Puppy attacks newspaper and me- Help!?

Question

I live in a condo, and since he's not fully vaccinated I'm training my puppy to use newspaper to potty. 8 week-old Macho the vira-lata (mutt) attacks the soiled newspaper that I am picking up or the paper towels that I use to clean the floor underneath, and when I try to block him with my extended arm, he violently bites me and growls viciously (much more viciously than when we play). I try to distract him beforehand with toys that I toss across the room, but the moment he hears me fiddling with the newspaper, he runs growling and throws himself paws first onto the newspaper. I don't shove him, I've been trying to ignore it, but I always get bit. I always yelp. When I stand up to take the newspaper to the trash, he bites my pantleg. I try to ignore that too. When I try to wipe spills or messes from the floor, he does the same thing, which concerns me even more because I use cleaning product that he might ingest. (It's a cleaning product I picked up at the vet, a Brazilian brand, and it's 'pet-friendly'.) I've tried to tell Macho to sit and stay while I do this (and this happens 15 times a day) but to no avail. PLEASE advise me on how to make the newspaper pick-up experience less traumatic for Macho and me??

Answer 1

If the dog doesn't stay when told to do so, you need to work on his basic obedience.  In the mean time, crate him or confine him to another room when you're picking up the papers.

Answer 2

He needs training, and a crate, and a walk outside to potty.

The way your are raising him now is giving him the impression that you are a packmate, and not necessarily one with higher standing in the pack, at that.

First, a crate.  Which he should be in when you are cleaning up anything he has done.  He shouldn't be involved in that process, since he thinks first of all it's his 'stuff', and his territory, and that he has a say in where you go or what you do with it.

Secondly, he should NEVER be allowed to potty in the house - ugh.  What you are doing is telling him it's ok to p**p in a building, and that will not go away when he grows up - it;s a basic lesson, and needs to be stopped now.  You can wash his paws when he gets back in, but it's high time he get out in the world, and do his business while he's out there.  The house is your den, and that is not where dogs potty. Ever.

  There is no reason he can't go out - ask your vet for a bottle of Chlorhexiderm, and put some in a little spray bottle.  It will kill germs, and you can spray his feet after you go outside.  Just avoid areas anywhere near dumpsters and garbage cans - anywhere rodents might travel to get access to food.  But otherwise, you should be able to just wash his paws with the  disinfectant and he will be FINE. Make sure he walks on his own, everywhere, unless there is a dog accosting him - he needs to knwo his place is down below you, and that he can walk confidently and face the world.  Otherwise, he will not be a macho dog at all, but a spoiled, insecure coward.

  As for the snapping and biting, he needs a little nylon martingale, and a leash to drag around the house.  Spray the lower 2/3 or the leash with Bitter Apple so he doesn't chew on it - the leash is YOURS, it just happens to be attached to him.

  You should give him a litte corrective tug when he snaps at pantlegs or anything else - you should have the upper hand in this, not just be living with a wild animal, which is what he is going to grow up to be if you don't take charge right now.

  Get him into a puppy kindergarten or beginner obedience class, and practice at home.  If he is too wound up and being unruly, put him in his crate, and leave him there until he settles himself down.

  It's time to teach him manners, mostly by controlling him with the leash - if you do not, he will end up in a pound when he reaches full size, and is still doing what he is doing now. It really doesn'take much, once you start showing him what isn't allowed.  Be kind but firm, and reinforce NO with either a tug on the leash, or a shake of a can with some pennies in it.

  Your dog's life depends upon your ability right now to train him, and put him in his crate when he is too rowdy.

  Here is a good basic book to tell you how:

http://www.amazon.com/How-Raise-Puppy-Yo...

  

Answer 3

I agree with your vet about not exposing him to too much- like parks, unitl he has more vax- however the biting is NOT okay.

I'd invest in a crate- and place him there while you clean up, I'd also check into puppy classes in your area and see what age or how many vax they need before starting class.  It will teach you to work with your dog, and how to make him a happy member of your family.

Answer 4

It sounds like you need to give your dog to a home that can properly take care of him. He NEEDS his vaccinations and he NEEDS to go outside. Proper training and exercise would extinguish this problem. He also needs to see a vet.

Answer 5

try keeping a spray bottle with water near. when he do behave bad spray he with a sharp spray. this can correct the behavor.

Answer 6

he just does not like you

Answer 7

He probably thinks the newspaper is a toy, and the fact that is wet and soft is appealing to him no matter the fact that it's actually soiled. He is alerted by the noise is makes, I would recommend trying the potty pads instead, they have some that also sticky to the floor so he has a slightly more difficult time pulling it up. I used them with my puppy until he was about 2 months old then started leashing him and taking him outside, as if you use pads or newspapers for too long it teaches them that it's okay to potty inside and they will go on the carpet or anywhere else. You need to start taking him outside. I lived in an apartment with my puppy until he was 3 months old, just recently moved to a house where he has a yard... Just because he is indoors most the time doesn't mean you are treating him horrible he's still a baby but you definitely need to let him out more and get his vaccinations. Your dog could become seriously sick with Parvo or rabies if you do not get his shots.

I administer all my dogs' shots myself except fo rabies of course because only a vet can do that.

Answer 8

Well number 1 don't make your dog do his business on Newspapers take him on walks he needs some fresh air! number two all pets like attacking news papers even my kitty Tigger not one day can my dad read the news because of all the holes and the rips oh and punish ur dog every time he bites you GOOOD LUCK!!!!!

Answer 9

So you never let your dog outide?  He needs the fresh air!  He is probably getting cabin fever.  Keep him on a leash and he will be just fine!