Help with problem puppy?

Houmatt | 12-24-23 | Houmatt

[Houmatt]

I have a six-month old puppy. I believe it to be a possible German Shepherd/Rottweiler mix.

My problem is she is filled with energy. She jumps and runs around a lot and me and my spouse can't spend a large chunk of time due to our job schedules.

But she also likes to nip and chew. On everything. Including hands.

Any suggestions on what to do?

[rarestia]

Find a local doggy daycare. We put our 9 month old puppy in daycare 3 days a week. Wears her out.

You do have to play with them, though. Obedience training would be recommended. Many breeds tire quicker with mental games than with physical.

[redryder_90]

Lots of chew toys!
or maybe another buddy to hang out with?

And consult a dog trainer. They will know according to what you got the pup for how to handle your dog.

Good luck with your new pup.

[llevrok]

Having a dog, especially a pup, is like having a 2 year old human in the house.

It takes work (for both) and training repitition.

[silverleaf]

Professional trainer
Two dominant breeds
Will be a great dog but has to accept you as alpha pack leader
Working Dog breeds need a “ job” for physical and mental stimulation…. taking you for walks, playing tug of war, playing “ find the toy” that you hide in the yard
Meanwhile they make very large crates to control the chewing
Our GSD 80 lb eats and sleeps in his crate

[leaning conservative]

Do you have the $$ for a trainer & a mid day dog walker?

[leaning conservative]

Great advice! We take our 2 year old every Friday & she is worn out for the next 2 days🤣

[sasquatch]

Start with half a Benadryl.

[AC86UT89]

What did you expect? What you describe is what a dog is.

So many people jumping on the dog worship bandwagon these days who are unprepared and living in a fantasy world - because it’s the thing to do.

[yesthatjallen]

"Any suggestions on what to do?"

The problem isn't the dog. The problem is you. You should have researched dog breeds.

low energy dogs

You can try a dog trainer but you can't suppress the nature of a dog; and you shouldn't.

[Carriage Hill]

2mg Doggie Valium.

[Toespi]

Funny. I was just going to ask some dog people some puppy questions by starting a thread. We just got a seven month old yorkie/poo about a month ago. He is a terrific little guy, listens perfectly, doing very well house training and wonderful with me and my husband. The problem, is he is very aggressive when other people come to our house, which has mostly been our family. He nipped my granddaughters leg, chased our grandson and he meant business almost like he goes into a panic attack. He is fixated on me, follows me everywhere and watches me all the time. I believe he is is protecting me, we had a well known local trainer in and she does “alpha dog” training method which seems brutal. We have had dogs most of our married life and never had anything like this. Any suggestions?

[CodeToad]

Let someone else adopt the puppy who wanted a dog and get a turtle.

[leaning conservative]

Do you live in a college or university town?

[Falcon4.0]

I have made this mistake before.
You don't have enough time for a dog.
Find someone who does and get a cat.

[null and void]

Rawhide chews? Obedience training?

Did a double-take when I read Ordnance training.

Maybe I need glasses?

[jdt1138]

Get another dog and they can play together. Take them both on walks for the next 9-12 years. Your neighbors will think that you are cool and they will be right.

[cgbg]

Some dogs are very hard to socialize without professional training.

We had chow chows over the years and just had to keep them locked away from other people and on a leash when outdoors.

Now we have a lab/hound mutt who loves everybody—people and dogs.

[null and void]

This is Tyson-who-is-not-allowed-on-the-furniture.

It's challenging to share a twin bed with his 130 lb self...

[verum ago]

Do not be afraid of corporal punishment.

This^^^ This x 1000.

It's a dog. Look at how a mama dog "corrects" her young, or a wolf mama, or a a coyote mama. They've no actual language; all the correction is "physical."

Correct the pup as a dog mom would – physically – and you'll get the results you want.

Yes, it feels cruel, but a dog does not have the relatively fragile psyche that an equally young human does. What is abuse to a human toddler is proper and correct for a dog.

Please don't misunderstand me: if you find yourself having to give more than cursory/mild physical correction to an adult dog, you've effed up. The payoff for proper training of a pup is a lifelong companion who is utterly obedient and who doesn't need any nasty correction as an adult dog.

Be firm now, and have a wonderful, obedient, and happy, dog for life. A dog for whom obedience is, of course, good for you, but also happiness for the dog as well. It's a win-win.

As noted by others, if you need to hire a dog sitter to instill that firmness temporarily, then do so- it's an investment. An investment in both your and the dog's future.

[usurper]

Get a 2nd puppy for him.

Preferably a Chihuahua he can use it as a chew toy. Nasty animals.