HELP! Behaviour is just getting worse...

[heygirl28]

7 mths now and my once gorgeous little pup is still mouthing badly. Biting us through play, biting us if she gets told off. Nipping the kids if they try to stroke her. HATES the word no. Wont listen to what me or my OH tell her to do. Tries to take food out of my little boys hand. Pushes her luck and tries to jump up at the dinner table to 'help herself'! Pesters constantly every evening for attention which in the end results in her getting timed out(which to be honest think she expects now so when she's allowed back in the room she starts again)! The only positive thing with her at the minute is she will sit, down and give paw - FOR FOOD!! Any advice would be so much appreciated, the house is just unbearable at the minute.

[Caryll]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I think you need help with training her, to be honest.

Are there any training clubs near you that you could join?

[heygirl28]

There is one. I've taken her a couple of times and got absolutely humiliated by the trainer! Zara wouldnt do 1 thing right for me and the trainer enjoyed herself in showing me up so never took her back!

[Caryll]

Is there nowhere else at all? Have you tried looking on the kennel club wesite for training clubs near you? Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme dog training clubs in your local area - The Kennel Club Even if one is a bit of a walk away, it would give her some exercise before you train!

It really sounds like she just needs teaching the boundaries of life, and most people (even people who have had dogs before) need help with that. You might need to bite the bullet & try again.

[ClaireandDaisy]

Time out works with kids but not dogs. She probably thinks it`s a game.
The fact she will respond for food is excellent. This is something you can build on.
She sounds like a normal pup tbh.
I would get a good puppy book (or lots and compare them if you can) but NOTHING by anyone with a TV programme as they are just entertainers.
For a good book on dog behaviour, Jean Donaldson`s The Culture Clash is excellent.

Re your queries: establish a proper routine - same as you did when your children were little. Teach the dog two things only and reward every time: a Sit (in front). This can interrupt any unwanted behaviour. Please ask the children not to approach the dog unles with you. You need to train them as well!
Then teach Bed. Nicely! It`s not a punishment. Lure the dog to her blanket or whatever with a treat. Say Bed, give the reward. Build up till she will settle for a minute or two (don`t expect her to remain long - she`s a baby). This gives you a few seconds to collect your thoughts and for things to calm down.

For the nipping - this is normal. Dogs need to learn to control the pressure of the bite and this is how it is done. Every time she puts teeth on skin or clothes stop the game. Walk away. Ignore her. Eventually she`ll learn.

You need to go to a class - especially as she is coming up to the teenage stage. Look up APDT classes in your area.

[Su-C]

Originally Posted by heygirl28

There is one. I've taken her a couple of times and got absolutely humiliated by the trainer! Zara wouldnt do 1 thing right for me and the trainer enjoyed herself in showing me up so never took her back!

Where are you? Perhaps someone here can recommend a good one? Dont give up on her, but it sounds like she needs some boundaries set.... and quickly!

Sue
x

[heygirl28]

Thanks Sue, I'm in Leeds.

With regards to the 'time out', I have been advised to do this. But having said that, i'm getting so much conflicting information that i dont actually know whats best or not! What i do know is its not fun at the minute!!

[Caryll]

'Time out' works with some dogs (Staffordshire Bull Terriers for instance), but I've never found it to be particularly effective with GSDs, although it may work with some.

You'll always get conflicting info, because people will post what has worked for them. It's often a matter of sifting through & finding something that works for you.

[heygirl28]

Come to the conclusion that it doesnt work for us!! What else can we do though? We've been through the ending play, turning backs, walking away etc but nothing seems to be effective enough for her to think 'hang on a min, i shouldnt be doing this'!!

[kita]

Originally Posted by heygirl28

7 mths now and my once gorgeous little pup is still mouthing badly. Biting us through play, biting us if she gets told off. Nipping the kids if they try to stroke her. HATES the word no.

When she bites, the split second her teeth touch skin, the game MUST stop. It has to be instantaneous. Don't speak to her, don't touch her at all, stand upright and turn your back. If she continues to nip your legs/ankles walk out of the room and shut the door on her.

How/why do you 'tell her off'?

Originally Posted by heygirl28

Wont listen to what me or my OH tell her to do. Tries to take food out of my little boys hand. Pushes her luck and tries to jump up at the dinner table to 'help herself'!

Don't have her around when there is food being eaten. At meal times she should be in another room and not allowed to 'pester' for food. If you want her in the dinning room then it may be worth investing in a crate and training her to stay in there when you are eating. If you put her bed in it and make it like her 'den' she will probably go to it naturally. Don't ever use it as a punishment though.

What do you feed her on? How often do you feed her and when? Dogs will not beg for food if they have just eaten themselves.

Originally Posted by heygirl28

Pesters constantly every evening for attention which in the end results in her getting timed out(which to be honest think she expects now so when she's allowed back in the room she starts again)! The only positive thing with her at the minute is she will sit, down and give paw - FOR FOOD!! Any advice would be so much appreciated, the house is just unbearable at the minute.

When do you walk her?

Has she had a season yet (if you haven't had her spayed that is)?

Sue