He did manage to grab my dog walker's nipple the other day. He took it very wellI read that as "Just at home when I'm naked."
My first thought: OUCH!
Biting and mouthing is really wearing me down
- Thread starter Natalie
- Start date
In fact, he said it was an improvement on how he used to be. God knows what he used to nipHe did manage to grab my dog walker's nipple the other day. He took it very well
Beanwood
Administrator
I have a wonderful Yoof Journal I am just finishing. It incorporates everything @snowbunny has mentioned, plus lots of other things. The other thing I would suggest is building a mutually exclusive behaviour to the jumping, meaning a behaviour he likes to do... but he can't jump at the same time. Middle is a great one, plus fun to teach. Sit is OK, but easy to bounce out of position for a treat. River has run to bed, cos she loves that game!
I will send you the Yoof Journal tomorrow.
I really loved using this with Rory. I taught him to spin. He'd spin into sit at my side so funny. It took a lot of concentration and he thinks he's so clever. He likes to think he's clever
- Location
- Canberra, Australia
Big hug….you sound really low about all this.
I agree with all the things that Snowbunny has said.
A good behaviourist will be able to watch you and see what you and he are doing. A separate set of experienced eyes is invaluable, as is an independent perspective.
I would say that Bear is feeling just as confused as you
Probably more so. Often, what seems like a behaviour problem is actually based in confusion (can of course be other things but starting with the confusion hypothesis is a good thing to do…). Confusion brings out an animal’s coping mechanisms, which are all the things we find hard to handle.
I agree with all the things that Snowbunny has said.
A good behaviourist will be able to watch you and see what you and he are doing. A separate set of experienced eyes is invaluable, as is an independent perspective.
I would say that Bear is feeling just as confused as you
Probably more so. Often, what seems like a behaviour problem is actually based in confusion (can of course be other things but starting with the confusion hypothesis is a good thing to do…). Confusion brings out an animal’s coping mechanisms, which are all the things we find hard to handle.
I still have this behaviour with Cola too - but can kindof manage it re-directing to his fuzzy ball (when he has his fuzzy ball in his mouth he is quite civilised - when he drops it then I know he is thinking of coming for me! )- having a well rewarded "on your bed" cue helps so he drops his ball and I cue "on your bed" quickly - but I still have to do some v quick exits from room sometimes and glad I have my winter jumpers on. I always walk him on his own separate from my other 4 dogs - he needs my full concentration - but as long as he is doing stuff with me then he is OK. But he and Bear are still so young and hormones must be flooding them at the moment and they are not used to it.
Lisa
Moderator
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
So sorry you are feeling down, Natalie! It must be so frustrating and depressing. I don’t have a lot to add, except that one of the best pieces of advice I got from you guys when we first had Simba and he was a manic jumper/biter was to think about an alternate behaviour that you want him to do at that moment and train that instead. So if he rushes at the door and jumps up at visitors, train the sit/stay when visitors come. (Ok he’s not perfect at this but 
). Simba’s jumping/biting was always over-excitement and wanting to engage. So one thing that really helped me was to go outside and run with him in the backyard, which would ALWAYS trigger the jumping/biting, and then do the click/treat when he was running WITHOUT the jumping/biting. He clued in pretty quickly, actually. Then inside, when he did the jump/bite I trained the sit. Which also helped.(again, not perfect, but you get the idea).
But I will also say that sometimes we can overdo this, too. If the dog jumps/bites and then the human responds by giving attention and giving high-value treats for other fun games and training, well...why not keep up with the jump/bite? Is this reverse training in action?
One of my best friends had four kids. And when they were toddlers she ran her home like a day care. Breakfast, play time, snack, scheduled activity, etc. The point being is that she always had a schedule for them because if she didn’t, they would either fight like cats and dogs or be constantly bugging her to do something with them. But she never let them work through that. She always planned everything for them, they never learned to manage their own time. Is something similar happening with Bear?
I dunno if any of this is helpful. I know you are trying so hard to help him through this, and it’s exhausting. The behaviourist will likely be able to see things that you are just not seeing. Hopefully you can get some good advice from him/her.
). Simba’s jumping/biting was always over-excitement and wanting to engage. So one thing that really helped me was to go outside and run with him in the backyard, which would ALWAYS trigger the jumping/biting, and then do the click/treat when he was running WITHOUT the jumping/biting. He clued in pretty quickly, actually. Then inside, when he did the jump/bite I trained the sit. Which also helped.(again, not perfect, but you get the idea). But I will also say that sometimes we can overdo this, too. If the dog jumps/bites and then the human responds by giving attention and giving high-value treats for other fun games and training, well...why not keep up with the jump/bite? Is this reverse training in action?
One of my best friends had four kids. And when they were toddlers she ran her home like a day care. Breakfast, play time, snack, scheduled activity, etc. The point being is that she always had a schedule for them because if she didn’t, they would either fight like cats and dogs or be constantly bugging her to do something with them. But she never let them work through that. She always planned everything for them, they never learned to manage their own time. Is something similar happening with Bear?
I dunno if any of this is helpful. I know you are trying so hard to help him through this, and it’s exhausting. The behaviourist will likely be able to see things that you are just not seeing. Hopefully you can get some good advice from him/her.
