puppy pre-school is one of the best things you can do for you and your pup. The pup needs to constantly be supervised and if nipping, say no and offer a nice chew toy. Keep on a lead in the house and keep pup with you always. If going for the toes, pant leg etc, just hold the leash away from your body so they cannot reach you.Play and tire him out. Crate when you cannot supervise. A well exercised dog is a well behaved dog. The pup nipping/chewing is normal but you still need to teach "no". They are very smart and learn fast. They want to please so praise galore and give treats for "not" nipping/chewing and nice play. Very hard work but so worth the effort if you are 100% consistant. This breed does at times march to their own drum, so set the boundries right in the beginning.
There is nothing to learn fron shaking a can or scruffing the neck, kind of cruel for a pup IMO.

We were originally on the Natural Balance Ultra Premium and we were having some diarrhea issues, we switched to the Natural Balance Venison & Sweet Potato and all better! So maybe just try that, good luck! (I know it can be frustrating, we were eating ground beef and rice for like 2 weeks!)

I found (with eight dogs) that their stools were all soft on that brand. I switched to Taste of The Wil, Smoked Salmon, and their stools firmed right up. Also their coats are so soft too, they do great on it.

It's something to do with herding I think Lola did that as a baby and swtill does it, sometimes she just goes crazy with biting you feet, it's annoying to say at the least. She was worse as a small puppy, she is only 17 month sold now, and I just don't get her to worked up, and when she does bite, i yell ouch really loudly and then swtep away from her and ignore her, which she doesn't like, and then go back to her in a few minutes and play more calmly.

Maxine does that once in a while. She's six months old so I excuse it by thinking it's a puppy thing but I know it can get worst if not addressed properly. She gets so excited and out of control every time someone comes over. She does settle down after a bit but it takes all the energy I have to get her to settle.
She's worst with other dogs. We have a friend who brings their Labrador over every once in a while and Maxine will keep chasing and jumping at her. There is no viciousness and no barking, growling or anything but she just keeps going after the other dog.
I guess I'm trying to say you're not alone and try and make you feel better. I'd be interested in this post also to see if anyone can help us both.



[This is an older pictur. I should take some new ones ]

venison and sweet potato. Thanks Sue.

may not be the Natural Balance (I assume you just erred on the name) but rather the lamb variety you are giving. Many dogs do not do well on lamb. NB is a great food. You could try the fish and sweet potato. It's grain free and fish is tolerated well by most pups and dogs.



Sue

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I will definitely try the bottle thing. Good idea.

squirt him with a spray bottle everytime he does it!

Rhiann, Samson, Mia, & Oy
RIP KARMA

I bought tons of toy so that he have lots of alternative to chew on.

if little teeth are coming in, fill a plastic soada bottle with orange juice, or cranberry, or a flavor that will intrest puppy, freeze it solid, the coldnest will sooth gums, the flavor will occupy him, as for a good scruff mommy dog does it to let the puppy know enough is enough gone to far, that hurts or is dangerous, wilson almost made me fall down 4 flights of stairs because of feet biting, and yes a good scruff and yell that hurts stopped him, does he lose control once in a while yes, but when i say that hurts he stops right away.
as said early they march to their own beat, and they have a very high tolerance for pain, and i guess they think we do too.