I'm fairly new to schutzhund and just purchased my first working bloodline GSD. He comes from great bloodlines and tested very well. We waited almost 9 months for this pup. I visited every week since he was 4 weeks old. He is 10 weeks now and is a holy terror. He has incredible drive and never calms down. Don't get me wrong he drives at me constantly demanding my attention and focuses on me, this I like. But, It's impossible to get him to sit still with me unless he is chewing on a rawhide, etc... while I hold it for him. Otherwise he's biting the crud out of me. He targets my hands instead of a tug or toy. I don't want to correct him for fear of deflating his spirit but I'm really taking some punishment from a 10 week old pup. Any suggestions?

Correct him, or put him in a kennel.

I'd correct him and redirect, redirect, redirect, redirect, redirect. . .

put toys on 4 foot strings... make the toys dance. This added length will keep your hands far enough out of reach that the pup will learn to go for the toys instead of you. I used to have to do this just to put my pants on LOL...

I don't know... maybe I am odd, but I like this stage of puppyhood. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

They always outgrow it. Just a matter of time.

VanCamp!

Just who I really wanted to hear from. You may not remember but we chatted about this puppy a few months back before I got him. I'd asked how you felt about a Troll vh Milinda son. Anyway, I'm very happy with him, but I need to get him to target his toy more than me. As I said earlier I'm very new to this. I have no ego, or preconceived ideas about raising a sch dog. I've watched the tape - "Bite Training Puppies" and I'm learning. What I have been unsure of is corrections. Everyone that I talk with, read or watch their material says not to correct for mouthiness less you crush their spirit and in essence their desire to bite later on. I keep hearing this will end at about 4 months naturally. This is a tough question but, where is the balance in that logic? When would it be appropriate to correct for biting without doing damage to his drive to bite later on in life. I've refrained from doing so up until this point for fear of creating a bad association with it that may damage his temperament. Any input is greatly appreciated.

BTW: I'm not trying to go this alone. My local Schutzhund club training director will be helping me but he's been out of town. Just wanted everyone to know I wasn't trying to do something dumb or learn on this pup.

What's his normal day like? Is he crated? When does he excersize and what kind is it? Are you getting bit or getting BIT!?. My female will bite me but I make her sit and bark first. HA!

correct him....then re-direct re-direct re-direct.


Is there an echo in hear????

I have fought over that issue in my head for years. . .don't correct pups.

But, I do it anyway when it gets out of control.


When the pup keeps running up to you when you're just going to the bathroom or something, jumping up and latching onto your hand. . .I draw the line. I also live with my dogs, for the most part, in the home with my family.


When you are playing, thats different, I just ignore it and try to put the prey movement into the tug. Make the toy or tug more interesting to bite. . string helps.


I have to find a happy medium between the house dog and the work dog.


Besides, with your little monster a few corrections for eating you isn't going to make that big a difference.

BTW,how the hell are you Chuck?


Nice to see you check in smartazz. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Thanks everyone!

I think I'm beginning to understand a little better now. Most of the bites occur during playtime. Fortunately I was able to see my training director last night (he got back early). And I'm now using a smaller towel for him to bite. Seems easier for him to target. I think the other was just too large and he was taking a bite out of anything he could get a shot at. No real focus point. Not to mention his bite was instantly better. Full grip, in the back of his mouth and tugging like a wild man. He's a pyscho puppy, but I love him. He's just got that crazy bouncing off the wall kind of drive. Thanks again.

Chad,

Sounds like a great pup... but he is a pup and sounds like he just needs to grow up. You say he has off the wall drive, and that the mouthiness is mostly while playing... Great! When you are playing around work with his Focus and Grip. I really enjoy Ed's video of Flinks - Drive, Focus, Grip.

I too had a crazy male pup who would take a bite out of everything near him during play time... I used the Flinks video and had some real success. After a couple of weeks when we would work with the rolled towel he looked like superman while snatching hold of it with a great grip. NO MORE BITE SCARS ON MY HANDS! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

The only game we had problems with was the toy "keep away game" (I don't know what it would be officially called) The game of passing the toy behind the back to present on the other side and build drive. Caesar would sometimes get frustrated and just try and go through me to get to the tug. Caesar was only 6 months when I started him on the video so I belive even puppies can benifit from using it. Maybe it could help you too!

Good Luck... sounds like you have your hands full. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />