https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Jul 2026 03:36:38 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-568061 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 09:32:30 +0000 LittleFox 568061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you look into/tried implementing Dr. Yin's learn to earn program? It tries to teach impulse control in dogs, and it sounds like he needs a little of that. Like most puppies he has no manners, and you want to teach him those. Once you've got him able to do something like sit for you consistently (learn to earn helps here), you can work on more complex things like cat chasing. Until then, he may need to be leashed in the house so you don't have to constantly chase him to get him to stop chasing cats. Here is a link on training out that kind of chasing, but you need that foundation first (there are learn to earn links at the heart end of the article). Impulse control should also help you address the biting. This will take time, but once he's trained it will be worth the effort. </p> <p><a href="http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/how-do-i-train-my-dog-to-stop-chasing-the-chickens-cat-rat" rel="nofollow">http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/how-do-i-train-my-dog-to-stop-chasing-the-chickens-cat-rat</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-567729 Thu, 14 Feb 2013 23:03:36 +0000 Happygal 567729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: the verbal commands right now don't do anything because he doesn't know what they mean. If you raise your voice, it probably gets him more excited. He may even think you're just joining in on the fun! When he jumps on you and you put your hands on him, that's giving him attention, even if it seems negative to you. The best thing to do is to cross your arms and turn away. </p> <p>Puppies do well on a schedule. Do you have a good one worked out? Not just feeding, but down time for crating as well. </p> <p>A good chew toy or game toy (like a buster cube) can help to burn off energy as well.</p> <p>I hope you can have a session with a private trainer. Just one hour can help you to get a lot of good tips and build up your confidence. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-566143 Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:42:16 +0000 bunnylove08 566143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>shake a can of pennies. noise aversion helps. </p> <p>do you have a crate? you can crate train your dog. never push your dog in it because he will associate it with something bad. it could be his safe haven and a place to rest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-566136 Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:41:15 +0000 Modern Daisy 566136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, also if you really think your pup is playing favorites, ban your DH from giving treats for a few weeks and make sure you are the one to give all the treats. I used this trick with a dog we were watching for a few weeks and it totally worked! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-566133 Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:39:47 +0000 Modern Daisy 566133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bitter apple spray helped me a lot with the nipping during the puppy phase! I got my dog in the summer time so I would spray it on my flip flops and feet. I also sprayed it on the bottom of our couch since she really liked to chew on that! </p> <p>I agree with what everyone else is saying too. Even if you're a professional dog trainer, it takes time and a TON of repetition with a puppy. So don't give up if your methods don't seem to be working at first. Preventing bad behavior by crating or gating off areas of the house is also extremely helpful and can save your sanity! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-566083 Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:24:48 +0000 MrsBrewer 566083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dapple Grey: Thank you for all of the advise and I totally feel like I can relate to what you went through! </p> <p>I really have to agree that the verbal commands aren't helping at all. I've never had a dog before, so I pretty much am going into this blind without any knowledge. (DH isn't very good at telling me what I'm doing right/wrong) I've noticed that if I yell at him for chasing the cats, or chewing something it gets him even more excited and crazy. What would you do in that kind of situation? Also I'm struggling with him jumping up on things (especially the kitchen table and counters). All I do now is kind up push his chest back for him to get down, but then he snaps at me for doing that. </p> <p>I really don't think we are going to re-home him, our tension has just been a little high lately regarding the dog. I don't have much patience, and I will admit that we kind of rushed into the decision of getting a dog. But I am the biggest animal lover, and I would never do anything to ever harm or put a pet in a bad situation. So I really am trying my best to create a happy living situation for our whole family.</p> <p>Oh and I wanted to add in here too that we do have a crate, and he does WONDERFUL in it! He's never once had an accident in there. He goes in there willingly too, we rarely have to struggle to get him in. He's in there while we are at work (I come home on lunch breaks) and at night when we sleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-565518 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:20:44 +0000 Dapple Grey 565518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We raised a German shepherd pup , and let me tell you puppies bite! We had a rude awakening! You think you got the crazy one from the litter, or perhaps you were envisioning a sweet yellow lab from a Downy commercial but the truth is, 98% of dogs exhibit typical puppy behavior. They will pursue you, they will push your boundaries, they scratch, they get out of control...everything! They are extremely intelligent and very curious! However you can teach an old and young dog new tricks ;)</p> <p>My dog did the same thing...he responded best to my husband , but would seek me out, and be terrible. I was unsure, and scared due to the nipping and craziness, so he naturally gravitated to respect my husband cause he was calm and very much in control. very clear. </p> <p>This is not something that will work itself out overnight. Puppies need lot of rules, clear boundaries and consistency. You may not show it psychically, but your energy is part of the equation. </p> <p>If you don't already have one, get a crate. Wear jeans, shoes and even kitchen gloves if you need to. Keep him on leash in the house so you have better control and can administer corrections to help make better communication on what you find acceptable. Have a space to put him ( crate, spare bedroom) that is safe for him and you but can be sort of a time out from him. If you are frustrated, upset, angry, it will only spur him on even more. He is like a horse taking advantage of a novice rider.</p> <p>Ignore bad behavior, don't use a lot of verbal as he may only get more excited about things or make the wrong associations with verbal commands. Also, some dogs are very sensitive to the touch, so grabbing and all that stuff may make it worse as well. Praise him for what he does right. Exercise him , challenge his mental exercise as well with games. Walk with both you and the husband, switching off simultaneously who leads him during the walk. Cary a stick like a staff, something that gives you a divider between yourself and the dog, it will help with your energy and boost your confidence. ** and I don't mean to hit him with it, just walk with it.</p> <p>I'm sorry you are going through this and that you may have to re-home him. It will get better and he can get trained, but only under the right amount of patience, education, energy and good ole fashion time!! I promise when they get older they grow out of things and learn.</p> <p>Also I recommend "I'm Listening With a Broken Ear by Vicky Kaseorg" its free on amazon with a kindle. Its a fun read, and you may be able to relate ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-565427 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 21:59:49 +0000 MrsBrewer 565427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh....it's been a really rough night. DH just told me that he's going to start looking for a new home for our puppy :-( I'm in tears....</p> <p>I think I'm going to suggest private training lessons first though, before we make the final decision. The only thing is that we don't have a lot of extra money...</p> <p>The thing that set me off tonight was he kept snapping at me and actually bit my foot hard and drew blood. He's only snaps and bites me... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561921 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:44:08 +0000 Chillybear 561921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel you. there was definitely a period of about 6 months where of course i loved our puppy but it was really hard to like him. he was very much testing his boundaries to see what we'd let him get away with. Finding a good trainer to work with is great. We went to pet smart and we used the clicker training method our dog is not very food/treat driven. Also once thy hit the year mark puppies tend to calm down as they turn into dogs. </p> <p>As for the nipping and jumping, the recommended advice is to ignore the action - no response. it didnt work well with our dog, but he's not a fan of loud noises. we filled a baby food jar with beads and pennies. when hes was being esp naughty we'd shake the jar to startle/distract him. with in a week if he saw us picking up the jar he'd back off the behavior before we even shook it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561899 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:35:54 +0000 MrsBrewer 561899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: I'm really afraid that we are going to have the craziest puppy in our puppy class! hahahaha I think everyone will be looking at him anyways because I'm sure he will be the biggest one in the class </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561896 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:34:11 +0000 avivoca 561896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: It probably took about a month and a half. But, in that time, I also had to work with my husband, as he had a tendency to jump in to save the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561873 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:26:48 +0000 Cole 561873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: I was in tears many times about our dog in the beginning too. My husband is definitely the boss in the dog's eyes, now he sees me as the boss if my husband isn't here but he will literally look to my dh to see if he should follow my commands if he is around! We are still working on some things but in general he is great now and I am so glad we have him, we got him at 10 months and it took me about 6 months to really be 100% sold on him. </p> <p>I was surprised at the affordability of a private trainer and we hired one for a couple of hours because we were sort of past the most basic training class but still wanted to work on things. It was around $40 an hour and worth every penny. Not only were the training sessions helpful but he gave us homework to work on. Maybe that would help you bridge the gap between now and when your training sessions start. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561863 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:22:12 +0000 Happygal 561863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: puppies are pains. I love my girl, but there were times that I was so worn out by the nipping that I left the room crying. I felt like a 12 year old, but along with the pain of those sharp teeth, my feelings would be hurt! You can't help it but to be fed up.</p> <p>I raised one puppy all by myself and said I would NEVER do it again solo. I would have been up for an older dog, but my husband really wanted the experience of raising a puppy. About a week or so in, he realized just how much is involved. I was secretly pleased b/c I felt he had a new found respect for the work I had done with my last dog.</p> <p>I think you'll love puppy class. There's always at least one other dog that is crazy and makes your dog look like a mellow saint. Along with the training, it becomes like a support group with everyone sharing their frustrations. </p> <p>I try to remind myself that they are still babies and they actually do want to please. They also go through phases so quickly. Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561860 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:20:51 +0000 ShootingStar 561860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Puppies are always hard, don't give up. My parents got a puppy a year ago and were thisclose to asking me to take him. And now there's no way they'd give him up, they spoil him rotten.