No Bite!
Puppies play with other puppies by biting each other! It is a very natural thing to do. It can be very confusing to a pup if you scold him for playing the only way he knows how, and then encourage him to play again.
I have taught puppies and stray dogs to stop nipping and biting "people" by doing what "mom dog" and "littermates" do. Next time he bites or nips you "yelp" in a noticeably loud and high-pitched voice. Usually, the pup will look at you kind of funny, like he doesn't understand, and then proceed to bite you again. This time you "yelp" louder and in a very high pitch, maybe jumping back at the same time as if you're really hurt. Whenever you do this technique, you must always immediately furnish an appropriate chew toy for him to bite and play with. After a half dozen times of this, the pup usually gets the message. But, he is still a puppy, and he will "forget" next time he wants to play and bite again (after all, that's the only way he's played for his whole life!) It will take a week or two until this pup finally "gets it." Some learn much faster, and others more slowly, but this technique has never failed me as long as every person is consistent. That means every time the pup bites, "yelp!" Tell children and visitors to do the same. (Yes, really tell them to do the same, and make sure they do it; maybe they'll learn something in the process). If your puppy or dog reacts in a frightened manner of your yelping, then try it again in a softer, less frightening manner. You do not want to frighten the dog, only let it know that biting too hard hurts.
As the pup gets older, if he is not 99% reliable not to bite, after you "yelp," put your hand over his muzzle gently but firmly (sometimes referred to as a nose-hug) immediately after you yelp and when you say "No Bite!" Then immediately give him a chew toy and say "Good Bite!" You always want to end a lesson being taught with praise, that way, your dog will be more willing to learn. This will also teach your dog to go get a chew toy when he gets so excited that he just must bite something.
If these methods fail to work another option you have is to get up, turn your back to your dog and walk away whenever he bites or nips you. No reprimand, no emotion, simply turn your back to your dog immediately after he bites you (the *first* time) and walk away. After about 10 minutes, approach him again. Be sure that you are praising him when he is biting appropriate things and not you. This will teach your dog that he will not receive the attention he desires unless he behaves appropriately.
But if none of these things work? The problem you are experiencing is one of the hardest solutions to describe via the Internet that I have come across. That is because, if the old standby's (yelping and no bite, and walking away) don't work, then the problem is usually based on a lack of communication in general: Meaning, the dog does not understand what you are trying to communicate, so it becomes frustrated at your attempts at getting it to stop biting and in its frustration, bites more. This can actually make the problem worse.
The first thing to look at is if your dog is getting enough physical and mental stimulation on a daily basis. Your puppy or dog should be able to be off-lead (off-leash), running around quite a bit to expend some of energy. Depending on the age, size and breed of your dog, she may require up to 2 hours per day of vigorous activity. Playing fetch and going for walks does not suffice for all dogs. Both of these activities are quite mindless and can be done for very long periods of time without much mental concentration.
Next, teach your dog the Settle command. Begin teaching your dog at times when she is already resting so it is easy for her to succeed. You can also teach her an "easy" command by holding a treat within your fist and allowing her to gently take the treat. When she is forceful, she does not get the treat, as she becomes gentler and more "easy" she gets the treat. You will be rewarding her for inhibiting her bite and her aggressiveness.
This takes many, many repetitions. If your dog is biting and nipping continually and getting consistent attention for it (negative or positive) she may have already learned that she can get what she wants by using force. You need to change this so that she receives more and better rewards for being "easy," for "settling" for "leaving it" etc.
When you reward, be use a two and three-step approach. At the instant the good behavior is initiated (she lightens up just a little) give her the verbal reward "Good Girl!" This is her cue, so that she learns exactly what behavior pleases you. After the verbal reward, give her a food treat. (step 2). And while she is eating the food treat (or after she inhales it) pat her on the sides for the physical-touch (step 3) reward. The food treat (step 2) can and should be omitted periodically.
You need to convince her that it is beneficial and in her best interest to behave the way you want her to. Setting her up to succeed so that she can be praised is the best method to do this. Using times when she is more relaxed in the first place... and then giving her a chew toy to chew on and praising her for a good "easy" as she leisurely chews on the chew toy may also help.
Right now, your focus may be on all her biting and rough-play antics. You may be giving her the most attention during these times. Turn this around, so that you are giving her more (and better) attention when she is behaving appropriately. This can be quite difficult with puppies and young dogs, and her appropriate behavior may disappear quickly - but it is important that you recognize it and praise it in the instant that it is there.
