help with puppy pls

[eosinophil]

i have a 8 week old belgian tervuren and i'm keeping him IN THE HOUSE. he has high energy level and always active. besides the fact that i can't teach him where to pee and shit he's very aggressive with me and with all that moves..meaning he bites all the time, he has his own toys and he bites them more than everything else, but mainly 80% from his awake time (he sleeps a lot,, like 14h a day, i read that's normal) he bites and bites almost everything..
i need to solve the excretion problem asap, i do not want to use a crate, it makes me feel like a monster keeping him in a crate..i'm not allowed to get him out yet because he has not all the vaccines.
is it possible so that he understands what i ask from him but still doing WHAT HE WANTS?
i really could use some help!thx.
i feel like a monster anyways keeping him in an apartment, i'm very close to giving him cuz i don't think a 2 room apartment is a place for a working/sheep dog... :(
probably i made a mistake taking him, i don't know what to do.
i really plan to get him out a lot when he gets past 10 weeks but now i'm really in trouble..

[eosinophil]

edit: please don't think bad of me , i just want to give and receive some unconditional affection but i feel that that the dog is in pain on 3/3 moving area.
i did not beat the dog or anything close, just sayin no,no,no all the time and trying to talk to him kindly...
he's a male btw and i think that could be a reason for him not obeying even though he understands what i ask from him...

[sandram]

a puppy could not possibly understand what u want from him unless he has been properly trained...u need to be patient and teach him right from wrong...dt expect him to understand on his own...when he bites,give him a light hit on his muzzle/nose and when hes playing with his toys reward him...remember that puppies have alot of energy,hes probably taking it out through biting...play with him,get him tiered...just be patient and all will be fine...u might also consider having him trained as that would help alot

[eosinophil]

please guide me in a direction, i want to train him myself but i'm almost a hundred percent that he understands but doesn't want to obey.
what treats should i give him?
how should i teach him to pee in the right place?
how should i punish him?
when he bites i did exactly what u said and the operation continues for about 10 minutes and takes like 50 times when i hit him over the nose..he just wants to bite..and it's obvious i don't and he gets it but wants to do it his way!

[sandram]

hey,
first of all make sure his teeth are not growing/changing;if they are then the biting is only to help him feel less pain...but if hes not teething then ue got to do what i told u earlier...u have to be VERY patient...
get him toy bones,they help alot...as for the peeing,when he does it,point his nose to where he has done it, give him a little slap then put him in the place that hes supposed to do it in and keep him there for a while and no matter what he does, dt let him leave the area(no toys or treats)...after a while,take him back out again...u have to repeat this for a few weeks until he doesnt give u any trouble and its always helpful to walk him on a daily basis when u r able to...the first few times he goes on his own in the right place,give him a trat and play with him a little as a reward
as for treats,it depends on ur dog...mine like any that are bacon flavours...
we all like to think that our pets understand what we r saying,but they dt not unless u have trained them to do so. no matter how close u feel u r to ur dog,he will not understand until u teach him the meaning of the word no or good boy...be patient,thats the most important thing for raising a puppy and all will be fine

[sandram]

one more thing,u need to have ur roles established,u need to show him that ur the boss...if u dt then hell walk all over you...show him that when u hit him ure serious(dt laugh or caress him after a little)....hit him,then hit just a bit harder...in the end take him away from what he is biting...put him in his crate or in any empty bathroom(no toilet paper/towels...)for 20 min so he cant bite anything then take him out,dt caress him...be firm! and do this all over again everytime...but plz make sure if he s teething or not if he is then dt blame him and just support it a little

[Rescueadog]

