I have a 9 month old month old ?Terrier/? Brittany Spaniel mix that I got from a shelter in Jan. He's a great little dog! Very intelligent and learns very quickly! I use marker training and have had excellent results with everything except getting him to stop biting and nipping at my hands,feet or whatever!
I've tried substituting toys ,putting him in time out, using verbal corrections as well as physically scolding him by grabbbing him by the scruff and speaking firmly but he just isn't getting it!
Also he plays very roughly with my old JRT and I can't get him to stop constantly trying to dominate him or block me from showing him attention!
I walk this puppy 45 min or longer every day and we play tug and fetch multiple times a day trying to give him an outlet for his energy!
I'm at a loss! Please help!!!

Well, I;ll start.

Welcome to the board.

Step One for me is to separate him from the JRT. This isn't something to subject the senior dog to. That should be stopped now, today.


This is a pushy dog, blocking you from the other dog.



I'd like to hear if this is pretty much what you're seeing:

Question:

Hi,

I have a 5 month old, 15lb, male cockapoo. He has always been very nippy, or as I prefer and believe it is bitey. .... it seems to me that out of the blue he will jump up, grab hold of my clothes, rip them and bite me. We could be on a very pleasant walk or hanging out in the backyard and bam, he's at me or another member of the house. He can be good for a day or 2 but then this behavior returns. The corrections that I have used are the "off" command, confinement, yelling "NO!" .....

Ed's answer to that person included:

I would make sure you are continuing to control his daily life by keeping him on leash or crated. I would also make sure that you are giving him a calm, firm correction for even thinking about jumping up and biting. If you wait until he’s already all wound up, yelling at him actually will make this worse. Dogs like the reaction they get from doing this, he’s probably enjoying it a lot. It becomes a big game for them.


Is this dog ALWAYS on at least a drag line when he's loose? Is he usually tethered to you?

Do you know about pack structure and NILIF?

The board is less populated on weekends, but you'll get answers from others too.

Thanks for your help! In answer to your question, at times I will have him tethered to me but not always! He knows the command to "go to his bed" and I use this frequently when he gets too rough! I've read about pack structure but I'm not familiar with NILIF! What is that?
As for the older dog, the only way I would be able to keep them separated is to keep the puppy (Rudy) crated all day while I'm at work! He is crated at night & I hate the thought of him having to spend all day in a crate as well! My job requires me to be on call & I can end up being away from home for long periods! I have a limited number of people I can call on to help me when I'm unable to get home to care for the dogs! As it is I have a fenced yard with a doggie door that gives the dogs access to the sunroom!
Rudy hasn't bitten me yet nor has he ripped my clothes but you can't put your hands on him without him putting his mouth on you! When I correct him he waits and tries to catch me from behind! If I get on him too much he starts barking at me! He definitely has an attitude!

IMO, he can't have access to the senior who he's bullying while you're gone. But I'm also a non-fan of dogs loose in a yard (even a fenced yard) with no one at home. Is there a possible sunroom versus no-sunroom separation arrangement?

NILIF is "nothing in life is free," and it sounds like this pushy 9-month-old would benefit from it. It's such a well-known protocol that you can search on the LB site as well as on this board, or even Google it, and find clear outlines. A quick search on the LB site brought up these two right away:
http://leerburg.com/puppygroundwork.htm
and
http://leerburg.com/groundwork.htm
and
http://leerburg.com/webboard/thread.php?topic_id=24745&page=1 and

On that GW article (first link), note the "always on leash" section. This dog has been with you just a few weeks, right? It would be a rare dog, for me, who would be allowed off the tether (attached to me, not a stationary object) or leash or at least a drag line when un-crated, at this stage.

Does someone walk the dogs when you're gone for long periods?

Two huge factors for me besides pack groundwork are "well-exercised" and "basic obedience."

I'm not reading a lot of structured exercise (but the 45-minute walk is a good start) and would like to read about basic obedience training. I saw that you're using marker training (good!), but how many short session a day are you doing? Bomb-proof basic ob means you will have fallback commands.

Also, stay tuned. Others will see the thread and advise too.

I have two dogs that get along almost unbelievably well....but I still won't leave them alone in a yard together. Puppies are obnoxious pretty much 95% of the time they're awake and (and 60% of the time when they're sleeping lol) subjecting your older dog to that is unfair. If the puppy gets pushy when you give the older dog attention you put the puppy in his crate, the dogs get attention separately and when they earn it by sitting politely or doing something for petting or a treat.

