me' games. The later encourage grabbing and play biting - whilst these are normal in inter-dog games they become unacceptably where people (especially children) are concerned.

 

Rewrite your rule book. Explain to your kids that running fast and playing rough with your doodle is a bad idea. Encourage your kids to play fetch and find games with your doodle. Encourage them to train tricks in these sessions too - both doods and kids LOVE tricks! (paw, roll over, turn around ect)

 

As soon as play turns to mouthing or grabbing STOP. Wait till your dood has calmed down and continue the appropriate play. Realising when both children and dogs are getting too wound up will be the key to success here.

 

You will be amazed how quickly the problem eases if you are all consistent in this.

 

Also - some doodles become more affectionate as they mature. Welly was independant up until he was 1 year (teenage stage!) and now he is 3 and is a big cuddly bear.

 

I really hope you and your family can work out this problem and have a long and happy life with your doodle.

 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I have one that is a little mouthy, however, she never leaves any type of bruises.  It is always in an excited state that she does it, and it is almost more of a love thing than a bite.  I second all the comments below to correct that problem.  The issue with what appears the lack of interest in you and the family "could" just be a puppy thing.  They are such busy little things.  Sometimes it just seems like they don't want to waste time snuggling up.  Our girls will be turning 3 in March, and for the last 6 months have been becoming more and more affectionate.  Just last night our Lucy was laying on top of me on the sofa.  This has happened a few times lately (and I love it).  normally she would lay on the floor beside me or on the other end of the sofa.  Our Sophie also has started to lay with her head in my lap when I'm sitting on the sofa rather than at the other end.  I think they are just maturing and slowing down a little.    I hope that you can find a trainer that can help you with your biting issue.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Nicole - I don't have anything to add - the experts have already been here but I do want to give you some encouragement!  Sadly Winnie started out with the short end of the stick so to speak but now she has you and your loving family.  It sure sounds as if she loves you ("she always wants t be in the same room with us").  This CAN be worked through.  And what a wonderful lesson for your children - dogs, people, etc. aren't always perfect but as family - are always loved!  I wish you all the best and I want to hear how your progress goes.  Winnie can do it!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Nicole, I have no advice beyond doing what the others have said here accept to stay strong we all know you can do it. I know you love her and I know you can do what the others have suggested as far as training.With all the encouragement you will receive here it will get better.

What a wonderful story of "saving" for our DoodleKisses pages.

One more thing....Winnie is a fabulous looking doodle.

[Nicole]

Thank you so much everybody!  You guys are a wonderful bunch of people :)  It helped just to hear that this was something we can work through.  We will double up our efforts at obedience, and I have instructed the children to stop playing with her as soon as her teeth touch their skin.  Last night she bit my daughter on the nose, she screamed so loud that Winnie hid behind the couch. I do hope that she will become more affectionate, we are all big snugglers.  Luckily our old boy cannot get enough :) Regardless, Winnie will stay here.  We love her and like you all said, nobody is perfect.  I guess I was just afraid that the hoarding caused some kind of bonding problem, since I am sure the lady did not do a lot of handling with her.

[shelly]

Nicole.. I am sure with all of the suggestions you have received and with your determination, Winnie will come around!  Tori was not a big cuddler at all, now at almost 3 (I can;t believe she's almost 3 already) she does cuddle, but most of the time it's on HER time/terms. I think some dogs have to learn the act of being physically loved by hugs and cuddles and kisses.  I once posted asking if females were less affectionate than the males... but now Tori has learned to take hugs and kisses and cuddles right up next to us all the time... GOOD LUCK!