What am I going to do with this puppy??????? :(

I am wired. Stressed. And not to forget to mention Exhausted.

New puppy is a biter. I know! How can a lil puppy's bite hurt? Well his teeth are sharp, that is how. He just won't stop biting. He is very aggressive for such a small dog. He doesn't get, the Ouch, No, give him a chew toy. He takes the toy and runs back and bites me on the leg. He even growls at me lol.. His lil growl is cute, but it won't be cute when he is older.......

I even have a "time out" place for him when he bites. shrugs shoulders. I gated in a section of the room and that is where he goes when he bites. I let him out and give him his toys and he runs to my feet and legs and starts biting.. I pick him up and he bites my hands. *7 days of this* *and all day, fighting him off from biting* Sure is taking out the "joy" of having a dog..

I haven't called him by his name in a few days. His new name just might be "little *****er" as he seems to answer to that when I yell it out...Ouch.. no bite.....

Having this cute lil 9 lb pug is like being in a snake pit. There is very little "fun" with him during the day. Then at night, he snuggles up so close to me and falls asleep.

I am at my wits ends. He is very active, but that is not the problem. Just his biting me.. My arms and legs are all bruised and scratched..

Good Lord, a 9 lb puppy is getting the best of me. I don't believe in "smacking or hitting" animals to discipline them. I am ready to tell my son to take him back.

Oooo he does poo in the shower and pees in the bathroom. I didn't train him to do that, he just does it. Makes cleaning "messes" pretty easy.. wipes brow

He has been to the vet to be checked and my son said he was a very good doggie there. He is "healthy" the vet said.

Pushed to my limits.... saying megga bad words. even saying them "out loud" Hope the neighbors don't hear me....Can't believe this puppy has gotten the best of me. Darn thing is soooo cute....

My son is getting a playpen, thinking this might help. Might have to "crate" him.. If this doesn't work, the puppy has to go....

radio,,,,, Give the pup another chance,,,,,, Try this.

.Lay on your back on the floor and let him jump on you run across you and feel you at his level. I've done this with a few of mine when they first came home and were afraid and whinny. It worked,,, Then they knew I was not a giant just walked higher off the ground.

I'd say not to do what wmdwright suggests. I think the puppy is pushing his limits and seeing how much you will take. I think he wants to be 'top dog' of the pack (which includes you) and lowering yourself to the ground will be abasing yourself in his eyes, imo. You need to get this sorted out whilst he's still a puppy and can be controlled. It isn't funny, I don't know what breed he is, but any dog which is a biter when older is a menace. Do you want a child being bitten by your dog? Do you want to always have your dog in a muzzle to prevent it biting people or other dogs?

Maybe you won't agree with this approach, but my aunt has always owned a dog (she's 60) and they have all been well-trained and instantly obedient. Simply, when they bit, or misbehaved, they were told 'No' and dissuaded like you're doing. If the dog continued to misbehave, the dog was given a slap and again told 'No'. She has two Yorkshire Terriers, both of which can be feisty and challenge her authority, and what she has found useful (it sounds weird, I know) is to grab the dog when it tries biting her, and biting it back around the neck (not a proper bite lol, just pressing against the neck). This is what a dog in higher authority in a pack would do to humiliate a dog which is challenging its authority.

I don't think the isolation technique would work. Dogs are supposed to have a very short-term memory. That's why you need to chastise a dog immediately for misbehaviour, or reward for good behaviour, rather than waiting five minutes. If you can get your dog to not bite, you should immediately give him a treat and praise him. And when you're putting him in isolation, you're probably making your puppy extremely bored. Puppies need stimulation and exercise.

You should also discourage him from messing in the bathroom, ok it's easier for you but you should really train him properly...

I'm sorry to say this, and perhaps I'm wrong, and if so please correct me, but I am getting the impression from your post that you're not really up to the challenge of bringing up your dog to be gentle, obedient and well-trained...

Perhaps you could have a chat with your vet too and see what he/she can recommend about his behaviour.

