10 week Corgi nippy and aggressive?

[TheGoldenCorgi]

Hello all! I just got my 10 week old P.W. Corgi and he is a blast!

He has been crate trained and never does eliminate in his crate since day 1.

I have a few problems though. When he's in his crate he is very calm and subtle. I'll stick my fingers in so he can lick them and he will put his teeth on the skin just for me to feel but never applies pressure.

When I let him out to play and whatnot, he will play with his toys while I am sitting there squeaking the toy for him. The next thing I know, his interest lies in my hands instead of the toys! He will nibble and BITE my fingers and start playing tug of war with them. I usually then just grab him by the scruff so he releases the tension so that I can pull my finger out. But after I successfully get my fingers out he will bite again and this time its the grab-biting sort. If I get up to ignore him or get up and say enough! He will nibble at my ankles. One time he even jumped and bit my calf and broke the skin off. If not, he will bark and then jump to bite my shorts and hang onto my shorts. It's funny how that looks but sometimes it hurts!

I'm really afraid that he will be too aggressive going into his adolescent and don't want to give him back to the breeder. I just want to fix him of his problem but is it really the natural behavior of the Corgi to be like this at this young of an age? I mean I'll pick him up if he bites too just so he stops and he'll shake and fuss about it until he is let down.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by TheGoldenCorgi

Hello all! I just got my 10 week old P.W. Corgi and he is a blast!

When I let him out to play and whatnot, he will play with his toys while I am sitting there squeaking the toy for him. The next thing I know, his interest lies in my hands instead of the toys! He will nibble and BITE my fingers and start playing tug of war with them. I usually then just grab him by the scruff so he releases the tension so that I can pull my finger out. But after I successfully get my fingers out he will bite again and this time its the grab-biting sort. If I get up to ignore him or get up and say enough! He will nibble at my ankles. One time he even jumped and bit my calf and broke the skin off. If not, he will bark and then jump to bite my shorts and hang onto my shorts. It's funny how that looks but sometimes it hurts!

I'm really afraid that he will be too aggressive going into his adolescent and don't want to give him back to the breeder. I just want to fix him of his problem but is it really the natural behavior of the Corgi to be like this at this young of an age? I mean I'll pick him up if he bites too just so he stops and he'll shake and fuss about it until he is let down.

Have you talked with the breeder for advice? Is this a breeder you can call and talk to?

This sounds like typical puppy play to me. Puppies test things with thier mouths. He doesn't yet realize that he's hurting you. Yelp like a puppy would when he hurts you. Then walk away and stop play for a few minutes. If he goes after ankles or your leg then put him in his crate for a time out (NOT more than a few minutes).

Nipping your ankles and/or leg is NOT herding behavior, it's also a puppy thing. All puppies play this way, not just corgi puppies. And they can all learn that it's not acceptable.

I don't think he's going to be vicious, he just doesn't yet realize it's wrong.

You might also see if there's a puppy kindergarten class in your area. I highly recommend them.

Peggy

[TheGoldenCorgi]

Originally Posted by taflar

Have you talked with the breeder for advice? Is this a breeder you can call and talk to?

This sounds like typical puppy play to me. Puppies test things with thier mouths. He doesn't yet realize that he's hurting you. Yelp like a puppy would when he hurts you. Then walk away and stop play for a few minutes. If he goes after ankles or your leg then put him in his crate for a time out (NOT more than a few minutes).

Nipping your ankles and/or leg is NOT herding behavior, it's also a puppy thing. All puppies play this way, not just corgi puppies. And they can all learn that it's not acceptable.

I don't think he's going to be vicious, he just doesn't yet realize it's wrong.

You might also see if there's a puppy kindergarten class in your area. I highly recommend them.

Peggy

I have spoken to the Breeder and the only advice they gave me was to ignore him and walk away. The yelping to let him know it hurts only makes him bite harder as he assumes I'm playing with him. I usually just get up and walk away now without saying anything but it still does happen nontheless.

People at the vets office tried telling me to tap him on the nose gently but not so gentle to make him continue doing it. They said I can also flick the nose very gently to induce a scare to the puppy so he will learn to stop. This guy waiting at the office also told me that he does it to his dogs and its fine as long as I know control. Heh, whatever he means. But I don't think those are good methods because they don't seem like good things to do.

Puppy Kindergarten I think may not be available but I might be able to get him to socialize with dogs around his age (3-6 months) because I know several people with new puppies.

