Dutch Shepherd Forum

the van Leuwen genes might have skipped a generation and came through full force in your litter.

My mom always said I have all the bad traits of my dad's father.

I agree. Seems that Dick's dogs are alot more hard core then the LeDroby line. I always wanted a dog that could become "RAMBO" when needed. Now I just have to work on making sure "RAMBO" doesnt terrorize the family at same time. Figures all the years I was single and lived alone I never got my hands on this type of dog. Now i do and I need it to cooperate with a family setting.

tedge007 wrote:Figures all the years I was single and lived alone I never got my hands on this type of dog.

they called it "Murphy's Law".

Hi all--I'm coming to you for advice. Ciara is 18 weeks now, and pretty much since we got her @ 6 weeks, she's bitten my hands all up. When she was VERY young, it was a frenzied biting. Although it's gotten less constant, she's still biting me. I've tried every method I can think of, including the trainer's suggestion of "yiping" really loud and shoving toys in her mouth. She doesn't seem phased by anything I do, and I'm getting really frustrated. I mean to be completely honest, it HURTS. She's not normally aggressive, but she is playful and has a lot of energy to burn. To make matters worse, I've read that the 5-18 months are the worst with pups.

I want to be able to pet her and play with her without getting nasty cuts on my hands, but I feel like it's all in my energy and she just won't stop. My boyfriend does not have these issues with her at all. It's all just me. I almost feel like if she continues this biting, I won't be able to interact with her at all, and that's just not what I signed up for when getting a dog. I know, it sounds horrible! If anyone has any insight or suggestions, I much appreciate the input!

saraandciara wrote: I want to be able to pet her and play with her without getting nasty cuts on my hands, but I feel like it's all in my energy and she just won't stop. My boyfriend does not have these issues with her at all. It's all just me. I almost feel like if she continues this biting, I won't be able to interact with her at all, and that's just not what I signed up for when getting a dog. I know, it sounds horrible! If anyone has any insight or suggestions, I much appreciate the input!

Besides formal training and redirection, I only have a little advice. 1- she needs more mental and physical stimulation (possibly including formal tug games) to wear her out and give her a constructive way of using her mouth. I know you are probably spending every waking moment working with her, but obviously she still doesn't think its quite enough. Tired dogs are much happier dogs. 2- when ever she is out of her crate with you, she needs to have some form of a leash attached. This will give you a formal way of removing her from your body, allow you to hold her at a distance so she CAN'T nip you and create great fun for herself, and if prevent her from self rewarding the bad behavior before you can offer alternatives.

I think you're right, Christie. She's way too smart to sit docile. Another silly question-how much tug is too much? I don't want her to become aggressive...

Happy Friday!

Christie M wrote:Tired dogs are much happier dogs.

It took about 4 hours on Jupiter's dog beach to wear Marco out like this.

I know Jupiter is quite a drive away from Boca. But take exit Indiantown Road and go all the way east until you hit A1A (also known as Ocean Boulevard), between Indiantown going South and Marcinski Road, you have about 2 miles of dog beach. Each beach entrance has a dog poop dispenser. It can't get any better. After 2 hours of throwing a toy, swimming and running, she might look like Marco in the pic above and you will have some peace and quiet at home.

I had to do this with my two black lab puppies as well, otherwise they would bounce off the walls. I learned very quickly the secret to a quiet, well behaved dog: WEAR THEM OUT.

That is so great you have a dog beach!! I have a nice hiking trail that leads to a river that I take the girls too. That usually does the trick for Sadie.

For Tug play, I have found that they usually tug for a bit then they go sit with the tug for a while. You can monitor how they tug and If you feel she is getting aggressive, stop the play.

About the biting, It should pass if you keep doing the redirecting or following other advise you've been given. I remember going through that stage and that was the hardest thing to get her to listen to me about, for such a smart doggie. Eventually she stopped. I was very consistent, and would redirect onto toys or have her do a "lay down and stay" and if I really couldn't get her to stop, I'd put her in her crate for a minute or 2. And it stopped eventually. Just hang in there!!

There is definitely a difference when she's worn out! She went on a very long walk yesterday evening, then we took her to an outdoor pizza place. Whew she was beat!

I know Jupiter is quite a drive away from Boca. But take exit Indiantown Road and go all the way east until you hit A1A (also known as Ocean Boulevard), between Indiantown going South and Marcinski Road, you have about 2 miles of dog beach. Each beach entrance has a dog poop dispenser. It can't get any better. After 2 hours of throwing a toy, swimming and running, she might look like Marco in the pic above and you will have some peace and quiet at home.

I had to do this with my two black lab puppies as well, otherwise they would bounce off the walls. I learned very quickly the secret to a quiet, well behaved dog: WEAR THEM OUT.

I have a friend who also recommends that beach. I'd like to be able to trust her in terms of responding to commands before I try that. Thanks for the directions though! I should try it soon!

Sarah, you could put her on a long line so you can take her to the beach. I have them on long lines until I can really trust them. Then they can go play but you still can get them back.

That's a good idea, thanks!

Another question: Has anyone's DS tried to eat their tags? I just put Ciara's rabies tag on her collar, and she's driving herself nuts trying to eat it! It hangs down a bit, so I can see why she's curious, but should I try to spray it with Bitter Apple to make it taste nasty?

saraandciara wrote:That's a good idea, thanks!

Another question: Has anyone's DS tried to eat their tags? I just put Ciara's rabies tag on her collar, and she's driving herself nuts trying to eat it! It hangs down a bit, so I can see why she's curious, but should I try to spray it with Bitter Apple to make it taste nasty?

Sadie chewed all of her tags. She still plays with her collar now from time to time, when she does I use the "leave it " command. Then I get the Look .

saraandciara wrote:That's a good idea, thanks!

Another question: Has anyone's DS tried to eat their tags? I just put Ciara's rabies tag on her collar, and she's driving herself nuts trying to eat it! It hangs down a bit, so I can see why she's curious, but should I try to spray it with Bitter Apple to make it taste nasty?

Dante was 2 when I first got him, and he loved his tags. He would try to catch them and when he did - his collar would come up a bit. I guess this prompted him forward because he would start walking around the house. As soon as he lowered his head, he would sit down and pant for a moment. But if you got his attention got him to look up and the tags were still in his mouth, away he would start walking. LOL. It was a pretty good way to tire him out.

Sara, why did you choose to get a DS in the first place? By your questions, you sound like you ended up with some thing you were not expecting at all, like you were expecting a cute cooperative "normal" cuddly puppy yet what you're experiencing sounds perfectly normal and in line with what Dutch puppies do.

One of my pups ignored her tags the other thought they were fair game, but he's got a thing for chewing metal, and rocks, and the brick of my house.. :rolleyes: You can try bitter apple but it may not work. I would try to get the tags out of her reach. If you can't do it by hanging them on a smaller ring, you can maybe look into putting a tag wallet on her collar instead.

Christie M wrote: Dante was 2 when I first got him, and he loved his tags. He would try to catch them and when he did - his collar would come up a bit. I guess this prompted him forward because he would start walking around the house. As soon as he lowered his head, he would sit down and pant for a moment. But if you got his attention got him to look up and the tags were still in his mouth, away he would start walking. LOL. It was a pretty good way to tire him out.

I am now looking forward to Xena's tags!!!