Check out the TV show, "Dog Whisperer" with Cesar Millan.

http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/

He would show you how to use your fingers and "bite back" to show him you're the leader of the pack.

Hi wmdwright

Thanks for the suggestion. He isn't afraid or timid or whinney. I do lay on the sofa with him and he runs about from my head to my feet. Then the lil stinker tries to sit on my head and pull my hair.. Only time he is quiet is at bed time and he will snuggle up so close to me and fall into deep zzzzzzzzzzing...

I do appreciate your suggestion. I will keep trying.

Hi silver queen.

I think you are right. He wants to be leader of the pack. This is the first aggressive puppy I have ever been around.. When I had my German Shepherd, I took him to doggie school. Well, the instructor was always "yelling" at me, telling me that I am the one in control not the dog... I was lucky with the Shepherd. He was veryyyy smart. Actually he let me think I was in control. He took very good care of me. Never snapped or even tried to bite me. He actually always "protected" me. Big Bear was a great dog. He lived to be l4.. I miss him lots

The little puppy is a black, 9 lb Pug. And he does challenge me when I say nooooo to him by running off and then running back and then bites me on the leg and growls and barks.. So it is pretty clear he wants to be top dog.

Will try the mock biting him back around his neck. Will let you know how it goes.

When I put him in his "time out", I only let him there for five or ten mins. It does calm him, but not for long... Guess the "isolating" idea isn't a good idea...

I have those puppy pads for him to potty on, but all he does with them is tear them up and then tries to eat the cotton stuff inside the pad. The first few days I had him the temperature was in the 50's, so I walked him or let him outside when he did the run around thing, looking for a place to pee. But the temps dropped to the 30s and I am thinking that is too cold to take him out. I do have a lil jacket for him to wear outside. But he still shivers.. I don't want him to get sick.. He is only two months old.. Is 30/40 degree temps too cold for him to be out side????

I may not be up for this challenge. First time I have ever been around an "aggressive" pup. All my other dogs were gentle and never gave me a problem. This one reminds me of the tazmanian devil cartoon.

If I can't train him to be obedient, it would be best for him to have an owner than can train him. He is smart. I know he can be trained. I just need to make him understand that I am top dog...and if by chance I can't do that, it would be better for him to live with someone who can....

He must sense something is up lol.. He is quietly laying at my feet as I type.

Hi Perna

I watch "Dog Whisperer" all the time.. I even out of frustration did that psssssst thing Cesar does. Guess I am not doing it right, because when I do it the puppy snaps at me..

Thanks for the link.. I will check it out ASAP..

Yea radio,,,, what Silver says 'bout my suggestion is just that. Let him have the Alpha dog position till he stops teething ( LOL ) on your ankles.

. When and as he gets older you will If you think he needs it ......... to be a slight bit aggresive in behavior adjustments.

. I have a Pitty Wolf mix With some Blonde Lab ... ( an opps ) litter. Found homes for other 3 kept this one . He ,,, when at about 60 lbs. Stared me in the eyes and would not cut his stare .... He challenged me .... I took him up off all fours and he knew oh oh . Ever since ,,,he weighs about 110 lbs now ,,,He can look me in the eyes ,,but he cuts his stare away ,,, and I kiss him on the snout and praise him .. I call him My dog.. Actually Doogie. LOL And I do that ppsssssssssst thing when I want to get his attention and boom ,,, he is right there. Sitting down . cool Dog.

.Anyway Good Luck how ever you chose as an outcome.

