Rocky Did Something VERY BadQuestion:Today, I was petting him and stuff and I blew on his face a couple of times. The last blow, he jumped up and bit ME IN THE FACE!!! I was so furious that, yes, I hit him. Is this normal? If you blow on a dogs face will it bite you in the face? I thought me n' Rocky were close... :( Answer: Well, hitting him will only make it worse, I can tell you that much. He wasn't trying to bite you most likley; when my vacuum is on, it blows air out the back, and Bear bites the air. Rocky was probably just trying to play with your breath. Please, don't hit your dog. Answer: Yes, if you blow in your dogs face, they will bite you. That was very dangerous of you to be doing that. How would you like it if somebody came up to you and started blowing in your face? Don't know about you, but I'd get pretty nasty too. When I was younger (probably around eight or so) and knew squat about dogs, my cousin and I where 'playing' with her Great Pyrenees puppy by blowing at her face. I did, and a split seconed later I had a 100+ pound dog trying to maul me. Not cool. (Even to this day, I'm shaky around GreatPs even though I know that that attack was my fault.) Sorry to sound harsh, but I'm not going to be all sympathetic with you. Answer: It really doesn't matter to me whether you want to be sympathetic or not. I wouldn't knock someone out for blowing in my face. But, if someone were to come up to Rocky and by accident breathe on him, he would jump up and bite them in the face. That's terrible. Answer: I can see how that'd annoy a dog. My girls just give me a "Quit it you stupid human." look and/or walk away if they're mad at me. Answer: It really doesn't matter to me whether you want to be sympathetic or not. I wouldn't knock someone out for blowing in my face. But, if someone were to come up to Rocky and by accident breathe on him, he would jump up and bite them in the face. That's terrible. You're also not a dog, honey. Rocky didn't see it the way you did, I'm sure. And for you to hit him is only going to make him aggressive. Answer: I wouldn't knock someone out for blowing in my face. But, if someone were to come up to Rocky and by accident breathe on him, he would jump up and bite them in the face. That's terrible. Well, I wouldn't knock someone for blowing in my face, but I'd sure say, "Will you cut it out!?" (Which was what he was doing when he snapped at you.) And no, you wouldn't want Rocky to attack someone for breathing in his face, but blowing in his face and breathing in his face is quite different. Answer: Rose's Gal, you're right; it's not the same. Answer: Alright, then. I guess according to you and Rose's Gal, this is completely resolved. I deserved what I got, a nice cut on the face and I shouldn't have blown in his face. And everyone and everything should be careful to stay away and make sure nothing gets near his face. Maybe I should rap a bubble around his face so nothing can get near it. Does that sound good to you, honey? Oh and Rose's Gal, breathing in his face is basically what I did. accept intentionally. I didn't puff up my cheeks and blow out as much air as I could. Answer: I don't think Purr or Andrea are trying to be mean. Might I ask why you were blowing in his face though? Not trying to be rude, just wondering. Answer: Just playing around with him really. I didn't think he'd bite me in the face... Answer: It's hard to know what a dog is going to do, especially a puppy. That's his way of telling you, "Hey! Quit it!" since he can't speak. Answer: You already know that hitting him won't help. I think I've suggested before that you take a time-out yourself since you seem to react aggressively when he does something bad. I don't blow in my dogs face but if they try and smell my breath to see what I've been eating I open my mouth and breath at them. Being a vegetarian they don't get that excited. :D Had you been eating meat? What kind of reaction was he giving you before he bit you? Was he playing back or was he getting worked up? Were you doing it because it was funny to see him get worked up? Either way it was obviously bothering him. Compare it to someone constantly poking you (I find that very annoying) and you aren't able tell them to stop. Yes, if someone is doing something extremely annoying to your dog he's going to tell you to stop. What if you started randomly pulling out one hair at a time? Do you think he'd snap at your hand? he is still a puppy he doesn't know how to express himself yet. He was feeling frustrated and he told you to stop. As an adult he would probalby handle it differently. As a puppy he handled it the same way he would have if it had been another litter mate. Answer: Alright, then. I guess according to you and Rose's Gal, this is completely resolved. I deserved what I got, a nice cut on the face and I shouldn't have blown in his face. And everyone and everything should be careful to stay away and make sure nothing gets near his face. Maybe I should rap a bubble around his face so nothing can get near it. Does that sound good to you, honey? Oh and Rose's Gal, breathing in his face is basically what I did. accept intentionally. I didn't puff up my cheeks and blow out as much air as I could. Now, you don't have to get all defensive with me; I was just trying to explain something to you. I never said you had to wrap your dog's head in a bubble; all I said was why he most likley bit you. No, you shouldn't have blown in his face, but he's not going to bite everything that comes near him. Answer: I don't think Purr