Sam is a cockapoo, we've had him since 8 wks., he's been neutered, and has his perm. teeth. He's a cute, scruffy little boy, and we love him. BUT he has bad habits...he still mouths, but way too hard, often leaving marks on my hands. I've tried yelping & turning away/ignoring, also stating firmly "no bite" while giving him a serious look and then a chew toy to trade for my hand. I give verbal and physical praise when he does cease mauling my hands . He is very strong willed, but also seems intelligent. He responds to sit, down, stay, when he's performing for a treat/praise. But if the doorbell rings/guests enter---there is not a treat in existance that would bring about good manners. HELP please!!
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Hi,
Welcome to here!
How old is he now? How much exercise does he get? Walks? He may be bored or just full of misplaced energy. When the doorbell rings and he flips out, use his obedience training to get his attention on you.
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cockapoo, jeez what next? This is one of the many problems with coming up with these designer breeds.
Cocker spaniels love to chomp on things. Poodles like to chomp. Try replacing your hands etc with Kongs and other toys. If the yelping is not working then try finding a old pop can, put a few coins or screws in it then tape it shut. Keep the can hidden out of site and shake it when the dog mouths you. but dont let it see you doing it. when he pulls back because he is startled and is trying to look where the sound came from, say NO, and tell it too sit and stay
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I agree with bearlas' advice about the empty soda can. The most important thing about this method is that your dog doesn't see the can! You don't want that visual stimulus to become a threat, not effective training.
I DO NOT agree that you should tell your dog NO after he stops chewing on you. You have to let him know that it's GOOD that he stopped - so give him his chew toy, or just praise and go back to whatever you were doing.
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I will try the 'sudden unpleasant noise' idea for both problems & see what happens. I do praise & reward, in some way, Sam's good behavior. My first cockapoo (over 25 yrs. ago) had the most laid-back temperament....and always wanted to please. Silly me to assume Sam would be just like Poker was! Anyhow....thanks for all your ideas.
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I gave Nicky an UNFLAVORED chew toy immediately as he would try to bite. I would never give him a highly tasty or favored one. Only when he settles into chewing it did I reward him with lots of praise and maybe a treat or tasty chew. Giving a treat too soon after diverting the attention can connect the first behaviour with the reward...fortunately, we're talking seconds here..not minutes. Just give enough time for the initial oops to pass into oblivion after being connected with the acceptable alternative, then praise the acceptable behaviour a little while later. This works.
Nicky had very little bite inhibition from the litter since he came here at 6 weeks. AT 4 months today, he's only slipping very ocasionally, and it isn't a bite. It's the "mouthing" with those sharp teeth exposed and no bite pressure at all. A sudden people of the head and you have a scratch if those things brush across your unsuspecting arm on the way to the toy or other dog, etc. Just hang tough, it will pass.
God bless!
-Ron
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your dog's teething habits are normal. My friend's maltese is approximately 7 or 8 months and it bites! She rips your skin thinking that your playing. It's not a good thing. They still teeth til' they are about 1 years of age.
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hi
i have a 3-year old cockapoo. he stills barks when the doorbell rings. but i found that shaking a penny can will snap him out of it. a dog trainer was extremely helpful. he was also very mouthy until about a year. we all have holes in our clothes to prove it. just when things started to get easy...we got another dog...a golden retriever. she is so mouthy and strong. unless we shake the food bowl, she doesnt let go. it is very frustrating. only a few more months of this i hope.
good luck
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To teach Bob the doorbell behaviour, we used the leash and second person ringing it while the one corrects instantly. Nicky didn't need this training, as he just copies Bob.
God Bless!
-Ron
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Nice Thinking Ron!!!!!