Guest Anonymous Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 I have a basically sweet puppy (8 weeks and likes to nip) she seems to know my husband and i are in charge, but when she goes to play with other dogs, rat terrriers to pit bulls all she wants to do is fight. Her tail is wagging but she growls with barred teeth and all. The fur on her back goes up. At first i thought she was scared, but she cries to go back to the "fun" as soon as we pick her up. She likes to play very ruff. But i am afraid once she gets bigger no one will want to play with her, and i won't want her to hurt another dog, what do i do to ensure that she won't be destined for a life of solitude? We are told she is a malamute shepard mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 Well, first of all congrats on a new puppy. One of them most important things you can do is to keep socializing her as you have been. This will have great benefit down the road. As for her being overly aggressive, the other dogs will let her know. The rule of thumb is if they go back and she goes back, they're having fun. In fact, you may need to let her "learn her lesson" so to speak and be put in her place by one of the bigger dogs. She's still a baby and is still learning about hierchy and this is part of the learning process. If she likes to nip at home, make sure you bite-sensitize her. If she were with her littermates and she nipped one of them to hard, they would yelp and stop playing with her. However, being in a human family she does not get this feedback. It is important that when she nips you, you yelp loudly and stop playing for a minute or two. This will teach her that biting hurts, and will pay dividends down the road if she ever fear-bites someone (she shouldn't bite as hard). [quote name='Humboldt505']I have a basically sweet puppy (8 weeks and likes to nip) she seems to know my husband and i are in charge, but when she goes to play with other dogs, rat terrriers to pit bulls all she wants to do is fight. Her tail is wagging but she growls with barred teeth and all. The fur on her back goes up. At first i thought she was scared, but she cries to go back to the "fun" as soon as we pick her up. She likes to play very ruff. But i am afraid once she gets bigger no one will want to play with her, and i won't want her to hurt another dog, what do i do to ensure that she won't be destined for a life of solitude? We are told she is a malamute shepard mix.[/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 I may just be being over protective and doing her harm by not letting her learn her lesson. I don't want to be a bad mom. Thanks for the congrats. This is not the first dog in my life, but the first that is soley my charge. If there are any other hints for a first timer, don't hesitate to pass them on. I am headed to the library this afternoon. So if all goes well i won't be ignorant for much longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 We've got lots of information here to share if needed! Congratulations and good luck! Oh, we taught our male to BE NICE when he's playing with his mouth. He also knows OUCH! and will come to lick you if you say it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gooeydog Posted December 11, 2002 Share Posted December 11, 2002 At what age did you get her? A common problem with pups that were taken from their littermates/mother before 8 weeks is that they don't have enough time to learn the bite inhibition (when and how hard is ok to bite), and so they have to be taught. For biting on humans, you can either "yelp" when she nips too hard; give her "time outs" (either in crate, another room, or on a tiedown) for it; or just stop playing when she does it. As for other dogs, it's a good idea to find other pups for her to play with, and if you know of an older dog that will "correct" her nipping, but won't hurt her, then let her play with that dog as well. Just make sure you're always there in case things get out of hand. Also keep in mind that she shouldn't be in contact with strange dogs/animals until she's done with all her puppy series of vaccinations (I think it's 2 or 3 sets), so be careful where you take her. It would also be a good idea to get her into a "puppy kindergarten" class for some training and socialization once she's had all her shots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 Thanks for the help. I know she was taken away from her mother too soon. Not to worry about her with other dogs..i hope. She never plays with random dogs. They are play dates if you will, with dogs whose history we know, whose moms and dads are friends of ours. Its so funny how quickly Humboldt can go from a little bear to a little lamb. I know she isn't old enough yet but what is the best flea and tick prevention method? Any brand better than another? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 I just wanted to mention that until your pup has completed vaccinations, with the last round being given at 12 weeks....it is just not safe to even have play dates. IMO Living in Colorado we don't have a flea problem, so I am sure others will have better suggestions...I usually recommend the pills Sentinel (sp)myself. Colorado is just crazy though....I haven't seen a flea since we moved out here....but before you all move, giardia is really out of control. Later, Trinity See my girls at [url]www.geocities.com/trinityess[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 i feel like such an idiot. Thats seems to be a pretty important piece of info for me not to have know. I'll stop. I feel so bad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anne3149 Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 Congrats on the new puppy. Flea, heartworm, intestinal worms. I use Sentinel, I think your pup can go on them at about 12 weeks. Ask the vet. As for behaviour, when the pup has had its shots and is cleared by your vet go to puppy kinder and then enrol in a formal obedience class. Your pup is going to be big when fully grown and you will bless the day you decided to obedience train. Good luck and have lots of fun with the pup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 thanks, i recently was moved from CA to NM, i live in a tiny town with only one training school, who won't return a phone call, so i don't really know what the deal is. We are a minimum of two hours from anywhere. So question, is it possible, to train a dog on your own? Tapes books? what to do, what to do? What is the normal term of an obediance class? How many days a week, or is it everyday? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anne3149 Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 I am in Australia so can't help you out location wise. Dog training classes here usually happen once a week. Keep phoning your training school as they probably don't turn up there until training day. I guess you can do very basic training yourself but it doesn't substitute for a properly run training class. It's good for socialising your dog too. I'm sure someone will post here with a lot more knowledge than me. All the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 I like "How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With", "The Perfect Puppy" by Gwen Bailey, "Clicker Training for Dogs" by Karen Pryor, "The Click & Treat Training Kit" by Gary Wilkes, "Culture Clash"by Jean Donaldson, and one of my favorites, "The Canine Good Citizen" by the Volhards. Classes are usually once a week for pups. I trained all of my dogs myself though, and used classes for socilaization. But if you are not very experienced it is a better bet to have a trainer to guide you. Later, Trinity See my girls at [url]www.geocities.com/trinityess[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 For flea and tick control we were using Frontline, but didn't this year since our neighbor has had no fleas or ticks on his dogs (and the oldest is 10). Now, if we take them camping next year, they WILL get Frontline, just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Can't thank everyone enough. I recently checked out "Good Owners, Great Dogs" Brian Kilcommons and "How to Speak Dog" Stanley Coren Both give me a better understanding of might be going through my puppys head. I know i won't feel comfortable until i find a good prof. trainer. Thank you for the other suggestions book wise and other. I'll follow up on all. Something else i have a question about that wasn't answerd by the books.. when my husband or i sit on the couch, Humboldt (the pup) will hop around barking at us but her teeth are showing, with little growls thrown in. Is she just wanting attention? What other mesages could she be trying to convey, and should i worry even more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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