My 9 week old male puppy bites! I know they all bite but I can't get him to stop even though I try to exchange him biting me for a chew toy....he keeps coming at the bottom of my slacks but also bites my ankles, legs, fingers...whatever he can find. I realize he is teething but what can I do to make him stop and bite his bones and chew toys instead of me! I do crate him now when he goes really crazy and will not stop and he does come out 5 minutes later calmer and in need of a wee....is that OK to do? Crate him for a few minutes to calm him? Thanks.
Re: Biting When he bites, yelp say 'no' in a firm voice, then stand up, turn your back and ignore him no matter how much he tries to get your attention. When he stops then continue to play. It might take a while, but he will get the message x
Re: Biting Yes, they all bite. I was amazed that I couldn't stop Molly, though my previous dog, a mongrel had learnt I didn't like it by yet time she was 10 weeks. I tried everything to stop Molly, but she eventually just grew out of it. They are destined to be big powerful dogs with big powerful jaws and I think that is how they learn to control them. It isn't fun while it lasts. I hated it.
Re: Biting Those teeth are so sharp, aren't they? He's not really teething right now - he's plain bitey. Biting is how they explore the world - mouth first. Plus it's fun - it gets a reaction. Well, fun for him, not fun for you! Time-outs for a few minutes when biting gets too hard are a good thing If you're also using a crate as a safe, positive den for you puppy try not to use it for time-outs too. Try to use the bathroom or laundry so the crate doesn't become a 'punishment' or naughty corner. Make sure you give him plenty of legal things to chew - filled Kongs, rawhide chews, bully sticks, toys... Keep going with your approach of giving him a chew instead of your hand But.... also reward him for gently mouthing (that is, having his teeth on your skin without hurting) so he learns that soft is ok. That is part of him learning how to use his mouth carefully and learning how to recognise the feel of and practise holding back with human skin. The reward can be treats or just the chance to keep playing with you. I know it's pretty hard to believe right now but it will get much much better Just see it as a short term, completely normal phase. It will pass!
Re: Biting Check out this thread: http://www.thelabradorforum.com/index.php?topic=1203.0 There are links to lots of Labrador Site articles on all things puppy, including several on biting
Re: Biting Tatze was a CRAZY crocodile at that age! If she went for trousers I stayed still and picked her up (treat always in pockets at the ready to lure her away from trouser tugging). If she went into loopy juice mode I took her out for a wee - it was often a sign. To calm down, time in crate with a kong. I had soft toys all over the place to shove in her mouth instead of my flesh! The 'yelp' from me and all play stops works too (eventually - it takes a while for the message to sink in, it certainly isn't an instant cure). It passes in a couple of weeks, fear not!
Re: Biting 9 weeks today.......and I'm in the same boat as you and I look like a pin cushion :! It's so difficult to ignore Maisie when she is going mad at my ankles/hands and pulling at my clothes. Sometimes, trying to open her jaw is really hard. I'm working on being very calm with her and say "gently" when she's sitting nicely with me and rewarding her. When she gets looney I tell her NO, stop what I'm doing and if possible walk away (not always easy with a pup handing on you!) and if she continues she goes in her crate! Now, if I could just get her to sleep past 5.30am................ 8)
Re: Biting [quote author=Debs link=topic=5770.msg73895#msg73895 date=1399293957] I'm working on being very calm with her and say "gently" when she's sitting nicely with me and rewarding her. When she gets looney I tell her NO, stop what I'm doing and if possible walk away (not always easy with a pup handing on you!) [/quote] I know! It's easier to distract her with something interesting and/or tasty then pick her up - if it's floor level biting. Then the yelp and crate can be used if she nips when you are holding/carrying/playing with her. Also - they need 'legitimate' loony times - I used a length of rope for her to chase, a tuggy and an old long sweeping brush (mistake that one, she still goes loopy when I get any brush out, hehe)
Re: Biting As frustrating as it is, as a trainer I would much rather meet a bitey puppy than one who doesn't mouth. Its often a signal to me that something else is wrong, either physically or with their temperament. I've only met a few pups like that and each time there have been issues further down the road - its purely anecdotal but still something I look for in a pup. Some pups respond to a gentle scruff shake (nothing too rough, just a scruff correction) but usually that just gets them going more since they see it as play. A firm NO BITE and immediate end to play works well for me ... if its general mouthing, not play biting, I substitute with a toy or chew. If the pup is hanging on to me, I break the bite with my finger in the back of the jaw, hold them firmly by the scruff and rump, and place them in the crate. Even a one minute time out is helpful. I also start teaching self-calming behaviors right away. Another thing that helps is the touch command. Put a treat between your fingers and hold your palm out, when the pup makes contact with your palm, give them a treat out of the other hand. They learn this very quickly! After 5 or 6 times you can take the treat out of your fingers and they should target your palm. Once they learn this, you can watch for an incoming bite and quickly present your palm with the verbal cue to touch (or target, or whatever you choose to call it.)
