Dog Training Help!

padman1234

Okay, so we got a puppy in July. He's about eleven months old now and is a labrador. He's failry big now - about the size of just above my knee (taking into account that I'm only five foot three). He loves playing rough, which is understandable as he is a dog. But he doesnt stop. He is getting very strong now and his bites are hurting me and tearing my clothes and he doesnt understand that i dont want to play rough with him. If I try scold him by pushing him away he thinks I'm playing so he gets more violent. If I ignore him he gets more violent so I notice him. I don't know what to do!

I have bruises all up my arm from trying to fend him off and he bites my arm instead - hard. I have holes in almost all my clothes because he bites through them. My dad built him a fenced off place around his kennel to sleep in at night so he doesn't come to the front door and start barking during the night. But after being locked up for hours, he gets giddy. And when i let him out in the mornings he goes crazy and starts biting me really hard and doesnt let go. He's so strong!

So basically, no one knows what to do with him. If i hit him to get him off me, this only excites him and he does it more. If I ignore him, he tries to make me notice him and gets even more violent. I can't play with him because he starts getting violent. We got him a chew toy but it doesn't help the situation at all.

Please! If you have any techniques to use for training dogs like this, please let me know below. I'm desperate XD

Thanks in advance

Nody

Honestly get a certified, proper, behaviorist on site (if you post your general area people can recommend one, don't go for the first one found because chances is that person is not certified properly) but a few starting points, yelp when he bites to hard. As he was not taught how to play as a pup you now have a big dog who don't know how to play. If he ignores it then ignore him and if he gets worse then walk out from the room for 1 minute and close the door. Rinse repeat if he's still jumping all over you when you get back. Secondly have you done any training of commands such as sit etc.? Once again, teaching him commands is a great way to control his behavior in the morning by having him sit and wait when you open the gate etc. Third, is he properly walked twice a day? If not once again this is a source of pent up energy that needs to get out of the system. Fourth and final, what are you feeding today? Because low quality feeds with high cereal content can definitely give a sugar rush of energy...

sillysmiles

A few things,

How much time does the dog spend with people? Is he instead in the day/evening or does he only get attention when you go out to him?
How is his other commands? Sit, Stay leave wait?
Does he play ball or tug or anything so that he isn't actually attacking you but still getting to play with you?

Have you tried sometimes to just really boring to him, where you just sit with him but aren't playing or fun?

Evac101

Wanted to second Nody's post - all good advice. If in doubt then talk to a good trainer (MODS - are we allowed to recommend trainers?) or, perhaps, bring the dog to one of the socialisation/behavioural groups around Dublin, if of course you are in Dublin. I'm not familiar with the availability of similar groups outside Dublin I'm afraid

padman1234

Nody wrote: »

Honestly get a certified, proper, behaviorist on site (if you post your general area people can recommend one, don't go for the first one found because chances is that person is not certified properly) but a few starting points, yelp when he bites to hard. As he was not taught how to play as a pup you now have a big dog who don't know how to play. If he ignores it then ignore him and if he gets worse then walk out from the room for 1 minute and close the door. Rinse repeat if he's still jumping all over you when you get back. Secondly have you done any training of commands such as sit etc.? Once again, teaching him commands is a great way to control his behavior in the morning by having him sit and wait when you open the gate etc. Third, is he properly walked twice a day? If not once again this is a source of pent up energy that needs to get out of the system. Fourth and final, what are you feeding today? Because low quality feeds with high cereal content can definitely give a sugar rush of energy...[/QUOTE

Thanks Nody, I'll keep that in mind.

And yeah he does know a few tricks: he gives the paw, he sits on command, if he wants food from my hand and tries to get it I say "off" and he stops. He's a very smart dog - just a shame he's not getting this though!

Maybe he isn't getting enough walks - I might try and go out to the fields with him for walks. We go to the beach with him too sometimes, but I see now not enough.

And to the feeding thing, I don't know as it's my dad who feeds him not me.

padman1234

Thanks Nody, I'll keep that in mind.

And yeah he does know a few tricks: he gives the paw, he sits on command, if he wants food from my hand and tries to get it I say "off" and he stops. He's a very smart dog - just a shame he's not getting this though!

Maybe he isn't getting enough walks - I might try and go out to the fields with him for walks. We go to the beach with him too sometimes, but I see now not enough.

And to the feeding thing, I don't know as it's my dad who feeds him not me.

cocker5

Op,

My cocker who is nearly 10 now, needs at LEAST one hour of walkingper day (and prefers off lead), or else he gets restless. So I would assume your dog would require a lot more… and off lead, swimming and running aroundwould benefit him even more.


You mentioned your dad built a pen for him… how large is thepen and how long per day is he in here? As if it’s just from like 10pm – 8am then ok but any longer it’s not enough mental stimulation for him, hence he’s wild when he gets out. Can you blame him? Have you given him any toys to keep him occupied? I.e. a stuffed Kong etc. he is biting as he’s over excited, and bored by the sounds of it.


Stimulation is the best way to get out pent up energy inyour dog… i.e. walking, running, playing football with him, training him (stay,stay leave). A well exercised dog is a happy dog and well behaved dog OP.


Also if he is very hyper, maybe you should look at his diet? As this can cause over hyperness in a dog (which was the case with my guy whenhe was younger), what are you feeding him?
Also how many times a day is he fed? I fed my guy twice a day so he’s not STARVING by the next morning…. This may help reduce the excitement when he’s being fed.

Ashbx

I have two high energy dogs (a border terrier and a border collie). The terrier would rough play but I taught her from a young age to "bite" gently when playing.

In order to get the energy levels down, bring them out for two walks a day once in the evening and once in the morning. For at least one of those walks you should do some running or play fetch for the dog so you really wear them out. Do training - simple things like getting them sit, lie down and stay get the brain going and you would be surprised how exhausted they get. Try a dog backpack while out walking. I have backpacks for both my dogs and was amazed how much focus they use while carrying a backpack....again, they will be shattered when they come back. Get brain toys for dogs (amazon.co.uk have a good range of stuff) or even kongs.

I think the main issue is to reduce the excitement while playing and hopefully you will notice a significant change in the play. And you need to teach the dog that YOU are the one who initiates play time....not the dog! I think if you work on the energy levels you will be surprised how well behaved your dog becomes.

Best of luck!