I have a 9 week old mini schnauzer that, as most puppies, likes to play
by snapping fingers. Perhaps it's encouraged by playing "tug" and "keep
away" with her. Is it best not to play in a manner that encourages
biting/tugging toys? Is this something they grow out of?

At what age can puppies start being trained (sit,fetch,etc)?
Thanks,
Rut

wrote in message
oups.com...
I have a 9 week old mini schnauzer that, as most puppies, likes to play
by snapping fingers. Perhaps it's encouraged by playing "tug" and "keep
away" with her. Is it best not to play in a manner that encourages
biting/tugging toys? Is this something they grow out of?

At what age can puppies start being trained (sit,fetch,etc)?
Thanks,

Its never too early to start teaching the basics. At his age he'll offer
alot of these basics on his own. Whenever he sits down praise & say "sit."
Same with laying down, come, others like this. With the finger nipping, try
yelping loudly and snatching your hand to your chest. Ignore the puppy,
make no eye contact, and move away from him immediately after and refuse eye
contact for a few minutes. Puppies in the litter yelp when they're hurt so
mimicking a loud yelp will make some sense to him. Withdrawing the fingers
& attention will keep him from thinking you're trying to play a game.

--
Tara

wrote in news:1106764404.695703.214200
@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com:

Is it best not to play in a manner that encourages
biting/tugging toys?

I don't think terriers can be truly happy if no one plays tug with them!
The terriers we had when I was growing up, including a mini Schnauzer,
always loved to tug.

--Catherine
& Zoe & Queenie

I have a question about this tactic. I've tried it and it does seem to
work, but I've always worried about something. This training technique
is based on the idea that your dog will think they've hurt you. Since
they have an instinct to please you, they'll refrain from doing this in
the future. I've often worried though what would hapen if you did this
with a dog that had "alpha dog" behavior. Don't dogs resolve their
heirarchical order among themselves by fighting? Would "submitting" in
this way perhaps send a message to the dog that he is dominant over
you? Could a puppy, esp, get the message that by being able to hurt
you, he is dominant over you?

J

"junoexpress" wrote in message
oups.com...
I have a question about this tactic. I've tried it and it does seem to
work, but I've always worried about something. This training technique
is based on the idea that your dog will think they've hurt you. Since
they have an instinct to please you, they'll refrain from doing this in
the future. I've often worried though what would hapen if you did this
with a dog that had "alpha dog" behavior. Don't dogs resolve their
heirarchical order among themselves by fighting? Would "submitting" in
this way perhaps send a message to the dog that he is dominant over
you? Could a puppy, esp, get the message that by being able to hurt
you, he is dominant over you?

You're only submitting if you suck up to the dog after he's hurt you. By
getting up, removing yourself from the dog, making no eye contact &
subsequently ignoring the dog for several minutes, *you* are the one making
the rules. You took yourself & your attention away from him. You refuse to
look at him & give him any kind of recognition. That's why its important to
follow up with the method of ignoring the dog's existence.

--
Tara

"Tee" wrote in message
...

You're only submitting if you suck up to the dog after he's hurt you. By
getting up, removing yourself from the dog, making no eye contact &
subsequently ignoring the dog for several minutes, *you* are the one
making the rules. You took yourself & your attention away from him. You
refuse to look at him & give him any kind of recognition. That's why its
important to follow up with the method of ignoring the dog's existence.

agreed.

also, in response to the OP's comment about pack order... (most) dogs
don't resolve pack order by fighting, they do a lot of posturing,
signaling, growling, etc. it may look scary, but it's not usually
dangerous. if you really feel the need to reinforce your stature to a
puppy, just stare him in the eye. he should get uncomfortable and look
away, yawn, etc.

-kelly