Training My Puppy

by Deb

I started puppy k-garten today. This is a very smart puppy but I am in trouble with her and frankly I do not know where it will lead. I will let you know what's happening.

She will not stop biting my older dog Max for a second and he is very upset. She goes after him and bites his feet and pulls out his tail and bites him underneath. I take her away and give her toys and tell her "no" but nothing works. I never had this with Max. He would play a bit but he was attached to me right away. He always looked in my eyes. This one is in her own world. I am frankly worried.

She knows how to listen. I trained her already. She rings a bell to go out and come in and she sits and gives me a paws and today she learned to drop it with a ball. She can learn quickly but she isn't socializing I don't think, but I'm no expert on behavior. She also doesn't know how to walk at all. I have to carry her and she's getting heavy. I don't want to drag her so I carry her.


Response from Golden-Retriever-Magic:

You are right, she does indeed seem smart--maybe a bit stubborn, but really smart. I am happy to see you are taking her to puppy class. She will learn. Sometimes when we have had an older dog for years, we forget how naughty and full of energy puppies can be.

That being said, you little one will need some rule-setting. She needs to know that it is not acceptable to you (and to Max!) that she is biting him. Try to use negative reinforcement (a resounding 'NO' or a loud noise whenever she bothers him). Also use positive reinforcement--in the instances when she is being good around Max, reward her with praise and maybe a treat.

You mentioned that you are "carrying" her outside--I would recommend highly against this. She may easily get in the habit to want to be carried always and this will get harder as each day she is gaining weight. Gently lead her outside with a leash and keep her on the leash until she completes her business. Reward with praise. The patience needed with a puppy can truly be maddening!!

If she truly has a physical problem with walking, then she needs to be checked out by a vet.

Your little one seems very full of life, just like puppies tend to be. She is still very young and I think (and hope!) she will come around in the near future.