My min pin is biting

Question
I have a 6 month min pin. We got him about 2 months ago. When we got him he had never been inside a house and never been handled by humans, so naturally he would run when we tried to pick him up. We have done nothing but try to love and spoil this puppy. But to this day he will  not come to anyone unless you chase him and catch him around the house. I cant house break him. When you try to pick him up he nips at you and last night he bit my boyfriend, me, my 7 year old son and my 2 year old son. And he wont walk on a leash. He just puts on his breaks and refuses. We were thinking of getting an older min pin that obeys really good to see if he would follow the ropes when she got here. I just need to know what to do before he seriously hurts someone.
Thank you
Terra

Answer
Terra, it's doubtful that getting another dog is going to solve this one's problems. If he had had no human contact until he was 4 months old, he may never fully 'come around.'

I would strongly suggest that you try and find a trainer/behaviorist in your area that can come to your house and help you with him. I also recommend that you stop chasing him when you want him to come to you and he refuses. Why are you trying to pick him up? If he doesn't like it, then don't do it right now. It sounds as if he does not yet trust you, so you need to work on building a relationship with him before you subject him to things he doesn't like. If he doesn't trust you, of COURSE he's going to lash out when he is frightened or doesn't understand what you are doing to him.

Let him drag the leash around when he's in the house and you're there to watch (in case it gets tangled or whatever). This will get him used to the leash being there, and it will also give you a way to get him without having to chase him. Just walk over and pick up the end of the leash.


You need to teach him some basic commands, once he's used to wearing the leash. However, you can begin teaching him to come when called right now, using treats and a happy voice. Will he follow you around? If so, use that to your advantage. As he's following you around, tell him "Come on, good boy! Come!" and drop a treat every now and then (or give it to him if he'll come up and take it). Then you can try giving him the command when you're sitting on the floor and he's a few feet away. PRAISE him if he obeys, and give him treats when he gets to you! If he doesn't obey, then use the leash to >>gently<< tug, tug, tug him towards you, and then praise him when you get him over to you.

It's going to take a LOT of work, time, and patience with him, because of his lack of human contact during his younger days. A trainer should be able to help immensely.