Psycho Puppy?
It is not from lack of exercise, she is exercised and played with quite a bit here. Someone I was talking to suggested maybe she was like a kid and overtired, so yesterday I let her nap for 2 hours before getting her up to play at 8pm. She was at her worst yesterday. She lunges at both me and my husband, Merlin wont come near her at night. I dont know what happened at her previous home, but boy is she a handfull at night. Any suggestions? |
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When my Beau was about that age, he had "spells" like that too. It didn't matter what I did or said, he was just a lunatic.  I found, through advise on this forum, that the best thing for him was time out. I'd put him in his kennel and tell him (although I'm sure he didn't understand the words) that he could get out when he could play nicely. Then, I'd come back for him about 10 minutes later and try again. It took some time, but eventually he related the time out with his bad behaviour and things improved.
It does get better. It's hard, I know, when you're bruised and scratched from those puppy teeth.  |
| Try getting up and COMPLETELY leaving the room when she bites you, then ignore, ignore, ignore! Even saying no is showing her attention of some type. She is trying to engage in play behavior, and by completely ingoring her, you are telling her in dog language that this behavior is not acceptable. This is what her dog mom would do if she was being abnoxious.
Good luck! |
| Hi,
Sometimes showing displeasure at their actions may not be enough, although I do agree that time outs are good. Showing an ALTERNATIVE behavior that is acceptable will in my opinion help speed things along to what you want her to do. Always give her a chew toy as a replacement, immediately. She will get the idea ..hands are off limits...toys are good. Lots of praise when her mouth even squeezes it once. Good girl!! Lots of positive reinforcement. You should be consistent with it. Pup nips you make a yip sound to show they have hurt you, you firmly say NO, then give toy...then praise if they chew the toy. Good luck to you! Marianne and the boys |
| Are you crating her Kim? I would set a bed time for her, and crate her at the same time each night, with a reward for going in the crate and then totally ignore her. I hope she settles... be firm! Let her know who's boss, and show her tons of love when she is behaving, hopefully she will get the idea. |
| Yes we are using the crate and yes she is on a shedule. Crating is not an issue, she is great in the crate, most times she goes in without a peep, at bedtime she fusses for about 30 seconds and then settles. She also sleeps thru the night. During the day if I can't watch her I also put her in the crate. She has plenty of appropriate items to chew. We were replacing our hand with her chew toys, that didnt seem to make any difference to her.
Avalon is getting the idea that nipping is bad. From what I can tell...she was previously crated a lot. The lady who had her was not well at all. I think that the only way Avalon could get some attention was to bite. Just like with uprights...any attention is ok in their minds, even negative attention. Last night I hand fed her, she had to sit and not nip to get her food...she did very well on that. Then later that evening...after her nap, we had to pin her down a few times, telling her NO BITE and after that she seemed much calmer. Also she has been spending more time with Merlin and he has been putting her in her place. Maybe it is what we are doing, maybe it is what Merlin is doing, but it doesnt matter...Avalon's attitude has changed greatly. Today she has not bitten, she went to give me a nip, I gave a verbal growl correction and she stopped immediately. I am continuing to hand feed her until I am sure the nipping has stopped for good. Tonight she even layed down and fell asleep on my feet! This is a HUGE improvement over what we have been going thru the past week. Thanks everyone for their suggestions and support. |
Great news! I'm so glad things are going better....  |
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