I have an 8 week old black lab/pit bull mix named Rocky. A friend found him and 3 other pups locked in a cage in a house with bad conditions so we decided to take Rocky home. We've had him for about 2 weeks now and it was a great choice to take him. He can be such a love dog, but I have been having some issues with him. He likes to bite a bit (fingers, toes, pants, etc.) which is something I would like to stop early on. I know that part of it can be just puppy play but my main issue is, every time i tell him no or raise my voice in the slightest to scold him, he barks and even growls sometimes at me. I've known many pit bulls that were such sweet dogs, but it does concern me a little bit that he has that pit in him..i know they can be a bit stubborn. I plan on starting a puppy training course with him, but that will not start until he is at least 10 weeks old...and I would like to get control of this (or at least begin to) before then. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

Raising your voice may only invoke a sense of fear / aggression / danger in the pup. Try just changing your tone of voice to a more stern attitude. Also -get real close to his face, with your hand firmly but gently on top of his head. This lets him know you are indeed in control and the leader. You won't stop his chewing. You may be able to curtail it some, and try to direct it at an appropriate chew toy. Reinforce positive behavior. Redirect any bad behavior towards a more calming 'environment'. Seperate him from contact when he is really out of hand. Do it immediately but any more than 30-60 seconds and he won't remember why he got put out. Remember - at this stage of the game you are bigger, stronger and the boss. If he understands this early on it willstick with him. Also - know is the time to socialize him with other animals and people. Start getting him out to places like the pet store, parks, neighbors, kids. Good luck. Pits and pit mixes will always have some genetics that make them very loyal, loving and guarded. They can be aggressive. Proper training and socialization will counteract those genetics to a great degree. I love my pits. I'm glad I trained them early.

He may be a baby right now, but he isn't too young to start learning manners. I'd start making him work for his meals. Sit and wait until you tell him OK to start eating. Make him sit and wait at the door before you take him out for potty breaks. This will prevent problems later on, like bolting out of the door and into the street.

The biting is usually puppy play, but that doesn't mean you have to put up with it. When he puts his mouth on you, YELP. Give out a loud OUCH and push him away. That's what his litter mates or his mother would do. If you can't play nice, I won't play with you at all!

If he barks back at you when you reprimand him, try changing your tone of voice, and other tactics. Use a low tone, sort of like a growl. Keep your voice quiet, but firm. I'd avoid "getting in his face" unless the idea of being bitten in the face appeals to you. If he's still being cheeky, put a leash on him and make him do a few quick "SIT" exercises. This not only distracts him, but gives him more reason to respect you, and accept you as his leader.

Don't let him sleep with you, at least until he's learned some manners. Make him wait until you ask him before you allow him to join you on the furniture... if, indeed, you're allowing him on the furniture.

Last of all, make sure he's getting plenty of exercise. A tired, worn out puppy is a good puppy.

He is just being a puppy. Granted the constant chewing on you isn't fun. Been there. Some dogs are worse about it than others. If saying OUCH and shoving them away doesn't work {it didn't with mine} then try to take your fingers and press his upper lip into his teeth by pushing on the top sides of his snout. Just do it enough that he feels that it is uncomfortable. You can also pin him on his back and growl while you do it. He will get the idea.
As far as the talking back goes..so long as he does what you tell him I think it's alright to let him have his say. My dog does it all the time. It's comical, Sorta like a kid muttering when they don't want to do something but they still have do it anyway. I think it just shows personality.

Thank you everyone for the advice. It is greatly appreciated!

Vetgroomer - I don't think an eight week old puppy is going to bite anyone in the face if you are in control of his head as stated. This is a very well accepted technique. In the mind of the dog it is akin to any dominant behavior - mounting, licking, etc. It lets them know you are the dominant one / pack leader. I'm not saying this should be done with adult pit mixes. I'm not saying in certain situations with well-trained and behaved pits this can't be done, either. I think you have to know your pet very well and always be aware with any breed that they are animals and instinctive behavior ultimatley drives them.