Do you think as he gets a bit older and that I continue doing what I'm doing that he will grow out of it? If so, at what age in months / weeks will he stop continuing such a type of behavior? Because I notice if I take him out for walks on a leash he will not bite me because he has other things distracting him. In the crate he does not either but free to roam in the house he does bite.

[Michael Romanos]

Further to what Taflar has said, I think you have started off on the wrong footing somewhat. Your grabbing your pup by the scruff of his neck is NOT the way to go. It will have the effect of making him more physical ie more rough. Grabbing your hand and fingers by him is perfectly normal and wanting to play with your hand is perfectly normal. If he grabs too hurtfully and/or too 'tearingly' fairly loudly say ouch - and with most Corgis this will effect a removal of their mouth or a lessening of force. When they do this, praise and reward with a little piece of a treat. Keep this up for a while and very soon your puppy will become gentler - if that's what you want. Treat him gently and he will reciprocate given a little time and patience.

[TheGoldenCorgi]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

Further to what Taflar has said, I think you have started off on the wrong footing somewhat. Your grabbing your pup by the scruff of his neck is NOT the way to go. It will have the effect of making him more physical ie more rough. Grabbing your hand and fingers by him is perfectly normal and wanting to play with your hand is perfectly normal. If he grabs too hurtfully and/or too 'tearingly' fairly loudly say ouch - and with most Corgis this will effect a removal of their mouth or a lessening of force. When they do this, praise and reward with a little piece of a treat. Keep this up for a while and very soon your puppy will become gentler - if that's what you want. Treat him gently and he will reciprocate given a little time and patience.

I haven't done the scruffing since 2 weeks but that's the only way he will let off my fingers. If I yelp loud or yell out anything that should make him stop; it only invites him to bite harder and what happens is he bites my upperarm, my chest, or my back even harder and more nippier. I'm wondering if what I did 2 weeks ago caused and negative impacts to the dog's temperament but I'm guessing no because dogs adapt to their surroundings and expectations pretty quickly?

I wish a simple sound of negativity would give the approach to let go but currently its not the case. I tried holding a treat in my hand until he stops licking and nibbling at my fingers and when he stops I would say ENOUGH and open my hand or I'd keep telling him to stop until he does and when he does my hand opens up for his treat.

[Michael Romanos]

From day two since you have had him, he should be taken through the basic obedience training of: come, sit, stay. This also assists in him learning to accept commands and when he complies he is rewarded - especially with praise. Your saying "enough' is not the same as saying 'good boy' or similar. The words come out markedly different and a dog knows all about tones. I'd go back to square one. Another method is if he does not go down a level or two from the real rough stuff ie biting other parts of your body. Pick him up and gently place him in a quiet place eg bathroom. Don't talk to him in doing this. Leave him in the room for 10-15 minutes before letting him out. Offer him some praise and repeat if necessary the same process for a week and see if it has any positive effect.

[TheGoldenCorgi]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

From day two since you have had him, he should be taken through the basic obedience training of: come, sit, stay. This also assists in him learning to accept commands and when he complies he is rewarded - especially with praise. Your saying "enough' is not the same as saying 'good boy' or similar. The words come out markedly different and a dog knows all about tones. I'd go back to square one. Another method is if he does not go down a level or two from the real rough stuff ie biting other parts of your body. Pick him up and gently place him in a quiet place eg bathroom. Don't talk to him in doing this. Leave him in the room for 10-15 minutes before letting him out. Offer him some praise and repeat if necessary the same process for a week and see if it has any positive effect.

Thank you Michael.

Actually I had him early because a friend of mine gave him to me because his parents did not approve. I believe she had gotten him at 8 weeks but I did ask the breeder myself and talked to them about wanting to have a companion and the breeder met up with me and decided that I would make a good candidate.

I did not start training him until he was about 9 weeks old where a book I read said puppies learn and are trained best at 9 weeks - 6 months. He has learned Sit so far but only sits if I have something in my hand. He has sat a few times when I have said sit but I'm not sure if it is because if it is coincidental or not. Sometimes he won't sit on command but when he does I do say good boy for encouragement and give him kibbles. I have taught him to Come too without a treat and with a treat. I'll sit and lower myself and clap while saying his name and he will just come to me but this is when he decides to bite!

Basically he knows his name when being called but if he is interested in something else he won't hear his name. He knows sit when he wants something and automatically does it before I even say so because he knows thats what I want from him. I am in the process of teaching him Down but I can't get him to hold it without sniffing and grabbing the treat. When he stops that he gets the treat but its still not hit him yet that if he is patient he gets it. I have held the treat in the air for about 10 seconds with him sitting patiently but I want more than just 10 seconds. This is when he will start jumping for it. Maybe I'm just expecting and pushing it too much for a puppy so 5-10 seconds would be most optimal?

