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  • #16
    I actually have the same problem with Tank, my 8 week old Great Dane.

    He's kind of 'aggressive' and it's hard for my children to even play with him. He gets plenty of exercise with frequent trips outside and we've even begun socialization.

    Living in a small town makes it hard to find a puppy trainer or preschool. I'm nervous I'm doing the wrong things. He has several different Kong varieties with the both the biscuits and paste. Several soft chew toys. We rotate them to keep him interested.

    Tank is breaking skin; his biting loses it's playfulness when we reprimand him by yelping 'Ow' when his mouthing gets too hard, a bop on the nose and a 'No bite' when he's beginning to get rambunctious with his biting, and then the scruff-grabbing when he's intentionally being too rough. He's usually snarling at this point.

    Both my husband and I use very strong voices and body language but he still seems to have a dominance issue, despite most of our play turning into times where he must re-establish we ARE the pack leaders by rolling him onto his back. He DOES cry/whine when we do this and continue to do so until he's calmed, which we encourage by massaging his neck. Once he's calm with licking/kisses, we reward him with a treat.

    I'm fully aware he's only 8 weeks old and it takes time and consistency but goodness, he's so stubborn. Is there possibly something I'm not doing that I should be?

    What worked for you, especially those of you who had stubborn Danes.
    sigpic

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    • #17
      Well, most likely by using really loud voices, scruffing, and hitting you are turning a normal puppy issue into a fight. He is not trying to be dominate, he is being a puppy!

      How long have you had him? He is so very very young still.

      Did you read through the thread? The best is to end all fun when he starts nipping. Turn around, walk away, etc.

      I would HIGHLY suggest reading the following book (link is to the free pdf version.

      Before You Get Your Puppy

      After You Get Your Puppy

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      • #18
        Originally posted by Greenmagick View Post
        Well, most likely by using really loud voices, scruffing, and hitting you are turning a normal puppy issue into a fight. He is not trying to be dominate, he is being a puppy!

        How long have you had him? He is so very very young still.

        Did you read through the thread? The best is to end all fun when he starts nipping. Turn around, walk away, etc.

        I would HIGHLY suggest reading the following book (link is to the free pdf version.

        Before You Get Your Puppy

        After You Get Your Puppy
        Yeah that's a different direction than where I'm going...I haven't done any physical correction or angry voices, etc. I think he's too young for that kind of thing and I think hands should be for treats, loves and cuddles and don't want him to be scared of hands.

        I have to admit that sometimes it gets really trying and I want to be more angry and physical but I don't allow myself to do it as I understand the dog is doing what he was born to do and its up to me to show him differently - I can't physically punish him for that.

        I am hoping that once we start more rigorous training next week (and I put him in doggy day care every day) he will be more adjusted and more exercised and I might see a change.

        FYI - today I tried the "walk out of the room and close the door and leave him there alone for 30 sec. each time he bites" method. I counted 39 times I did this in less than 45 min. Each time I came back into the room he was sitting all proud of himself in the middle of the room and immediately went right back at my pant legs. I think all I did was train him that each time I leave, I come back in 30 sec.

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        • #19
          The scruffing is certainly a last resort, and I'd heard positve things about the 'No bite' method that included either a bop (enough to startle, apparently) and the hand over the mouth. I much prefer to place my palm to his nose and push him away.

          I think that's a part of my problem, indeed. He takes this as play and my husband is equally as guilty. He used to get on the floor with him and 'play wrestle' but I've since told him that that roughness teaches Tank it's a-okay to be rough back!

          Tank has been with us for a month. I know for a fact he was released from his mother too soon, which is probably fueling the issue here. While not particularly HAPPY about it, I fell in love with him and accepted him into my home. I won't mention the name of the breeder but my experience her despite this was actually a very good one.