I'm not a big fan of hitting a puppy, but I do like Sandram's last point about putting him in a crate as punishment. When he bites, yelp (which is what other puppies do when they get hurt) and walk away. If he bites again pick him up and put him in a crate/boring room for a while (at least 20 mins). DON'T MAKE A BIG DEAL OUT OF IT. Don't talk to him, just put him away and go do something else. Ignore him whenever he is bad, or deflect his attention to something good. (Ex. When he bites you, give him a toy to bite instead and play with him OR put him away) When he does something good, make sure you let him know you are happy, praise him a lot, but not to the point where he does something bad again (bite you). Whatever you decide to do, stick with it. You must punish him every time he is bad, not just when you feel like it. And always punish him the same way. But please reconsider hitting him. That will only make your bonding harder, and it might make him an even more unruly dog.:(

[sandram]

a small unhurtful slap that isnt painful...doesnt hurt...it should be the last resort but some puppies are just stubborn and wanna be in control of their owner and if they get the upper hand,ure doomed...sometimes,they just have to fear you...dt hit him and hurt him,if u do then ure being a monster....

[eosinophil]

thx a lot guys i realy appreciate the help, let's hope that i won't need any more help.

[sandram]

best of luck to u...anythin else let us know

[Maggieb]

I thought crates were supposed to be his bed/safe haven how can he tell whether its his bed or naughty corner. He'll think he's been naughty when it's time to put him to bed. I have a spare bed that I keep in my lounge which my pup uses during the day, if she's done anything naughty I say to get on your bed and she get on the lounge bed. When I go out or go to bed she sleeps in the crate and if I need some quiet time without the puppy running riot and pop her in. She's quite happy to go in because she see it as her place. So I don't agree with putting them n the cage if he's been naughty.

[Tammylyn]

Hi there, I know this post is a little late, hope it helps.

I had some issues with my black lab, we found him wandering the highway with a badly embedded collar. He healed up nicely...but my goodness what a mess he was, he had run loose his entire 6 month life. The bathroom thing he got done easily...it just took a couple swats in the rump when he was inside and he began going to windows and doors and crying within a few days. However.....HE BIT, CHEWED, AND ATE EVERYTHING IN SITE!!!! I mean all kinds of things, the trim in the laundry room and garage, the stairs in the garage, cardboard, grease, deck stain (had honey brown spots on him for weeks), shoe polish, silicon...luckily he didn't ingest any of it....so last resort, we got him an oversized kennel and if unsupervised he was in it! I took him on at least 3 45minute walks daily, played lots of ball and just plain ole wore him out best I could....it took almost 1 yr before he finally got it...complete with the sit, stay, down etc commands....one day it was like the lightbulb went off in his head....I had been told that is exactly what would happen.

I had to work at showing him who was dominant because of the biting, jumping, and just knockin me down many times in the yard and then dragging me non stop....Here's what my vet suggested and worked....He was already 85 pounds mind you..

1) I would litteraly hold him down, sometimes just using plain old brute strength and pinning him down on his side...there were times when he just plain threw me up and back and around...but you hang on and keep him pinned down until he gives up and holds still....then lots of praise and let him up.

2) Make sure you go out the door first and come in first...ahead of him. If he drags you or pulls with the leash, stop, stand still, when he eases off, immediatly switch directions, you may have to walk in many circles, but it eventually works.

3) When feeding him food or treats, put something like a chip or piece of cheese down in the bowl (you can just hold it there so he thinks it is in with his food, and make a point of him seeing you take it out of his bowl and eat it in front of him, then give him his food. Also practice messing with his food and bowl when he is eating...

MOST IMPORTANT...when he misbehaves, IGNORE HIM! Put your back to him or if he's really bad, put him in his kennel or a closed room and give it 5-10 minutes, when he chills, reward him and praise him.

Some dogs, you will think me crazy, but I had a HUGE Rhodesian Ridgeback that was into bitting big time..One day I grabbed his paw and bit down hard....he never bit again.

Its sounds like alot, and trust me, we were actually looking into Lab rescues because he was just plain out of control....but here we are a year later and he has not been in his kennel, unless he chooses, in almost 2 months now, he does not jump up and actually sits when approached before even asked too, people can not believe the difference in him...it is like walking and being with a completely different dog.


