Over the last few weeks our puppy started to growl when we pick him up. He now refuses to let us and goes for our hands if we go to pick him up. We need to pick him up to get him in and out the car. Does anyone have advice as to how we can break this behaviour? Thanks
Limit the times you do pick him up for other reasons. It is just an opportunity for a mouth at you. Use distraction for handling to get in the car, scatter some kibble, waft a kong, piece of cheese, anything to get focus on that then a quick scoop up and done. It does settle, give him time for those baby teeth to fall out.
Simba was terrible for this-the first time he barked and was close to my hand and face I jumped and took him doing this a few times for it not to startle me-after a few days I decided I was just going to pick him up as didn't want it to become a fear thing. I just started scooping him up with my arms one under neck down legs and behind and carry him that way. At first he was wriggling and trying to mouth me but can't reach properly so now it's not as bad and I've not really done it the last few days.hes 18 weeks and when he mouthed for the first few weeks was not a problem, was soft then my daughter tried to stop it completely and it spiraled and last week was the worst and I had really got fed up but he is teething and every other command he follows and it very good just won't stop that.. I had the first bite free day today, and when he tried i was so tired I didn't even move and he just stopped- i try to keep calm but i tend to make it worse especially if my arms are bare or have my dressing gown on- things are looking up the last few days as his 2 front teeth are coming through quickly.
For teething we used to wet face clothes, tie a knot in them then freeze. At night when Luna was a bit mouthy with being tired we would either give it to her to chew on or hold it for her. Great way to help with teething and keep her mouth busy. We had to carry Luna up and down the stairs until she was 6 months. We always made her sit, then put one arm under her front legs and one holding her bum. This way she could still move her front legs and lie over my arm. Since we needed to do this from the start we were lucky that she was okay with it. If he is mouthy or unhappy try holding some treats in your hand whilst carrying him, he will smell them and when you put him down give it to him. This will hopefully let him see that it isn't a bad thing and it means something good will come. Also you can try giving him his favourite toy to carry in his mouth to keep him distracted. Good Luck!
Growling is not quite the same thing as normal puppy mouthing and wriggling. I’d be pretty worried if a 9wk pup growled at me in that situation and I’d expect all pups to mouth and wriggle.... I would firstly want to rule out any sort of pain as a cause. Does he growl when you are handling or stroking him at other times on the floor? Have you noticed he is worried about one part of his body over another? It might be worth asking a fear free vet to take a look and just examine him for pain as a possible cause. (Google Fear Free vets to get a site up about that!) otherwise, you need to break down being picked up. Reach towards him, give verbal marker, treat. Repeat many times. Reach towards him and touch but don’t pick up. Give verbal marker. Treat. Really, knowing how to split these steps down is quite involved and an art form and it would be best to work with a qualified force free behaviourist to help you - as always whenever dealing with fear or reactivity.
Luna loves empty bottles and anything recycling really! When she was younger we used to put some rice in the bottle so it was super interesting for her. You will get used to switching off from play time and the squeaking toys lol. I had the same issue with Luna in that I was her favourite thing to chew or bite, it was horrible and I had serious doubts about it at the start if we had done the right thing. But when she came to cuddle up with me to go to sleep I knew she loved me and it was all okay again. We have the issue that Luna doesn't like giving the ball back easily when playing fetch, she loves to play when she decides otherwise she is happy running round with the ball in her mouth. We are a year in now being doggy parents and still everyday is a learning day for us and her.
Well im going to do the rice bottle, the amazing man made amusements are the best I find.. in this heat I've been freezing a tub with treats in so can pick them out and takes a ages
Yeah Luna will sit waiting for a toilet roll or kitchen roll to finish so she can get the cardboard! Has a little play with it throwing it about then shreds it to bits lol. We did that with watermelon and carrots, she loved it
Haha yes the joys of loo roll and boxes, all loo rolls go to simba and after the Able delivery came sat there waiting for the boxes, shreds it and plays, these are good things to occupy and last a while,also his job at helping with the recycling, crushed bottles/cardboard easier to put in the bin and a quick hoover after shredding.. loves watermelon and in this heat just freeze in cubes, that's a great idea, a double treat with some carrot in- he love his frozen carrots so will freeze with water.. I just make up things as I go or it just happens, explore and grow his personality and watch the enjoyment they have . It only seemed like yesterday i got him but so much has happened, I know hes not even half the size hes going to be but has grown so much and wouldn't change him for anything