          I traveled to her home, and was allowed to explore the surroundings and environment he and all SEVEN of his brothers lived in. I met the mother (oh my gosh, she's such a SWEETHEART who rolled over to let us pet her belly) and the Daddy (who was 160+lbs, with a humongous bark). We spent time with the puppies outside, playing and getting to know their personalities.

          Tank is my very first Great Dane! We've not yet explored walks simply because the leash law isn't well enforced (but encouraged) and he hasn't had his second set of vaccinations. The socialization has been limited to family and friends, since researching has said '100 people by 4 months' is a good rule of thumb.

          I may be worrying too much and being too strict. I tend to be that way with my kids as well. Tank may take this as uncertainty and be using this as a reason to take on the dominant role. Also yes, I've read through this thread as well as the bite inhibition.
          sigpic

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          • #20
            Originally posted by Rae View Post
            The scruffing is certainly a last resort, and I'd heard positve things about the 'No bite' method that included either a bop (enough to startle, apparently) and the hand over the mouth. I much prefer to place my palm to his nose and push him away.

            I think that's a part of my problem, indeed. He takes this as play and my husband is equally as guilty. He used to get on the floor with him and 'play wrestle' but I've since told him that that roughness teaches Tank it's a-okay to be rough back!

            Tank has been with us for a month. I know for a fact he was released from his mother too soon, which is probably fueling the issue here. While not particularly HAPPY about it, I fell in love with him and accepted him into my home. I won't mention the name of the breeder but my experience her despite this was actually a very good one.

            I traveled to her home, and was allowed to explore the surroundings and environment he and all SEVEN of his brothers lived in. I met the mother (oh my gosh, she's such a SWEETHEART who rolled over to let us pet her belly) and the Daddy (who was 160+lbs, with a humongous bark). We spent time with the puppies outside, playing and getting to know their personalities.

            Tank is my very first Great Dane! We've not yet explored walks simply because the leash law isn't well enforced (but encouraged) and he hasn't had his second set of vaccinations. The socialization has been limited to family and friends, since researching has said '100 people by 4 months' is a good rule of thumb.

            I may be worrying too much and being too strict. I tend to be that way with my kids as well. Tank may take this as uncertainty and be using this as a reason to take on the dominant role. Also yes, I've read through this thread as well as the bite inhibition.
            This breeder didn't happen to be in Lima, Ohio did it?

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            • #21
              Originally posted by EmoAbstracts View Post
              This breeder didn't happen to be in Lima, Ohio did it?
              No ma'am, she sure wasn't.
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              • #22
                holy crap! You got him at 4 or 5 weeks!!! That is WAY too young and yes is probably the cause of your issues. No breeder that is at all responsible would let a pup go home that early.

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                • #23
                  Originally posted by Greenmagick View Post
                  holy crap! You got him at 4 or 5 weeks!!! That is WAY too young and yes is probably the cause of your issues. No breeder that is at all responsible would let a pup go home that early.
                  Yeah...that's scary. This is going to be really hard for you to correct with your pup. He has completely missed out on his normal and totally critical development that takes place with his mom and litter mates. This is the time when he learns what it means to play and how NOT to play. If the pup came home with you at 4-5 weeks, I would be surprised if the biting/nipping is the only issue you will have. You really should have ran far away from this breeder.

                  BUT - what's done is done. Long story short, this is going to be very hard to correct on your own. You need to start looking into getting professional training (a trainer that works with Great Danes and rescues would be even better - check to see if there is a local/regional Great Dane rescue group that can connect you with a good, trusted trainer) and it is going to take a LOT of time and a LOT of patience.

                  This makes me sad to hear, but I do wish you best of luck with working on this. It's not impossible - puppies sometimes lose their mom/litter very early and can be successfully adapted to be well-adjusted...you just have to be committed to success and understand what your puppy will be going through without setting him/you up for failure.

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                  • #24
                    I undoubtedly should have, mhm.

                    Luckily, he is adored and loved and I'm willing to work my way through the irresponsibility of the breeder and my original lapse in common sense.