Originally Posted by jwonbb

Vetgroomer - I don't think an eight week old puppy is going to bite anyone in the face if you are in control of his head as stated. This is a very well accepted technique. In the mind of the dog it is akin to any dominant behavior - mounting, licking, etc. It lets them know you are the dominant one / pack leader. I'm not saying this should be done with adult pit mixes. I'm not saying in certain situations with well-trained and behaved pits this can't be done, either. I think you have to know your pet very well and always be aware with any breed that they are animals and instinctive behavior ultimatley drives them.

It really depends on the puppy, now doesn't it? I've known eight week old puppies that would viciously attack. I even had one three DAY old puppy that would growl, curl her lips back, and show you her gums. If she'd been physically capable, she would have bitten. Yes, instinct does drive their behavior, but which drive is in play can vary by dog. And even if it's done in play, it's still a bite. I've learned the hard way to always protect my face, and I have the scars to prove it.

Licking is not a dominance behavior, in any case. It serves a couple of purposes. In puppies it's usually asking for food. In older dogs it a statement; I'm part of the family. I belong here. Or it's used as a calming signal; This is making me nervous. My motives are honorable. Let's calm down and relax.

It may be a "...very well accepted technique." in some circles. Not so much in others. Many people who once promoted this technique have rethought their position, and no longer use it. Remember, it was once a very well accepted technique to smack a puppy with a newspaper, rub their nose in their feces when they soiled the house, and "string them up" when they misbehaved.

Between eight and twelve weeks, a puppy is smack dab in the middle of the first fear/intimidation impact period. We can do a great deal of psychological damage to a puppy during this period. No matter how much we learn about dog behavior and psychological growth, we are not dogs. We cannot give all of the proper signals that a dominant dog uses. Our goal should be to educate a puppy in how to best adapt to living in human society, not go around trying to adapt our behavior to dog society. We don't do this to the other animals we live with. No one in their right mind would attempt something like this with a cat. Or a horse. Why do we do it with dogs?

I've been around a long time. I remember 50 years ago, before all of this "alpha dog dominance" theory came into play. And I remember that as a whole, dogs were much better behaved. People expected dogs to be dogs, and adapt to living with humans, not the other way around. And the dogs seemed to be much happier, well rounded, and better mannered. Gee, I wonder why.

Not only that, but how long does an eight week old puppy remain an eight week old puppy? A week. Then it's a nine week old puppy, followed by a ten week old puppy. Time passes quickly, and as it does, puppies change. They're learning fast, and most of what they learn lasts a lifetime.

Not to belabor the point - but licking is indeed a dominant behavior. It is saying "you are safe, you are part of the pack, you are accepted, it's all good, I am putting my scent on you...". The animal is giving the directive - and that's the point. Call it what you will.

A lot of us have been around a long time. I respect your opinion. You certainly don't have to accept mine.

Originally Posted by jwonbb

Not to belabor the point - but licking is indeed a dominant behavior. It is saying "you are safe, you are part of the pack, you are accepted, it's all good, I am putting my scent on you...". The animal is giving the directive - and that's the point. Call it what you will.

I guess that's why the lower members of the pack "kiss up" and not the other way around, huh. I've seen dominant dogs and wolves accept licking, but never have I seen one initiate it.

As we all know, different dogs have different personalities. Just like people. My goldenlab is a big lovebug. He would be in your lap all the time if he could. He wants you touching him in some way as much as he can get. He very seldom licks unless you have food on you somewhere. Every now and then he will give you a quick swipe of affection.
My blue heeler is a kisser. She loves to kiss(lick) you in the face and her tongue darts in and out like mad at the thought of getting to kiss you. She has always done this. Even at the vet everyone thanks her for her kisses. On the other hand she doesn't have the same need to have you petting on her.

I guess you haven't seen too much, then.

Flame on - I don't have time for this. Keep up the great grooming and your advice.

We've gotten away from the original post here, but for what it's worth, I must say that I agree with vetgroomer on this one.

I see licking as a calming, submissive, or affectionate jesture. It conveys respect and acceptance of being subordinate to the dog/person that is being licked. I've never seen a dominant dog lick with the intention of conveying its dominance over the "lickee".

With the exception of bitches licking their pups, which I don't really see as a dominance gesture either. Just a comforting, affectionate, one.

As for the idea of licking something to putting their scent on something, urine (or feces) is a much more effective tool for laying claim to something with scent.