You can not buy a dog for someone else's sake.
You must love dogs to get one.
Because when you set your alarm for 2 AM to let the dog out in order to hasten the process of housebreaking and you end up cleaning a bowel movement, you are going to need that love.
That love is going to be tested when the puppy starts teething.
On you.
On your children.
The dog lovers use the term mouthing.
But those of us who have been on the receiving end of sharp teeth know it as biting.
And it hurts.
I have been reading a ton of books on dog training, watching a training video and visiting dog training websites to see how to cure our baby alligator and assimilate him into our non-biting family.
A few suggestions were:
-roll the dog over on to its back, pin it down until it stops struggling and submits.
-roll it over while growling at it.
-put the dog in time out
-walk away from the dog (deprive him of your company for a few minutes)
-say 'no' hand him a chew toy and when he chews on it say: good boy.
-hold his mouth shut and say: 'no bite.'
-freeze a wet wash cloth and let him chew on it to numb his irritated gums.
-stick your thumb under his tongue and hold his mouth firmly while saying 'no bite.'
-yell in a high pitched yelp: Owww! (mimicking the sound of another puppy which is how puppies supposedly learn bite inhibition in its pack)
I did all of them.
Nothing worked.
We were officially being terrorized by a 14 lb. 3-month-old-English Bulldog.
So I decided to consult an animal behaviorist.
Bark Busters--a franchise company that trains owners and their pets--guarantees their work.
The price? $525.00.
I was not that desperate.
There was one more thing I had not tried and it was the use of a throw can.
A throw can is not a can you actually throw.
It is an empty beer can that you fill with rocks or coins and tape shut.
Apparently puppies hate the sound that it makes when you shake it.
I did not know this.
Now when Pax puts is teeth on anyone I say 'no' while shaking the can.
It works.
Gone is the intimidating pet and in its place is our sweet little puppy.
12 days later I now love this dog.
That was definitely one can of beer put to good use.