When I have Marco loose in the house playing he likes to go after certain things that he's not allowed to chew on. I redirect him of course. Sometimes, however, he continues to go after a given object over and over and over. When I continue to redirect him he will eventually decide to come after me nipping at my legs, feet, hands when I go to reach for the leash or collar, whatever on my body is closest to him. I'm trying to figure out if this is an attempt at play with me or is it that he's annoyed with me not letting him chew on the object he's going after? Is this something I need to stop?

What are the things? I'd probably move them.

Not a puppy expert, but I'd probably pick my battles, and at the age of this puppy I'd probably prefer to manage his environment when possible over getting myself and him all up in a heaval over forbidden chewies.

But the puppy experts will answer better! :-)

It can be the couch, the chair, the rug, all of which cannot be moved. He also goes after an ornamental duck that other dogs we've had have chewed on before and can be moved. Also, just now, I was playing with him. I was sitting on the floor tossing toys a short distance, playing a little tug lightly because I don't want to jerk his teeth out. He continually goes behind me and bites the back of my arms or my back. I know that's just play and I just redirect to a toy as quick as I can. Just not sure about this other behavior I stated in the first post.

 Quote: Kory Fox

It can be the couch, the chair, the rug, all of which cannot be moved. He also goes after an ornamental duck that other dogs we've had have chewed on before and can be moved. Also, just now, I was playing with him. I was sitting on the floor tossing toys a short distance, playing a little tug lightly because I don't want to jerk his teeth out. He continually goes behind me and bites the back of my arms or my back. I know that's just play and I just redirect to a toy as quick as I can. Just not sure about this other behavior I stated in the first post.

Wow, he sounds tiring!

I guess I'd have to make my front more interesting than my back. LOL

I'm sorry; I can't help laughing at the mental picture of the little demon darting around behind for a sneaky mouthful.

I might be inside the ex-pen with the tug, playing over the ex-pen sides .... or maybe backed into a corner where I could see his teeth at all times.



Sometimes I look around at the adult (and senior) dogs here and think "whew."


(I know this is no answer; the real puppy folks will be helpful, unlike me.)

I'm kind of wondering also, since I don't have much idea how to evaluate, does this guy sound like a fairly high drive puppy for a rottweiler? I know high drive rottweilers, that are capable of serious work are few and far between these day and I definitely wasn't looking for that with this dog. But all the rotties I've had in the past were not this driven. Granted it's been about 15 years since my last rottie puppy but I really don't remember this much play drive before.

Hi Kory~

I am raising a GSD puppy. He was 91/2weeks when I got him. He is now going on 5 months. He has really mellowed out.

He is NEVER off leash in the house. He is tethered to me unless he is in his ex-pen or crate. I only played with him outside in my yard( it is large and secure). But in the beginning, I had him on a flexi-lead or leash even there. Every time we went out especially during house training, he was never allowed off the leash. It was time consuming but it has been the most "damage-free" puppy raising I have ever done!

I set up an ex pen in the back yard, as well as the house, so he could be contained even there. I think I bought every toy Leerberg has to sell and then some!! He always had some toys when he was in his ex-pen. And as suggested here, I rotated them every 3 or 4 days.

I will admit, I am retired, and have plenty of time to spend with him.

He was wild and crazy and very lovable. And now all of this is beginning to pay off. Still, even now, he is never off leash in the house, although occasionally I let the leash drag and have him doing a "down" in the kitchen while I make his dinner.

Every day I trust him more and more. BUT he is nowhere near ready to be off leash in the house, only in our yard.

I never play with him in the house. I want him to know the house is for "mellowing out".

I am very pleased with the way he is turning out. Sometimes I can't believe he's the same puppy I started with!

Hope some of this helps.

What Carol says above. That's about as simple a fix as possible with a pup or even an older dog new to a house/owner.

It made my pup nervous if I would sit down. He's more calm if I am upright and in my leader roll. Many times I was attacked sitting down --so I stopped sitting down.
You just can't luv-up and pet these hi drive pups, they need the rules 24/7. Be aloof, play more hard to get with your attention.
I f he's circling your living room attacking stuff it's time for a time out.


I thank God daily that mine has grown up!

I had completely forgotten about sitting on the floor and turning into a chew toy.

My daughter's Border Terrier puppies (talk about drivey) looooved to have the human down on the floor and totally accessible. LOL

 Quote: Kory Fox

I'm kind of wondering also, since I don't have much idea how to evaluate, does this guy sound like a fairly high drive puppy for a rottweiler? I know high drive rottweilers, that are capable of serious work are few and far between these day and I definitely wasn't looking for that with this dog. But all the rotties I've had in the past were not this driven. Granted it's been about 15 years since my last rottie puppy but I really don't remember this much play drive before.

It has been 11 years since I had a puppy too. I think we do tend to forget how wild they are.

Also, we have gotten older.

Still yet, I know my last GSD was raised loose in the house (I didn't know what I know now)no leash or crate, only an ex-pen. There were some disasters, but he definitely was, far more laid back earlier.

I guess what I'm trying to say, is I believe they all grow at their own rate. You may have a high drive puppy who will be that type of dog. Or he may just be a crazy puppy.

It's fun to watch and learn!