                    Edit: Also wanted to add that I'm also fortunate to have a coworker within my office (receptionist for a realty office) who has very much experience, especially in obedience. I'm going to be asking her assistance in the matter since she's been doing shows and training for over twenty years. Wish me luck!
                    Last edited by Rae; 03-23-2011, 07:56 PM.
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                    • #25
                      Originally posted by Rae View Post
                      I undoubtedly should have, mhm.

                      Luckily, he is adored and loved and I'm willing to work my way through the irresponsibility of the breeder and my original lapse in common sense.

                      Edit: Also wanted to add that I'm also fortunate to have a coworker within my office (receptionist for a realty office) who has very much experience, especially in obedience. I'm going to be asking her assistance in the matter since she's been doing shows and training for over twenty years. Wish me luck!
                      That sounds like it might be a good option and definitely wish you luck. Just keep in mind that Danes are very, very sensitive creatures...so its important to find the method that will work best for this particular individual. I'm confident you can make this a success!

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                      • #26
                        Our Scottish Terrier pup was a terrible hand biter and I found this tip on the internet and it worked perfectly.

                        Sit on the floor with the puppy and pour lemon juice onto your hands (peri-peri sauce has also been suggested). Then teaze him with your hands. When he bites you, the taste should repell him. We did this for about a week and he eventually stopped biting hands.

                        Perhaps its wortwhile for you to try.
                        Our four-footed family
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                        • #27
                          Storm is 7 weeks and he tries to play tug or war with my kids pants. They are 6. They tell him a firm "no" and most of the time he will quit. He bit one of them the other day and my son starting crying just more scared then hurt. It made the dog quit really quick and he went and layed down and then came and loved on him. A little cry might work. It worked for my dog.

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                          • #28
                            Dpzer and I have recently started puppy school. I have learned a ton of invaluable information and he is learning so much. One of the Great things about puppy school is the free play. He is learning to control the pressure of his bite, because his other puppy friends won't play if he isn't being nice. I have learned that if I say OUCH really loud and pull my hands away that he stops. We take a short break with what we are doing and then resume. If he does this again, we repeat the process.The key to this is to be persitant. Dozer is not allowed to mouth or bite anyones hands for any reason. It is too hard to figure out when it is ok to be mouthy and when it isn't. If he is allowed to chew on mom's hands, he won't know that he can't chew on grandma's. It just seems to make sense. Dozer is also a pants grabber. When he does this we stop all movement, and tell him NO! ( or whatever command you use) and then we make him sit. I have learned so much in class and it really has made a huge difference in our lives. Dozer was also very little (4 weeks) when we got him, and he missed out on the critical littermate stages. By taking him to play with other dogs his age, he is slowly learning these things which is amazing to sit and watch. He has become a class favorite. And I couldn't be prouder!
                            sigpic

                            Dawn

                            I try to be the person my dogs think I am!

                            Roxy( bulldog) Nova (yorkie) Dozer B. (dane)

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                            • #29
                              Quick Question -

                              Saw something on tv about correcting nippers.
                              Take frozen butter and smear it on the back of your hand.
                              When dog licks, praise - this way he will associate skin with licking and not biting...

                              Thoughts?

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                              • #30
                                Originally posted by jengily View Post
                                Quick Question -

                                Saw something on tv about correcting nippers.
                                Take frozen butter and smear it on the back of your hand.
                                When dog licks, praise - this way he will associate skin with licking and not biting...

                                Thoughts?
                                Silky smooth hands?

                                Seems like overkill to me. I want the dog to learn BITE inhibition, as in how hard (or not) to bite. I could care less about what they do with their tongue.

                                And we already have alien issues with the butter in our house as it is:
                                http://www.dolforum.com/forum/showth...=aliens&page=5
                                Until one has loved an animal, part of one's soul remains unawakened.
                                - Anatole France

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