or Andrea are trying to be mean. No, we weren't. We didn't say anything mean at all. We just explained our opinions on the matter, right Rose? Answer: And I'm responding to the way I took it. Especially rose, with her, no sympathy over here whatsoever. Answer: I never said you had to wrap your dog's head in a bubble That would be kinda funny though....lol ;) Seeing a dog that had a Bubble around it's head. Sorta like a space doggy. lol Anyways, what I was trying to say was pretty much what Saje said. (I'm not very good at putting my thoughts into words.) Think of your pup as a toddler who is mute. If somebody came up to him and started poking him over and over and over, what do you think that toddler would do? If it was Melanie (my 4 year old sister) she'd pop him over the head. lol (She is an evil little brat.) But if you really think about it, your dog shouldn't be put into the position that strangers are blowing in his face. And like Saje said, an older dogs reaction is normally different than a puppies. Answer: We all know how hard it is to raise a puppy. That's why we really encourage people did get an older puppy/younger adult. It can be a REALLY frustrating experience. There were times when I was SO angry at Maverick. Puppies are wild and you just have to realize that is what you've gotten yourself into. It really helps to take a step backwards and put yourself in your puppies paws. He is TRYING to communicate with you he only knows how to do it in a doggy way. Answer: Especially rose, with her, no sympathy over here whatsoever She doesn't feel she needs to be sympathetic, and that's her opinion. She's perfectly entitled to be sympathetic when she wants to be. I wasn't overly sympathetic, either, but, still that's my opinion. And, the whole moral of this is: don't blow in your dog's face anymore. We don't hold anything against you, honey, we were just expressing our opinions. Answer: That would be kinda funny though....lol ;) Seeing a dog that had a Bubble around it's head. Sorta like a space doggy. lol Actually, I have seen a dog like that. She was on animal planet, and she went diving :p very cute. Answer: No, we weren't. We didn't say anything mean at all. We just explained our opinions on the matter, right Rose? And yep, not trying to be mean. Just telling you my opinion. ;) Sorry if I came across harsh. That wasn't my intention. Answer: Actually, I have seen a dog like that. She was on animal planet, and she went diving :p very cute. I saw that too. Wasn't there a cat too? Maybe I saw it on Ripleys Answer: They can't help how they feel, BigDog. Nobody is trying to be rude. It's really hard to raise puppies---I remember Colby's puppy days. She never stopped moving! Answer: She doesn't feel she needs to be sympathetic, and that's her opinion. She's perfectly entitled to be sympathetic when she wants to be. I wasn't overly sympathetic, either, but, still that's my opinion. And, the whole moral of this is: don't blow in your dog's face anymore. We don't hold anything against you, honey, we were just expressing our opinions. Geez. You don't listen. I said, I take it the way I take it. When she said that, I reacted to it. Maybe not in the best way but it's my way. Which I am perfectly entitled to. And I was expressing myself as well, I come on this forum for help, encouragement, etc. I don't need to be TOLD that someone is not sympathetic for me. I can clearly see that in her post. But saying it, that's like rubbing it in my face. See, that's how I reacted to it. And, according to you (which I agree with) I am entitled to react in that way if I should feel it. Answer: I'm going to go ahead and end this thread. Don't blow in Rocky's face. Got it. Answer: Geez. You don't listen. I said, I take it the way I take it. When she said that, I reacted to it. Maybe not in the best way but it's my way. Which I am perfectly entitled to. And I was expressing myself as well, I come on this forum for help, encouragement, etc. I don't need to be TOLD that someone is not sympathetic for me. I can clearly see that in her post. But saying it, that's like rubbing it in my face. See, that's how I reacted to it. And, according to you (which I agree with) I am entitled to react in that way if I should feel it. Yep. You're perfectly entitled to your opinion. I wasn't rubbing anything in your face; I have no reason at all to do that. All I said was that it was okay for her to feel that way. I wouldn't try to insult you. Everyone here loves to give help, encouragement, etc. But, if I may ask, what was it that you wanted us to say, when you posted this thread? Answer: I'm going to go ahead and end this thread. Don't blow in Rocky's face. Got it. I take to dog gone long to type anything :p Answer: Everyone hasn't been following all of your trials with Rocky, so they don't know how hard you've been working. Not only is Rocky a very, very young pup still, you're young too and doing your best to learn how to raise a pup . . . and a German Shepherd pup's a real challenge sometimes! No, Rocky's not going to automatically bite anyone who breathes in his face, especially when he gets older. I'd wager that he was just trying to respond to you playfully and being as young as he is, got a bit over-enthusiastic! You really do want to think carefully about things that might make him want to nip since you're working so hard to teach him not to do that. Just be prepared for a lot of trial and error! ;) Answer: Everyone hasn't been following all of your trials with Rocky, so they don't know how hard you've