Re: Biting Yes - she loved water bottles but shredded them, so we put them in a tough old sock - it lasted a few days then another sock was needed
Re: Biting Thanks for all your advice. I DO understand that this is the way puppies try everything...my problem is turning around when he is biting my slacks and/or legs because he just comes around with me! Also, walking away doesn't work because he just things I'm playing and keeps nipping. I say NO in a loud voice....also have put him the crate for a while, also the chew toys and so on. Guess I'll just have to be patient and continue doing what I do and it will get better. What is the self calming behavior? I would love to learn that. Am also going to try the touch command. Will also try the rope for "loony" times. Debs, I also have to get up at 4:30 or 5:30 when he starts to fuss and I think he needs a wee but, after he does it (as also his business) I put him back in the sleeping crate I have in my bedroom and he complains a bit but at least gives me another hour and a half....if I'm lucky..... I just now picked him up when he was biting and he does stop when I hold him...thank goodness.... Again, thanks to all of you!
Re: Biting All the above great advice. Yelping by you, especialy good , he needs to know it hurts. This is quite hard to follow, but if you can keep as still as possible and not interact, he will know you dont want to play and get bored trying. Dont wave your arms or legs about ! It dosent go on forever at all, although its damn painful and seems like it will never stop. He will learn from you to mouth gently, and once he has all his big teeth, he will be much better. x
Re: Biting Sympathy from here, those puppy teeth are needle sharp! No more useful advice to give, but as you see you are not alone in this! Hang in there, keep doing the things you are doing, add some of these tips, and it WILL get better!
Re: Biting All great advice, I've nothing to add except that our lovely boy Pongo went through exactly the same - nearly drove me to distraction - but he completely stopped by about 14 weeks. Hang in there, you are doing everything right and he is going to be a lovely puppy!
Re: Biting Again, thanks to all of you for your advice. He is not biting now because he is asleep...ha, ha! But he is precious and will be a wonderful companion once he gets over all what puppies go through! You are all very kind to care.
Re: Biting [quote author=Yvonne link=topic=5770.msg74121#msg74121 date=1399331432] Again, thanks to all of you for your advice. He is not biting now because he is asleep... [/quote] Ah bless you,it's tough...we didn't get Dexter until he was past this stage,sometimes I feel a bit sorry that we missed the lovely 8 week old romping puppy stage and then i read through the young puppy posts and think I was probably quite lucky!Dexter was too,in our case he stayed with people who were a lot more competent than us for longer! Hang in there ,he'll bring you much more pleasure than pain x
Re: Biting Thanks so much....I know this too shall pass, as will housetraining, etc. I've only had him for 5 days so it is a bit overwhelming sometimes but he is a love when he wants to be and yes, he does all the romping and running around that you missed BUT he will be a great companion and partner in adventure.....Again, thanks a bunch....
Re: Biting I am looking at Pongo now. He is fast asleep and dreaming (chasing rabbits of course). He's a lovely big boy, very calm and sensible (when not going mental outside!) and he never, never, NEVER bites. A little bit snatchy for treats (see my latest post! ) but I'm sure he is going to grow out of that too. I can't believe he has only been with us 12 weeks, and that just a few weeks ago I was posting something identical to you.....and really wondering whether I'd be able to cope with it all. It was completely over-whelming in the first few days / weeks; even though I'd read everything and thought I was prepared, it was all much harder than I thought it would be. The puppy wasn't the problem - he was never a really bad pup - it was me....my tolerance levels were so much lower than I thought they'd be! Some days it felt like just surviving through to the night when we could put him to bed and then think 'tomorrow is another day'. So just a few weeks later and we've got this lovely labrador snoozing away. I think I'll go over and wake him up (poor boy) for a cuddle, before I get back to work. Enjoy the puppy days - despite the biting! - because they don't last long.... and take lots of photos! Have fun Rosie and sleepy Pongo
Re: Biting Rosie, was Pongo really crazy in the morning when you went down to him? Maisie (9 weeks) is so frenzied, snapping and biting, tail wagging like mad, it takes her ages to calm down, by which time I've been bitten and scratched. She then falls asleep while having a cuddle! :
