Update on Sulley

[Carrie Terry]

So Sulley has been with us for almost two weeks. In some ways his behavior has improved. He now knows sit, stay, come, down, fetch, and off. His biting behavior has perhaps gotten worse. He is horribly mouthy, and now when I disapline him he gets angry and even mouthier. I am worried he will go a step further and bite with a mean intent instead of just playing. We are doing an hour of fetch, and hour of walking, and lots of play time inside. I am praying we can break the biting, as he is too big to be doing this with my children. I tried the bitter apple but it doesn't seem to fase him in the slightest. We started training classes last week, and she said the best way to break biting is a firm squeeze around the muzzle. Does anyone have any other tips besides that?
Thanks,
Carrie and Sulley

[F, Calla & Luca]

I would put him in time out if he starts nipping.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

When you "discipline" him, what exactly do you do? If you are doing anything physical such as swatting, hitting, etc, that is going to escalate the behavior, because the dog thinks you are playing with him. 

Dogs typically don't really get angry. They use their mouths for playing. Watch two dogs playing together and you will see a lot of what looks like biting, fighting, anger, etc. but it isn't, it's playing. (Of course, there are dog fights, but that looks very different.) Sulley has never been taught appropriate ways to play with humans. This may have been exacerbated by several factors, including humans "wrestling" with him and playing with him in other inappropriate ways, such as encouraging him to jump up and grab a toy or a treat and allowing him to put his mouth on their hands or any other part of their body. He may also have been taken from his litter too young as a puppy, and never developed bite inhibition. There is really no way to know, but you really need to start a good solid general training program with Sulley. Unfortunately, little tips and tricks for correcting specific behaviors seldom work with an untrained adult dog.  You need a whole training and behavior modification program

In the meantime, make sure that everyone in the household knows that the instant his mouth touches any part of their bodies, even their clothes, everything stops. Playing, attention, affection, everything. Stand up, turn your back on him, walk away, ignore him. Put him in time out. (Although hopefully, not in the garage.) No screaming, yelling, waving hands and arms, swatting, running, etc. Remain perfectly calm. Excitement begets excitement. 

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

You might want to ask this in the Training group:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/trainingmindsets

[Carrie Terry]

Discipline is a firm hand around the muzzle with a no. Once I do this he will generally stop and go into the down stay position. I have noticed if he does not he will take an aggressive stance and snap at my hands. I don't hit,swat or push him since it would encourage the rough behavior. His time out is in the garage in his kennel or out on his runner line, as he will tip his crate, or eat my bathroom door.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It is great that he's learning some commands but now he needs to learn that your are his leader and just what that means.  Be careful of all that "playtime"...he needs to earn that.....he actually needs to earn everything.  Here's a link from the Training Group to an article about the "Nothing In Life Is Free" approach...http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/trainingmindsets/forum/topics/not....  I really think this will help.  I also feel that the "Doggy Dan" training would be extremely valuable to you. 

[Doris]

Our vet told us to squeeze the muzzle but that didn't work for Bodi.  We got a water sprayer container (at the dollar store). He really doesn't like to have water squirted in his face.  After a while we would say no and reach for the container.  Hope you find something that works!

[Deborah Brown]

I don't know how old he is but it sounds like he is still adjusting to your family. It also sounds like you have done a whole lot of training in two weeks.  I would recommend that you give him some down time.  He might be over stimulated and acting out because he is stressed.  He should be having plenty of naps where no one bothers him.  If he has a crate that is the best choice.

About discipline, try not to do it.  Corrections are difficult for dogs.  Show him what you want him to do and praise him.  Try to be as positive as you can.  If he is mouthy, put a toy in his mouth and tell him he is a good dog.

Most importantly, let him rest, decompress and adjust to his new home.