Remember too, spend time with him that is not about training or working, just plain playing and hanging out...sometimes you just gotta figure out what the behavior is a cry out for, once you figure that out, you are home free!

You must be consisitant and ware him out too...a tired pup is a good pup!
Good luck,
Tammy

[Conaire]

Positive reinforcement is the best way to train a puppy. Also, if you learn to speak "dog", it helps. I have had and trained Newfoundlands, Great Danes, English and Neapolitan Mastiffs, Shar Peis and Rottweilers. The easiest way to train a young dog to pay attention and understand what you wish is to used growl/nip techniques. When the puppy starts to nip at you, growl and nip in front of him...EVERY time he tries to bite you! Do not bite him, bite the air right in front of him. Make sure that you make a deep loud growl. it will startle him the fist few times, but he will soon learn that you do NOT want to be bitten.

A ten week old pup cannot hold it for very long. If you want to house break your puppy, you will have to take him out very often. If he goes in the house...ignore it. Do NOT yell or make a fuss. Attention, even negative attention, reinforces that behavior. Take a piece of paper towel or rag that you have used to soak up an 'ACCIDENT" and put it down for your dog outside. Since you cannot take your dog out, just yet. I would suggest finding a place that is OK for your dog to evacuate and put paper there. Then when he is able to go outside, take some of the paper from his inside area and put it out, so that he knows you want him to go outside.

If there is a professional trainer, in your area, it would be wise to invest the time and money for help. it will make it much nicer for both you and the dog. Without proper training, it is difficult for you and your dog to have a healthy happy relationship.

[toni]

Your dog is a "BABY"...........you have to have patience and time. We do not expect our children to listen and train the first time we issue instructions to toddlers.........you shouldn't expect a puppy to learn immediately. Though dogs train "SO MUCH" faster than kids.

Your dog is 8 weeks....the earliest he should ever leave his mom. First his needs are feeling secure and safe with his 'new pack'(family). Teething is something that he'll be going through for a couple of months....he just needs to learn what he can and can't bite. When a pup is played with and made excited.......he'll forget.

Be his mom...not his playmate. Stating no and removing him the object...hand him correct chewing object and then praise. Training is continuous repetition. Praise is important as constant negatives turn off listening.

Keep him room with flooring that is cleanable (no carpet) until older. When a puppy naps and then wakes......take him out immediately....potty training like all other training is from repetition.....you know when he has to go - he doesn't yet and cannot yet tell you.

I found at a young age just voice tone and a no is good....then redirect and praise. At about 3 months and forever, I grab the neck skin, give a shake and use my voice and body position to display my disallowance of their behaviour.....I also get eye contact. The top of their nose is cartilage...don't hit there.........If you absolutely need to enforce as he ages a little tick under the chin to get focus should be enough. When my one dog tried to take the dominate role (yours is still too young for this)...mine is anatolian and is in charge when in guardian mode....I grab her mane and insist she lay down while using my voice....I slide her front paws out to force her when she didn't listen.

You don't state if your out working all day....? If you are and your an apartment dweller you might want to rethink having this type of dog. She needs lots of off-leash time as well as on-leash. Even though it's hard, it might be better to find her a good home with space to run and then find a more 'apartment type' of dog.

Remember, controlled discipline and no anger. Good Luck!

[Pawsies]

No. If you hit him you will end up with MORE problems. Don't. Don't. Don't.

When he mouths you give a sharp 'YELP!' and walk off. He doesn't get any attention for a few seconds. Return, and repeat if he mouths. Eventually he will get the message.

Take him outside every 30 mins or after he has eaten/drank/slept. Praise him when he does what you want. Then bring him back in.

I would use a crate because it makes life a lot easier but it is up to you. If introduced properly, dogs love it!
However don't use it as a punishment. You want him to be happy in the crate, not view it as a punishment.

"sometimes,they just have to fear you"

I'm sorry but if you believe that then I don't know what planet you live on. Why on earth would you want a dog to fear you?

Also, hitting a dog on the nose can damage nerve cells.