Hi all, I have posted previously about Sumo's rough "playing" behavior. It's been over 3 months since I've had him and I have honestly tried everything people have suggested. He still continuously goes for peoples feet (getting much better with socks) and nip at hands. Seems to have gotten worse actually, with him barking if we tell him no. I have tried "yelping", giving him something else to chew on, ignoring, a firm no, redirecting his attention to a sit or other command and it seems none have worked? =( He is 6 months old now and we just recently neutered him. Also, now he just recently started humping people, never done that before but has started recently after the neuter??! Also, he has started to jump onto our couch, which we do not allow =/ Here is a link to show the behavior I speak of:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8gB2SVv0L0
What to do to:
1. stop nipping at feet, legs, and hand
2. humping people
3. jumping on couch
P.S. Is this normal puppy play, some have said it was previously, but i feel that he is older now and the behavior seems to not of changed, at best....do I need to just be patient? please any advice/help. Have done alot of reading and have tried most suggestions and would like to hear some with real experience with this breed. Thanks.
Re: neutering
Neutering isn't the cure-all many people purport it to be, sometimes I think it is something that is said automatically when ever any issue comes up. But don't misunderstand either, I think it is the way to go for any dog not specifically intended to be shown and bred.
But the comment I wanted to make is, that in this instance, I think your boy's humping behavior is just another manifestation of his increasingly dominant attitude. The only dog I've had (40 years of owning dogs and more than 50 dogs) that was a humper, was a spayed female. She would do it when she got excited or if 2 other dogs were scrapping and she wanted in on it but couldn't join. I know it stemmed from her being a dominant bitch at her core.
As for suggestions - I agree with others, the dog needs consistency in how he is handled and basic obedience training. This will give you methods and skills in how to best work with him. Likely you will need to engage the services of a canine behaviorist in addition to doing a basic obedience course or 2 with him.
You also have hit upon a pet theory of mine; When a dog is removed from its Dam and littermtes too soon, it doesn't fully learn pack behaviors and is often more difficult to train and discipline.
The worst behaving dog I have is also the toughest to train and discipline - she was a litter of 1 whose Dam quit being a mother to her at 10 days of age. My girl does well with me and well with other people who have an in-charge attitude, but if she perceives a weakness to someone, she will exploit that in an instant. She is also intolerant of other dogs and can be a handful in circumstances such as the waiting room at the Vet's.
Behavioral advice
Hi Cape,
Glad my comments are of some use to you. Tuffy is 4 months old and we are still in the throes of trying to get him to be well mannered! Our trainer is a firm believer in the soda can technique. He says the trick behind it is to have several of them and keep throwing them in his direction (BUT NOT ON TOP OF HIM!) until he gets the message. Hopefully your pup won't think it's a game. But try the baking sheet if that doesn't work. My pup will run in his crate at the sound of it. And keep trying the firm jerk of his collar when a soda can isn't assessible. He also says not to use the dog's name when correcting him because it causes negative associations. The sooner you get the trainer in there to work with you the better because time is of the essence. As for the humping, my dog does do that but we just kind of laugh it off. Maybe I should be more concerned but for now I'm focusing more on the nipping at the feet thing. It becomes a real issue when young kids come to the house and he charges at them/jumps on them to play and they are terrified. We are making progress but still have a long way to go. Keep at it and let us know how things work out. Your dog can be trained so don't lose hope!
Kim
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Re: neutering
Thanks for the prompt reply. regarding the humping, it's strange, he only does it to a certain few and when he is really worked up/hyper. But then again, he only started this behavior the past week.
I have spoke with two different trainers, and both of them have different methods/ techniques they recommend to alter his "dominant" acts. =/ That is why I came on here to seek advice from people that I know have experience with this breed. Thanks again.
Re: My opinion only
Hi, thanks for the suggestion. When you state settle, do you mean just calming him down? From what I am getting from your comment, I believe you mean physically putting him on his side and holding him there until relaxed/submissive? Has this really worked for you, and if so, how long did it take for the process roughly. I know every dog is different, just out curiosity. Thanks again.
My opinion only
I would make him settle every time he starts this behavior. I had to settle my Bella so much that now, if I say her name sharply, she just lays down on her side and stays there until I tell her all done. Settle him as many times a day as you can, so that he knows that you are in control. Also, when he tries to nip your hand, my trainer would take her hand and put her thumb on the underside of his mouth and then take your forefinger and put it as afar in his mouth as it will go at the same time, and then Bella would stop. She would then let her smell her hand after, I don't know why this worked, but she did stop. It seems like he thinks that this is a game. When he barks and then goes to snap at you hand, make him settle on the ground until his focus is changed and then praise and reward him.
Re: he is being a snot.....
Thanks for the detailed reply. I have replied with a detailed response in the post titled: Thanks... if you are interested. As for stating the neutering part, I did not expect it to change is behavior much but why I stated that was because he never humped any person before, until after the neutering, which seems to be the reverse from all the reading I have done. Also, you got me thinking about not having alot of interaction with other puppies prior to 8 weeks. I am not sure if that is the case but judging by Sumos history, from Poland, (I'm in Canada) may be the case. =/
Re: Just my two cents regarding treats...
I agree regarding the treats. Reason why I am trying to figure out the best method. Will contact a trainer for sure.
