April 19, 2011
I have a couple of problems with my new pup, including a dislike for the car, sometimes getting car sick, and bitting at me when I'm at his level. How can I fix these problems?
Full Question:
Hi there,I have an 8 month old Napolean Mastiff x American Bulldog puppy. He is a very friendly dog but when he gets excited he occasionally pees. He is a little nervous of new surroundings. He doesn't like going in the car and when I try to take him for a ride he lays down so that I have to lift him up and put him in which may be hard once he is full grown. He also throws up in the car if he is fed before a drive. What can I do???
Also, when I am at his level he gets really excited and mouths my hands. When I try to correct him you yelps (even if I don't do it very hard).
I've got your puppy video and just ordered your obedience video which I'm sure will help. I was just wondering if there is anything I can do to make him a better canine companion and ensure he doesn't do this mouthing thing with my young son!
Thanks.
Ed's Answer:
The DVD will help a lot, I would also recommend our Pack Structure DVD. There is a video on the web page that gives info on what is covered.
For the other problems, I would use marker training to build this dogs confidence about new surroundings and to teach getting in and out of the car. Read the article Training With Markers. There are three phases of training, the learning phase, the distraction phase and the correction phase. We use markers to introduce our dogs to the LEARNING PHASE of training.
Submissive urinating is a common problem in your dogs, you can search our site for info or read some of the Q&A’s.
I wouldn’t feed your puppy before taking him on car rides since you know he gets sick, and the nausea he feels from riding in the car may also play a role in why he doesn’t want to get in the car in the first place. I would practice putting him in and out of the car when you have no plans to go anywhere. Make getting in the car a non event.
If your dog is mouthing you when you get down on his level, the short answer is to NOT get down on his level. You are causing conflict in your relationship by getting down there, he thinks you are inviting him to play and then you correct him. It’s much better to not do this right now, and establish pack rules and leadership in a clear and consistent manner. Later on when everything else is going well, you can try expanding your relationship a bit and see how it goes.
I would not allow any puppy around young children unless I had 100% control of the puppy and the child. It’s all too easy for an accident to happen. Watch the video on the web page I linked at the top of this email.
I hope this helps.
For the other problems, I would use marker training to build this dogs confidence about new surroundings and to teach getting in and out of the car. Read the article Training With Markers. There are three phases of training, the learning phase, the distraction phase and the correction phase. We use markers to introduce our dogs to the LEARNING PHASE of training.
Submissive urinating is a common problem in your dogs, you can search our site for info or read some of the Q&A’s.
I wouldn’t feed your puppy before taking him on car rides since you know he gets sick, and the nausea he feels from riding in the car may also play a role in why he doesn’t want to get in the car in the first place. I would practice putting him in and out of the car when you have no plans to go anywhere. Make getting in the car a non event.
If your dog is mouthing you when you get down on his level, the short answer is to NOT get down on his level. You are causing conflict in your relationship by getting down there, he thinks you are inviting him to play and then you correct him. It’s much better to not do this right now, and establish pack rules and leadership in a clear and consistent manner. Later on when everything else is going well, you can try expanding your relationship a bit and see how it goes.
I would not allow any puppy around young children unless I had 100% control of the puppy and the child. It’s all too easy for an accident to happen. Watch the video on the web page I linked at the top of this email.
I hope this helps.
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