been working. Nope. Not a clue. Sorry for being a bit of a "female dog" LOL. Answer: BigDog...I just looked up your info and you didn't give your age....you did your dog's however and figured he's about 4 months now. He's still a puppy and learning. I figure you had his cute face in your hands loving on him and you blew. This to him was an aggressive act and his natural puppy instinct was to say "NO!" Don't blame him or the posts on this for wanting to help. Do you have a good puppy training book ? Answer: Does my age matter? And no, no puppy book. But lots of help from CT and about a million articles all over the net. Answer: BG, there is no need to be defensive. Nobody is picking on you. Nobody ever said that your age mattered, either. Answer: I did. Age does make a difference. She sound very young with her attitude. I again recommend the book " How to raise a puppy you can live with " There's a full 2 chapters on 3 to 6 months. Answer: He. It's bigdogdaddy he's been with us since before he got rocky :) Answer: I did. Age does make a difference. She sound very young with her attitude. I again recommend the book " How to raise a puppy you can live with " There's a full 2 chapters on 3 to 6 months. Actually, all you said was that you didn't see her age in her profile. You never even asked how old she is. Age does matter, but, I believe that even a younger child can raise a dog, with a bit of help, as long as the child knows how to care for a dog properly. JMO :rolleyes: Answer: He. It's bigdogdaddy he's been with us since before he got rocky :) Whoops :o So sorry :eek: Answer: By asking she suggested it was important. And you're right with a little help anyone can get through the puppy phase. Answer: Gee wiz! Why does someone write a post, asking about a problem like that if they don't want to be informed from people with experience? If you put away the victim role and listen, you might learn something. If you would have read a little something about canine behavior before getting a puppy, you might have avoided that bite. As it was said, to a dog, sticking your face in their face or blowing in their face is a blatant, aggressive act. Naturally, instinctively they're going to be put on the defensive. I never put a dog on the defensive. They're not people. They're animals. They think differently and it's important to understand something about what makes them tick. Probably, as the dog matures, if you socialize it thoroughly and get it use to all kinds of things in a proper and non overwhelming way, he'll become a little more tolerant with human error, but certain human behaviors need to be avoided regardless of what kind of dog or what kind of conditioning they've had. They still are instinctual creatures, even though domesticated. If you don't like my direct approach, there's nothing I can do about it. That's my way of explaining things and I know what I'm talking about here. You can take it or leave it, learn something or not. That's entirely up to you. People here were only trying to help teach you something because you asked. Indeed, puppies are difficult, but if you hit your dog, you'll ruin him. Answer: Gee wiz! Why does someone write a post, asking about a problem like that if they don't want to be informed from people with experience? If you put away the victim role and listen, you might learn something. If you would have read a little something about canine behavior before getting a puppy, you might have avoided that bite. As it was said, to a dog, sticking your face in their face or blowing in their face is a blatant, aggressive act. Naturally, instinctively they're going to be put on the defensive. I never put a dog on the defensive. They're not people. They're animals. They think differently and it's important to understand something about what makes them tick. Probably, as the dog matures, if you socialize it thoroughly and get it use to all kinds of things in a proper and non overwhelming way, he'll become a little more tolerant with human error, but certain human behaviors need to be avoided regardless of what kind of dog or what kind of conditioning they've had. They still are instinctual creatures, even though domesticated. If you don't like my direct approach, there's nothing I can do about it. That's my way of explaining things and I know what I'm talking about here. You can take it or leave it, learn something or not. That's entirely up to you. People here were only trying to help teach you something because you asked. Indeed, puppies are difficult, but if you hit your dog, you'll ruin him. Okay, you obviously didn't follow my trials. If I would've read a little something... Try about 1000 articles and lots of help from CT. And who said I didn't want to be informed, I just didn't like the way it was presented to me. Put away the victim role? I surely hope you're joking. Being bitten in the face, sorry, it hurt. Next time I won't ask any questions if that'll make you happy. And I'll take your advice, I don't like your nasty way of assuming I'm an idiot and that I did no research and I don't want to learn anything. I didn't know that a little blow would make him go all nuts and bite me in the face, sorry. So I think I'll take your advice and just ignore what you said. People like THIS is why I get defensive. They could tell me things in a nice manner that would actually help me instead of a whole paragraph of, TRY AND LEARN A LITTLE SOMETHING ABOUT PUPPY BEHAVIOR AND I DON'T SYMPATHIZE. I don't like to be treated like I'm an ignorant fool who didn't do