Maybe I am sort of missing something here... First off, I finally just got my new puppy, Zorra. And is she ever bright! She is a smart little thing. She is 8 weeks and I have had her for just two days now. I got some tennis balls and one of those chewing bones that is supposed to be good for their teeth. The night I got her home I had forgotten to get any toys so all I had was an old knotted up sock. Problem is, she only wants that knotted up sock most of the time. I had thought that she would be just naturally crazed over the ball. She isn't. She has played with it some but only briefly and then it is right back to either that old knotted up sock or her absolute favorite - someone's arm. She will bite an arm, or a leg - but only my leg, not my husband's (maybe she doesn't like the hair... hee hee.) And first I was like, oh isn't that cute... But it hurts. And even leaves marks for a while. I mean she clamps on with her whole little mouth and just loves it so I thought that was good. So I put a heavy jacket on and thought I would let her have some fun but she doesn't get so excited about it when I have the jacket. She likes to bite just the bare arm but that isn't going to happen anymore! So anyway, back to my original question - is the ball supposed to be a 'it's in the blood' type thing or something that I have to train into her? I am going to check out the videos now and see what I should get. Thinking maybe the teaching the bite work one because I want to get started on that right away. Don't want her to lose any of this love for biting. Oh, but when she chews the sock she does not put it in the back of her mouth like she does with my arm - just chews it but I think that is because she is teething...?? Well, I will be back. Bye. Jennie

Jennie,

Give this puppy time to adjust. You have only had her for two days. Sometimes people expect too much from a pup that has been ripped away
from their familar surroundings and put into a new home. She is only eight weeks old so ball drive is not what I would be worried about at this time. I would be taking the time
to bond with her and give her time to settle in. I also would not use tennis balls as there is a chemical in there that weakens their teeth, not to mention it may be a bit big for her mouth right now. She is clamping on things she feels is good to her. Sinking her teeth in your arm gets a reaction and feels good to her cause it's something she can really get a hold of, kind of like the knotted toy. Give her some time and continue to bond and build some drive for the ball in due time. I also would only use her "favorite" toy wether it's
the ball, hose, tug etc only for training and not just letting her have it all the time.

Not all pups are ball "crazed." Some you have to work with. Once they get the idea that chasing the ball is fun, THEY WILL CATCH ON. Chase it with them at first, as we all know that the best way to get a pup to follow is to RUN AWAY! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Be HEAVY with the praise EVERY TIME they pick up the ball and even more so when they bring it to you. Pups learn quckly, and yours is young. Remember that the pup only has a 3 minute attention span MAX at such a young age. No worries, though, your pup will learn so long as you show it that it's FUN!

Chewing on socks--definitely a sign of teething, Get used to it as it can last for the next year, <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hope this helps!

You are right - she has only been here for two days! I should give her some time. I am just so excited to finally have her here. I had to wait a while because the breeder I bought her from has the puppies sold before they are born so I had to wait until finally a litter came up that wasn't completely spoken for. And it is about time too! She is such a smart girl. She knows what sit means. Just after two days. Of course she is not reliable at it or anything but I am just so impressed. (We have owned some really ignorant dogs before...) Also the housebreaking is going reasonably well. Any time she is not with me she is in her crate. The crate came with her from the breeder and I am hoping to get her out of it and into a bigger one so she will have more room but the breeder warned me that if I move her too soon she might start pooping in one end and sleeping in the other so I guess I probably should wait a while. But only one accident on the carpet so far and that is not bad - though I think I might as well just pitch a tent in the back yard for as much time as I am spending outside. So I guess I will have to learn some patience. Oh, by the way, does anyone know how long it takes for the ink to wear off from the tattoo? (She has a tattoo in her ear I guess, though I can't really even see it because the whole thing is green and also some on top of her head from a littermate.) Just curious. Thanks. Jennie

Jennie.

Karmen is right about the tennis balls. The glue that holds the ball together has a chemical in it that can wear down the enamel on their teeth. Get a couple of lacrosse balls instead. (Lacrosse balls are about the same size as tennis balls and still may be too big to interest your pup right now.)

I have seen a small rubber ball on a string that would be perfect for a pup. If your pup is not interested in the ball, then try a small bite tug, its softer and easier to grip.

Jennie,

Take your time. Get the training DVDs in the areas that you’re going to focus on so you know the steps to take. But that’s for the future, but know what to expect. Take your time to bond with your puppy and gradually work with her. I think too many people get all gung ho and screw up their dogs. If it’s bite work you are looking for start with a small washcloth and move up towards harder objects as the puppy progresses. At most do your homework and study, that way you can avoid the common mistakes. Most important have fun, because in the dogs eyes that’s what training is. Fun