Unruly Puppy - Any Help?

[bertiedog]

Hello,

My name is Erin, my puppy's name is Burton, he's 8 months old and he's some behavior problems.

Burton bites me - NEVER my husband, he barks at me for 10-15 minutes at a time - NEVER does this with my husband. Generally all of his behavior problems happen with me or when I'm around. He can be with my husband all day and be a perfect little guy, but when I come home he acts out. It's very frustrating.

I know that he probably looks at me like a playmate since sometimes I wrestle with him. I try to be stern and use a deeper voice when I am trying to discipline him.

Any additional help?

[Husky_mom]

maybe you are right, he perhaps sees you as his equal and tries to play and even boss you around, adn he doesnt do that with your hubby cause he is way up in the dominant scale......

[bertiedog]

And just because I'm a proud mama... here are some pictures.

[dab_20]

You may need to be more serious and dominent with him. Try some dominence techniques. The NILIF (nothing in life is free) program works very well, too. Make him sit or lay down or whatever he knows before you give him his meal, treats, toys, and before you pet him. Some training should work well, too. There are other people here who can give you much more info about this. Good Luck!

edit: Just saw the pics. He is ADORABLE!!

[bertiedog]

Thanks! I think that he's pretty adorable too, except when he's being naughty.

Anyway...

Recently I've started making him sit before everything, before I throw his ball, I've always made him sit before he gets food, before I pay attention to him when I get home.

I started to read Cesar Millan's book - Cesar's Way, but the book doesn't give me exercises that I can do and practice with my dog, which was what I was wanting.

I'd enroll him in puppy classes, but I'm embarassed at how naughty he is.

[Karen]

I'd enroll him in puppy classes, but I'm embarassed at how naughty he is.

Don't be embarrassed - that's what puppy classes are for! And it will help in so many ways both with his training and yours, too!

And even if he's the naughtiest dog in class, think how glad the other puppies' moms will be that their pup is better than somebody!

[dab_20]

I'd enroll him in puppy classes, but I'm embarassed at how naughty he is.

Don't be embarressed. Many puppies have problems silmilar to this. I'm sure puppy classes will help, plus socializing him at the same time. I greatly suggest you try them.

[Jo-Anne]

We have the same problem in our household.. I'm home with Dakota all day and when hubby comes home he tries to nip at him.. I attribute this to being upset that he leaves him for hours at a time to work... I told hubby not to yell at him as this makes him worse.. What I do is take him and send him to his kennel and close the door... I don't use it as a place for him to sleep it's a punishment and relaxation room for him instead... Sometimes I do have to resort to giving him a slight slap on the butt... but he still loves me ...

[anna_66]

I'd enroll him in puppy classes, but I'm embarrassed at how naughty he is.

Oh no, don't embarrassed that's exactly what the classes are for. You'd be surprised at the change in him.
When I took my husky Roxey to school the first few times she was terrible. If I wanted her to walk with me on leash she'd scream like I was killing her Needless to say it didn't take long before she was at the top of her class. I took her to many different classes, she loved learning.
Even when I would think she was being difficult, people would come up and tell me what a well behaved dog I had...was I ever surprised!

So take him to school, I personally think it's the best thing you could do for him

[catnapper]

I'd enroll him in puppy classes, but I'm embarassed at how naughty he is.

He sounds like 99% of whats in my older puppy classes. Don't be embarassed! As a trainer, I almost EXPECT puppies to come into my class acting like this. They were not born knowing the english language and it is up to you to teach them. When we as humans don't understand how to communicate with them, this is what we get: an unruly puppy. Its nothing to be ashamed of - its VERY common!

Join the class and learn how to communicate with him. You'll be amazed at the difference in him after the classes are over. I get sooo proud of my puppies when they "graduate". I remember what they came in like - all bouncing, barking, leash pulling, nipping. They might not be 100% perfect after the course if over, but you can tell the bond between puppy and owner is much stronger.