</p> <p>Puppies mouth a LOT. Try to make a high pitched noise like he hurt you, every time he nips or puts his mouth on you. And close doors or put up baby gates so he can't run in another room to pee. At 3.5 months, he's really still a baby and isn't trying to be mean or spiteful, he just doesn't know better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561855 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:19:31 +0000 MrsBrewer 561855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: Thanks for the reassurance! I think it's great to hear that once and a while! I will get there! I will really look into Dr Yin now also.</p> <p>@Happygal: Thanks for the link! I will have to look into Susan as well! </p> <p>All of this information is soooo great, thanks for all the kind words too :-) It really helps sooo much. I've been on the verge of tears almost every night, and just wishing to have my life back without the dog. But now it's relaly giving me hope that it will get better. Now.....if it would just happen overnight....that would be perfect!! hahahaha just kidding! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561848 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:16:14 +0000 MrsBrewer 561848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BrooklynBee41: As sucky as this sounds, I'm glad I'm not the only one. I seriously broke down to my husband last night, saying that I really dislike the dog. I was crying and everything.....he wanted the dog sooo bad (and I thought I did too) and he was even thinking about trying to find another home. But I really don't want to do that. I really want to keep him and love him!! I'm just glad that I'm not the only one who ended up in tears over a dog...</p> <p>@chibee: Thanks for the advise!! Our puppy knows the "sit" command almost perfectly! He's a very very smart little thing, I will start working on "stay" next! I'm trying to enjoy the puppy phase, but it's not working too well.....hahahah I told DH for our next dog, I think I want to adopt an adult! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561846 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:15:00 +0000 Happygal 561846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another person popped into mind: Susan Garrett. That women is no joke, and none of her dogs walk over her, I promise! But she has the phrase "be the cookie." She emphasizes the importance of engagement with your dog--being the person your dog wants to be with and work for and, yes, play with. Check this out:</p> <p><a href="http://susangarrettdogagility.com/2011/03/be-the-cookie/" rel="nofollow">http://susangarrettdogagility.com/2011/03/be-the-cookie/</a></p> <p>Training should be fun, and being so focused on showing your dog you are the boss is not only unnecessary, but it also takes away from that joy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561841 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:13:44 +0000 LittleFox 561841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here are links to Dr. Yin's Site:</p> <p><a href="http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/the-learn-to-earn-program-implementing-the-program" rel="nofollow">http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/the-learn-to-earn-program-implementing-the-program</a></p> <p><a href="http://drsophiayin.com/resources/dog_behavior/" rel="nofollow">http://drsophiayin.com/resources/dog_behavior/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561809 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:04:50 +0000 Happygal 561809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, please be careful with Cesar M. He has some great common sense solutions, but a lot of bad advice as well. No dog trainer I know would endorse his methods. </p> <p>@Chibee gives great advice--leaving the room is the best punishment. Not making him gag by putting your fingers down his throat or trying to show him who is boss by jabbing at him.</p> <p>Dr. Yin is awesome. Also check out <a href="http://www.dogstardaily.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.dogstardaily.com/</a> </p> <p>If you head out on a walk and expect a controlled heal without formal training, you're setting everyone up for failure. This is a really hard thing to master, especially with an energetic puppy! You may want to play ball or something before you head out for a walk just to get that first bit of energy burned off. Let him sniff, it burns a lot of energy and is very interesting to him. He is in front of you because he has four legs and is faster, not because he's trying to be the boss.</p> <p>I know puppies can be frustrating, but it's also very rewarding. You'll get there, I promise! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561783 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:52:53 +0000 chibee 561783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: Totally agree with what everyone is saying - he doesn't hate you, he just doesn't see you as an authority figure, more as a playmate. So you need to discipline him more! You can give him attention that he wants, but in the form of training. Do some exercises with him - teaching him how to sit, stay, etc - this is stimulating for the dog, asserts your position, and gives you plenty of interaction. </p> <p>With the nipping and biting - when he does this while you're playing, don't react, simply turn your back on him and don't have any interaction for at least 30 seconds to a minute. Puppies thrive on play time - all they want to do is play, for you to ignore them, is the WORST thing in the world. He will begin to correlate the nipping and biting with being ignored. But don't worry - this phase just naturally goes away, but this is just a faster way to snap him out of it! </p> <p>I know it's hard.. but enjoy the puppy phase - it goes quick! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561776 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:50:59 +0000 BrooklynBee41 561776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have this exact problem as well. On the first day that my dog arrived, he climbed into my husband's lap and snarled at me! It was terrible.</p> <p>You are lucky in that he is still a puppy and I think that many of the training tips listed above, plus time and patience, will work. If you really feel stuck, having a trainer come work with you one-on-one is a good, although pricey, option.