Hi all, i'm hoping to find some help here, so if anyone knows what I may need plus whats wrong (and hopefully what is'nt.....PLEASE) please just respond.

DH and i bought a pedigree from a breeder via the UK Kennel Club. Excellent kennels and stables, hefty price, gorgeous 7 week Dobermann pincher was the outcome. He's been with us 4 days now (8 wks old tomorrow) and as I have'nt had dogs in many many years (DH never has) plus no kids I've really babied our new addition - he plays hard for a pup but also sleeps alot which is fine. We will be seeing a vet tomorrow for a consultation plus his 1st injection in a couple of days after that, he will not be allowed out till 1 week after his 2nd injection.

But in the meantime he is VERY unruly! Sweet as he is (he really looks like he loves me) but he "bites" .............playfully that is, but his teeth are sharp and they hurt, leaving marks!
We have tried pulling under his chin in repremand (we started doing this yesterday after calling the breeder who told us to nip this in the bud and as we cannot go to a training school till at least a month is up I NEED to know some tricks. I am also waiting on 2 books but in the meantime I still need SOME GUIDANCE PLEASE. My husband is starting to wish we never got him, as he looks into a future of being pinned against walls or being bitten to death. He's started to blame me for being too cutesy. I'm trying but this dawg just won't listen! I am scared to shout in case he grows up agressive and yet he WILL NOT listen to me when I make him curl up on his bed rather then in the middle of the main room, my bed, anywhere that is'nt good basically. I'll put him on his bed but he'll start to play and soon he's flopping elsewhere again. DH will play tug of war with his special ropey toys and after that the poor pup is still excited so he bites him......tonight we started arguing over the fact that the dog will not listen and an adult Dobie that won't listen is'nt a pretty sight!

A VERY IMP QUESTION: Is this very boisterous pup beyond help? (not that i'd EVER give him away) but I really could do with some reassurance as I need to get my own strength from somewhere to in turn make DH see some sense. He's a born pessimist as it goes anyway (DH that is)(I'm the reverse) Our breeder said that we have taken the place of his bros and sisters but obviously he needs to see us as the main man and woman of the house and him the small fry. I start by being tough but get all cutesy when he follows me around etc etc...

HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLP PLEAZZZZZZZZE!
PS: I'm Mike P's wife btw <grins> my name is Beba.
Mike is infact DH!!!!

Don't expect too much too soon. Ideally the puppy would have been with mom until 8 weeks, they usually learn SOME bite inhibition from their litter mates. Try redirecting the behavior. Tell puppy "no" for biting you then provide something really tempting to chew, rawhide or some toy that puppy likes.
Also, with the bed thing, why does it bother you if the puppy flops to sleep on the floor? Four days isn't long for the puppy to learn to stay off beds and the couch either, just be persistant and place puppy back on the floor each time he/she hops up where he/she doesn't belong. If your consistent and never give in it won't be too long before the puppy gets the idea.
Just be patient, and don't expect too much. Puppies will be puppies. And mouthing certainly doesn't mean that the puppy will grow up to be aggressive.
I'm sure others will have more to add. Good luck <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Elisabeth

Thanks Elizabeth...I've been reading some posts, a search and your reply and I feel miles better already. DH left in a huff tonight but now, instead of not knowing what to say when he gets back in, I have a little file of posts to show him that my puppy is infact a puppy and to give him some dang time. Elizabeth, the place is small and lying down behind the door was no good but having said that you're right, my poor pooch, of course its cool for him to lay down in the middle of the room (Hes too small to climb furniture except my futon bed).....thing is, because I don't know much and Mike was making such a song and dance, I felt obliged to reprimand my sweet pooch (he did'nt blink an eyelid of course, delinquent that he is but "I" had bad feeling afterwards.

I'm actually feeling alot better now simply by reading the posts which made me blatantly realise that most boisterous pups are the same. I just KNOW that once Mike reads the bits about breaking a pups spirit he'll feel bad (he he he) and leave off untill pooch is older at least. Now I know why most reward treats start at 4mths old by the way.

I will however start inforcing some ground rules just so he knows who's boss.

