Ok so my friend got a half lab half german shepard and it is about 8 weeks old. But this dog just likes to bite. It is even biting the owner. It kinda bites and sorta nibbles, we cant really tell if it's a bite or a play bite because it's still young. Is this normal? Help please.
2006-08-19 13:59:45 · 23 answers · asked by giovanni1928 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
This is normal, he is testing his status with you (his pack). 8 weeks old is the perfect time to start showing the puppy that bitting is unexceptable behavior and that his status (in the pack) is below you or else this can turn into a really nasty problem in the future. You firmly grab his muzzle (not enough to hurt him), look him in the eyes and tell him NO. Patience is key..... remember he is still a little puppy and will not remember things so well for a while, but being firm, constant repition and praise when he is good will help your puppy grasp this. If your puppy continues or get more aggresseve, firmly grab the skin on the back of his neck ( his scruff) not too tight but enought to get his attention and tell him again, firmly no. The mother dog would do both of these things, first she'd latch her mouth on to his muzzle firmly (but not enough to inflict pain) and growl to warn him of his unexceptable behaivor, then if it continued to bother her, she would assume her dominace by correcting him by his scruff. This is not ment to hurt the puppy and should not be done so to inflict pain, but only to grab their attention and put them back in their place. Rolling them on their back is another way to assert that you are their boss, and not the othere way around. It is important to acomplish this esp. with large dogs, to ensure a safe and happy pet. If you have any questions or conserns it would be wise to consult a pet behaviorist, dog trainer or veterinarian about this, I'm sure they have a ton more ideas to help you out as well.
2006-08-19 14:17:46 · answer #1 · answered by Krazee about my pets! 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is normal for a puppy this young, however, since he's going to grow up to be a very large dog, the owner needs to start training him now that biting is not ok. At this age first try distracting him by giving him something he can chew on. If he persists, firmly tell him no when he bites and stop playing with him until he settles and behaves. He'll soon learn that he gets no attention when he bites. Make sure he has plenty of toys to chew on.
2006-08-19 15:29:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that,being so young, right now your friend's puppy is teething.
At this age, biting a person shouldnt be a problem.
(You should be introducing the puppy to many people at this time, in positive situations, owner always near, to keep him friendly and sociable. Also allow him to meet other friendly dogs. It can make all the difference!)
A good rubber chewy should help sooth him,
if you cant go get one soon ive often freeze washcloths.
Get a clean washcloth you dont use, soak it, then wring it out slightly and put it in your freezer until it is hard.
The puppy should enjoy it.
2006-08-19 14:09:16 · answer #3 · answered by mini_chimi_iggy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
puppies do bite and have very sharp needle like baby teeth. they dont do it to be mean. get him some rawhide pig ears to chew on not to many tho and he is probably playing to. they can be rough especially around little ones, just remember they cut teeth to and will probably chew until around 2 years old. Be patient. make sure he has some rope chews and toys to play with. work with him. he can start training at around 4 to 5 months old when they can understand training. give lots of praise and puppy treats when good. never hit the puppy.. let him mature a little more and than start training him.than they will soon learn what a hearty stern no means. remember he is still a baby 2 months old and has alot of growing to do
2006-08-19 14:14:36 · answer #4 · answered by petloverlady 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
IT'S PROBABLY STILL TEETHING!! give it some ice cubes or freeze water in a soda bottle.. that worked for my dog.. and he's lab pit shepard mix.. puppy's tend to bite nibble and all that stuff.. if all else fails call the dog whisperer
2006-08-19 14:54:27 · answer #5 · answered by snow_blizzard_baby 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Labs are very mouthy. They are retrievers so by natural instinct they like to put anything and everything in their mouths including human skin.
They are easily distracted from skin though by a toy, a bone etc. but will return to your hands and fingers once they become bored of it.
You need to teach puppy not to mouth any part of human skin or they will continue on with it when they have much bigger, harder, stronger teeth as their mouths are their strongest point. So strong that you can play tug o war with one lab and be the loser.
Teach now as a puppy not to do this.
2006-08-19 14:42:10 · answer #6 · answered by lucas 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it's normal, but the animal needs some training to stop him from doing it. If he bites the wrong person, there could be trouble, no matter how young he is. Call the vet for a training facility near you.
2006-08-19 14:05:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Biting is normal for puppies. It's how they play but as the puppy gets older the owner is going to have to teach it not to bite. It's just something that they have to be weaned away from as they get older.
2006-08-19 14:06:02 · answer #8 · answered by Amy 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have a lab that chewed a hole in the groomers pants. They like to chew and nibble. Tell him no and get him some chewy toys. Mine likes those bones made from rope.
2006-08-19 14:05:56 · answer #9 · answered by jymsis 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's called teething...just like human babies do. Give the pup a chew toy when it wants to chew and bite.
2006-08-19 14:08:55 · answer #10 · answered by Mindy Jo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