Gun Dog Forum

We have a 11 week old male Britt pup that treats me and strangers like gold, but has gone off on my daughter and wife on two seperate occasions. Ive been working with him on his bite (yelping when he bites too hard and then ignornging him for a few minutes). He is definitely improving his nipping problem.

boonebrit wrote:We just started the yelping/ignoring a few days ago, and the first incident happend prior to that. I was doing the dominance thing... pinning him down when he bites before the ignoring act. Ill try pinching this mouth shut, pinning him down, yelling..... he is definitely a dominant dog and has been a full head of steam since the second day we got him. All suggestions welcome... thanks for the help so far.

Cajun Casey wrote:This is a small puppy. He is not "dominant." He is not a "fur baby." He is not a toy. Toss his heiny outside and let him burn off some energy and keep him on a routine.

Cajun Casey wrote:

boonebrit wrote:Leave the child out of the correction department. Kids that age are seldom capable of the timing needed to issue a meaningful correction.

Also, the pinching, rolling, and shouting are just exactly what older puppies do when the play rough. Pin him by the back of his neck and give him a good shake in the process like his momma or any other well adjusted adult dog would do. A loud, "NO!" is fine, also. If he wants to persist, snatch him up by the scruff and then pin him.

This is a small puppy. He is not "dominant." He is not a "fur baby." He is not a toy. Toss his heiny outside and let him burn off some energy and keep him on a routine.

gotpointers wrote:When the dog opens his mouth to bite stick your thumb into his mouth and lip him like Bill Dance lips a big bass. Holdm there for a while.

Just out of curiosity where did you hear that tip about making a yelp when the dog bites you?

boonebrit wrote:We have a 11 week old male Britt pup that treats me and strangers like gold, but has gone off on my daughter and wife on two seperate occasions. Ive been working with him on his bite (yelping when he bites too hard and then ignornging him for a few minutes). He is definitely improving his nipping problem.

Both incidences happened within the last week. Both times the puppy was just starting to be picked up off the ground ... he then growled while wiggling free, then lunged, and snapped on both of them. The first incident and bite on my daughter broke skin (barely). I figured the aggressive lunge on my 5 yr old daughter was because she had been holding him uncomforatbly, and he simply didnt want picked up by her. We put an end to her picking him up since. But this also happened on my wife, who is nothing buy sweet and gentle with him. He will literally just NEVER sit with either of them on the couch, bed, etc, without getting worked up and eventually nipping or chewing on thier clothes, surrounding blankets, etc., really aggressively. My wife doesnt trust him anymore or with my daughter. His constant aggressive lunging and biting during play with them is too much for them to bear.

Could this be a male/female thing? Common in Brittanys? Does he simply think he is ahead of them in the "pack" order? Both times happened later in the evening.... could it be he is just tired late in the day (8:30-9pm)? How do we combat this? Had a couple of better days with my daughter but still acting aggressive when playing inside especially. This pup is SOOO birdy and full of great hunting instinct...so much potential. But I NEVER had this problem with any labs pups I owned (5 total).... please help this new Britt owner.

Cajun Casey wrote:Meanwhile, are you doing anything positive with him, like playing the here game for treats or retrieving?

Biting and or nipping are undesired behaviors that should be nipped in the bud right at the start. This is the method that I like to use. When the pup starts to bite or nip I will take my 2 fingers and place them sideways in the mouth with my thumb under the jaw. I then place my other hand behind the head. This helps to brace the pup so they cannot harm themselves by pulling away. Hold this position till the pup stops struggling and vocalizing and where the pup relaxes and gives into your hand being in the mouth and as soon as the pup shows that acceptance and get your fingers out of the mouth, quickly say “release” and roll your fingers gently backwards to take them out.
This changes the rules of the pup’s game. I will then place my hand in front of the pup’s mouth; the pup should LICK your hand. This is a sign of accepting who is the alpha. If the pup should try and mouth your hand repeat the application. I have found that after a couple of applications this behavior ceases. And again I want to stress none of these actions are to ever harm or physically hurt the pup ever. The pup may whine and vocalize some discontent but never pain.

