How do I get my puppy (5 months) to stop chewing on my heels?

Question

I do put them away, like hidden in the laundry basket, yet he still finds them. We give him all sorts of bones, Busy-bones, those big cow bones with the meat pieces still on them, pig ears, and chew tows. But he still likes to chew on my heels and wood. We have done the Cayan pepper on the wood, which works by the way, but the shoes, help save the shoes!

I'm not really into the picking him up by the scruff, besides he's too heavy for me to do that, but the nose tap, he get's alot.

Also, I'm seeing the begining of a dominance towards me. I think he thinks it's my boyfriend, then him, then me. How do I stop that?

Answer 1

You always try the most positive method first:
Some ideas for discouraging finger or any chewing: when your puppy clamps down, let out a very loud YELP in imitation of a hurt puppy. Then, fold your arms and ignore him for 10 minutes. With very young puppies, this sometimes works wonders - it's the same thing that happens when they get too rough with another puppy. The wounded puppy yelps and runs off, refusing to play for a bit. The yelp must be startling enough to stop the behavior. If nothing changes, you probably weren't a good enough actor.

That should do the trick, unless she is prey driven. However, if it doesn't fix the problem this will work:

To introduce an element of "natural discipline", grasp the recalcitrant pup by the scruff of the neck with one hand, place your other hand over the top of his muzzle, gently pressing his muzzle towards his chest as you say, in a low, growly tone of voice, "No BITE". If they begin to throw a tantrum and thrash around trying to bite, just hold the line until they "give in" and "say uncle" (quit resisting). You should not find it necessary to get aggressive with a young puppy. Simple restraint is usually enough to get the message across.

Absolutely do not use any stiffer discipline without guidance from an instructor. An example of overkill is the alpha roll. Most young puppies simply do not need that level of discipline, and you can really damage the relationship by using it. (Job Michael Evans himself stated, before his death, that he regretted that they ever covered that subject in How to be Your Dog's Best Friend, because the alpha roll has been so grossly misused.)

Answer 2

Wait about 2 years and it will all go away.

Speak harshly saying "no" when the pup does it.
Harshly doesn't mean yell and don't disapprove for more than a second or two......a 5 min lecture isn't going to get you anywhere.
Scowl too .....and you can even tap the pup on the nose with one finger. Don't ever hurt the pup your disaproval is enough - But you MUST be consistant.

Don't pass it off as cute today and then punish tommorow.

Buy puppy somthing aceptable to chew and when you say no and scowl a bit give the puppy the okay thing to chew.

Basically the message is chewing is okay but not that - here chew this ....

Answer 3

Next time you find a chewed up shoe ...pick it up and ....hit yourself up side the head with it! Your taller than him...& SMARTER... find a higher shelf... either that or just use it as an excuse to purchase new shoes!

If you are worried about your dog showing signs of dominance.. the best thing to do is to enroll in obedience classes... or at least work on obedience skills independently. THE POWER OF POSITIVE DOG TRAINING By Pat Miller is really good and it outlines a 6 week basic course. I also usually recommend the "nothing in life is free program" (more info can be found at ddfl.org in thier dog behavior pages) ... just don't take it to extremes and start a doggy boot camp...It is a easy to implement leadership program

Answer 4

Be sure to provide your puppy with plenty of toys to chew on. AVOID RAWHIDES!! There have been cases in the vet pratice where I work of ruptured intestines from rawhide chews. Also, dogs have a very difficult time digesting these, and a puppy's stomach is very sensitive.
Try to catch the puppy in the act of chewing- and firmly tell him/her "no' while removing the object being chewed. Immediately replace it with something appropriate for him/ her to chew. Consistancy is the key here! Your Puppy will soon learn what is appropriate to chew on and what is not.
Good Luck!!

Answer 5

nicely Im nonetheless preparation My pup yet Its worked so a procedures yet For style a million. Get A cope with once you want Him And Make Him sit down do this by using putting The cope with To extreme For The puppy to leap For and then placed His/Her Leash On style 2. Say No Very Loudly In a huge Voice, grab His/Her Mouth and not in any respect Very problematic yet Slap His/Her nostril style 3. carry His/Her Leash To The Very end And walk Him/Her not Very a procedures yet a procedures adequate For Him/Her Too calm down. If That Dosent artwork Tug His Lead save His/Her Walks short till He/She receives The dangle Of It!!

Answer 6

He just wants your attention. Don't give him attention when he does that. yell "NO" LOUDLY and FIRMLY. Don't give him attention immediately after saying no. Stay still while pointing at him. You want to get HIS attention, not the other way around. If you go back to playing right after or if you simply pick your feet up over his head, he may thinnk that your reactions are are part of playing. He may not understand "no" right away (as a puppy) but he'll learn and doing this is part of teaching him. You can also give him something to chew on if/when he wants to chew on body parts. For instance, I had a dog who liked to chew on hands. so every time he tried, I'd grab his chew toy and play with him so he'd chew on it instead of me. I still played w/ the dog, but he was not biting on hands. While they are puppies it is good to play w/ them but not all the time and not when THEY want to play, but when YOU want to play. You have to teach them who is boss while they are young.

Answer 7

The baby is just teething.Give him a small toy to chew on or a small puppy bone.Not a chicken or human food bone.I went throughvthe same sitution.Good Luck!!!!

Answer 8

When he starts chewing, stop walking. The fun in eating your heals is in chasing them. Once he stops chewing, give him a treat and start walking again. It may take you thirty minutes to get 50 feet, but he will learn.

Answer 9

Yes, put your shoes away and close the closet door, silly! Puppies teethe just like babies and will chew everything in sight.

Answer 10

You will need to choose a one word command and use this to scold your puppy . A real good show to watch for good training for your dogs is The Dog Whisper. He gives great advice. Enjoy your puppy.