He bit me!

[milles2]

Okay, next time he "tries" something like this - pick the little snot up (and I mean little snot in an endearing way as that what he is being at the moment and I also use this term with my own when they get out of line), and give him a loud, stern EXCUSE ME??? I DON'T THINK SO!!!! (You can also threaten to pull his teeth and other mutterings and utterances. )


Debbie: You are kind. I consistantly refer to my two as hoodlums, heathens, rodents, brats, snots. And I mean it in the most endearing terms.....

I am in no way an expert but I would also again suggest the 3 second rule. Correct your puppy within 3 seconds of catching them in the act or don't bother. The three second rule says after 3 seconds, your pup won't remember what he did to instigate the correction. May be a myth but I live by it.

[milles2]

I was just thinking that Tucker has never snapped at me.

But yes, he did! I was leaving the house to go to the garage for a minute and didn't want to have dogs out in the rain so I said "Stay". Only instead of giving hand signal of my palm, I pointed w/ my index finger. Tucker snapped in the direction of my finger.

And if I remember correctly, "I DON'T THINK SO" was exactly what came out of my mouth. Remorse and contrition are not in Tucker's repertoir but he immediately gave me the look of "uh oh, I did something wrong, how do I weasel my way out of this and make it OK".....

He is a rodent (and I mean that in the most heartfelt and loving way....)!

Susan

[emma]

Originally Posted by glencorgi

Okay, Oliver had no idea or made no connection that he was in the x-pen because you were upset because he bit you. He probably picked up on your emotions, but he had no clue as to he was cause of them. Dogs just don't think that way.

You are absolutely right. I'm sure he had no idea why he was in the pen but he knew I was upset. I didn't put him in the pen to punish him but rather so I could take a break from him. Honestly, I just didn't want to be around him for a little while.

I also think that he was so good, because I had a different attitude and tone toward him. Less like "oh you're so cute and you can do no wrong" to more like, "I'm boss little buddy and you better follow my directions!"

My breeder said that he was probably trying to go for the leash. I'm not sure but it could be so. Either way, it can only help to work with a trainer.

[glencorgi]

Emma,

You doing good!

Debbie

[CorgiMum]

Originally Posted by emma

I didn't put him in the pen to punish him but rather so I could take a break from him. Honestly, I just didn't want to be around him for a little while.

Aren't x-pens the best? Right after collar/ leash & crates of course.

Originally Posted by emma

I also think that he was so good, because I had a different attitude and tone toward him. Less like "oh you're so cute and you can do no wrong" to more like, "I'm boss little buddy and you better follow my directions!"

You have caught on to that a lot sooner than I did with my first corgi.

I just wanted to chime in with two thoughts that I had while reading the posts. There was only once that Montrose evey got under furniture as a pup, but I did often have to encourage her to come out of her kennel at times. On those occassions I never put my hand out to her, but rather got something that was to her much more a higher value reward that the object or situation that she had at the time. Then offered it to her when she came to me. That allowed me to have her come out/drop something and I was able to praise her for obeying a command.

Debbie, I'll ask your opinion on this idea. My second that was a slip lead, as used in confirmation.

Our breeder sent this along home with Monty and suggested using it during the early days of puppyhood. When of course the pup was supervised, out of the kennel & x-pen. Very quick and easy to put on and off, and gives no pressure to the pup's neck.

[Fluffypants]

Originally Posted by emma

You are absolutely right. I'm sure he had no idea why he was in the pen but he knew I was upset. I didn't put him in the pen to punish him but rather so I could take a break from him. Honestly, I just didn't want to be around him for a little while.

AHHHHHH . . . I remember those days well . . .

Asking for help and seeking a trainer were the absolute right things to do. As a teacher, you know it is best to address problems when they are still small and manageable, instead of waiting for them to become well-established behaviors (true for dogs AND children!). Good job!

[adkmehrman]

You have received some great advice already so I will not chime in with my non-expert advice but simply let you know that you are not alone.

Koda bit me once on the hand out of agression not very hard but he did break the skin probably from me pulling my hand away not him rally biting all that hard. He absolutely hates having his nails clipped and my wife and I simply could not do it so we brought him to a groomer who siad she could not do it either, that we would have to bring him to a vet to have him sedated. I personnaly thought this was insane so I gave it one more shot and that's when it happened. I am not exactly sure what I did I think I just said no loudly in a stern voice and pinned him down on his back until he relaxed. But I have not attempted to cut his nails since so I guess he won.

[Milo]

Hi, I don't really have any better advise than all the ones that all these great ppl gave you.

