My malamute needs help

[Johnny1987]

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Hi Guys,

I have a 9 week old malamute who only responds to training when being given a treat. He is being given consistent training each day, three 15minute sessions on the basics. Aside from that, he doesnt know how to control the strength of his bite at all. He just destroys everything including my skin. He is wild and draws blood through biting and scratching at any opportunity. I understand that puppys feel and explore with their mouths but i have had puppys before and this one is pretty crazy. I have contacted a trainer who i found on APDT website who will look to see him as soon as possible.

Has anyone gone through this? Does anyone have any tips or advice?

Thanks

 

[gypsysmum2]

Anyone who has had a puppy has been through this! Do not despair, it is all solvable but does need time, understanding and patience. You have done the right thing by asking an APDT trainer to come and help. They will see your puppy in his own environment and tailor the advice to suit your circumstances.

Puppies explore, like babies, with their mouths. Unlike babies they have needle sharp teeth! Bite inhibition is taught by the mother and littermates by signalling, in some way, that the biting hurts and then ostracising that puppy for biting.

We replicate this training by using the "ouch" technique. Every single time the puppy's teeth touch skin or clothing you let out an "ouch" and immediately withdraw attention. Ignore the puppy for a short while and then resume play/interaction but repeat (and repeat and repeat). Biting is never and accident and everybody must comply with the training. Don't let anyone say that the puppy did not mean to do it. What is happening in your puppy's mind is it is having a negative emotion every time you say ouch and this will cause him to try to avoid it by linking it to the ouch. Once he makes the link then he will start to inhibit his bite. There is a stage two to this technique but you must complete stage one absolutely consistently before moving on.

How are the training sessions going? Does your puppy seem to enjoy them or find them frustrating and start biting? Show your trainer what you have been doing and check that you are moving in the right direction for the breed and age of your puppy. It is normal for a dog to only want to work for treats at first. We would not work for no wages until we loved our boss so much that we would do unpaid work for them. Even them we would expect to get paid at some point

 

[Johnny1987]

I will stick with it and see how it goes. He has his first puppy class tomorrow and they are aware of the issues. Also he has stopped going potty outside, even though i give him his favourite treat only at that point. Just took him outside and he just stood there waiting for a treat for 10minutes staring at my hands. Didnt treat him as he didnt go. Soon as we got in he decides to pee all over the floor. Hes an actual psycho for sure.

 

[JoanneF]

No. Just a typical puppy!

 

[Johnny1987]

Haha i love how that last bit got a reply my first post didn't get any help/advice for nearly 24 hours ! But yea i will stick to the training and see what a professional can do !

 

[gypsysmum2]

The treat for toileting must come as a complete surprise. If you have been training with treats and he knows you have one, he will be trying to elicit it from you by offering up behaviour that has worked before. Keep the treats hidden, and be very boring, while waiting for him to toilet. Don't stand in any position that he might see as a "training" position. Perhaps stand with your arms folded, or look up at the sky etc.

Malamutes are very high energy and you need to be one step ahead.

Obedience training can take place at any age. I would concentrate on the bite inhibition, toilet training and socialisation for now.

Puppy classes are an excellent idea. You will be surrounded by people going through exactly what you are going through. Some breeds will make quick progress, others will take a bit longer. Go at your puppy's pace and you will get there in the end.