anyone got any ideas as how to stop a 7 month old puppy from tugging at clothes, doesen't matter how many yelps or ouches with give he wont let go....thinks it's all a big game...he's driving us nutts!
The Most Dog Friendly Community Online
Join Dog Forum to Discuss Breeds, Training, Food and More
7 month old puppy pulling at clothing.
- Thread starter terry004
- Start date
- Messages
- 7,847
- Reaction score
- 9,534
- Points
- 113
Yelps and ouches work for some dogs but as you've discovered, for others it makes it all the more exciting! He'll be teething right now, and heading for adolescence... not an easy time!
Make sure he has plenty of things he is allowed to chew on, and if you can control it, tug games can be really good. (You don't have to win - him winning is absolutely fine, but losing interest in the toy and latching on to you isn't, and tug games might be too exciting for him to stop himself right now.)
You need to make biting on your clothes or limbs mean that the fun stops. Don't say anything, just detach him as calmly as possible and leave the room/area and close a stairgate behind him (you can try other barriers, but I've found stairgates invaluable). Or put him out of the room if you can do it without too much fuss. Leave him for, say, 10 seconds (any longer and he'll forget what he was doing before the fun stops), then let him back in again. Offer him a soft toy, and hopefully he'll grab that instead of you (it's a good idea to always have a soft toy on you to stick in nhis gob when he gets that look). Play continues until he goes for your clothes again, then he goes back in timeout for another 10 seconds. Rinse and repeat... he can be in and out of timeout continually for half an evening, but if you're consistent he will eventually realise that mouth on clothes = fun stops.
Even when he realises this, he won't have the self-control to always stop himself. Have a look on Youtube for a video on impulse control called 'It's Yer Choice'. It will help him develop the control he needs... eventually!
Make sure he has plenty of things he is allowed to chew on, and if you can control it, tug games can be really good. (You don't have to win - him winning is absolutely fine, but losing interest in the toy and latching on to you isn't, and tug games might be too exciting for him to stop himself right now.)
You need to make biting on your clothes or limbs mean that the fun stops. Don't say anything, just detach him as calmly as possible and leave the room/area and close a stairgate behind him (you can try other barriers, but I've found stairgates invaluable). Or put him out of the room if you can do it without too much fuss. Leave him for, say, 10 seconds (any longer and he'll forget what he was doing before the fun stops), then let him back in again. Offer him a soft toy, and hopefully he'll grab that instead of you (it's a good idea to always have a soft toy on you to stick in nhis gob when he gets that look). Play continues until he goes for your clothes again, then he goes back in timeout for another 10 seconds. Rinse and repeat... he can be in and out of timeout continually for half an evening, but if you're consistent he will eventually realise that mouth on clothes = fun stops.
Even when he realises this, he won't have the self-control to always stop himself. Have a look on Youtube for a video on impulse control called 'It's Yer Choice'. It will help him develop the control he needs... eventually!
hey thanks judyN, very helpfull reply we will try what you suggest and also look at the youTube vid thanks once again.
Welcome to Dog Forum!
Join our vibrant online community dedicated to all things canine. Whether you're a seasoned owner or new to the world of dogs, our forum is your go-to hub for sharing stories, seeking advice, and connecting with fellow dog lovers. From training tips to health concerns, we cover it all. Register now and unleash the full potential of your dog-loving experience!
Login or Register