Hi
My 3 month old dobe is now house trained, sleeps through the night, and obeys simple commands. The problem that I'm having is whenever he is around us he likes to play which includes constant mouthing and nipping (not hard but uncomfortable). I've tried distractions (using his toys as a substitue), and corrections and even with a prong collar correction he continues to mouth and nip. Finally I tried the muzzle. He settles down after trying to remove it the first 5 minutes. But then he just sits there and cries.
Am I doing something wrong? Any suggestions ?
Thank you very much
John

John-
so is he dominant or submissive? does he chew hard on bones,kongs as well as toys? consistency is key, same
"Ouch" when it's uncomfortable, or "no teeth", but not one word one time and another the next...also
it's his only tool, so if it's nibbling with incisors,
he's lovingly grooming, means no harm, but a pincer bite
can pinch and hurt too, but no malice is intended. Or is it
full mouth deep grasp, which is not something you want him
doing at all? It's hard to get a glimpse of your problem from your post. Do you holler alot at him for it? negative
re-inforcement is possible, attention is attention, they just want it, however they can get it. Are you the alpha in this pack, and he just pushes that to the hilt daily? Areal dominant dog will. I'd examine your past, find inconsistencies, realize anger, if any has occurred, was likely counter productive and try a calmer approach.
They do learn how much is ok, how much isn't, but some
take longer, or are so full of fire, they wanna dance at the
drop of a hat...so figure out what action is the bell, and
don't drop the hat and let it ring, re-direct that energy
before it comes to that.
Hope I made some sense here, had a few over the years, one
a shep/dobe mix who was a real pistol.
Good Luck!

You have a puppy - the odds are extremly high that it is a dominant puppy doing something out of aggression - you are seeing prey drive - this is more of an owner education process than a dog problem and a muzzle is counter productive.

Get a dog crate and use it.

When we raise pups they are not loose in the house. We interact with themn outside not in the house.

Get my DVD on puppies and study it.

Dan he is submissive to me and is affectionate with all humans. He chews hard on his toys, and has a very strong prey drive. I am consistent with the ouch approach, and he immediately stops biting, but 2 seconds later he's at it again. His bite can be a small nibble or a deep grasp although he doesn't fully close his mouth. To give you an example I tighten the collar as he's biting me. He continues biting until the collar becomes uncomfortable. He then stops biting and starts licking me. In my inexperienced opinion I think he's playing. I just don't know if the muzzle is a good idea or if it will hurt our bond and set him back.
Thanks for your help
John

I have purchased all your DVD's and try to follow everything.
We do crate him all the time and he is very happy in his crate. I take him in the house on a leash at for 5-10 minutes each day so that he can get used to the environment. Ultimately I'd like him to be able to stay by me while I work in the office or watch TV.

Hi John:

My pup was VERY mouthy until he reached 5 months, which coincidentially is what people on this board had written would happen. He got corrections, which really didn't impact much and re-directed with a toy, but he basically 'grew out of it'.

Another factor that I was told to take into consideration, is my end result. My pup is an agility dog, not for SchH or PPD, so I wasn't concerned about 'inhibiting' his bite. So I kept on correcting, but once he his the 5 month mark, it all but went away on its own.

I wouldn't think muzzling a 3 month old would be very productive, he is still a baby.

When he stops for the 2 seconds, take that opportunity to give him something he is allowed to chew on like a tug.

Good luck.
Linda

I live in Poland and there are very strict muzzle laws here....far stricter than anywhere else Ive lived. There are times when training when I simply have to keep a muzzle on my dog --- though not often. ANd I have to walk him with a muzzle all the time. I wonder if there is anything additional about training him while wearing a muzzle I need to know (since Ive found how stupid i am since coming to this web forum ) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I've never had to use a muzzle but I do know that it's best to use a basket-style muzzle because that type permits the dog to pant, drink water and even accept small treats but not to be able to bite. You want to make the muzzle a positive thing associated with good times and special treats. You can start by allowing the dog to sniff the muzzle praising him for doing so. You can also put treats near and on the muzzle for the dog to "discover." Of course, you'll do this when you are there to supervise so he doesn't chew on the muzzle. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Then have the dog in a sit and slip it on and off, praising the dog for accepting the muzzle. Gradually, wait longer periods between slipping it on and off and when you can leave it on long enough to be able to buckle the muzzle, do that and leave it on for a short time, praise the dog and take it off. Gradually increase the time. I know you may have to speed up the process due to the laws where you live but, as much as possible, work at the dog's acceptance speed.

I know people whose dog's get vry excited when they see their muzzles come out because they know they are going to go someplace or do something fun.

thanks elaine.
He is surpisingly good about using the muzzle ( I had a pit bull once just would NOT allow a muzzle to be put on....took for ever to make her adapt to it)....but I just wondered more about any other training for which a muzzle might be a problem?

My GSD puppy has a similar behaviour that the original poster described.
So if he is submissive is it okay for your dog to nip? My 7 1/2 months old GSD nips me when I play with him, but he never got aggressive so I kind of tolerated that. Would this lead to a bigger problem later on? Should I not tolerate nipping at all? He would not just come and nip at me without me initiating a play with him.
Thanks in advance for your response