He doesn't know stay yet and I have not yet understand how to train him to stay. Any advice from you or any other Corgi owners would be greatly appreciated! I love them I have never trained a dog at such a young age and saw that he can learn sit at 9 weeks!

[Clogs]

Originally Posted by TheGoldenCorgi

Thank you Michael.

Actually I had him early because a friend of mine gave him to me because his parents did not approve. I believe she had gotten him at 8 weeks but I did ask the breeder myself and talked to them about wanting to have a companion and the breeder met up with me and decided that I would make a good candidate.

I did not start training him until he was about 9 weeks old where a book I read said puppies learn and are trained best at 9 weeks - 6 months. He has learned Sit so far but only sits if I have something in my hand. He has sat a few times when I have said sit but I'm not sure if it is because if it is coincidental or not. Sometimes he won't sit on command but when he does I do say good boy for encouragement and give him kibbles. I have taught him to Come too without a treat and with a treat. I'll sit and lower myself and clap while saying his name and he will just come to me but this is when he decides to bite!

Maybe this is triggering the biting? If this is the main time when he bites, ie when you clap your hands, try niot doing this. He may be interpreting this as an invitation to bite. Just a thought.

Basically he knows his name when being called but if he is interested in something else he won't hear his name. He knows sit when he wants something and automatically does it before I even say so because he knows thats what I want from him. I am in the process of teaching him Down but I can't get him to hold it without sniffing and grabbing the treat. When he stops that he gets the treat but its still not hit him yet that if he is patient he gets it. I have held the treat in the air for about 10 seconds with him sitting patiently but I want more than just 10 seconds. This is when he will start jumping for it. Maybe I'm just expecting and pushing it too much for a puppy so 5-10 seconds would be most optimal?

Possibly you are trying to progress him too quickly here. He may need you to keep on with the training at the level that it is now - ie not longer than ten seconds - maybe even a little less, so that he is always succeeding, and then, after he can consistently manage this, say for a week, extend the time very gradually. The more "successes" he has, the better he will learn.

He doesn't know stay yet and I have not yet understand how to train him to stay. Any advice from you or any other Corgi owners would be greatly appreciated! I love them I have never trained a dog at such a young age and saw that he can learn sit at 9 weeks!

Maybe he needs to get the others under his belt before learning this. Too may different commands being learnt at once can be confusing. I'd get the "come" and "sit" well established before moving on to others.

[TheGoldenCorgi]

Originally Posted by Clogs

Maybe this is triggering the biting? If this is the main time when he bites, ie when you clap your hands, try niot doing this. He may be interpreting this as an invitation to bite. Just a thought.

Sounds logical to me. I will try a different approach. Since you did recommend learning "come" and "sit" first, which he did learn sit. When his back is turned or when we are outside with him on the leash he will explore the front yard. At times I will call his name and when he does come I will give him a treat. Does that seem like a good method in training to come? Sometimes this work sometimes it doesn't which is why when it does I do praise with "good boy" and kibbles (he loves them).

Possibly you are trying to progress him too quickly here. He may need you to keep on with the training at the level that it is now - ie not longer than ten seconds - maybe even a little less, so that he is always succeeding, and then, after he can consistently manage this, say for a week, extend the time very gradually. The more "successes" he has, the better he will learn.

Exactly what I was thinking.

Maybe he needs to get the others under his belt before learning this. Too may different commands being learnt at once can be confusing. I'd get the "come" and "sit" well established before moving on to others.

Recommendations or advice in proper coming and staying techniques would be greatly appreciated.

The technique I am using now for to "come" is calling his name out and saying come here. And when or if he does I will give him the treat and praise. Does this seem to be of good technique to you guys?

Usually how long until I move on to a new command after he learns the other command? He does learn quick but needs reinforcement the next day and following thereafter but until how long should I incorporate a new command?

[Louwants]

I used the spray bottle on Duncan for nipping around the ankles. It stopped him cause he couldn't figure out where that sudden shock of water in his face came from. I've also used it for his unnecessary barking. To this day, all I have to do it put a spray bottle in the area if he is barking and he stops.