any research. Good lord.... :mad: And by the way, Purr I wasn't being defensive. I was just wondering if MY age made a difference. Didn't mean for it to sound defensive. Answer: Big Dog, my pup is 5 months old and has only been with me for a week now. Sometimes I forget that she's only a puppy and may not always kiss me. A few times she tried to nip my chin instead of a kiss so now I'm very careful. For some reason, I have noticed with the dogs I've owned, that blowing in their face makes them react. I stopped that after the first time I did it since I didn't want to put either of us in a situation we didn't want to be in. Rocky is a cutie and I think we all learn from our experiences. Kona say "hi" Answer: Try about 1000 articles and lots of help from CT. OK...so out of 1000 articles, you never came across anything about canine behavior regarding this body language you presented to your dog, how he might interpret that? Was there nothing there about hitting your dog and how ineffective that is? Hey, eveyone makes mistakes with their dogs. I certainly have. No one is blaming you. People are just trying to explain what happened to cause your dog to react that way so that it won't happen again. I'm sorry you got your face bitten. That does hurt. I know. I received a serious dog bite from a strange dog once that sent me to a plastic surgeon who gave me numerous stiches in places where my face was torn off in addition to many puncture wounds all over my throat, face, wrists and forarms. When I read your post about blowing in your dogs face, I reacted strongly because I know just how serious a dog bite can be. Sometimes I need to make a strong reaction to someone when I think that something might not be getting through. I felt like you were becoming bogged down with the so called, nasty way it was all presented to you and not really focusing on the important and real issue at hand. If you don't want to be treated like an "ignorant foo who didn't do any research," then why did you get so defensive and ornery, instead of simply thanking people for explaining to you why blowing in a dog's face might cause him to react in the way he did and letting the rest of it go? Good luck with your research. I do hope everything will turn out OK for you and your dog as the time goes by. There's nothing like good information from experienced people and books in helping raise a good dog. Answer: BigDog---I know you're working with Rocky. I read he knows lay down! Puppies are very, very hard. Out of my three we had one of them as a puppy. The housetraining, trying to prevent her from chewing on things....it was very hard. Hitting him was a reaction. That's how humans react. "Hey, that hurt!" we have our arms to defend ourselves with. Dogs have their mouths. When Rocky bit you, he was telling you, "That's annoying. Quit it!" It was bad of him, but is was a common dog reaction. Answer: Okay, you obviously didn't follow my trials. Does that make a difference? If I would've read a little something... Try about 1000 articles and lots of help from CT. And, none of those articles said anything about not hitting your dog, and not making him feel threatened? And who said I didn't want to be informed, I just didn't like the way it was presented to me. The way it was presented to you? We were honest and to the point. Put away the victim role? I surely hope you're joking. Being bitten in the face, sorry, it hurt. Next time I won't ask any questions if that'll make you happy. No, she wasn't joking. And, she's right, I have to add. Sure, being bitten hurts. It goes away. Nobody said you shouldn't ask questions. Just don't get insulted by the answers you get. And I'll take your advice, I don't like your nasty way of assuming I'm an idiot and that I did no research and I don't want to learn anything. I didn't know that a little blow would make him go all nuts and bite me in the face, sorry. So I think I'll take your advice and just ignore what you said. Her "nasty way of assuming you're an idiot"? She wasn't being nasty. And, she never said you were an idiot. "Ignore what she said"? Do you know how long this woman has trained dogs? I'd say 45 years, or there abouts. She knows what she's talking about. Got any idea how many times she's had to help me with my own dogs? Plenty. And her advice is always good. People like THIS is why I get defensive. They could tell me things in a nice manner that would actually help me instead of a whole paragraph of, TRY AND LEARN A LITTLE SOMETHING ABOUT PUPPY BEHAVIOR AND I DON'T SYMPATHIZE. I don't like to be treated like I'm an ignorant fool who didn't do any research. A nice manner, eh? So, basically, you want us to "sugar coat" what we say for you? Good lord.... :mad: We've been trying tell you a little something. And, all you've done so far is say we're nasty rude people. And by the way, Purr I wasn't being defensive. I was just wondering if MY age made a difference. Didn't mean for it to sound defensive. :rolleyes: Oh, and one last thing, YAY CARRIE! Answer: Gee whiz! I take forever to write a post!! Answer: Thanks Purr. I have been working with animals for pretty long. (we won't talk about age here. LOL) BUT, I still make mistakes. There's no one here who doesn't. I don't care how experienced someone is. I made a mistake in trying to save a dog who was in a grave situation. I knew better, than to go about it in the way that I did, but my reflexes made me do it. (or the devil made me do it) And that's when I got bitten. There are also different schools of thought and different