Help with new Lurcher Pup

[irishboy 1]

Hi All

I have got my first lurcher and is 8 weeks old, i dont know what way she is bred but I know there is definitely bull in it, she is housed in a 12ft by 6ft run and has house in this and is let out about 4 times a day for about 30 minutes,my question is this, she goes a bit mental when left out which is fair enough but is a bit nippy especially with my 3 year old, nipping hands ankles etc, tries with me too but i tell her stop but she runs then,is this just immaturity and will she grow out of it, her mother was angelic with kids but lethal in the field,I need this dog to be good around kids.also what age do i start walking with a lead ?sorry for all the questions, i just want to do this right

 

rgds

 

IB

[hogdog 61]

It's perfectly normal for a pup. I just give them a tap on the nose accompanied by a loud NO! then ignore them. That normally works quite well, it might take a little time but she will stop. She will grow out of it anyway given time but it's annoying, especially as their teeth are so sharp at that age.

[hogdog 61]

You can start walking her about two weeks after her last jab if I remember correctly. that should be at about 12-13 weeks.

[irishboy 1]

thans Hogdog,cant wait till january for a few fields and have a look at some bunnys,hoping she calms a bit,

[Ideation 8,216]

The biting is perfectly natural in a pup as has been said. It is a means of them expressing themselves when they have few ways of doing so, also it is a form of play and learning that they would do with their litter mates and mum, which is what you have now become. You cant stop them doing it at that age, but can begin to put in place boundries i.e what is 'too far', and correct this with a tap and a 'no'. At this age they also really seek contact and so when you let her out she is probably really excited by you and the kid and so just wants to play play play. They also teathe and so will chew like little b*****ds anyway. . . . . .and then of course they practice their strike and grab (mine particularly like practicing on the terrier, my feet . . . .. the chickens). Like i said - all of this is natural and just needs boundrys put in place and a bit of care around kids when shes young. When they grow up a bit they chill out no end!

 

As for walking with a lead, as Hogdog says if you are taking her out in public then you should wait until after the final jabs (just to be safe), however in your garden etc the sooner the better. Last pup i picked up at 7.5 weeks and i put a collar and lead straight on it. . .. . . at that age they settle quick and within a few days he was walking on the lead like a pro and isnt bothered in one bit by it (in fact he likes it as he knows what it means!). If you wait too long you may be making life hard for yourself. At the start just try having a collar and lead on and sitting about playing with pup and then some small walks about the garden - she will soon be fine.

[steveS.Yorks 161]

Natural behaviour mate,sharp clip on the nose immediatly and problem should be over in a day or two,if not the dog has a mental problem,but its extremely rare.

[Guest deerhound hunter]

MY PUP IS A 5 AND HALF MONTH AND WHEN IVE GOT HIM OUT OUT ON THE BIKE RUNNING HE ALWAYS JUMPS UP AND BITES MY ANKLES ,BUT THATS JUST HE PREY DRIVE THATS NORMAL ,HE,LL GROW OUT OF IT....ATB ,.DH

[Top Lamper 2k10 169]

its normal mate they just get excited my brindle dog is 11 month and he still does i thunk its cannt funny coz when he does it to me i just shuv his head out the way then he comes running then jumps on my back and nearly nocks me on my arse they only do it coz they just get bored and want to play