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I posted questions regarding mouthing and nipping on the puppy board, but no one ever answered. Hopefully, I'll have better luck here.

Two weeks ago, we adopted a 10 week (now going into 12th week) old German Shepherd/Doberman (we think) mix puppy. We've named him Sawyer. Ours is a two dog household, with the pup and an older (10 year) Corgi/Dachsund/Sheltie (?) mix female and the pup, who is male.

When we first brought Sawyer home, cuddling didn't seem to be a problem. Of course, puppies are full of energy, so the cuddling spells were short. Over the past week, he has reached a point where every time you pick him up and bring him onto the couch for a cuddle, he will nip and mouth almost the entire time you're holding him, and then immediately upon being put down, he urinates all over the floor. This has become his typical "panic response" for almost anything that scares him.

If I get on the floor, he'll toddle over and get into my lap, usually carrying his favorite toy. But when it's my idea to bring him on the couch, even if he's been asleep, it's panic time.

First, I'm wondering why a puppy would react this way. It makes me wonder what might have happened in his little life, you know? Of course, he can't tell me that, and chances are, neither can y'all, but I figure someone else is bound to have gone through something similar and have some suggestions on how to solve the problem, and rehabilitate this poor little guy into a lap dog....

>>I posted questions regarding mouthing and nipping on the puppy board, but no one ever answered. Hopefully, I'll have better luck here.
>>
>> Two weeks ago, we adopted a 10 week (now going into 12th week) old German Shepherd/Doberman (we think) mix puppy. We've named him Sawyer. Ours is a two dog household, with the pup and an older (10 year) Corgi/Dachsund/Sheltie (?) mix female and the pup, who is male.
>>
>> When we first brought Sawyer home, cuddling didn't seem to be a problem. Of course, puppies are full of energy, so the cuddling spells were short. Over the past week, he has reached a point where every time you pick him up and bring him onto the couch for a cuddle, he will nip and mouth almost the entire time you're holding him, and then immediately upon being put down, he urinates all over the floor. This has become his typical "panic response" for almost anything that scares him.
>>
>> If I get on the floor, he'll toddle over and get into my lap, usually carrying his favorite toy. But when it's my idea to bring him on the couch, even if he's been asleep, it's panic time.
>>
>> First, I'm wondering why a puppy would react this way. It makes me wonder what might have happened in his little life, you know? Of course, he can't tell me that, and chances are, neither can y'all, but I figure someone else is bound to have gone through something similar and have some suggestions on how to solve the problem, and rehabilitate this poor little guy into a lap dog....
>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

I can only suggest getting the help of an expert in person. This pup's reactions don't sound normal, and you're likely to need someone like a veterinary behavior specialist to examine him in person in order to figure out the best ways to help him. Sometimes you have a pup who is not sensitive enough in some ways and overly sensitive in others. That is a very hard pup to train. That's only one possibility. It's just not possible to figure out just what is going on with this pup online.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Thanks for your response. That definitely doesn't qualify as good news, I'm afraid, as we live in a very small town where not many things are available. I will speak with our vet, however, who is absolutely fantastic, and see if he has any suggestions. Thanks so much for your time, and I'll keep you posted!

The response your puppy is giving you is a bit atypical for a puppy. Definately have any medical issues ruled out. If the puppy is reacting to pain, the response would seem more appropriate unfortunately.

Yet, many puppies don't enjoy a good cuddle. It's a temperament thing and not necessarily anything more. My dogs are not and never will be "lap dogs" and if I were to force the issue with them the results may be similar. Yet, I intereact with both of them daily and they appreciate good scratches and rubs, being on my lap or right next to me on the sofa is not their way. It's possible one of the breeds your puppy is mixed with has such an independent nature that this would be normal for that breed.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

I just got one that looks just like yours!!!

They told me she was shepherd/rotti mix.