Just to share that I recently got 'bit' (not hard but full mounthed right on my calf) after a long walk with Milo's new collar. Normally he walks with a harness (he just turned 5 months), but we switched to a collar last week to provide me a better control (or to be a pack leader) over him. Well, he fought hard for the entire 40 minutes walk. At the end of this exercise, right at the front door, he flopped himself on the ground, started chewing and tugging at his leash. I hang on to the leash and didn't budge. I waited till he knows that I wouldn't give in and till he looks subdued to start walking into the house. Thats' when he jumps up and had a mouthfull of my calf. I grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and lay him him gently down while saying 'no' but he thrash soo hard that he got loose and escaped inside the house.... sigh.

Guess that only means that he will be walking with this head collar for awhile.

[Dillydoodle]

we would have to bring him to a vet to have him sedated.

You should not have to sedate your dog to clip his nails. That was poor advice that they gave you. You should be able to handle this yourself, just take your time, and don't let koda call the shots, If he gets away, go get him and put him back in the same position and keep trying. Every time he fights you and you stop trying to clip his nails, you let him win and it will make it harder the next time you try. Koda will need a nail clipping at some point (I do Dillon's once a week) to prevent his nails from growing too long which can be very dangerous as they can grow back into their pads. THe longer you delay the harder it will become. Just be consistant and get it done, and know that he will fight like crazy the first few times, but they do eventually get used to it and submit to it and it will become easier and easier.
Emilie

[Chip's Mom]

Emilie:

I am glad you posted that. I had that problem with Chip where I laughed when he growled while I was trying to clip his nails. Thankfully, The instructor at obedience helped me out with that. So now I am able to clip his nails. Although, when I clipped his nails last weekend, he started to growl and I told him "stop" and he did. But then, just as I went to clip a nail, he pulled his foot back and then yelped. I did not get in the quick nor did it bleed but I felt really bad. I watched really close the rest of the day and he didn't limp on that foot and didn't lick at his toe. Played normal and ran and raced so hopefully, this doesn't make the next time worse. His nails grow quickly so have to be clipped about every 2 - 3 weeks.

[Dillydoodle]

Bonnie,
you know that i have had that same reaction from Dillon. I think they hurt themselves by pulling. thus the yipe. I am really nervous all the time about cutting the quick. I have never done that yet ( i had 4 cats, one a polydactyl-double paw) and clipped nails every week for years and years and never cut anyone. My eldest cat is now 16 1/2 - the cats are sooo much easier than the dog. I can't tell 100% where the quick is on DIllon and the nails are sooo thick. I am not used to it yet, and so i clip the smallest bit off and keep "shaving off" more and more until i get too nervous, then i have a nail file ( emory board) and i file the nails until he begins to pull- then i know he can feel it and then i move on to the next toe. The second i finish with his nails, he gets a big hug and kiss and then we go get the good puppy a treat. If he puts up a fuss next time Bonnie, just keep on going and he will soon fall back into his nail cutting routine.
Emilie

[darci]

Darci is a saint at getting her nails done, she will even go to sleep.

Egan is my little devil. LOL When I first started trying to clip his he would throw a fit and wiggle til we were both wore out. So I started with just one nail at a time, and treats, now 4 months latter he does very well and I can do all of his nails at the same time, with only treats at the end.


As far as the biting, you've been given some great advice. Good luck to you.

[Chip's Mom]

Thanks Emilie that makes me feel so much better. I always give Chip a big hug and cookies after his nailclipping too.

[adkmehrman]

Originally Posted by Dillydoodle

You should not have to sedate your dog to clip his nails. That was poor advice that they gave you. You should be able to handle this yourself, just take your time, and don't let koda call the shots, If he gets away, go get him and put him back in the same position and keep trying. Every time he fights you and you stop trying to clip his nails, you let him win and it will make it harder the next time you try. Koda will need a nail clipping at some point (I do Dillon's once a week) to prevent his nails from growing too long which can be very dangerous as they can grow back into their pads. THe longer you delay the harder it will become. Just be consistant and get it done, and know that he will fight like crazy the first few times, but they do eventually get used to it and submit to it and it will become easier and easier.
Emilie

That is exactly what I thought. It was very lucky for the groomer that my wife was their and not me because on top of it all she charged my wife FULL PRICE for virtually doing nothing. I still get agree thinking about it. Luckly we had him neatured a few weeks ago so they clipped his nails then. I have tried on a few occasions since with no luck. I have pretty much tried everything, even the dremel thing which did not work either. He does not bite me anymore he will just thrash and thrash until I give up. I guess now that he has bitten me I am a little afraid, not for me but for my wife who is usually trying to hold him, I would hate for her to get a nip in the face. The weird thing is that I can play with his paws and everything but the second I hold one with something else in my hand he freaks. So I guess I am all out of ideas and will just keep on trying.

It is freaky though how strong they are. I am 185 lbs and have spent quit a few years in the gym and my 27 lb monster just out muscles me with relative ease. It seams as though he is 22lbs of muscle 4.9lbs of bone and .1lbs of brain.

[Chip's Mom]

My husband sits Chip on his lap and feeds him a treat while I clip. That helps alot. You may want to buy a super fantastic treat and try that and see if it helps some.