puppy jumping up and biting toddler

[madbutnormal]

can i get some advice please. we have a 3mth old gsx female.due to timing of vacs its two more weeks before we start puppy training but she seems to dislike my 3year old. on our evening walk she jumps up and bites

my dd -last night she got hold of dds hood and held on and swung her around-they are never ever left alone and puppy only sees dd at walk time-is this the problem?-ds year 7 is fine-dog shrink told me to ignore jumping up/use a water spray bottle-about 90% cured with me and ds but dd is a real problem
help!-puppy came from dogstrust

She's trying to play with her, it's what puppies do.

Why does she only see her on walks?

I'd just do the usual ignoring and replacing with appropriate play...but if she never sees your DD then she'll be even more excited than she would be normally.

I'd not be following any advice from someone reccomending you spray a puppy with water either btw, it's completely normal playing, you just need to teach her how to play with people.

Is it excitable puppy biting and jumping up? Every puppy I've had has done this; jumping, play biting, grabbing hold of trouser legs and not letting go. Just look at how they (and most animals) play with their litter mates, it's all mouthing and chewing and rolling around.

Does your toddler run around squealing thus making the 'game' more fun for the puppy?

Puppy books and our trainer all suggested ignoring this behaviour, withdraw eye contact and turn away. You can give a little puppy type yelp that indicates to the puppy that this play fight has gone too far.

I sympathise as it's going to be hard to train with a toddler in tow and it will be difficult to get the toddler to stand still and be calm and alarming to watch your toddler getting bitten.

The training sessions will really help you.

If she only has contact with your DD on walks she will be overexcited and more likely to nip.

Puppies don't have hands so they use their mouths to play. You can teach them how to do it appropriately if you look here.

I also agree, I would not be taking any advice from someone that recommends spraying a dog with water.

OP have you spoken to the DT trainer and behavioural support? It does sound like playing. Your dog is going to be extremely excited about walks at that age anyway, add in an exciting little person they don't see any other time and it's not surprising they are finding it hard to control themselves. Please don't take any more advice from someone recommending a water spray. All this will do is give your dog negative associations with you and your children.

What everyone says. Your puppy is trying to play with your DD and she is a puppy so she does not know what is and what is not acceptable behaviour. She also probably identifies your 3yo as a fellow puppy to play with.

I would also be concerned with someone who suggested spraying water on a puppy for this behaviour. While spraying water is an acceptable aversive technique I would reserve it for much more difficult behaviour that really had not responded to positive reward training. Try the usual: distracting a puppy with a toy or chew, teaching an 'all four feet on the ground' approach to interacting with people and start training with her now don't wait for the classes.

I don't mean to be rude but didn't your rescue assess your home environment before rehoming? A young GSDx is not an ideal puppy for what sounds like a first time dog owning family with at least one very young child.

thanks for advice-not a first time owner but on 3rd dog all gsx will call dt for more advice and about choosing a training class

How to choose a trainer.

And the local listings for APDT members