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
I'm the last to give advice Natalie as I have a 3 1/2 year old teenager. We used to get up and walk away as soon as he jumped or bit us or our clothes. It was exhausting and repetitive but it seemed to work. The thing is, he now never ever jumps up at us but still jumps up at strangers if they show him even the slightest bit of attention. A girl ran up to us today and in a loud, high pitched squeak said "oh look! Hello nice doggy - want a pat?" whilst waving her arms around. FFS. Luckily Maxx was on lead else she would have ended up with him sitting on her shoulders.
I do remember 15 months old and I would have happily given him away to the first friendly face. It will get better I promise. Hang in there!
I do remember 15 months old and I would have happily given him away to the first friendly face. It will get better I promise. Hang in there!
- Location
- Wellington, NZ
Hi Natalie, I have no advice to offer (I really got lucky with Xena), but I want to offer you support. I hope that you're able to find a good behaviourist
Beanwood
Administrator
From what I am reading, Bear is sitting between a behaviourist and a trainer in terms of addressing his needs right now. A good trainer with a sound understanding of the hormonal and physiological changes possibly influencing Bear right now will help enormously, and for sure a trained and accredited behaviourist will help unravel some of the behaviours Bear is presenting with, but I really they are normal for his age. Some dogs like humans find this stage in life a bit of a struggle. Bear is just being a bit of a chocolate nob right now.
I have attached a YOOF journal that I will be using with my clients. Let me know if you find it useful!
Attachments
It's just hard for some of them. It's like the puppy biting though you're never sure what you're going to get. Time and appropriate handling cure it but it's hard when you're in it.
Ivers got a new bad habit as of this morning, jumping up and licking the back of my neck as we're bimbling along.
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
He does sound as if he gets overtired ..........I wrote the first sentence at the beginning of your posts, then decided not to write anything and deleted it, but it still pops up! So, what I was going to say is that he does sound a bit overstimulated as you do lots of things with him and perhaps he stays in a state of high arousal? One very good tiring thing is to get a tin of Tuna in spring water, get the weeniest bits and sprinkle them on the grass for him to find, just leave him to it.
When he starts to jump and bite, do not engage in anyway, keep your hands by your side and be a statue (difficult I know!!) and then perhaps pop in into his crate with a small Kong and hope he goes to sleep.
When he starts to jump and bite, do not engage in anyway, keep your hands by your side and be a statue (difficult I know!!) and then perhaps pop in into his crate with a small Kong and hope he goes to sleep.
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Maybe pop his collar and lead on when he starts it in the house, get the treats out and have him settle by your side with treats for calm? Maybe followed by a Kong in his bed?
- Location
- Canberra, Australia
I really meant ‘trainer’, TBH. I think the difference is more or less semantic…or it should be if the person is any good.
- Location
- The Hague, The Netherlands
I really can't help with the expertise but I think you have been given some sound advice from @Boogie and @Beanwood. I know that feeling of despair and the stinging of tears being held back as you just want to be there and understand your beloved fur baby.
I also think you are being very hard on yourself @Natalie.
Bear is a teenager and I am sure those hormones are playing havoc with him too. A trainer who understands teenage dogs is a good idea as it helps gives you a new perspective on his behaviour. Can't see the forest for the trees.
Keeping a log may also help.
Hang in there, you will work it out X
I also think you are being very hard on yourself @Natalie.
Bear is a teenager and I am sure those hormones are playing havoc with him too. A trainer who understands teenage dogs is a good idea as it helps gives you a new perspective on his behaviour. Can't see the forest for the trees.
Keeping a log may also help.
Hang in there, you will work it out X
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
@Natalie , I think Reuben was around the age Bear is now when I found him challenging . It wasnt the biting and mouthing you are experiencing , but he went from having a brilliant recall to legging it, all in the blink of an eye . He would block me out , the chase simply being far more interesting than me and I began to worry that I would never get him back on track .
I took loads of advice , read and more read and realised that what he needed was gundog training rather than just training . I now have a dog who is happier, and ok so he is somewhat hooked on tennis balls but what does that matter ? It matters not a jot to me and now more than ever as I can barely walk , he can still have fun retrieving his beloved balls or dummies from the river or thick rough ground in the woods . I suppose what I`m trying to say in a roundabout way is that sometimes it can take time to figure out what it is that the dog wants , and how best to achieve it , is is gundog training , scent work etc . I have found Reuben far more challenging than his great uncle Sam , he is just a different lad altogether and I love him for this . You will get through this, maybe with a little professional help, but it will pass xxx
I took loads of advice , read and more read and realised that what he needed was gundog training rather than just training . I now have a dog who is happier, and ok so he is somewhat hooked on tennis balls but what does that matter ? It matters not a jot to me and now more than ever as I can barely walk , he can still have fun retrieving his beloved balls or dummies from the river or thick rough ground in the woods . I suppose what I`m trying to say in a roundabout way is that sometimes it can take time to figure out what it is that the dog wants , and how best to achieve it , is is gundog training , scent work etc . I have found Reuben far more challenging than his great uncle Sam , he is just a different lad altogether and I love him for this . You will get through this, maybe with a little professional help, but it will pass xxx
- Location
- Canberra, Australia
That reminded me of the time he broke into the handbag factory….was it handbags…? 