How do you get a fox terrier to quit biting?

Question

He doesn`t bite hard, he`s a puppy, But it`ll only get worse

Answer 1

First, he is not biting, he is playing. There is a difference. So, let's assume your dog is being mouthy and nippy. He is doing this because it is a fun game. This is how dogs play. But he doesn't know or care what you think about this game.

You are reinforcing this game everytime he initiates it, and you need to stop that. If he is playing with a toy with you, and he touches you with a tooth, (not even a real nip, but just touches you) pick up the toy, put it where he cannot reach it and walk away. Come back in a few minutes (2-3) give him back the toy and play again. He touches you with a tooth again, immediately repeat the same thing. Your dog wants to play with you and your play time is a reinforcer. Taking the toy and yourself away takes away the reinforcer. To get back what he wants he will learn that touching you with his teeth makes the fun stop immediately.

OK, now your going to say that he does this while you're wrestling, and there is no toy to take away. Well, actually YOU are the toy in this case. Walk out of the room and close the door. Come back and have fun again in 2-3 minutes. Repeat.

The trick with this is consistency and immediacy. But note: There is a phenomenon called "extinction burst" that will likely come into play. This means that the behavior may in fact get worse before it gets better. Be patient and consistent. If you ride it out the pup will learn that the fun is up if he loses control.

You might also add a marker for the negative behavior. At exactly the moment he touches you with his teeth give a loud sharp EH sort of sound. Short sharp sounds are nearly universally accepted by animal species as being the "no no" sound. Its also quicker and easier than saying no. By being short and sharp it often startles the dog into briefly stopping the annoying behavior.

When dealing with puppies, sometimes they launch into aggressive, boisterous play when they are very sleepy, much like a tired kid misbehaves in order to keep himself awake. If you suspect this is the case, put the puppy in his crate for a nap. I used to put my parent's boxer in what I called the "sleeper hold" when she got nippy. By cuddling her snugly with her legs dangling and her mouth pointed where she could not nip anything, she would begin to calm down and almost immediately go to sleep.

Good luck.

Answer 2

This is an attribute of a terrier breed since they are rat dogs. When the dog bites it will hurt because it has milk teeth which are much sharper than adult teeth even if the bite is light. Pulling you hand away will only make things worse as the teeth will only scrape deeper. The only thing you can do is when the play turns to biting yell and or make some sound that scares the dog and lets it know this is not okay behaviour. As in all things with a dog it will take some patience, consistency and time.

Answer 3

We had a Wire hair fox terrier for 15 years, he was a wild man. They are always going to test you. There antics can be exhausting! But be firm and don't alone any nipping even if he is just playing. They are smart dogs, and will take advantage of any opening they can to get away with something. They are a dog that i love and admire, They can be a lot of fun, but you got to be the pack leader

Answer 4

Smash all his teeth with a hammer,seriously pups tend to grow out of it ,but they do need a chew toy

Answer 5

actually puppies mature out of that

Answer 6

tell him no when he biting

Answer 7

hit him in the head that's how my pitbull learn

Answer 8

He's teathing. He will outgrow it. I did.

Answer 9

obedience school.......or buy a muzzle