As for the nipping, keep redirecting and try ending all games (going as far as to crate the puppy or walk out of the room) when he's to amped up and starts nipping. Be dramatic about it....if he nips say OUCH loudly and then just leave. Once he calms down then resume play. They tend to figure out really quickly that nipping means that it's no longer fun, the game is over, they ruined it. Physical punishment will do more harm than good and isn't very effective for this issue. Ending the "game" makes an impact, you take away the fun in mouthing you

Hi Donna and welcome to the forum.

I have to agree with Connie and stress that the pup really can't be allowed to bully the senior - it is not fair to the older guy and is too fun for the pup; he gets "reinforced" every time he gets the opportunity, so the longer it is allowed the harder it will be to break.

It might take more than a 45 minute walk to tire this guy out, but it is a GREAT start. Can you manage to get in some fetch/run/what ever before leaving in the AM? The terrier in him is not going to be content with just walking... My GSD loves the Chuckit Flying Squirrel and that was a life saver when he was young. I would also tie a stuffed animal to a long rope and run around like an idiot letting him chase that until I could not take the fun any longer (this provided much entertainment to our neighbors... ahem.) Something to keep in mind; a tired puppy is a good puppy. Really.

Redirect, redirect, redirect. I carried an old dish towel in my back pocket for way too long to engage my mouthy guy when he was young; he was NOT allowed to mouth me but we'd play with a rag or towel.

When he is teathered to a secure object bring in the other dog and give attention to the older dog BUT reward the pup for remaining on a down or place or whatever. TEACH him that he still gets attention but only when he is doing what you want (NILIF). Marker training will work wonders in this regard, but it takes time and effort, but it will pay off in time. The more consistant you are, the better. Work on one skill at a time and set the pup up for success at all times. Use yummy, high value rewards. If you have any questions about marker training just ask.

I hope some of this helps. I honestly think he needs to be exercised more and prevented from doing the obnoxious behaviors (teathering). As much as possible, TRAIN/teach him to do WHAT you want vs reprimanding/punishing for the unwanted. However, a firm, calm reprimand as Ed discussed is warranted when he is being a butt and not listening. Just don't let yourself get annoyed/mad when doing so... calm/rational/appropriate.

Hang in there.. they do grow up. However, they have needs and terriers have specific ones.

Good stuff ! I appreciate your input!
I have Rudy in a basic obedience class! So far he's heads above the other dogs in his class! Even though I've only had him since mid Jan. he has made great strides! He has gone from being scared of people, other dogs and literally his shadow to a pup who is very friendly and willing to try new things! He's a great little dog with a lot of potential, I just want to make sure I don't destroy his spirit!
When I say he's mouthy what I mean is that even when I try to pet him he immediately tries to put his mouth on me! He doesnt really bite, but he does nip. I do make him either sit or down before I pet him and I also make a point of not showing him affection when he is being too pushy.
As for as exercise, at the end of our walk we go to a nearby park a block from my house and play chase or fetch or tug. I leave for work at 0530 , but I do make a point to throw the ball for 10 min or so before I leave! I realize this isn't enough but I'm trying to make the most of the time I have. When I'm not on call I rarely work an 8 hour day and after call I get the day off ! So I spend quite a lot of time with my dogs!
When I'm at work I have a friend come by to feed the dogs for me, but that's about all I can ask of them! They work long hours too!
I know it sounds as though I'm making excuses! I don't mean to, it's just the way it is at this point in my life!

Donna, three things -

1.) If you can afford it, try a dog walking service in your area. A good one that's reliable and trustworthy can be a godsend for people that have a hectic schedule.

2.) Mouthiness is puppy behavior, only being with you for a short time it would be unfair for you to think he knows the "rules" of his new leader. Be consistent, be black and white, and have patience. He will learn and understand the new rules in time, I do redirecting onto things he should be playing with, but I also use attention and affection as a reward. Unwanted behavior is ignored, and my attention goes elsewhere. If he's really being a butthead, I'll even stand in the bathroom with the door closed while he sits outside the door.

3.) If you have the space, one of your best options I think is seclusion for the youngster or your older dog in their own room while your away. That way they have a little freedom instead of a crate, something to think about anyway.

"...but I do make a point to throw the ball for 10 min or so before I leave."

Throwing the ball is great, but maybe save it for when you get home and do 10 minutes of obedience training (or teaching a new behvior) instead. That way he'll be getting mental and physical exercise which will be more tiring.