I just got this dog about 3 weeks ago and he shows some progress. I have been working on pack structure but now there seems to be a problem with his jumping and biting (this is playful)but annoying too and dangerous if allowed to continue. he is about 6 or 7 months old German sheperd and rott. What can i do to correct this? would a remote collar be advised in this situation?

 Quote: Jim Dombrowski

I just got this dog about 3 weeks ago and he shows some progress. I have been working on pack structure but now there seems to be a problem with his jumping and biting (this is playful)but annoying too and dangerous if allowed to continue. he is about 6 or 7 months old German sheperd and rott. What can i do to correct this? would a remote collar be advised in this situation?

Hi, Jim,

Can you tell us what situations trigger jumping on people? Is it at the door? Guests? You, during play?

And is the biting/nipping during play or when?


We have lots of puppy experts. They'll see this.

He is not jumpping at other people, it is me when I take him out on leash for potty break or just spending time with him.
the biting is when he is jumping and while putting on or removing leash and when he seems to want something like water,food,treat or potty break. He does not bite hard enough to break skin. At this time I am not letting him have contact with others until he is better behaved.

I also would like to know how to handle this kind of situation.

bump

I'm no expert, but I've raised my own pups and combinations of these techniques worked for me...

For jumping up:

When the pup jumps up turn your back, walk away, make no eye contact. He's jumping to get your attention and engage you. So don't. But remember, even negative attention is attention. Saying "stop that, get down" or pushing him down, kneeing him are all "attention." He will still jump--he may even jump MORE at first as if to say "hey, I'm jumping here! Look at me!!!" But eventually he will give up and sit down. THAT is the moment for you to turn and give praise.

Ignoring inappropriate excited energy is the best way to diffuse it, IMO. The pup needs to learn self-calming and that's not something you can "enforce." You just have to wait for it to happen and then reward it positively.

Mouthing:

I yelp. I know others here don't go in for play acting, but it worked for all of mine. When the pup puts his mouth on you--even a little bit--yelp loudly and sharply as if he really hurt you. Then shun/ignore for a minute or two. This is, again, a situation where you are encouraging self-calming/correcting. When the pup is playing nicely, you'll play. If he puts his mouth on you, play stops. He'll catch on.

You should also always have available a toy/rope/tug/stuffed animal/knotted rag to put in the pup's mouth when he gets mouthy. Pups simply NEED something to chew on, especially while teething. They explore the world with their mouths--so just keep giving him something else besides your hands and pant legs.

Final tip: they eventually get it. Patience is a key requirement for puppy rearing.

Seven months old?
Any background on him you can share?