Archie's behaviour needs sorting - help!

beaglefan

Archie beagle is 10 months. His behaviour has been more challenging than my last male beagle as he has always been nippy and mouthy.He is neutered and this has helped but at times he turns from an affectionate dog into a wild one.Take today we went for a nice walk, then after as I was strolling in the garden to check the guineas he starts being all dominant I guess to demand that I play with him. He jumps up and growls/ barks, but also nips me and my clothes.He is quite strong and you can't ignore and walk away as he continues to nip and jump up. I have to pull him harshly off me but his behaviour continues until I go in and shut him out.I don't know what to do now and I know it has gone on too long and maybe is now worse. I have started to have starts and finishes to play sessions but this wasn't a chosen play session. How do I stop this aggression in the garden - it is upsetting and with the children it is worrying. Any info about diet and behaviour is welcome too - I'm thinking of changing him from bakers complete. Sorry about the long thread.

GerbilPunk

have you tried going to a training school thingy? i dont know if it'd help, just a guess Confused

I hope things sort themselves out soon! Sad

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Only this crazy guy can understand the true joys in playing with washing...

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beaglefan

I didn't this time round GP as with Jack we spent 3 months just walking round a room and doing sit. It wasn't great.
Thought I might get in touch with a behaviourist.He knows sit and even sits on a hand signal with a treat. It might just be manners and trying it on. I know I've got to be top dog. Any tips would be appreciated. Confused

VickienBubs

i think this is probably his hormones playing havoc, he is at the age where he is maturing into an adult and that may be affecting him. bubbles 10 mths next week and he has mad sessions where he just wont listen and is a little beggar but im sure it'll pass and he will chill soon - hopefully!! bubbles doesnt nip or jump though. not sure what to suggest x
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Where would I be without my Bubbles....? My little boy makes me so proud!

shadylady

i know i always suggest this but maybe a water pistol might help, as soon as he starts jumping up squirt water at him and say a firm no. he should get the message but its not certain as some dogs like that as they drink from hoses etc when thier owners are watering the garden.. just a suggestion.. hope u can sort it out...
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Violette

When he jumps up, can you stop him making contact?

If you can see him doing it, it might help at the last minute to take a step backwards and turning 90 degrees so that you are sideways to him. That would mean that he hasn't got anything to jump on, and he will fall back down again. And, hopefully, if he can't make contact with his paws, he won't be able to nip either.

And absolutely NO attention until he has all four paws (or bum) on the ground.

beaglefan

Thankyou for your help guys. Smile

VickienBubs that gives me a lot of comfort!! I know he's still a pup but I feel I should have sorted this and I feel a bit of a failure.He's been mouthy and nippy from the start unlike my last male beagle who I got as a pup. It just goes to show every pup is different!
Shadylady I have tried the water thing when he was little for the nipping.He just licked it!
Violette I will ty it - but the no attention thing is hard as he is tearing my clothes and hurting. But I know that is a good tactic.
I have bought some Autarky natural food as it has no colourings etc. but I need the high protein till he is an adult. The protein is 28% in both my current Bakers and in the Autarky so I'll see if the elimination of colourings and preservatives do anything. Confused

coliel

hi
im suprised he behaved like this after a walk!!
make sure you start and finish all games with comands even the children !!!
you realy must teach archy that the only people to start games is you guise!!
dont even throw a ball or kick a tug toy with out the comands first and then only when he is laying down some where minding his own buisness!
when he does jump up knee him as hard as poss so he falls backwards (dogs hate to fall like this)
the other thing you could try as sugested to me by violet how about when you ask him to play make him give a paw and when he jumps up make him give a paw then play so he learns how to get atention in a posative way!!
how ever if you simply ask him to play your self regularaly threw out the day hope fully he wont need to ask you!!
see you soon
love coliel

Violette

Beaglefan, I'm sorry but I didn't realise that the nipping was separate from the jumping - I just thought that he was having a nibble when he made contact and therefore if he didn't make contact, there would be no nip. I can quite see that ignoring being nipped isn't going to work!!

I hope that it is just his age, but not sure about the hormone involvement. Did you not say he had been neutered? In which case, what hormones?

For nipping dogs, I have used a three-level approach in the past. Not sure if it will help with Archie, because he is a lot bigger and older than the pups I have used it on.

Level 1: When pup nips, react as a littermate would have done. Very loud, shrill squeak (you will feel a right nana, so it helps if nobody is about!), turn away, and end whatever activity immediately. Curve in on yourself and examine the "sore bit" carefully (I don't think a few reproachful looks over your shoulder at the culprit hurts either!) Most young pups react to this by apology and curiosity. They understand from socialisation with mother and litter mates that hurt has been caused, and will try to make friends with you again. Make them apologise (I accept a lick on the finger) before being reconciled.

Level 2: This is when level 1 hasn't worked, or when pup is a bit older and it isn't a case of play-biting getting a bit rough. Turn to face pup, make yourself as big and treatening as you can, tower over it, hard wide-eyed stare, tight mouth, and stuck-out jaw (you are trying to look a bit like Arnie Schwarzenegger here, so again it helps if nobody is watching). Deep voice "don't you EVER DARE DO THAT AGAIN!". Keep staring until the dog looks away, and then turn and march off. Make him work to make friends again.

Level 3: This is when the others have failed. Some people on this site will probably be mad at me, and disagree strongly, but at this stage I would hit the dog. Repeat what happened at level 2, but hit the dog. Not a beating, not a thrashing, one slap only, and I have used my fingers, not the open hand. But the mouth that bit my hand was slapped by that hand - immediately. Accompanied by the shout, and the angry body language.

Only 2 of my dogs have ever needed level 3 - and they never needed it a second time.

OMG, now the wrath is going to descend on me.

coliel

hi
what you have explaned their violet is exactly how i deal with anything unwanted and "dangerous" and funnily enough like your self i never have to wack my dogs because the second step always works!!!
love coliel