</p> <p> Our dog is a shelter dog and we adopted him when he was three. He is one stubborn dog! We have hired multiple "aggression specialists" and have tried all sorts of different training techniques. It's been 5 years and it's gotten a whole lot better but it's still an issue for us. We have a constant battle for dominance! Luckily, he's just a 9 pound little guy, but of course growling is not acceptable for a dog of any size. </p> <p>I have found that eliminating situations that set him off is the best thing that works for us. For example, I am the first one to get up and get ready for work in the morning. When I would try to return to our bedroom after a shower, he would become extremely aggressive and guard the door like he was guarding his den, with my husband inside. So now, as soon as I am up for the day, I make him his breakfast and he comes trotting out of the bedroom to eat it. Once he is out, I gate off the bedroom door so he can't get back inside and it eliminates the morning growling problem. </p> <p>I'm sorry that you're having to deal with this. I cried a lot during the first few months that we had our dog and my husband was ready to send him back. It can be really frustrating! But I think you have his youth on your side and that, with a lot of hard work and a variety of strategies, he will love and respect all members of your little pack! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561770 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:47:07 +0000 MrsBrewer 561770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lemondrop: @LittleFox: I will definitely check out Dr Yin's website also. I'm open to everything right now!</p> <p>@evansjamie: Great to hear a sucess story! :-) How long do you think it took for you to have your dog see you as a "boss" as well? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561765 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:44:22 +0000 avivoca 561765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: I had to work hard on making my dog recognize me as the alpha. It just takes time. I'm soft-spoken, but after working with Bea, she recognizes that I am the boss as well as my husband. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561737 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:32:47 +0000 lemondrop 561737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He is testing you. Definitely check out Dr. Yin's website. </p> <p>Unfortunately, while popular in the media, Cesar Milan's advice is generally frowned upon in the veterinary field. It is better than being walked all over by the dog, but @LittleFox: had a great suggestion in checking out Dr. Yin's site. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561734 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:31:47 +0000 MrsBrewer 561734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: I think that's a hard part I need to work on, I need to control my yelling at him. I just don't know if my "stern and calm" voice is assertive enough to get my point across? I will definitely try that though!</p> <p>@mrbee: Thanks for the links! I was just browsing his website! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561684 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:17:03 +0000 LittleFox 561684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ms.janedoe: I agree with this. Some of Cesar's stuff is pretty good, but I think it isn't quite in line with what current animal behavior research espouses, especially when people use it to justify over-relying on dominance-based methods. I like Dr. Sophia Yin's website for training advice. She's a veterinarian and animal behaviorist and her methods are well researched and based in positive training. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561678 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:16:08 +0000 yoursilverlining 561678@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @BunnyLove08’s suggestions. When you walk him, don’t give him a long leash and don’t let him pull you. Make him walk WITH/beside you, not in front of you, and when he pulls, stop and wait until he settles back down. Go at your pace, not his. Stop every block and make him sit and wait until YOU are ready to start walking again; so he gets the point that you are in control of him, not the other way around.</p> <p>When he nips, be firm with him that his behavior is not acceptable. All puppies nip some, they just need to learn that isn’t how we play. Don’t hit him or yell/scream; but look at him straight in the face and be firm, calm and in control.</p> <p>He definitely doesn’t hate you – dogs are pack animals and need to know where in the pack they fit in. Some of them will try to bump up to a higher place in the pack given the chance, others won’t push as much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561668 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:12:37 +0000 mrbee 561668@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: Some great tips here!</p> <p><a href="http://www.cesarsway.com/training/thewalk/6-Tips-for-Mastering-the-Dog-Walk" rel="nofollow">http://www.cesarsway.com/training/thewalk/6-Tips-for-Mastering-the-Dog-Walk</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/thebasics/problems-on-the-walk" rel="nofollow">http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/thebasics/problems-on-the-walk</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561662 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:08:57 +0000 bunnylove08 561662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsbrewer I think you need to interact with your dog more, do the feedings, walking and playing. Make sure your pup sits when you're giving him food and he cannot have any until you release him from his sit. When he plays nicely with you reward with treats and when he doesnt say no and walk away. You want to him him associate good things with you and hopefully his behavior will be much better towards you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/our-puppy-hates-me-#post-561655 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:05:45 +0000 MrsBrewer 561655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: I have seen that show, and I want to be on it!!!</p> <p>We take him on a minimum of 2 walks per day, about a mile each, lasting probably 20 minutes. He gets pretty side tracked. We are still working on proper leash control. But we also have a fenced in back yard that DH goes outside and throws around a tennis ball for him to run.</p> <p>@yoursilverlining: I think this is right 100% I'm not seen as a higher authority. I just don't know how to let him know I rank higher you know? I know that he sees DH as alpha, which is 100% fine, but I need to be up there too!</p> <p>@ms.janedoe: Thanks! I actaully gave up myself on taking him for walks because he would act out SOOO bad. But I think I'm going to try is again tonight and take him on a walk. </p>