methods for training. Whatever works without harshness to an animal is OK. We all have our opinions or ways of doing things. Some are 100% positive trainers, some use a lot of correction and compulsion and some are somewhere between, maybe leaning more strongly to one end of the spectrum or the other. Forums are a place to discuss things, question things and get some answers. Most here try to help out by relating information from their own, personal experiences with their dogs. And that's a good thing. A person can take the information they receive with a grain of salt and do more of their own research to help form their own opinions. I'm better with animals than I am with people I guess. How I talk to my dogs sometimes: I'm idiotically affectionate and goofy with them at times. But I also tell them, "Oh...so you want to live? Ok....well, here's how it's going to be..." I'm very direct with dogs and horses. Horses are the epitome of give and inch, take a mile. Only they take 50 miles for every inch. There's no foolin' around. That doesn't mean harshness or roughness. Absolutely never. And it doesn't mean no affection. On the contrary....I can't keep from lovin' up my animals in the worst way....embarrassing sometimes. But I am direct and try to make it simple. So there's not a lot of gobbely gook in there. And that's the only way I know how to get an idea across at times. But aside from the Internet, I've never been told I was a meanie. (except by my kids) LOL. I think most people think I'm a softy actually. (hard to believe, huh) Answer: Guys, it's not fair to expect a youngster to react like an adult - whether it's a two legged pup or a four legged pup. And thanks, Gaddy, for your post there. :) BigDoggy knows that hitting Rocky doesn't help, that's why he feels so mortified about it. I'd much rather someone feel safe in being able to tell us when they've made a mistake and get some help and support to find ways to deal with situations the next time. Hitting after you've been bitten - especially when you're just a pup yourself - is as natural and instinctive as nipping because someone's blowing in your face! And it's just a matter of finding other behaviours to take the place of that instinctive reaction. This is a kid who has worried and fretted and researched and read ever since he first found out he was going to get a dog! A lot more responsible than most adults in the same situation. This is the kind of kid you absolutely cut some slack. Believe me, he's trying much harder to do a good job of raising Rocky than 95% of the dog owning population. These two will grow up together and will test each other and make mistakes together - no relationship with another being is ever perfect. Rocky's going to do things that make BigDoggy crazy, and BigDoggy's going to do things that will make Rocky say "HUH?" from time to time. That's just the way it is. Discouraging him just isn't going to accomplish anything. You train your dogs by positive reinforcement, don't you? To paraphrase Emma - CreatureTeacher's motto: don't do something to a kid you wouldn't do to your dog. ;) Answer: Thanks Renee. That's a good post. I, for one had no idea this was a little child. Helping a child to become stronger and better at something, though, requires pointing things out. Positive reinforcement is a good thing, yes. But, human beings are smarter than dogs and if we take the attitude that it's OK to push away help or reinforce that reluctance, then we're reinforcing a non-learning enviornment. My children that I raised are grown now and have grown into adults who know that they are the only ones responsible for their lives. They understand that their attitudes toward things is up to them, that they control their own destiny....no one else does. And that didn't come from cutting them any slack. But, off my soap box. Sorry about offending anyone. Answer: My Mom didn't cut me any slack either. I'm just now beginning to be able to accept that I'm NOT responsible for everything. Kids - and adults for that matter - need to know that they have a safe place to come when they've made an honest mistake where people will help them figure out a better way to handle situations. Answer: You're right about that. They do need a safe place to get honest help. Answer: Does that make a difference? And, none of those articles said anything about not hitting your dog, and not making him feel threatened? The way it was presented to you? We were honest and to the point. No, she wasn't joking. And, she's right, I have to add. Sure, being bitten hurts. It goes away. Nobody said you shouldn't ask questions. Just don't get insulted by the answers you get. Her "nasty way of assuming you're an idiot"? She wasn't being nasty. And, she never said you were an idiot. "Ignore what she said"? Do you know how long this woman has trained dogs? I'd say 45 years, or there abouts. She knows what she's talking about. Got any idea how many times she's had to help me with my own dogs? Plenty. And her advice is always good. A nice manner, eh? So, basically, you want us to "sugar coat" what we say for you? We've been trying tell you a little something. And, all you've done so far is say we're nasty rude people. :rolleyes: Oh, and one last thing, YAY CARRIE! Yes, Purr it does make a difference because she said, "If he would've actually done some research" when everyone who HAS been following my trials knows I've been doing more than enough research. And yes, I read things about not hitting your dog and such. And every time I do it, I