Re: you need
Thanks for your in depth reply. Have replied to my own post and is relevant to some of the comments you have. If you would like to read through it, titled Thanks.....
From the video it didn't look like aggression to me...but a one
trainer can help so much more than those classes or any of us here.
Re: do not mean to alarm you but........
Thanks for your concern. But I am pretty sure Sumo is not deaf, as he responds veeery well and quickly to any type of noise. Regarding the spray bottle technique, I feel that it may Stop the unwanted behavior when the bottle is around but does the dog actually understand/correlate to the undesired behavior and corrects itself? your opinion?
Thanks Kim
Glad to know I'm not alone lol. How old is your pup? I have never actually tried the penny in a can technique. Have heard/read about it. Maybe will give that a try. Just trying out to figure out which method I should stick to. Thanks again.
Thanks for all the replies...
I have taken him to puppy classes. Regarding earlier posts stating that we are not consistent, I do feel we have been. It's only myself here most of the time, so I am the only one who does the training. But maybe I need to stick to one method rather constantly switching? I usually try a certain technique for about 1-2 weeks and then with no results, will try another. Also, the video was to show the behavior I am describing, and that is the reason I did not come in to stop him. Also, he does NOT act like this with me, only visitors and I am trying to figure out the reason/solution for this. The video was of a friend interacting with Sumo his first time. Thanks again and the more comments the better.
P.S. so you think this is aggressive behavior? I also bumped into another bullie owner just now and asked her about the behavior. She stated that it's "standard" bullie play, and that her 3 yr old still does it to a certain extent?
Thanks again.
You need to contact a trainer as soon as possible to stop this u
And to teach you and your family, how to work with him consistently, every time. It is usually us doing something that makes the dog behave badly:-)
Amy and Sophia
DEFINITELY call a trainer to teach the people...:)
Seriously, trainers mostly train the people who are living with the dogs...you will learn a lot. I know I did. I am not an expert, but I have done tons of reading on the topic, taken an online course on dog body language, etc. I would say in the video just by the person moving around he is enticing the dog to keep doing the behavior, seems like he is playing. IGNORING means totally ignoring. Do not look at him, talk, etc. Even going into another room is a good idea so he realizes that behavior means YOU GO AWAY. THe person in the video is also not being clear...first saying "no"...then "sit". I urge you to work with a professional POSITIVE trainer. You will all be much happier.
I wish you the best. Please do not give up.
Just my two cents regarding treats...
I used to do the treat thing to get Tuffy to behave but my trainer told me to put a stop to it because he says I shouldn't reward bad behavior and if I used treats as an incentive then he'll never do anything I want without the promise of a reward. Just my two cents.... I'm hardly an expert!
Kim
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Correction
We have a similar problem with our puppy. Our trainer told us to fill some soda cans with pennies and toss it in his direction when he does the naughty behavior. The sound is supposed to scare him but he just thinks it's a game. However the sound of a cookie sheet does distract him. Our trainer also advises doing corrective behavior where you give a firm jerk of his collar when he's mouthy or nipping. You might want to consider a one on one session with a personal trainer if you can afford to. It's done wonders for us.
Good luck!
Kim
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I remember those beginning months....
you just need to keep on it. They will test your patience. Just be firm with him. It took awhile for us too (humping, nipping etc.), about 1 to 1 /2 years. Bernard even used to bring a toy near a guest's shoe and they thought that was cute, little did they know that he is already chewing on their shoe lace or jeans. The toy was just a cover up.
You need to be consistent and patient. It will not happen in a few months or weeks.
you need
consistency in your training. from the video it is clear there is none as a matter of fact form the video you are egging him on to get him to show the bad behavior all in the meantime someone is just saying no. when he is acting up is the perfect time to get out the treats and do some training. he obviously has energy that needs to be expelled so make training fun. ignore bad behavior and reward good behavior. make him work for everything. at one point this was puppy play as this is how puppies play with each other. if he likes to tug on things make him work for some food and play tug of war all that stuff about tug of war teaching dominance is crap it is fun for the dog. you need to be consistent though grab a handful of treats and do some work when the treats are gone the training is done then maybe do it again in an hour or two just be consistent
he is being a snot.....
meaning that he is acting like a spoiled rotten child....who wants their own way...he is not sowing signs of agression...but of being a brat who has no control....he is pushing his way to the head of the pack....by not listening to you....i would get him in training...neutering is not a god sent solution...charlie is neutered but he bites inappropiatley...mostly becasue he was removed from his litter mates to soon....he is not agressive but loses control of himself some times....
for you...you have a brat who needs constant..firm direction to as wo is the boss....after watching the video i know their is no consistent training going on...i am sure everyone is doing what ever....and some think its funny some times....
get some consistency going!!!!!!! in your traning or youl be calling rescue in a couple of months....
also obedience class might help you as well...
obedience class is great for most bulldogs
do not mean to alarm you but........
is it possible he is deaf.
I have a deaf bulldog that had all these same issues as your bulldog there..
just curious is that is possible..
maybe learning some hand signs..as well as verbal would help as well with him
some dogs do really well on signs...
pennies in a jar if he gets out of hand..something to startle him but not hurt him
a water bottle worked for Gus at times too
Also
One other thing, when anyone tries to pet him on his Head, he turns/tilts his head so he can put his jaw/teeth on your hand. Example in the video. Only puts a small amount of pressure, but still something I worry about. =/