RF...did you say he's a Pug?...They are usually loving companions from what I've heard.
I have had and fostered many,many dogs in my time...rescuing some, though now I only have the one gentle Samy mix I rescued from the Lex., Ky pound years ago.
My daughter has had a Jack Russell for many years now, and he was a handful as a pup (as this breed tends to be)...very destructive. She would throw him on his back in the submissive position when he misbehaved, until he got the message that he wasn't "alpha" dog.
I agree with others here that pups have very short term memories, and there needs to be some unpleasant consequence to the biting, and immediate. A smack on the nose, or even a rolled newspaper threat would not be too cruel, since he's hurting you, and you don't want him to grow up thinking it's okay to bite. Also, follow this with promptly throwing him on his back and holding his neck...like Dog Whisperer does with unruly behaviors!
Patty

Caleb was a biter when I got him. It was a process. I make sure he has plenty of HIS things to chew upon. Then, when he tries to chew on me, I say NO! sharply and get his attention. The latest thing I did that really cut it back was I taught him to close his mouth. It only took 3 x ... first I told him to Close his mouth, and took my hands and closed his mouth for him. ONce he paused, I gave him a treat. By the third time, he closed his mouth by himself and got an immediate treat. Caleb is still on the treat end of it, but I know soon he will do this without having to get a treat.

my immediate thought is that he may be a) teething and wanting to chew on things or b) be in an oral fixation phase much like babies get in when they like to put everything in their mouths and c)trying to assert his dominance.

I like the suggestions the others have made, and I too would say to have lots of things he can chew on around.

Go To Animal Planet.com. Good dog bad dog or Its me or the dog. both shows on tv but you can get a lot of info regarding puppies or full grown dog habits and training etc. Good luck

Oh wow, you have Pitt Wolf mix. Talk about potential aggression. smile..

I am trying to visualize how your dog looks, but can't seem to picture him.. Maybe sometime you can post his pic. Sounds like he is a "most" interesting dog..

Yup, he is a Pug. And yes, Pugs are usually loving. Actually, this lil guy can be cuddly and loving, that is when he isn't trying to bite me.. This guy is very active . A jumper too..

Good suggestions.. Will add them to my list of suggestions..

Sky -----Sounds like you have things under control with your lil biter. I think some folks are just better at "training" that others. Am sure the tone of your voice when you say NO makes a big difference......

My oldest son taught Big Bear, the shepherd, that when you say ouch, he'd kiss you. Big Big when he played, would sometimes play too hard. It was soo cool to just say ouch and he'd give you a big kiss on the cheek and would then play gentler..

Rainbowzz ....Actually he is "teething" big time. I even put some ice cubes in a sock, "yes a clean sock, lol" and let him chew on the ice. He liked it. But it was short lived..

Curley.....I will check out Animal Planet. I think part of the problem is the puppy and part could be me. I don't think he is a "bad" dog. There is hope...

Well, I had to call the vet for help. It was just getting way out of hand. And my loving feelings towards this new addition to the family was slowly fading......

So the Behaviorist at the office called me. She suggested I keep his harness on at all times (for a week)... She also said it is NOT too cold to take the pup for l0/20 min walks. She said it is very important to exercise him and give him plenty of walks every day. She also said "time out" is good. That some times dogs, as "lil children do" get too excited and need a break to calm down. Reward him with treats for good behavior.

She said if he brings me a toy to play with him, don't play. Only play when I give him the toy. Has something to do with dominance. Also, if within a week, or a few days, things don't change, that she would like to see him and work with him..

SOOOOOO .,. the harness works great, so far... He doesn't bite at all when the harness is on. I don't know why, but it works.. An immediate change. Is like a new pup.. I also took him for like 4 walks last night .. catch up for all those missed walks . lol... He slept like a baby last night........

SO Far so good........ wipes brow

Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions.. Is a challenge big time, training a lil pup. The lil stinker wore me out. Think he wore himself out too, as he jumped back on the sofa and is zzzzing.. Gosh I hope he isn't sick. I gave him his heart worm pill last night. Vet said give it to him, so I did.. I worry too much, I think...

Thanks again... everyone..... huggggs

PS I am lil tired and won't be checking for grammar or spelling errors...

The atmosphere is much more relaxed this morning.....

I'm with Perna. Maybe you can be on the show.

http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/dogwhi...ubmissions.php

Here's a quiz to see where you stand in the pack.

http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/quizes/index.php

I really like it when he puts dogs on the treadmill.

Finally, here's a page where you can ask a personal question.

http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/contact/

You have my full sympathy.