Read more: http://www.kninebirddog.com/puppy-found ... z2AcEBkq61

ultracarry wrote:I think the difference is in training you had Labs before. I know with my two pointing dogs, they couldn't care less if you play with them as long as they get to run and get birds. Labs want to be your friend first and I think they bond faster. These dogs will bond with you but really just want to work.

Cajun Casey wrote:Meanwhile, are you doing anything positive with him, like playing the here game for treats or retrieving?

birddogger wrote:It is really hard to give good advice without actually seeing what is going on. I know this is just a baby and the nipping is normal and could be easily corrected, but the growling and biting would concern me. I would nip this in the bud now or this pup would not be long for this world. This is just my opinion and I don't expect many to agree. May sound harsh but I would not tolerate it. Again, JMO.

Charlie

Cajun Casey wrote:My family always had dogs. When I was four I got my first puppy, a Scottie, which is not a particularly good breed for small children. I got bit a few times and after it happened I got my rear end dusted because my getting nipped was always the dog's response to my doing something to her I wasn't supposed to do. I would keep the kid and the dog separated because puppies usually learn quickly and it sounds like yours is learning to dislike, avoid and guard resources from your child.

ezzy333 wrote:

Cajun Casey wrote:My family always had dogs. When I was four I got my first puppy, a Scottie, which is not a particularly good breed for small children. I got bit a few times and after it happened I got my rear end dusted because my getting nipped was always the dog's response to my doing something to her I wasn't supposed to do. I would keep the kid and the dog separated because puppies usually learn quickly and it sounds like yours is learning to dislike, avoid and guard resources from your child.

Seperate them solves nothing but does insure the problem will get worse for a long time in the future.

Ezzy

Cajun Casey wrote:My family always had dogs. When I was four I got my first puppy, a Scottie, which is not a particularly good breed for small children. I got bit a few times and after it happened I got my rear end dusted because my getting nipped was always the dog's response to my doing something to her I wasn't supposed to do. I would keep the kid and the dog separated because puppies usually learn quickly and it sounds like yours is learning to dislike, avoid and guard resources from your child.

birddogger wrote:

Cajun Casey wrote:My family always had dogs. When I was four I got my first puppy, a Scottie, which is not a particularly good breed for small children. I got bit a few times and after it happened I got my rear end dusted because my getting nipped was always the dog's response to my doing something to her I wasn't supposed to do. I would keep the kid and the dog separated because puppies usually learn quickly and it sounds like yours is learning to dislike, avoid and guard resources from your child.

At my house the puppy would have to learn that the behavior is unaccepatable, regardless of what the child does. I would also teach the child what is proper and improper when having contact with the puppy and make sure they are supervised when together. I don't like the idea of separating them because it doesn't fix anything. I would do just the opposite and have the child and puppy interacting as mush as possible for awhile. If that didn't work [and I think it will if the owners are persistent and consistent] the puppy would have to go. JMO.

Charlie

doco wrote:When my pups were nipping, not aggressivelly biting, I have always rolled their lip under their canines and applied pressure with three or four of my fingers. They learned quickly that my hand in their mouth is not a good feeling. Like I said it doesn't take long for them to yelp and pull. I may have put a tooth or two through their lip once or twice because they are sharp, but the nipping process with my five dogs was mininal at best. Kinda like "Hooked on Phonics" it worked for me!

mountaindogs wrote:Just as a tiny little aside... be sure to teach him how to "stand " coming out of a sit.

hi-tailyn wrote:Sounds like things may be heading in the right direction.

As unorthodox method of working on dominance issues. Which it sounds like the pup has with wife and child. That what she wants she can growl and nip to get it.

I usually get the dominant pup out of the litters. A couple have had similar issues. If you watch mother and other adult dogs around pups, if the pup crosses the line of biting, etc. the adult is quick to bark, growl, snap at pup. The adult will stay there till pup comes back and licks the adult on the lips and mouth. Thus smiting to the adult.

I was told by another breeder/trainer many years ago about when pup tries to show dominance to you or another human, to quickly grab, hold pup down and glare straight into their eyes till they look away. You haft to win. They even suggested growling and saying NO to the pup at the same time. Lastly and some may think too gross, was to druell into the puppies mouth till they licked it and submitted to you.

Has worked every time for me. Best of luck.