Can anyone advise? I have a 5 month old puppy called Molly who chases after me snapping at my clothes when I walk around the house, she also licks a lot - everyone - and nips all the time. She is very energetic, almost nervous energy as she only stops to sleep. How do I stop the biting, it's not agressive, unless you are trying to take something like food away from her, by that I mean something that she's grabbed and shouldn't have, like a biscuit from my grandaughter, then we try to take it away so that she knows its wrong. Even if you are sitting with her on your lap stroking her she will be trying to bite you.
I don't have a dog Susanna but am an avid fan of Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer - here is a link to his 'puppy tips':
Hi,
I'm an owner of Great Dane and as a first time dog owner I struggled at the beginning with the same kind of problems you have now.
What we eventually learnt is that the biting is not just a puppy thing - it is a sign of dominance and needs to be stopped now. You can do this by rolling the puppy on its back when it does it, or distracting it or giving it something it should be biting - like a toy when teething.
Never allow a puppy on the sofa with you, nor the bed. A dominant dog can and will take advantage of being at the same height as you and quickly assume the position of pack leader. You are pack leader, not the dog.
Assert yourself as the dominant leader and then you will be able to take anything away from the puppy. You should be able t handle any part of the puppy and be able to remove food at any time without aggression.
This isn't about being cruel, this is about working with the puppy in a manner that makes it feel safe and part of an organised pack.
I absolutely agree that Cesar Milan's techniques are superb, but are not useful unless you place yourself mentally as the pack leader. Dogs know when we are not pack leader and will take over very quickly.
Good luck with your new bundle of energy!!
Kind regards,
Christina
Exercise, exercise, exercise.... probably one of the main reasons for poor dog behaviour is that they just dont get enough. A lot of puppy behaviour is them asserting their role and dominance so you do have to remain strong, and calm above all. Get a puppy crate and give them time out, they might not want stroking all the time, they need a place to go to get away from us humans too! Be strong, be firm and remember.......... its a dog, why is it sat on your lap?
When we allow animals onto our laps or when we give them bits of our food they dont think "ahhhhhhhhhhhh arent you nice giving me food and letting me up here" instead they think.. "wow i sure did intimidate you into letting me up here and giving me your food". You should always remain superior, higher, stronger, calmer than your dog. Dont give them attention until they calm down, yes its nice to see a dog all excited to see us jumping and wagging its tail but they soon learn they get attention in a heightened state.
without wanting to mimic caesar milan he has it down to a T - you: calm assertive and dog: calm submissive
Can anyone advise? I have a 5 month old puppy called Molly who chases after me snapping at my clothes when I walk around the house, she also licks a lot - everyone - and nips all the time. She is very energetic, almost nervous energy as she only stops to sleep. How do I stop the biting, it's not agressive, unless you are trying to take something like food away from her, by that I mean something that she's grabbed and shouldn't have, like a biscuit from my grandaughter, then we try to take it away so that she knows its wrong. Even if you are sitting with her on your lap stroking her she will be trying to bite you.
Sorry you're still having problems with Molly, as on your earlier thread:
As before, good replies here, and I'm also wondering if you've sought suggestions from the rescue centre you got her from and/or if there are any reliable dog behaviourists or trainers in your area.
You might also find it useful to google for the two breeds of which she's a cross and read up about the characteristics of both Beagles and Jack Russell's, both quite strong-willed breeds in their different ways and with keen hunting instincts.
Good luck with her 🙂
Holistic
I knew I'd get some disapproval for laps, cuddling etc, but really we wanted a pet who we could love and who loved us - how do you get both, the good behaviour and the affection. That apart thank you for the excellent advice we will give it a try and I will get back in touch with the rescue centre for advice. I have had pretty poor feedback around my area for training classes and behaviourists, I'm still trying to find someone from recommendation. I'm trawling through sky for Cesar programmes, I did find some before but am still looking for a relevant one for our breed.
Susanna, discipline does not exclude love, far from it!
Now this may sound either harsh or a bit odd, or possibly even both, but dogs like discipline. They need it, or they get in a muddle because they don't know who's boss. They are pack animals and look to having a leader.
I don't have a dog at the moment but have owned terriers for many years, and perhaps had an advantage in that because mine were mostly bred by me, I was able to start 'training' at a very early age. Once good manners were installed, then of course there were laps and cudddles and mutual affection, but the bottom line was that they always knew when this was permitted and when not.
Adult dogs knew jolly well they were to lie down in their bean bags and pretend it wasn't happening when we had a meal in front of the TV, and they'd get a tit bit when we'd finished eating. One cannot expect this of a young puppy though, so that's where the cage comes in.
You mentioned looking online for 'our breed', but since you say you have a crossbreed, you may not find anything. Try looking for one breed, then the other, and compare methods recommended. Or look for 'crossbreeds', 'first crosses' or even 'mongrels', though I don't much care for the last.
HTH
Holistic
You are not getting affection by allowing the dog on your lap, by constantly stroking it and by fussing over it.
You watch tv programmes with animals in a pack... the pack leader takes and eats its food first alone, it then decides if to share any while the others watch on at a distance, it lets the others know when its appropriate to touch/groom them.......
Dogs need a strong pack leader, too much fussing sends out all the wrong signals.
You show love to a dog by leading........ by exercising....... and training.
Its in no way disapproval for showing love, but make your dog earn your affections... give it task to do, do some training , its reward is a fuss. I make my dog earn its food, its not just given on a plate (or bowl) she has to earn it..... i eat first - she doesnt stay in the room. I walk into the house first, she doesnt barge past me, she isnt allowed upstairs whatsoever....... start as you mean to go on or else you will have regrets in the future.
I would get her in at a good training class, up her exercise, offer her something else to chew on, and avoid Cesar Milan or dominance theory training like the plague, unless you want this to develop into full blown aggression.
Alpha rolling and pack theory is controversial, old fashioned, and very confusing for your dog, and will end up with you getting bitten - please dont risk it.
Seek out a good dog training class where they use positive methods, also read into clicker training - works a treat with clever dogs!
More info on why pack rank theory doesn't even apply to dogs (or wolves for that matter - as it was based on captive wolves who weren't acting naturally):
Incidentally, not a fan of Victoria Stillwell either - but the article isn't written by her but one of her forum members, and it is spot on. Alpha dogs dont eat first, go through doors first, or assert anything - because they dont have to - so rolling your dog will only make it very very confused, and many people have been seriously bitten trying this at home.
Hi
Sorry i fI have missed this bit - but what breed is your puppy?