So frustrated with Jude!

[hey_jude]

Jude is making me so frustrated. He is 11 weeks as of yesterday and very bitey. Not even just mouthing, when I go to pick him up off the ground when he is playing or something, or even just sitting there, he bites at my neck and growls. He gets tons of attention and stimuli, we have worked really hard on his obedience (he does about 15 commands now and has good manners for sitting and being pet when met), but he still continues to do this. Yelping does nothing when he bites like this. He is super sweet to everyone else and only does this to me.

Any tips? I've heard this is more common in male puppies with female owners. Any advice on this? Thank you so much in advance.

[bubbatd]

Try to nip it in the bud !!! I blame the breeder !

[hey_jude]

Why would you just jump to blaming the breeder? That's a bit odd.... Jude has a wonderful temperment otherwise. He is very smart, independent, great with other dogs, great with kids, and generally obedient. He was handled and socialized a lot with his breeder.

Of course I'm definitely trying to address the problem immediately, but I'm asking how to.

How could you possibly blame the breeder right off the bat? Wow.

I've never had a puppy act like that. Kind of bizarre! I am sure someone here can lead you in the right direction!!!

[Lizmo]

Have you thought that maybe you're pushing him too much? I know he's a Border Collie, and very smart, but that doesn't mean that they need to be pushed pushed pushed to learn lots of different commands/behaviors. Just food for thought.

I've never heard female owners having a problem with male puppies. That should NEVER be an excuse, IMO. I know plenty female owners that have males that are very obedient and well trained. It should be nipped in the bug quite quickly. Don't be afriad to give him a tap on the nose when he does stuff like this. He needs to learn now that being picked up/touched/handled is okay and should not bite. If he were mine and a quick, sharp yelp wasn't working, I would tap him on the nose. If that didn't work, I would pick him up by the scruff -not totally off the ground- (it's how his Dam would correct him) and say "ANNHH!" in a high pitched voice. Or an "Heeeeeeyhhh!" in a low, growly voice.

[hey_jude]

A part of me is wondering if somehow he is hurt in some way. This just started about 2 weeks ago. One of the times I picked him up he did squeal like he was hurt and then hesitated to put his foot on the ground when I put him down, but he's been walking fine on his leg. At first I thought that could be it. He doesn't do this any other time except for when being lifted into my arms. Perhaps I'm taking him by surprise? He often sees me coming.

[hey_jude]

Originally Posted by Lizmo

Have you thought that maybe you're pushing him too much? I know he's a Border Collie, and very smart, but that doesn't mean that they need to be pushed pushed pushed to learn lots of different commands/behaviors. Just food for thought.

I've never heard female owners having a problem with male puppies. That should NEVER be an excuse, IMO. I know plenty female owners that have males that are very obedient and well trained. It should be nipped in the bug quite quickly. Don't be afriad to give him a tap on the nose when he does stuff like this. He needs to learn now that being picked up/touched/handled is okay and should not bite.

I'm not saying I would continue to allow it just because he is a male, I'm just saying perhaps that is where it is originating from. Definitely not making excuses to continue allowing that behavior...

I don't think I'm pushing him too much. He does about 2 8 minute clicker sessions per day- one in the early afternoon and one in the evening. Does that sound about right? It seems like a good amount but possibly not. He seems to do this most just after playing with another dog, after an exciting walk, after a play session with me at home, or when I pick him up to take him outside to go to the bathroom (he gets a bit fiesty when he needs to go to the bathroom I think).

[bubbatd]

So I'm jumped on once again ....sigh ! As a former breeder I found that biting began in the early weeks and could be corrected .

[hey_jude]

Originally Posted by bubbatd

So I'm jumped on once again ....sigh ! As a former breeder I found that biting began in the early weeks and could be corrected .

You're not jumped on, I'm simply questioning your quick accusation without asking further questions. It seemed rash.

Since you have expertise with this, I would love suggestions for an solution to this problem.

[Zoom]

He could be entering part of his "brat phase" where he's so busy doing his thing that he gets upset about being picked up, because now he has to do YOUR thing for a while.

I would wait him out. Keep holding him (arms length perhaps if you cherish your jugular vein ) until he settles down. Once he's calm, then put him down. If you put him down while he's biting, he's learning that biting will get him out of situations he doesn't want to be in.

You might also start getting him used to being on his back and calm, like right as he's falling asleep, start giving him a good massage all over, gently roll him on his back and give him a good belly rub and leg massage.

He's an 11 week old Border...he's going to be a holy terror for awhile. Aussies are the same way...little landsharks up until about 7 months, then they go through their "duh, what?" teenage stage...then magically they remember how to follow commands, but they're still PITA's until about 2, then VOILA, they're perfect.

Our guys are lucky they're so **** cute...otherwise I don't think they'd make it past 6 months! LOL!