hyperactiveness??

[soxandwaffles]

I just got a newf. puppy a couple weeks ago. He is very hyper and agressive,he barks, growls, and bites a lot. This is our first dog and we love him a lot but we can't have this biting. Is this normal or should we give him back up before he gets too big? Please I'd like to hear any and as much feedback as possible. We're getting desperate!

[ 01-05-2003, 10:12 AM: Message edited by: soxandwaffles ]

 

[sarnewfie]

Hi sox
this is not normal newf behavior, did you get your newf from a respected breeder?
if not, you might be dealing either with a bad temperament or possibly bad behavior that you guys really need help training him.
how old is this pup?
is your breeder available to help you?
can you get some books to read to help you understand canine behavior?
the Monks of New Skete have great series of books including one book titled people pooches and problems.
have you signed up for obedience class?
are u sure he is a purebred?
some BYB sell newf mixes or chow mixes and pass them off as full blooded newfs.

 

[Halli's Mom]

How old is your puppy? My newf puppy is only 4 months old, and the only two times I've heard her bark in the last month since we got her is when another dog walked or ran by the house (I think she was telling them "this is my house...back off!). I've never heard her growl. (my husband and I were starting to wonder if she DID bark at all -- we'll probably regret that in years to come! )

As for biting, Halli likes to "play bite" but we are trying to get her out of the habit by telling her "no biting" in a very authoritive way as we gently hold her jaws together (like I said, we do it very gently). She usually responds with kisses and we praise her for the "good behavior". (kisses are ALWAYS allowed).

 

[brendapiepiorka]

Sorry to hear your having a hard time right off the bat. Our maggie was also a very playful biter but she never growled at us. We thought it was cute at first untill her teeth started to do some damage then we knew we had to stop it immediatley. We would hold her nose and mouth shut and say loudly no bite. Then we would turn our backs and ignore her. Sometimes 50 times a day but she finally stopped it. She still likes her teeth thou . Every now and then she will open her mouth over ours hands and give me that look out of the top of her eyes as if to say, can't I do it just once. Hopefully your puppy is just a little to rambunkious and not have all the problems sarn. discribed. You have to have a leader attitude to show your puppy from the start otherwise this could just be the beginning of the dog dominating you. Lots of good material available to you on the internet on how to train a feisty puppy and of course puppy school. Good luck and keep us posted ok.
Brenda and Maggie

 

[robandrobin]

Just a thought here,
Bryce was very very quiet when we first got him. Then as he got a couple of weeks older, he was very growly (it could've seemed like agressiveness, but I could tell it was something else), barky, sassy I might say, and hyper. We wondered what we did to that wonderful perfect Newfie boy.
It was our fault. He was not getting as much excersize as he needed, and he needed new training challenges. So, he was frustrated. He wanted to do something, wanted to work, wanted something, and we were not giving it. Once we figured that out, we gave him an extra little walk (as young as he was we did three to four miniature walks with lots of stimulation; new things) and began some new training things like legnthened his training and began stays and did it sitting, laying, standing, etc. And we did push ups! Sit, Laydown, Sit, Laydown. It took care of the agressiveness that wasn't really aggressiveness. We actually had a training and walking schedual worked out, everyday at pretty close to the same time. This was more for us than Bryce.
When he started barking, we would tell him no bark "Shhhhh" and put our hand on his muzzle letting him know we didn't want him just running about barking. We also did small time outs too because bored or not, little signs of being pushy is a no-no. So he was never taken out right when he acted that way. He got a short time out instead. Once he calmed then we'd play and go on about our daily routine. He learned polite and calm=fun and play. Growly pushy=time out with door closed in ones face.

All in All, He was flat out bored and trying to let us know! He needed stimulated. And yes, it took a long time to get things together. We did the routine daily and he's just 7 months and we are still doing the routine, but, he's very very calm and mellow now! For the most part! As for the biting and pulling. We have had our share! I still don't own a pair of pants without holes in them from sharp puppy teeth. My sweatshirts are the same. He's not as bad now. But I think all puppies do this type of thing.
Robin

 

[soxandwaffles]

He is 8 weeks old. We really don't know what to do. He is like a demon dog. You can't touch him withouth him trying to bite you. And he only sleeps in a corner in the rec room or in front of the outside door. We do exercise him a few times a day. And we met both of the parents when we got the puppy, at that time he was the calmest of the bunch. We feel really bad about thinking about giving him up, but this is just terrible the way he acts. I'd like to do whatever I can to get him to calm down. Does anyone know what the return policy is in Pa? I would really like to chat with someone about this if anyone could find the time. i thought we were getting him from a good breeder his aunt is the one in the pedigree commercials. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Haven/4505/NewfieChat.html

