Please help. Naughty puppy

[Emily2003]

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Hi,

I have a 15 week old cockerpoo, she’s started jumping up on to the sofa we’re we’re sitting an biting us. He goes through burst that last about 5 mins we’re she just literally torments us. As she still has her puppy teeth there all really sharp. When we’re walking around she’ll jump up and bite our clothing or our skin. We’ve tried everything, yelping and letting our hand go floppy - never worked. I taught we her off but when she’s in that biting frenzy she just won’t stop for anything. I’ve tried clicker training but still it’s not helped. Tried apple bitter spray on our clothing. We’ve tried putting toys in her mouth. I’ve even tried a stone in a bottle but she just barked at it and I don’t want to scare her. Honestly I’m kind of at the end of my teather, everyone I’ve spoken to who has a cockerpoo says there cockerpoo hardly ever bit. I’m so scared she won’t grow out of it and it’s so disheartening to have her bite me and bark and me in such a way. Just looking for some advise if possible as I’m so fed up and saddened. Thanks

 

[JoanneF]

Ok, first please don't think of her as naughty, she isn't being that - she is just trying to play.

This is just an extension of the boisterous play she had with her littermates but she needs to learn this is not how to play with humans. Some people find a sharp 'ouch' works but it can just ramp up the excitement. Some people find putting a toy in the dog's mouth works, others find the puppy is still more interested in nipping hands. My preferred method is to teach her that teeth on skin equals end of fun. So as soon as she makes contact, walk out of the room for a few moments. As long as the whole family is consistent - do it immediately and do it every time - she will learn. You could use a house line to draw her away, which keeps your hands both out of reach and also keeps hands for only good things.

 

[JudyN]

I agree with JoanneF - though I think it's not just play, but getting way overexcited and beyond her threshold, where she literally can't control herself, hence the frenzy.

Being 100% consistent is essential, but it's not easy. You need to keep as calm as possible - this does make a difference, and once you've mastered it, it will help your own stress levels too! Wearing old, protective clothes can help - I bought a denim jacket from a charity shop and wore it on walks all through a hot summer. Wear things you don't care about getting damaged - all those clothes you wish you had an excuse to throw away! You could wear shoes indoors, and even try gloves.

Avoiding exciting games and encouraging calm games can help too. One of my favourites is 'hide and seek' - I show my dog a toy, say 'hide and seek', then ask him to wait while I hide it in another room. I call him, say 'Find it!', he finds it and brings it to me in exchange for a treat. Obviously you need to teach the different steps gradually.

It's no good her learning that biting means the fun ends if she still can't stop herself from doing it - another great resource is this video, which teaches impulse control:

 

[merlina]

Oh dear! Well you're puppy isn't naught...it's a puppy. And there's not much to be gained from talking to other cockerpoo owners in this case because...it's a puppy and not an electrical gadget. That means every single one is different- like children. I've had four cocker spaniels- two that were just as you describe (actually the last one much much worse!). Puppies experience 90% of the world through their mouths. That's what's going on, learning about the world. You are part of it. So excellent advice from Joanne here. Keep anything you don't want bitten out of puppy's reach. It will stop eventually- once the puppy knows about the new environment it's been born into. My view has always been you can't change a pup so you have to change your viewpoint. I found it funny having my feet attacked and ignored it- or put them out of the way. Gave our puppies things they could chew like cardboard and toys. Old clothes...and try to not feel your puppy is being bad. Embrace the chaos of puppy ownership. Very sadly a dog's life is short. In a couple of years you'll have a slightly stodgy middle-aged dog. Don't waste the fun while you have it!

 

[lurcherman]

Big point is to stay calm, consistent and fair, some pups play up until 15 months when they not even pups, you get a pup and I’m afraid you have to ride it out, then click the light goes on and they just get it, as long as you know your training then all will be fine, you have a dog with plenty of energy so strap yourself in hehe