Growling and Biting

[Teresa]

Hello,

I have an adorable 16 week labradoodle. He is very smart and can do many tricks and is house trained. He has a nice personality most of the time. We got him at 9 weeks and less than a week of having him he was nipping in play - but does break our skin at times and also growls at us and seems a bit aggressive. We have tried saying 'ouch' and such - and it somewhat works - but only for the moment. When he growls - we continue on what we were doing and try to ignore the growling and not give it attention. At the moment, I do not see a lot of progress. I wonder if it take a while to see some change? He really is sweet - and we all love him - but getting bit or growled at once a day is far too much. Any suggestions on what to do?

[becka]

Sadie started seriously nipping and biting, often breaking the skin or bruising me, when she was about that age or maybe a bit younger. It usually happened if I was trying to make her do something she didn't want to do, like come inside from the yard. Like you, I felt like I was doing everything I was supposed to--squealing loudly whenever she put her teeth on me and then turning my back and ignoring her (sometimes going into another room and shutting her out briefly), but it didn't seem to work in the long term, and of course I couldn't ignore her if we were on a walk.

I was really freaked out--my mom was going to be visiting and I didn't want Sadie to hurt or scare her--so I hired a private trainer (she never bit me during puppy class, so I didn't feel like our regular instructor could help much). I wasn't that impressed with his ideas/techniques, although I'm sure they work for a lot of people: he told me to yank her collar (firmly but not too hard), say "no bark!" in an authoritative voice, and then look away.

Even though I don't think this method hurt her, I was never really comfortable with it--to me it seemed like fear-based correction. The other method (saying ouch! etc) seemed more intuitive. I believe that what really did the trick was that as soon as she had all of her vaccinations at 17 weeks, I started taking her to the dog park every day. She has not bitten me once since then. I believe it's a combination of things, but mostly the exercise (she's exhausted when we get home), and playing with other dogs in a way that has taught her bite inhibition. She doesn't even put her teeth on me (or anyone) in play anymore.

I know it's really scary when it happens--suddenly your sweet puppy is an out-of-control demon--but it's a stage that you can work through with patience and discipline and lots of exercise.

I hope this helps!

[deepnite10]

by nature they need their play time..if not with other dogs, then you..

they ll learn their limits and their territories and eventually settle in to their roles in the household..

it s important though that thru socialization they learn your the boss..you set the rules and correct if necessary..

their nipping and growling is their way of getting their way..eventually it ll lead to a dominance issue if not checked..slowly, each time they do this put them in their submissive position until they calm down while telling them to stop..later the stop command can be used to stop stop something befor it gets out of hand..

i ve tried using a soft, calm voice..but, found a sharp STOP works alot better..you ve got to get their attention..

[Teresa]

Thank you for both of your words of wisdom. i love Max - but have thought of 're-homing' if it didn't get better.
I did take him to a friends house to play in the backyard with another dog - and he did seem much nicer and did not bite or growl!
I am going to try both of your advice and believe he will come around - as he is very smart and just today surprised me that he listened to 'leave it' when he had my shoe - he dropped it immediately without me even touching the shoe or him - so - I have hope that persistence in this growling and biting matter with have positive results as well.
Thank you!