[TheGoldenCorgi]

Originally Posted by Louwants

I used the spray bottle on Duncan for nipping around the ankles. It stopped him cause he couldn't figure out where that sudden shock of water in his face came from. I've also used it for his unnecessary barking. To this day, all I have to do it put a spray bottle in the area if he is barking and he stops.

lol sounds like a good idea.

most people generally train their dog that if they dont do as the owner wants then they wont be able to get what they want and need.

scaring works too lol

[adkmehrman]

You have gotten some good advice here but as I think one person suggested using the crate as a punishment (timeout in the crate). I would, and think most people would suggest not doing this because his crate is supposed to someplace where he feels safe and secure not a place to be put ever as a punishment. this kind of defeats the purpose of having a crate at all.

As for the nipping of the hands, all puppies do this and I would not be to worried about it yet. My only suggestions is to not use your hands at all as play objects ie. Sticking your fingers through crate so he can lick them, waving your hands around his face or body. The toy should simply be held in the hand and thrown with hand not used to wave the toy around in front him because this essentially turns your hand into the toy not the toy itself.

[Louwants]

I've heard of that training, it's called "nothing in life is free" or something like that. That wouldn't work with my dog. He's like a real kid, if he doesn't get what he wants from mom....he'll go get dad. And he does, too!!! He brought his Kong to me one day to put peanut butter in it, and I told him no, that's a night treat. A few minutes later, I find him in the kitchen, watching my husband putting peanut butter in his Kong. I asked my husband, what he was doing and he said that Duncan brought the Kong to him, so, he thought it would be okay. Just like a kid!!!!

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by TheGoldenCorgi

I have spoken to the Breeder and the only advice they gave me was to ignore him and walk away. The yelping to let him know it hurts only makes him bite harder as he assumes I'm playing with him. I usually just get up and walk away now without saying anything but it still does happen nontheless.

Ok, it was just a thought.

Have you tried putting something bad tasting on your hands? Or even something like Noxzema cream. My dogs don't like the smell of that. Bitter Appple that you can get at Petsmart/PetCo might help too.

Puppy Kindergarten I think may not be available but I might be able to get him to socialize with dogs around his age (3-6 months) because I know several people with new puppies.

Puppy Kindergarten is not just play time and socialization. It's also leash breaking, solving puppy problems and very basic obedience. So, no just letting him play with other puppies is not what I'm getting at. Call dog training centers in your area and ask about puppy kindergarten. Almost all have them now days. If you can't find any go to the AKC page and look up clubs in your area. Both obedience clubs and conformation clubs. Clubs often have classses or the members can tell you where to go for puppy kindergarten classes.
American Kennel Club - Club Search and Directory (Provided of course you are in the US.)

Do you think as he gets a bit older and that I continue doing what I'm doing that he will grow out of it?

If you are consistant he should learn that nipping you will stop the play and you go away for a time.

If so, at what age in months / weeks will he stop continuing such a type of behavior?

I can't say, because I don't know your dog, I don't know you, I don't know how consistant you will be, and so on. It might be soon, it might not. Just don't give up.

Because I notice if I take him out for walks on a leash he will not bite me because he has other things distracting him. In the crate he does not either but free to roam in the house he does bite.

Then he needs more to do when he's loose. When he bites or acts like he does before he bites you give him a toy or a chewie. How about a puppy kong with treats in it for him to try to get out?

Peggy

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by TheGoldenCorgi

I did not start training him until he was about 9 weeks old where a book I read said puppies learn and are trained best at 9 weeks - 6 months. He has learned Sit so far but only sits if I have something in my hand. He has sat a few times when I have said sit but I'm not sure if it is because if it is coincidental or not. Sometimes he won't sit on command but when he does I do say good boy for encouragement and give him kibbles. I have taught him to Come too without a treat and with a treat. I'll sit and lower myself and clap while saying his name and he will just come to me but this is when he decides to bite!

He's a puppy and puppies have very short attention spans. He's too young to expect him to stay for more than a few seconds.

Basically he knows his name when being called but if he is interested in something else he won't hear his name.

That's typical for a puppy, just like a young child.

He knows sit when he wants something and automatically does it before I even say so because he knows thats what I want from him. I am in the process of teaching him Down but I can't get him to hold it without sniffing and grabbing the treat. When he stops that he gets the treat but its still not hit him yet that if he is patient he gets it. I have held the treat in the air for about 10 seconds with him sitting patiently but I want more than just 10 seconds. This is when he will start jumping for it. Maybe I'm just expecting and pushing it too much for a puppy so 5-10 seconds would be most optimal?

Yes, I think you are expecting too much too soon. Keep the training sessions very short, and don't expect him to stay for more than the 5-10 seconds you mention. For now.

Again, this is where puppy kindergarten classes would help you. You could see what other puppies are doing, they'd be similar ages. And you could get instruction from a trainer who's worked with puppies before.

Peggy