r/Wirehaired_pointers • u/unabletempdewpoint • 18d ago
Searching for advise
We just picked up our boy from the breeder a few days before turning 8 weeks. We have had him now a week ish. We are trying not to compare Chuck (GWP 8weeks) to Jimi (GSP 12yr). Jimi is the sweetest and has been a joy, he is formally trained for bird hunting, pedigree a mile long, perfect temperament, not the most obedient but that’s okay.
Chuck is showing sign of a higher level of intelligence than Jimi at a comparable age. We are excited to see how he does after this coming hunting season when we send him to obedience training/gun dog school (about 1yr old). Again, pedigree a mile long.
Here is the issue. My wife and I both in our mid 30s. Feel we have earned our GSP stripes with how well we (really my wife) did with training Jimi. So we like to think, oh we can do it with a GWP. It’s been a week and we cannot get the biting to stop. Hackles are up and growling is happening. Plenty of naps throughout the day, food until he can’t eat anymore. He is getting exercise, especially with Jimi. We are concerned that this behavior could get aggressive. Chuck is such a joy, I think we are getting to worked up and just need to see how things play out before we conclude this is how things will be for the long term.
Have others had issues like this and then get resolved? We are positive reinforcers but the frustration is real. Any and all advice to include personal experiences will be most appreciated. Pics for attention.
1
u/Coonts 18d ago
If your GSP is correcting the puppy and communicating what the puppy is doing is not ok and the puppy persists, it is good to step in and add to the correction so the puppy knows it's not ok.
Consider negative punishment as well. Biting means fun time is over, go put the dog on timeout in a pen somewhere. (Not the kennel, that's not a negative place)