Random biting attacks by puppy - getting worse

[lainiekazan]

When he was first with us dog did quite a bit of growling and biting. He eased off and has been a really good dog lately. But just in the last week or so he has started having episodes of going into a sort of trance and snarling and biting quite hard.

We are all arguing with each other over how best to deal with it. He won't be distracted - not with treats or toys. I can't manage to put him in "time out" because he rolls onto his back and I can't drag him without hurting him (he is a golden retriever - and a large one at that).

At the moment he is sitting quite peacefully, having just drawn blood on my leg 10 minutes ago.

Please help!

How old is your dog? Is he going into the teenage phase?

He is 18 weeks. He really is being Jekyll & Hyde at the moment. I've had to put the lead on him so we can get hold of him when he launches into one of his moods. It's very frustrating and actually a bit scary when he starts off.

My golden was like this. She was an absolute nightmare, honestly. All I can say is that it gets better. By six months she was already very good, and now, at one, she's an angel. Really - the sweetest, gentlest dog in the world.

Just hang in there, be consistent, firm and kind. Don't give up!

A couple of other things: we found she was at her worst when she was tired, like in the evenings. The thing that worked best was just getting up and leaving when she went nuts. Then we'd go back in after a minute, and repeat. We had a baby gate set up in the kitchen. It's much easier for you to leave than to drag him off somewhere.

I have a lab pup who's 18 weeks today, and she's big (around 19kgs)! She also does the whole 'dead dog' thing when she doesn't want to do something. I just get my arms underneath her and flip her back the right way, then if needs be carry her. My previous Springer used to do it too.

As for the biting, she is getting a lot better but when she's excited she does forget herself. Yesterday she put ANOTHER hole in one of my tops, just when I thought it was safe to be wearing nice clothes again!!

I'm sure there are people on here with an answer for you, but for now just wanted to let you know that I feel your pain

oh lordy when my golden lab was that age she was a bitey nightmare. I agree that she was worse when tired or over excited. We had to stop playing any tug type games. Even throwing a ball could whip her into a nippy little frenzy. I used to tell her to go to bed and she eventually learned to slink off to her crate when she got over wrought. It has never stopped her liking her crate.

That's good to know. All the expert advice says not to use the crate as a punishment cell, but sometimes one is out of options and, of course, the dog has to go in the crate when you go out whether they like it or not! I can't imagine leaving dog to roam free (or even roam the kitchen) whilst I'm out - at least not when he's a puppy.

I'd guess it's a combination of over tired and over stimulated - try calming his life right down for a while. Has he stated anything new? Puppy classes? Longer walks? Different food? More interaction with DC than before?

As he gives you a useful warning - the trance - use it. A house line is a brilliant idea and will give you good control. If you could find a very light, long line and leave it trailing around after him that would also make life easier for now. They sell them at pets at home. Watch for the trance, and distract. I would try a high value treat (sqeezy cheese is good - primula or similar) the instant I saw it brewing, and then go for some sit and wait training. Or some walking to heel off lead training. Anything where he had to focus on you, concentrate and gets a very high value treat as a reward.

Don't tolerate the biting. It is a pleasing habit for a puppy - it's their favourite sort of game and while there's no malice in it at all, it is anti social and he must learn that you NEVER use teeth on people.

I have just been reading an Ian Dunbar article linked to from another MN thread, and he advocates allowing puppies to bite, so that they can understand it hurts and it's not appropriate. Hmmmm.... So much conflicting advice out there...

How is letting the puppy bite showing it its not appropriate???

With my Golden it was definitely over stimulation/over excited. If it happened at home he went in the kitchen for a time out (we don't have a crate) if it happened out it was crossed arms and stand still.

From the ages of 6-9 months my boy was a complete brat! He had a meltdown or two every single walk, it was horrible but they do come through it (although he can still act up with DH at 16 months)

This place is great for advice or sometimes just to realise you're not alone!

My boy is 16 months now and for me he's absolutely brilliant (he's asleep by my feet right now). He still jumps/bites at DH a bit but that's DHs own fault (hes not willing to do any training and does all the wrong things and won't listen to me!) but overall he's just the best dog!