Hey Radio_Flyer,

I'm glad you had a chat with your vet, and it's great you're taking him out for long walks, and it's brilliant that he is enjoying them My aunt's dog is the only dog we've ever known who from a young puppy has disliked walks (he's 4 now) - when somebody goes round in walking boots, or fetches out his lead, he goes and hides in his bed lolol. He does enjoy it when he's out though - and went crazy last winter on a winter walk, there was snow and he loved me kicking snow at him, he was jumping around everywhere trying to catch it, it was hilarious Whereas my aunt's other dog, who is 14, goes wild with delight when somebody produces her lead, and it's hard to calm her down enough to put it on I think you're fine taking him for long walks which tire him. When we take the dogs for long walks - though the older dog can't manage it anymore - they always conk out too at the end of it (just like the humans ). And the older dog in the past has managed 20-mile walks even though she's a Yorkshire Terrier, and she's been on long walks all her life, so it hasn't damaged her.

Have you got any teething chews for the dog? I know they're sold and it might discourage him from biting you lol. Make sure they're well-made though and that bits of it can't be chewed off, or if they can, only small bits like bobbles which will pass through the dog.

>> She said if he brings me a toy to play with him, don't play. Only play when I give him the toy. Has something to do with dominance. Also, if within a week, or a few days, things don't change, that she would like to see him and work with him.. <<

Yes it is a good idea about the toy. Ben (the 4-yr old) thinks my role is to play with him lol, and in the past when he stared at me (when he wants something he just stares at me, everyone jokes that he is 'communicating' with me lol) I used to give him a toy, but my aunt mentioned a while ago something about it showing dominance, so since then I only give him a toy if I want to give him one, and ignore his staring, which is really funny when it happens. He also stares at me (and at nobody else lol) when he wants something else, like to go outside, or to have a door opened for him so he can get a drink of water, etc ) My cousin says he has me wrapped around his little finger lolol

It's a good idea about your vet working with him, it's a good idea to have somebody else work with your dog. My aunt has been to the local dog school for the past three dogs and when we go there we often take turns in holding somebody else's dog and practising their training. As long as the commands are the same and nothing unusual is expected of the dog, I shouldn't think any confusion should arise. At our dog club there is a puppy class, which is good for socialising the young dogs, because they all need companionship, especially when young, because they can turn nervy against other dogs when older if they're not used to them.

Has he had his vaccinations, btw? I imagine so since you're saying you're walking him, but if not you should carry him until he's had them. When Ben was very young I went on holiday with my aunt and Ben and I had to carry him everywhere (perhaps that's why he doesn't like walking lol, because he preferred a personal chauffeur to using his own legs ) He could catch some things off other dogs (idk what, distemper maybe?)

And you said somewhere about tone of voice being important, and it is. I've taken part in the training of my aunt's dogs and we use a commanding tone of voice for commands - so it sounds abrupt but it shows you mean what you say. A command which sounds like a question will be ignored. You should also enforce it and aim for the dog to respond at the first request - if not, 'help' him to obey by manipulating his body so he does what you say - so if you want him to stand and he's sitting, lift him up by his belly and say 'stand' and then praise him when he's in that position. Or if you want him to sit and he isn't, press down on his rear until he is doing what you want. I'm not sure if it is too early, but are you trying any training when you're out on his walks? Eg walking him to heel? Another good training thing which comes in useful on walks is training the dog to recognise arm signals when out walking - dogs often run in front and sometimes don't know which path to take when it splits - and you stick out an arm and the dog knows you're doing that way and so can take that path. I don't know how my aunt got the dog to understand that though, I can ask if you want.

Like others have said there will be lots of info online on training dogs and looking after puppies, there will be info in your library too, or you could buy yourself a book which looks good so you would have a reference guide at home. My aunt has mentioned (or I've read somewhere) that often it's not the dog's fault for 'misbehaving' when training, but simply through him not understanding a command. Not saying that that is applicable to you, but it is useful to keep in mind if your dog seems to be disobeying you when you're trying to teach him something new.