For example, I have had stray puppies come into the house that have never been in a house before... they run around all the furniture and bounce off the walls, and run into me biting and snapping out of pure joy and excitement. If they refuse the chew toy (a soft stuffed animal) I give to them and persist on biting me instead, I give them my calm, but firm "uh-uh" (meaning: I am not happy with what you are doing). The instant they (or I) put the chew toy in their mouth, I praise "Good Girl" and as I try to pet them, they usually try to bite my hand out of their excitement. So, I say, "Uh-uh" again. If they persist, I turn my back to them. If they climb up on my back, I get up and walk away. When they follow me biting at my heels... I throw a toy for them in front of me (they usually don't even know where it came from) and this, or something similar, usually takes their attention off me and they chase the toy. Sometimes I dangle a toy above their heads to entice them to bite the toy. When the toy is in their mouth: "Good Girl!" and I try to play with them using the toy again.
This type of scenario is repeated many, many times. Consistent positive reinforcement for biting appropriate items, and no reinforcement of behaving inappropriately. After an afternoon some pups settle down, others take a few days, and some take a week or more. They will periodically "forget" the rules (very often at first), but will begin to understand the communication at hand, and comply after repeated and consistent "lessons."
Think about "What am I communicating to my dog?" And "What is it like to be trained by me?" Puppies and dogs that continue to nip and bite relentlessly, usually do not understand you.
2006-06-24 03:08:15
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answer #1
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answered by romance_german_shepherds 6
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Try using a dog whistle. It emits an irritating sound that will definitely get the dogs attention. Once your dog learns that undesirable behavior is interrupted by the whistle, he/she will stop.
I have been amazed at the results in curbing the barking and aggressive territorial protectiveness both of my dogs have exhibited for 7 years. The whistle worked immediately. The dogs just do not like that high pitched sound. Some dog whistles emit such a high frequency pitch that humans cannot even hear it. But the hearing of dogs is so much more sensitive.
2006-06-24 01:28:35
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answer #2
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answered by rookie_rose 1
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He's at the mouthing stage that must be discouraged immediately. Your puppy is learning his potential (Strong jaws and teeth) And enjoying to exercise this new strength of his. It is annying having a puppy chew your clothes and legs! But not as annoying and painful as it will be when fully grown.
Once your dog starts to bite, push him firmly away, say 'No' indicating by the tone of your voice that his behaviour is not acceptable. He wil, try again, and you will say 'No' again and push him away for as long as it takes for him to understand that it is not such a good idea.
I always suggest a kong filled with treats because they work so well! So give him one and let him play with it. The mouthing/chewing will be devoted to retrieve treats inside the kong. Let him play with it and reassure him verbally that he is a good dog (Biting his kong not you). When he comes back to bite you again, push him away, still say 'No' and give his kong.
Make a fuss off him when he comes to you without biting/chewing to push him away back to kong when he tries to bite again.
It might take a little while but he will eventually accept that you are not a biting exercise. Don't forget to refill th kong though!
Best wishes
2006-06-24 02:04:33
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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Get the puppy lots of chew-toys: He's teething. And teach him that chewing on anything but those toys is not acceptable. Others have given some great ideas for that.
2006-06-24 01:17:56
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answer #4
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answered by Tigger 7
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everytime they do it say no loudly, pick him up and put him in a room by himself for 10 mins, repeat as necessary. pups dont lke to be isolated, they will learn biting is not acceptable. If pup bites your hands then put your finger on his middle of his tongue and press your fingernail into it, they hate the feeling of it. Worked great on my yellow lab and they are bad for chewing!
2006-06-24 01:13:16
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answer #5
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answered by Tabbitatt 3
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three mos old is just a baby and she's GOING to chew. lots of chew type toys and try this spray liquid called 'bitter apple' (sold at almost all pet stores and is totally safe) that can be used for cats, ferrets, and dogs to deter 'em from chewing on certain items.
awhile back i used it for one of my cats and it worked like a charm.
remenber, lots of praise and don't ever hit her or (esp. at puppyhood) she'll resent you.
2006-06-24 01:59:12
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answer #6
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answered by chai'namarie 3
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Um, wait 2 years. Puppies chew, it sucks. Gotta keep things you don't want chewed away from them. Kennel at night.
2006-06-24 01:04:11
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answer #7
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answered by It's just me 3
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He just wants your attention. Whe he does this, give him some attention, pet him, play with him a little then he should settle fown.
2006-06-24 01:34:45
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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put him in a portable kennel before you go out. and when you get back give that puppy lots of attention.
2006-06-24 00:59:32
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answer #9
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answered by blkrose65 5
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Kick the sh*t out of it...
2006-06-24 01:00:19
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answer #10
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answered by Snowman 2
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