am extremely sorry for it because I believe every time I hit him, it takes a little love away. That's why I come to this forum for help. Renee and CT especially are extremely nice and helpful and I can always count on them to help me when I'm in need of training Rocky. Doberluv, I appreciate your help and I've noticed your strict and direct manner. But that's not the way I like to take things and I refuse to take it that way. Yes, I'm stubborn (just like Rocky :D ). I already have a rough life as it is. I don't think I've ever been cut some slack in my whole life. My dad is working 95% of the time. My mom passed away when I was very small and I'm basically home alone most of the time with Rocky to keep me company. My dad relies on me to take care of the house, clean after it, take care of Rocky, clean after him, house/obedience train him, and do good in school. So, there you go. Lesson learned, don't blow in his face. Answer: I thought you were probably carrying a big load, even though you haven't complained or even mentioned it before. Owning up to mistakes when you make them and asking for help is a mark of real maturity. We hear from so many who don't really want to learn, unlike you, and it's easy sometimes to jump to conclusions, which isn't fair. You just keep trying and learning and you and Rocky will be fine. I'd bet a lot that anyone would be proud to call you "son!" Answer: Yes, Purr it does make a difference because she said, "If he would've actually done some research" when everyone who HAS been following my trials knows I've been doing more than enough research. Without a doubt. You sound like a smart kid, and I was never trying to imply that you're stupid. On the contrary, I think you're very devoted to your puppy. Believe me, even though I've never hit a dog, I've made plenty of mistakes of my own :rolleyes: And yes, I read things about not hitting your dog and such. And every time I do it, I am extremely sorry for it because I believe every time I hit him, it takes a little love away. That's why I come to this forum for help. Renee and CT especially are extremely nice and helpful and I can always count on them to help me when I'm in need of training Rocky. Just the fact that you can regret it means something to me. All of us are here to help you out if you need it (we're just kind of blatant). Yes, I'm stubborn (just like Rocky :D ). Like daddy, like son :p . My dad is working 95% of the time. My mom passed away when I was very small and I'm basically home alone most of the time with Rocky to keep me company. My dad relies on me to take care of the house, clean after it, take care of Rocky, clean after him, house/obedience train him, and do good in school. I'm sorry :( . Answer: At least you're not one of those irresponsible, jerky kids, who throw the poor puppy outside after they're bored with it....that pisses me off. No, BigDog, I actually think you're very mature. Answer: Hey Big.....I'm in your corner. As always I am with you...these babies are not easy. Just wanted you to know.. now, life with a puppy is never easy. I LOVE that you try so hard...make mistakes like all of us (geez, me especially!!) hang in there...keep coming here for support. Don't take negatives to your heart. We're here to help, as always. OH Bigdoggydaddy.......you're so sweet, and good. Rocky needs a little constructive criticism sometimes.......not the end of the world. HUGS to you, my buddy. Naw, hitting doesn't really help.....but hey....none of us are perfect. You are doing the best you can and I admire you for it. Just keep trying CT's pointers...she is the best. :) Answer: Oh yeah, puppies are so hard. It is all trial and error too, especially on your first one. Brady was so hard when he was a puppy, but then once your dog gets about a year old and you take him to the creek and he comes back when you call and the other two dogs you are with are killing a snake, even though you are dog sitting for them and trying to keep them out of trouble, it is so worth it to know your dog listens to you (most of the time anyway). They are hard at first, but I would imagine your first child is pretty tough too. The things in life that are the hardest reap the best rewards. When Rocky gets older, he will be a GREAT dog. He will be so loyal and loving to you, you will see how much you are rewarded for the hard work you put in during the puppy years. Answer: we all learn from our mistakes. People who make statements that sound so blunt...THEY also learned from THEIR mistakes....and moved on. They want to help, but sometimes it sounds like it's toooooo blunt. They don't mean it, in their way they just want to help. AGAIN..we're always with you.....always. Nobody here was born with intensive dog knowledge. It's a learning process......one I hope we can take with you. Rocky is a wild child......in the end, you two are gonna be such best friends. Answer: I don't hold anything against you, BigDog. Puppies are veeeery hard. It's a relief once they're trained and don't chew everything and anything to bits. And you just reacted the way humans do. Sometimes it's hard to realize that animals react differently that humans do, and that they don't understand things as well as we do. Answer: we all learn from our mistakes. People who make statements that sound so blunt...THEY also learned from THEIR mistakes....and moved on. They want to help, but sometimes it sounds like it's toooooo blunt. They don't mean it, in their way they just want to help. AGAIN..we're always with you.....always. Nobody here was