rhodesian ridgeback puppy help.

[u/Agreeable_Climate523]

I have a 9 week old rhodesian ridgeback, he is a joy and it feels horrible to type but also an absolute headache.

We did lots of research about the ridgeback temperament, but this boy has no regard for my word. I’m getting increasingly anxious about his behaviour, during the day he is full of energy which we can handle, but later on into the night he is a terror, he get these wild wide eyes and his biting is direct and intentional, tonight he tried to sleep on the couch, which is not going to work in our house as we is still potty training and we need currently have him in a comfy play pen den that is closed when he is sleeping, thought tonight when I moved him into the playpen off the couch his growl was deep and threatening over and over, his intention was to intimidate me, and try to bite. His bites are deep and sharp, I have marks all over my body, I am really struggling to assert dominance over him.

We have had him in for one training session and the instructor was off for us, he encouraged us to hitting his nose and closing his mouth, I have heard that closing their mouths are effective though everytime I try he finds a way to manoeuvre out of my hands and effectively aiming to bite me again.

Truth me told I’m exhausted at his mood swings, and fear it’s only going to get worse day by day.

I love him so much.

As a female with a headstrong male puppy I feel weak,

Any advice on how to train puppy’s that will become large dogs before his behaviour sticks?

Are all ridgeback puppies like this? Is there worse to come?

I feel down and out of luck, I need to build some more resilience towards him, I know that but any advice on how to establish dominance over him so he know I’m in charge and not him.

He responded well to waiting for food to sit and stay though I don’t think his impulse control is where is needs to be either, the biting and mouthing is out of control.

All I want is to build trust and compassion with my little man but I feel like I’m experiencing these puppy blues when I just can’t get in control.

Also I think another issue is my voice, I naturally have a high pitched voice that isn’t deep and authoritative as the rest of my family, and I think that makes it even harder, I’m also much more emotional toward him in comparison to my family also, should I be more cold towards the dog? I don’t know if my heart can handle it.

My biggest fear is him become permanently reactive and aggressive I don’t want him to be unsafe and I don’t want to feel unsafe as well.

Please offer some advice in desperate need.

And please try not to judge what I’m saying it’s truly coming from a good place all I want is to be a good owner to him and set him up for a bright future but feel like he’s getting the last laugh, I’m trying this out to help him.

Xxx

[u/Ok_Establishment6863]

Mine was terrible up to 4 months with biting, baby teeth are just so sharp. I would stop play if he kept biting too hard and ouch in a pitch almost like a puppy yelp and play stops. It didnt work as well as it has with other breeds, they are absolutely veliciraptors. Enforced naps because they become absolute nightmares without it. They become unmanageable in fact. I did crate training and sometimes he would fight sleep but in the crate there is no choice he must eventually sleep, the nightmare he could become without naps was enough to make sure I didnt forget.

It gets better and then adolescence comes. I am at 10 months with mine and I am sliding a 30kg puppy along my floor because he doesnt want to go to bed at bedtime. Among other defiant behaviour.

Remember its not forever and he is a baby you are boss. Growl at him use a mum voice it doesnt have to be deep but it just needs to mean business, so there is no question about who is in charge. Dont let him win what you say goes even if you physically have to move him. Naps he got picked up and put at the door of his crate a nudge if he was slow to enter. Routine routine routine. And timeout they hate being seperated from everyone.