Vicious Beast!

[Karen & Maple]

Well I hope not. This morning I bent down to say goodbye to my loving 15 wk old puppy-'be a good girl today' She answered me by chopping down on my nose! Got me good. Lots of blood. I screamed and was so mad! My husband works from home and reported she would not listen to him at all today. Same for when I got home. A totally different puppy than just yesterday. Challenging us constantly, nipping, nipping, nipping, disobedient. I'm feeling scared for 1) will face biting repeat? 2) can I handle this next phase? I will be careful re: getting my face near her. I'm trying to think through her disobidience. We've worked so much with her on basic training. She had been doing so good with us. We've yet to find a class that works with our schedule, but will try again to find one. We've however been exposing her to lots of situations, people and friends' dogs on our own. I've been reading a lot up til now on how difficult this can be with puppy craziness. But when you experience it yourself, wow! Good thing she's cute.

[Elizabeth F]

I am so sorry to hear that!! She is such a cutie!!! Hopefully others will have some good advice. I am getting my pup on Friday so I would love to hear any advice

[Tracey & Spike]

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I've had Spike home for almost two weeks and in the course 4 days he's turned into a mini dood jaws. He's nailed my dad once on the chin. It was nasty. From everything I've read it's puppy play. But dad won't tolerate it. Even though Spike is his retirement buddy. I had to bend over backwards to convince him that it's all puppy behaviour. He's not an evil creature from you know where.
It's so frustrating when you are doing SO well and in the blink of an eye it changes. I've been substituting hands for chew toys and I'm starting to yelp really loud. He seems to have calmed with me. He goes for the mouth attack then realizes who I am and licks instead. My parents haven't gotten that far yet. It terrifies me. And it scares me more of him doing it to a stranger. Just tonight he's started the nipping of ankles. Yet another hurdle to cross! His March 8 start date of puppy school seems so very far away

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Puppy teeth...razor sharp! Having something handy...one of his toys to substitute your arm, fingers, nose...with. I know it's hard...but these guys are babies! They have yet to learn what is acceptable and what is not and it is up to us, to teach them. A loud squeal from the receiver of the bite and then give the replacement toy. Having multiple chewing toys isa good idea. Toys with different material to chomp on, keeps them busy.
I also would not wait for March 8 to begin in home training . Habits are hard to break and you don't want him continuing the nipping. Consistency will be key in teaching him acceptable behaviors.

[Tracey & Spike]

No choice. It's when the next session starts. Keeping toys in our pockets is helping. No bites in a couple of days. He gives kisses now. Things change so fast.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Actually, what I meant is don't wait for puppy class to start training. Begin your own training. Most puppy classes don't cover this anyway. They will concentrate on good manners...not that you can't ask about the nipping. But this is very, very normal.

[BettyAnn, Holmes & Lucy]

I remember those teething days!!! Couldn't wait to be done with them! Do know that it WILL get better once they get their adult teeth in!!! Holmes was such a spazz at that age and even though me and the kids were already in love with him, my husband was not and of course Holmes took a chunk out of his finger while I wasn't around! He also loved terrorizing my younger kids and they loved it and were scared of him at the same time. I also have a ton of pants and sweaters with little teeth marks around the arms and legs. No fun.

Consistency is key- make sure you show your disapproval or discipline her every time (or at least try) she nips and bites and be firm. I know it's such a pain!

Distraction also helps.I also had tons of stuff around or in my pocket that he could chew on or that I could stuff in his mouth to distract from human body parts and clothing. I remember smelling like bully sticks and dog kibble for at least a month!

I'm sure I'm not much help, but again, it does get better!

We just adopted another doodle named Lucy (or some kind of poodle mutt :) this past weekend who we think is around 2 yrs. old.  Holmes is 1 y.o.  and I thought he was the best dog in the world! But now that I see how mature and well behaved and waaaaay less mouthy Lucy is, I realize he really has a lot of puppy in him still. 

Good luck and hang in there!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You have only just begun in her training. Don't put your face close enough to get nipped. I would be willing to bet that she didn't have evil intent.

[Karen & Maple]

Thanks Nancy. I know the mistake was mine. Just scared and concerned me. I just found a class that works with our schedule. Should start next week.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

It is scary!  We just have to be very careful that we don't set up the problem. I truly understand wanting to get close and give kisses and hugs.  I get my face into my dogs faces all the time, but, the doodles are 6 years old and the springer is 10, so obviously I am totally certain of their responses to me doing this.

[Lucy & Ellie]

Our Lucy is very nippy too.  I can sympathize!  I wish so much I had some advice!  I am just holding onto the hope that everyone says she'll grow out of it.

[Sherri Mazursky]

I hear ya. I'm ready to change Minnie's name to Freddy Kruger or Cujo. She is getting a bit better, but when she is super excited, LOOK OUT.