born with intensive dog knowledge. It's a learning process......one I hope we can take with you. Rocky is a wild child......in the end, you two are gonna be such best friends. Yes, Big, I'd just like to apologize to you for being so "blunt". Rocky's gonna be a terrific dog, and I think you're a pretty terrific dog owner ;). I've probably made more mistakes than you ever will. And, I'd like you to know, also, as Debi has said, that we're always here to help you and support you in any way we can :D I'm just hoping you can forgive my "bluntness"?? I'll try not to be so blunt in the future :D Answer: Thanks everyone... :) Answer: I remember once when I was riding my horse and she wasn't doing anything right. I was SO mad because it was all stuff she knew. Then I got off and realized I'd crossed the reins when I saddled her up. No wonder she wasn't getting anything! I felt so bad. So, yes, we all know what it's like to make mistakes. :D Answer: Alright, then. I guess according to you and Rose's Gal, this is completely resolved. I deserved what I got, a nice cut on the face and I shouldn't have blown in his face. And everyone and everything should be careful to stay away and make sure nothing gets near his face. Maybe I should rap a bubble around his face so nothing can get near it. Does that sound good to you, honey? Oh and Rose's Gal, breathing in his face is basically what I did. accept intentionally. I didn't puff up my cheeks and blow out as much air as I could. That's funny, but a blow and a breath are quite different... and to directly quote you on your first post "and I blew on his face a couple of times. " (smart@$$) Answer: What the hell? I just went through this with so many other people. Thanks for going through all the posts and seeing if it's been resolved. Show's how smart YOU are. I blew, but it would've been the same if I had breathed on him. It's not like I puffed up my cheeks and blew with all my might. I did it very sofly, LIKE THAT OF A BREATH! You're such a nice person for calling me a "Smart @$$". I've seen a lot of your posts around here and you seem to be a very, very unkind person. I'm not even going to argue with you with someone like you. God, I'm pissed. :mad: :mad: :mad: Answer: Aw, c'mon, Big, don't take it personal! I believe Eli was calling herself a smartass, not you. Eli, it has been resolved, and there is no need to make waves where there are none. Thank you. Answer: Yes... I was smarting off (like usual :( ) Glad to see it's been resolved! No more blowing in Rocky's face and intimidating him into a reaction. He's a puppy and is learning. Good luck with Rocky! :) Answer: I've seen a lot of your posts around here and you seem to be a very, very unkind person. : I think that is a bit uncalled for!!! Not being horrid, but personal attacks on people are not good! Especially when they're just trying to help and bring a bit of humour to a tense situation! :( Glad the situation has been resolved! Gus hates being breathed/blown on and he snaps! It was once very close to my face and he immediatley looked guilty afterwards! Answer: Big....be big, listen and learn and you will be a great owner, and Rocky a wonderful dog. I'd love to still be around in 10 years to hear what a wonderful relationship you've both had. I'd love to be able to kiss your boo-boo ( on your face and in your heart). No one here means to be mean. Just like you and Rocky, both giving knee jerk reactions ....keep in touch with us, we mean well. Answer: Just thought you might find this site helpful as well for you and Rocky. It is a breed specific group on GSD's and has been very insightful and helpful to me. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GSExcellence/ Answer: Just as an addition to this thread, I blow in my dogs faces all the time & they LOVE it. (I noticed that side of it hadn't been said). Now I'd never do that to a strange dog cause I've seen them snap at peoples faces for that too many times, playing & aggressivly, but my dogs are wierd anyway. Ty will jump up on the couch & get right in my face & start licking the air as if I were blowing in his face-he's wanting me to. When I do he goes CRAZY-lol. I've been bit by Princess before but it wasn't either of our faults-she was outside playing with Ty & got hung up in her cable (I put them each on seperate cables just close enough to reach each other barely but not close enough for their cables to get tangled - we live in a subdivision that doesn't let dogs off a leash-like I would in town near the hwy anyway, and doesn't allow fences. Ty's cable-supposedly 200lb strength-broke and he went straight for her to play, long story short they got tangled). I immediatley panicked trying to figure out how to get her loose, the only thing I could do was to untangle it from her leg (I could have got something to cut it but it would've taken to long to run to the front of the house to the garage - FIND them then run back). I know even though it only took a few seconds to get it off it hurt her so bad & once she snipped at the cable wanting it off her & caught me on my hand instead. The whole time I kept telling her to bite me if she had to cause I knew it hurt that I wouldn't care as long as I got that cable off her. I know she felt bad for biting me but I also know she knew I was more worried with her being okay than her biting me. She also has a trick called "big hugs" where she hugs me, literally. It's gotten to the point she has to hug everyone who comes through the front door. She also likes to be carried like a kid. I