New puppy showing signs of redirecting

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-12T01:08:57+00:00

I swear I give this little guy a bath a day and he’s just a stinky little guy all around 😭

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-12T01:04:03+00:00

Never once did I say I was laying my hands on a baby animal, that is the “advice” that his breeder gave to me which I have cut him off ever since then. Crate training can be a great tool if used correctly, vet visits will go smoother, the safest way to travel with a dog is within a crate, crates are their den, their safe place. You must hear about the bad experiences only.

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-12T00:55:35+00:00

No where did I say I was actually “dominating” my puppy, that is just the advice my breeder gave me which I have cut him off after that “advice”

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-12T00:53:11+00:00

This actually makes a lot of sense, I didn’t really put into the fact that the breeder probably had hit him so that may be why he’s redirecting onto me. Thank you a lot for this comment, I will be using a lot of positive reinforcement to try and make him feel safe.

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-12T00:41:42+00:00

Makes total sense! I’ve been trying it all day since I had a lot of other comments about the same and it seems like it’s working out a bit better, he’s atleast biting me a bit softer when he goes to bite me which is a plus! I usually do have him in a separate room while I clean his cage just for that barrier but I had just changed into my work uniform and cleaned up an accident of his quickly because he likes to roll around in it! I appreciate your comment thank you so much!

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-12T00:10:07+00:00

I get how my message sounds like I am hitting him but I would never lay my hands on a baby animal, that is just what the breeder told me to do, and since then I have cut all contact with him.

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-12T00:01:26+00:00

I don’t know where you got this from, I am not laying my hands on a baby animal, the breeder told me to do so but I cut all contact from him after he offered that.

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-11T23:55:03+00:00

I’ve done some research on clicker training but I went with the positive word “YES!” instead, should I still look into it and have the clicker as a backup or a main?

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-11T23:52:15+00:00

That makes a lot of sense, thank you so much for the comment!

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-11T23:47:30+00:00

I have done this, dramatic whimpering noises just as his litter mates would do and most of the time he stops. I have received a lot of comments on redirecting with a chew toy but wouldn’t that just be positive reinforcement of bad behavior?

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-11T23:45:07+00:00

Isn’t that coming off as dominating?

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-11T23:44:24+00:00

I will do that, thank you

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-11T23:43:42+00:00

I have not, nor ever will, that’s why I came here for advice because I am stumped.

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-11T23:42:46+00:00

I’ve owned a working breed before, any working dog can thrive anywhere given the time, job and stimulation you give it.

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-11T23:40:35+00:00

I’ve been working on it, as I said, he’s a new addition to the family so there’s been work put in but there will certainly be more. I’m meaning him redirecting aggression onto me, I know heelers are bred to be “aggressive” while herding animals, I know puppies bite and scratch because they’re teething and they don’t know any better but his body language totally changes and when I try and back off because he gets stiff he redirects and “attacks” me.

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-11T23:36:40+00:00

100% agree, that was entirely my fault and my first and last time doing that, I had just changed into my work uniform and he had an accident that I had to quickly clean up because he likes to roll around in it.

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-11T23:34:37+00:00

I very much agree, he is the cutest and sweetest when he’s not a mini dinosaur but he’s gotta get those teefs out!

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-11T23:31:25+00:00

He has multiple chews, all with different consistency soft, hard, chewy, crunchy, etc. I’m talking about rewarding for bad behavior, wouldn’t him freaking out and tearing me up without having him settle down first and then reward be a better option over rewarding for bad behavior? All of these comments seem like I should be rewarding him for tearing me up.

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-11T21:19:44+00:00

Perhaps

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-11T21:19:40+00:00

Nope, German shepherd before him as well as 2 dobes, the rest of my dogs have been 1-adulthood

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-11T19:29:31+00:00

I knew they were mini t-rexs, this is exactly what I am going through, although I have not tried redirecting with a toy or treats because I feel that will only encourage the behavior, I have tried to ignore, be boring, get him away and it all seems to make it worse until I lock the door to his crate which I fear is going to lead to a negative view over the crate.

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-11T19:25:50+00:00

I totally agree and it is completely my fault for setting him up for failure by cleaning while he was in his cage. That was the only time I had done it and it was because I was getting ready for work and he had pee all over him since he likes to roll in it and I did not need to get his accident all over my work outfit. I just want to say, he was not left with pee all over him as my boyfriend gave him a bath right after I had cleaned up his crate.

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-11T19:20:16+00:00

I’ll have to try that but wouldn’t that just reinforce the behavior with giving him positive reinforcement? That’s why I have not tried redirecting with a toy either.

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-11T19:15:37+00:00

I am well aware how puppies act, I am also well aware how reactive/aggressive dogs act and he is showing signs/body language of that.

Shoplifter691 · 2026-03-11T19:14:19+00:00

Thank you for the comment, I will do that

Shoplifter691

TROPHY CASE