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Original poster

Having puppy probs

12 replies

nutcracker · 11/09/2006 19:49

We have an 11 week old Jack Russell puppy, we have had him for 2 weeks now and things aren't going to well.

The good bits are that he no longer crys at night and mostly does his buisness outside (unless it's dark lol).

The bad bits are that he is terrorising the cat. Since we had him I think she ha spent about 10 minutes at a time in the house, because he is constantly chasing her and he does try to bite her.
We have tried giving her lots of fuss when he does this and ignoring him hoping he would realise we don't like the behaviour but it's not working and I think it's only a matter of time before the cat doesn't come back.

The other prob is him nipping the kids. I know he is a puppy and that he is only playing but the kids can't move without him going for their ankles and they are starting to be scared of him.

He is a lovely dog but I am beginning to think we have made a mistake and starting to consider rehoming him, which makes me awful but not sure what else to do.

OP posts:
interstella · 11/09/2006 20:08

you need to get in contact with yr local vets nd find out about puppy socialisation groups,they are usually free and run by vetinary nurses.Failing that contact a local training group for advice.Puppies are very hard work- afterall they are babies!! We have cats and altho i love jack russells they are working dogs and so chasing is in their nature(altho i know of two JR who live happily with cats)so we decided aginst a JR.Once the dog is fully innoculated and ble to get out for walks plenty of exercise should help.My dog is a smll not frantically active dog and he gets 11/2-2 hrs off lead running about and this calms them alot,but meantime,i think you need professional advice on how to handle things.

Original poster
nutcracker · 11/09/2006 20:10

Thanks, he has another vets appointment next monday so we'll ask about the classes then.

OP posts:
interstella · 11/09/2006 20:20

Also,what he is doing is typical puppy behaviour,hes not a monster or anything,a good book is by that woman who had prog on ch4,Me or the Dog??The main thing is to be consistent in your training method.

CountessDracula · 11/09/2006 20:20

nutty get a book called The Perfect Puppy it is excellent.

All puppies play bite, until they socialise a lot they don't realise that they are hurting. Agree with puppy socialisation classes and as much exposure to other dogs as possible.

I do get fed up with people getting dogs and saying they are thinking of rehoming them as soon as they exhibit any normal puppy-like behaviour. Did you not do any research into what having a puppy was like before you got one? If you give up after two weeks tbh that is very unfair to the pup. Sorry if that sounds harsh but I really do feel that people should be more responsible about dogs, they are not toys.

DogMum · 12/09/2006 12:55

I agree with CountessDracula, 'The Perfect Puppy' by Gwen Bailey is an absolute must for anyone thinking of getting a puppy or already with one. Puppy socialisation and then puppy training classes are mega-important too. In the meantime, all puppies play-bite. They do it in the litter to learn how hard hurts. (Their litter-mates squeal and the noise frightens them, so they learn not to apply too much pressure.) When you play with him and he playbites, distract him from your flesh onto a toy. If he does it again, squeal and end the game (you keep the toy or he thinks he's won.) When he nips the kids, it's definitely game over. I'd phone a dog-trainer for advice on this one, as it's so serious. Your vet should be able to give you a number or look at the APDT website for a local member. Most are happy to give advice before the classes start. The perfect puppy will also help. Best of luck.

bluenosesaint · 13/09/2006 00:47

Hiya

I agree with the previous posters. We have a 16 week old Golden Retriever and she exhibited many of the traits that you listed (and more ...!!) and it is very normal puppy behaviour. The up-side is that our puppy, now 16 weeks old, although still boisterous, mischeivious and wayward, she has calmed down tremendously ...so don't give up on him just yet.

I read 'the perfect puppy' by gwen bailey and also 'its me or the dog' by victoria stilwell - i found both books to be invaluable.

We had the same problem re chasing our poor moggy, and although i can't say that this is resolved, it is much much better. The first thing that i would advise is to NEVER let it him get away with it - always tell your puppy NO very firmly and let him know that it is unacceptable. If he's anything like our puppy he'll ignore you at first and still give chase thinking that the cat is fair game, but he must learn that the poor cat isn't for chasing and that you won't allow him to play that game. Attach his lead if he really won't listen and stand on it when he bolts for the cat so that he can't get to her. Most of all, be consistant. It does get better. Does your cat have a 'safe haven'? Our cat wasn't allowed upstairs before we got the puppy, but we found that he was much happier at home if he could disappear upstairs out of the way when he wanted too.

The same goes for nipping the children's ankles - at the moment he is just playing, but you still need to let him know that its unacceptable. How old are the children? We taught our children to say a loud 'ouch' when our puppy nipped at them, and then turn their backs on her and stop playing. It took a while (and a few sore ankles!!) but she is getting the message ... slowly ...

This is only my experience and I am by no means an expert! Our puppy is by no means perfect - more like a working progress, lol - but we have enrolled her in puppy classes (started tonight and didn't go as well as planned, but thats another story ...lol) and hopefully we will end up with a well-balanced, well-behaved doggy - here's hoping!!

hth

xx

Original poster
nutcracker · 13/09/2006 08:37

Thanks for the advice. I will buy the puppy book today.

The kids are 8, 6 and 3 and I have told them that if the puppy is being to rough with them for them to say No, stand up and face the other way, but tbh they keep forgetting.

OP posts:
Piffle · 13/09/2006 08:40

Nutty you need two JRT's
We had one and he was a nightmare
WE were advised by the vet to get a mate
since then
Now we're confined to the usual puppy problems - chewing shoes, digging holes, huming each other madly

ratclare · 13/09/2006 14:30

get your kids to do a high pitched yelp when he tries to nip them ,short and sharp , as this is the noise puppies make with each other to let them know it hurts and that play is too rough , i have a rescue dog who wasnt socialised and a year old when he came to us and he was very mouthy ,we all did this puppy yelp thing for a week and he stopped ,neighbours probably thought we were mad . Dont give up on this baby though because a month from now he will have improved so much and will be worth the effort

Sparkler1 · 13/09/2006 14:36

My mum has a Jack Russell puppy too - well it's growing a bit now. He's been a right handful - some of it to do with the fact that mum hasn't been training him fully. He also jumps and nips my kids - which makes me really and has made me and girls very reluctant to visit their home so much.
Mum spoke to vet the other day and it was suggested that he went in for the "snip" - he had it done this morning. Although not 100% they hope it may help in calming him down a little. They will definitely need to keep training him though.
I will be honest and say that I really wish that they hadn't got it.

Tyedye · 13/09/2006 15:10

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Tyedye · 13/09/2006 15:18

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