was huging her one day and when I stopped she jumped straight up like she was trying to jump into my arms. I picked her up like a child - thinking it would be a one time thing but she liked it so much everytime she hugged she would jump to be picked up too. Occasionaly she would jump without looking where she was and would bust me right in the face with her head, HARD. That would make me soooo mad (& give me a bloody nose a time or 2) but I'd never hit her. I do a lot of pointing and scolding but never hitting (it's a pretty funny site really....I look like an old nag I'm sure!! lol) Either way, not all dogs are the same. Mine LOVE to play by blowing in their faces and Bigs don't. Now he know's not to blow and also to refrain from hitting. You learn by your mistakes...I think those are the best lessons in life. (did this story/post go anywhere or did I just write a book for nothing?? lol, I'm so sleepy I dont' think I made any sense??) Answer: Today, I was petting him and stuff and I blew on his face a couple of times. The last blow, he jumped up and bit ME IN THE FACE!!! I was so furious that, yes, I hit him. Is this normal? If you blow on a dogs face will it bite you in the face? I thought me n' Rocky were close... :( all our dogs (minus sophie) snap when we blow on their faces, ive hit buster a couple of times, but i no its my fault for starting it. hes just playing dont worry. Its a good way to get started if you wanna have a game Answer: What the hell? I just went through this with so many other people. Thanks for going through all the posts and seeing if it's been resolved. Show's how smart YOU are. I blew, but it would've been the same if I had breathed on him. It's not like I puffed up my cheeks and blew with all my might. I did it very sofly, LIKE THAT OF A BREATH! You're such a nice person for calling me a "Smart @$$". I've seen a lot of your posts around here and you seem to be a very, very unkind person. I'm not even going to argue with you with someone like you. God, I'm pissed. :mad: :mad: :mad: remeber, their quite sensitive, especially around their faces, its just a game Answer: Big, you'd crack up if you could watch Bear trying to eat the air that blows out of my vacuum! I didn't know a dog could feel threatened by it, either. I assumed Rocky was just playing with you. So there; we learned something new. Answer: Some dogs will see it as a game. Mine don't mind it either. I taught Chulita, one of my Chihuahuas a trick by lightly blowing in her face. I discovered that she didn't mind it and in fact seemed to see some humor in it. (plus, how much damage will a Chihuahua do to my face?) She would get all silly, wag and then put her head down a little and her paw over her face to scratch the itch it produced. Then she'd start bouncing around, like, "let's do it again." So, when she'd cover her face, I started saying the word, "shame." So, now when I say "shame" she puts her paw over her face, like she's embarrassed or ashamed. LOL. My point was that normally if you stick your face right up to a dog's face, that often is construed by the dog to be an aggressive act. A young puppy that you haven't had for that long, you don't know that well and is still learning your ways and visa versa...you need to be very cafeful about body language and things that you do to it. Once you know your dog very, very well and can see positively that something like that doesn't bother it, then fine. But one should make sure the dog does indeed find what we do, as humorous as we do. Answer: LOL Chulita!! OMG Doberluv, that's soo funny! I'd love to see that. Answer: In addition....this is the beauty of positive reinforcement training as opposed to yanking, jerking, slapping or otherwise causing pain or unpleasantness to your dog. You will have a dog who trusts you completely, has no inkling that you'll do anything to hurt him. This makes it easier when you want to do things to the dog which go against his nature. I can do procedures which are necessary to my Doberman which he finds unpleasant, but trusts me and does not object. For instance, Dremelling his nails with a noisy, electric tool which causes vibrations which rather bother him. I have expressed his anal glands myself by sticking my gloved finger up his anus. I have posted his ears for a lot of months and he'd hold perfectly still. I have brushed his teeth. The vet looked in his mouth yesterday at his lump in his cheek and turned his cheek all inside out and poked around in there, pressing on things and the dog was visably nervous, but not so worried that he tried to escape or bite the vet. My Lab got into a porcipine a couple of times and I pulled the quills out of her face, mouth, eyelids. She trusted that I was trying to help her and would hold still. I expressed absesses which were very painful. In working with horses, that's very important to have their trust because they're so big and strong that if they don't trust you, they can hurt you. There are all kinds of things you have to do to a horse to medically care for him and train him. etc.... So, I aim to retain the utmost trust from my animals. Sure, there are times when we get a little on the harsh side, but too many of those times and the trusting, close bond can be disrupted. Answer: Purr, you're not the only one who takes long to write a post. Yours wasn't there when I started writing that last one. Yes, Chulita is a crack up. She is so ready for a game....any attention and really has a sense of humor. LOL. |
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