My dobermann puppy of five months is biting

[sreedhar]

Hi

I have a dobermann puppy of five months and its fine in other aspects like house training and okay with the commands like heel, sit , stay and down.

But the problem is it bites a lot and never listen or stop when we say NO even some times its just growls at me and tries to bite me and my family members.

The main problem is that i have kids 4 and 3 years its rough playing with them and this behaviour also happens in the evening only it doesn't do this in the morning.

I mainly brought your course hopeing to find some solution but nothing is offered on this front and the methods you suggested i am already using them from quite a long time.

Thanks and regards
Sreedhar

[Annie]

Hi there,
It is interesting that your dog does this in the evening and not in the morning? Have I understood that properly?

I´m sure you are doing a lot of good things, and this is a really hard age for chewing and biting. I am sure you are reprimanding the dog quickly, and encouraging your dog to play in other ways....
All I can suggest, that worked for us (with kids) was really strict rules ...for the kids too! Showing the kids how to play properly with the dog. Learning games for the dog, like 'find the treat' that the child has hidden somewhere in the house etc. and avoiding rough contact games like wrestling and cuddling with the dog. It is really important that you supervise all the time. What was most important for us was that our dog had a blanket in our main room, in the corner, and when she was on the blanket nobody can bother her ( within reason ) so we taught the kids, and the dog, that when she got too excited or needed time out she could go to her blanket and be left alone. I needed to train her when and how to leave a situation, and that she was not in trouble, but had to leave and go and lie down. The kids where harder to train. I call it 'hunting' ,as I would turn my back and they would be 'visiting' our dog....trying to tempt her with a toy or pushing wooden spoons in her ears . After a few months our dog has no problem leaving the situation that is too loud, rough, nervous etc and going and lying down.

Does your dog have a quiet place? I understand a young dog may not feel like they NEED a quiet place, but similar to a child they need to be encouraged to have a rest....If your children are often in the house, and there is a lot of action then maybe your dog is under stress a little.
Stress can also be caused when a dog is unsure of it´s position in the family. Read the Alpha guidelines, and also keep in mind that the kids are always higher status than your dog. don´t let them abuse this power, but could they help with feeding times etc?

If you see your dog physically trying to master the children, mount them, or body knock them, then you need to quickly stop the situation, remove your dog and make it clear that that behaviour is not OK. There was a time with my young dog and a small baby that I had to behave like a mother Lion and using my body language and voice I sent her 'away' ( not physically, but with my energy) She was sent outside and bannished to the back of the garden and not allowed inside for the whole afternoon. She has never again challenged the status of me or my children. This was an extreme situation that she tried to bite with intent and not in play. But it is good for the dog to know really really clearly where the borders are.

This is of course extra difficult with a young dog as they are like a teenager, always pushing the borders and throwing their powers around

It will get better, keep going,

I hope something helps. Please write more details and I´ll try and help....
Annie