[ 01-05-2003, 01:48 PM: Message edited by: soxandwaffles ]

 

[sarnewfie]

Sox if the breeder was good they would be able to help you and advise you on what to do, this is not acceptable behavior, if i could get into chat right now i would but i have to run for a bit, will you be online a bit later? i would love to help you out.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

So sorry you are having a bad experience with your new pup, but that is not behavior that is characteristic of a newf or really for any pup that age, for that matter. I would definately contact the breeder and see what she says. A reputable breeder will stand behind her pups and wants to see you as well as the pup be happy. She also would know if there are problems with other pups in the litter. If you can get into the chat room later, there usually is someone there to talk to you.
Let us know how it is going!

 

[brendapiepiorka]

I would think that a good breeder would take there 8 week old puppy back in a minute if they thought it wasn't going to work out with the new owners. If you don't have the time or energy for this puppy, I would call my breeder and find out fast if they will give you a refund. In my eyes, it can't be doing the puppy any good either being with you. Some times people just aren't ready for a puppy. I mean no offence for sure, I've had a few dogs before and I wasn't ready for the commitment I now am willing to give to my newf.

 

[brendapiepiorka]

One more question, do you own a crate? We crate trained maggie. It is a safe good place to start with potty training and just a calm place for your pup. I wouldn't let him have the run of the house. Again, lots of imfo on crate training on the web

.

 

[Kodiak]

Welcome! The behavior you have described fits Kodi to a "T" when he was the same age. Kodi came from a rescued litter and had no socialization whatsoever! His behavior was directed only to me! He was a moosh with everyone else! There were many times I was ready to give up on him...it was him or me that was going! No matter what I tried, nothing worked! One day I had enough and gave him 4 good whacks on the nose after he tried to bite my hand for the 100th time! From that day forward, I couldn't want for a nicer, sweeter, well behaved goofie newfy. I just knew under that "roughness" there was hope. He finished first place in obedience class. This is what worked for me. Kodi will turn 2 years old in April and there's not a day that goes by that I have had any regrets that I kept him.

 

[Angela]

Did anyone hear what the outcome was with this puppy?

 

[AmyPC]

My own personal opinion is once you are in possession of this puppy, it is your responsibility to do everything you can to work through any problems you may encounter, even things that are out of the ordinary, such as this.

I personally don't believe in giving up in situations like this, particularly when it can't have been going on for very long. (The puppy is 8 weeks old, it was taken from its mother too early, at 6 weeks old obviously...).

It doesn't seem to have come from a responsible breeder in my opinion.

Even so, my own personal thinking is you just have to deal with this fact and do it alone if there is no one to help you.

Training. Lots of time spent with the puppy. At 8 weeks, it is only a baby. It is probably scared and reacting to situations. Puppy pre-school.

They can and DO bite (puppy bite) at that age, their teeth are like needles and yes, it does hurt.

My Newf was a psycho who showed bad behaviour traits and dominance, visciousness and all that. She doesn't any more but it was a lot of work.

However, having said all that, if your heart is not in it, it will not work out with this dog. I personally would not contact the breeder - they sound irresponsible to me - I would contact Newf rescue instead. However, you wouldn't get your money back from them.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

I was wondering what happened to the puppy also, and what the breeder said if they were contacted.

 

[soxandwaffles]

Sorry took so long to reply. I don't get on the internet too often. Well we're taking Jason to a behavioral person today to see what the problem is. He has an appointment with the vet in a few days to determine if this could hereditary. And we will contact the breeder after we visit with the behavioral counselor. And he will be going to obedience school in the near future. I appreciate all replies they have been extremelly helpful. I will write an update as soon as I have one. We're keeping our fingers crossed that this will all work out.

[ 01-09-2003, 12:03 PM: Message edited by: soxandwaffles ]

 

[AmyPC]

Originally posted by Sherry in California:
"several heads are better than just one"

So true about this Sherry, NewfNet helped me SOOOOOO much when I had my very trying days!!!

soxandwaffles, I'm so glad you are going the obedience and the behaviour councellor route, I'm sure they will work wonders!

Good luck.