Yeah, with Mike that is <g>

Michael,


I went through the same thing with my rottweiler @ eight weeks through 3-4 months old, then he eventually grew out of it. I asked the same question on here, myself, and was told the same thing Im telling you. Make sure you set rules, and give a no bite command, goog luck
Bill

also, make sure you let him know what he can and cant chew on. My fiance hated my dog we we first got him, and mow loves him to death. I cant tell you enough, be patient!!! he will grow out of it. he's just being a puppy with a prey drive.

Glad I could set your mind at ease. Don't be too easy on the puppy though. He does need to learn the rules or he'll remain unruly. Just gently enforce what he is supposed to do, reward good behaviors and a firm "no" when he misbehaves. If you work with him on the rules from the start he should shape up to be a really nice dog (when he's older <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> )
Again, good luck and enjoy your puppy. And remember, as far as behavior goes, it gets better (speaking of the experience of 4 GSD's and a malinois). Don't forget to enjoy puppyhood, it doesn't really last that long.
Elisabeth

HI Beba,
Keep in mind ( as said in some of the other post) your new Dobe is a pup. He has no hands and cant speak. He uses his mouth for everything. Most times puppies mouth (bite) when trying to play. You can ,as stated previously, redirect your pup to a chew toy. I like to use commands Like Phooie (NO in german) as these commands can and may cause some amounts of stress. In your everyday goings you will want a word that wouldnt be used alot. So the pup/dog doesnt get stressed for no reason. That aside you can also become an actor in this next suggestion. You may not want to use this if you are planning any Schutzhund or protection work. When the pup bites, you would yell ouch and ham it up a little, after a while, it will start to learn that the humans are very sensitive and I cant put my teeth on them with out them being hurt. In turn your pup will start to learn some bite inhibition. Seeing that you did get your pup a little early here is a tip that is quit useful to know. If you read some of the articles on Ed's website you will find he states this a few times. When a pup gets unruly its mother when she has had enough graps the pup by the nap of the neck and shakes the pup till it yelps. This is a natural corection for a pup. In this circumstance I would give the pup a command "Phooie Mouth" if he doesnt stop bitting give him a quick firm shake. I will follow this as well indicating that if you are looking to do any type of bit work you may want to steer away from correcting the pup when it bites.

Jim LaVallee

When I first got my doberman I feel NOW the biggest problem I had to overcome was being afraid of her BECAUSE of her breed. We learned within 4 days after getting her that she had some real ugly aggression. When they have it...there is no doubt in your mind thats what it is. Me being nervous with her didn't help that at all either.

Dobermans have a really bad rap. I think you are kind of in the same boat I was. Eventually we delt with the aggression with a success once I learned to handle it the correct way. Its a lot easier to get a handle now than any other time.

I'm kind of seeing nervousness is a problem you are having from your first post. You are going to have to look at raising this pup a little differently because your fear can cause the opposite effect you are looking for.

I don't feel your pup has aggression problems but when a dog learns for the first time that all they have to do is give you a little lip to get its way, you bet your butt someday that will grow you'll be in for some real problems. Dogs can sense that you are intimidated. There are many dogs that are willing to use that.

Dobes are a breed that need a confident leader or else they will become one themselves. You have keep this pup in its place in the pack. Lower in the pecking order or else thats what you will create.

I personally save the scruffing for any aggression and not necissarily play. I feel if you scruff too often it will take away some of the effect when its more necissary. I feel it can also lower play drive considerably. Just remember they don't know any better and they are just trying to have fun.

I personally would re-direct the attention to a toy instead.

Just keep in mind that this is a baby. Puppy's bite. Puppy's have sharp teeth. You are going to get bitten. This is how a puppy plays. This is all normal behavior. The good news is, they outgrow it. Just because you have a little allegator right now, does not mean you have an aggression problem. However,it's never too early to start some basic obediance training (sit, down and no bite). But be aware that most puppy's have the attention span of a gnat. Don't overdo it and don't expect pup to perform during distractions until much older. Keep the pup off the bed. That is your bed and pup should not be allowed on it. Establish who is the boss now. Crate the little tooth monster when you can't watch him. Not to get on your case, but did you research this breed before buying one? Any dog with high prey drive is going to drive you nuts at first. You have to expect that a puppy is going to act like a puppy.

Well said Kim!

Jim Lavallee