How can I get my 5 month of Basset to stop biting?

Question

We have a 5 month old basset who constantly bites our hands, legs, face and anything he can get his teeth on. It really hurts and it seems like when I push him away and yell at him he comes back stronger. I hate hitting him but sometimes its the only way to get him off. Sometimes it gets so bad I have to lock him up in his create just for him to calm down. He has plenty of toys but he doesnt want those, for some reason he wants flesh. I also bought that bitter spay but it only works for a few seconds then back to biting. Any suggestions??

Answer 1

muzzle him . if he dont stop give him up . find a rescue that needs dogs like him . police use them . you can find a source online im shure . all my dogs came from a husky rescue that was here local . most had problems . make shure the muzzle will alow him to get water . only take it off when he eats . 2 times a day . this breed can get fat very fast . my sister has a 10 year old basset hes very fit he gets 2 cups of good food a day. and a bisket here and there for his teeth . also get his nuts cut off .

Answer 2

Don't hit the dog. Two things, hitting can be perceived as play (especially if it's light taps in response to behavior) and second, hitting a dog is cruel. It's the behavior that has to be rectified. All puppies nip. A certain amount is expected but no to be tolerated. When the dog bites, shout, "No!" and pull your hands, feet, whatever out of reach. The crate is not a bad idea but, if the dog thinks the crate is punishment, you'll reach a point where it will not go in it. You can get a citronella collar form a site like sitstay.com. These give off a spray of citronella when you hit the button on a transmitter. The are akin to a "zapper" collar but there is no shock, just an odor the dog will hate. Bitter spray works on furniture, shoes, etc. I don't know if I'd spray it on people, though. Try yelling "No" and turning your back first. If that doesn't work get the citronella collar. If that doesn't work you're going to need a trainer that does behavioral modification.

Answer 3

Your puppy just sees you as a litter playmate and simply needs to be taught that biting you is not appropriate. When you push him away, her sees this as a play thing, not a discipline.

When the puppy bites at you, gently grab the scruff of the back of his neck, shake lightly and say "No Bite". This is the same method a mother dog uses to discipline her puppies and will get your puppies attention. Mom did this to your puppy and you are communicating with your puppy in a way HE understands. When your puppy releases the bite, praise the puppy for the good behavior. It's also a good idea to offer the puppy acceptable things to bite such as a toy. Your puppy needs to learn what is appropriate.

You have to be very consistent and never let the biting slide without addressing it or you will send mixed signals and confuse your puppy.

This method was suggested by both my vet and our puppy trainer. We have a Border Collie and nipping is an issue with this herding breed. We have been using these methods with really good results. Be patient, it takes time to teach your puppy and not all learn at the same pace, but if you are consistent, it will work.

Answer 4

Puppies bite - that is how dogs and puppies play with each other.

Bassetts are very very oral to boot.

You have to DO something about it. All you have done is make it a game by yelling and pushing him away so back he comes (and that is how dogs play with each other. One pinches, the other yelps and shoves, and back they go at each other.)

When he nips at you, roar NO in a deep voice, grab him by the collar or back of the neck, push him down and hold him on the ground and as you are doing that and snap your fingers on the end of his nose or slap his nose with your fingers. While you pin him down and get his nose, lean over him and keep saying BAD BAD BAD - do NOT let your voice slide up, make it deep.

In a group of dogs, if he nipped the leader, they would knock him over, grab the skin on his neck or the side of his face and pinch it without breaking the skin, and growl.

So do what they would do. That is something a dog understands instinctively - born preprogrammed to get that message. Lot of theoreis out there about yelping in pain and pushing him away or (really dumb) spraying him with water or ignoring him or putting him in his crate (right - like the dog undersands a'time out' -when kids don't get it) - but your puppy didn't read those books!

Get after him about EVERY SINGLE TIME - you must be 100% consistent.

Answer 5

You also have to remember that he is a PUPPY. Puppies bite. If you choose to do the scruff of the neck, shake lightly, just remember to do it lightly.
And yes, I agree, if you are pushing him away, he thinks that you just want to play with him.
The discipline methods above will be very effective, but the crate thing is a secondary method of discipline that will also work. Just remember, puppies only understand what's going on that second. Letting him bite, waiting, then putting him in his crate, will not be effective. He will have forgotten about biting already, and not know what he is being punished for.
Just be patient and gentle, but firm and persistant.

Answer 6

As soon as he bites lock him up in his crate immediately (provided it is only used for punishment, not sleeping quarters and such). Let him out after a set amount of time (the length is up to you, but if it is too long he will forget why he was put there) Eventually he will associate biting with being locked up in his kennel and the biting will stop. Make sure to reward him when he interacts with you positively and does not bite. This will reinforce the type of interaction you feel is acceptable.

Answer 7

I have the answer for you!!

When he comes at you, grab his nose firmly but not hard enough to hurt him and say "NO" in a very firm voice. He shows your dominance over him just like if he were in a pack of dogs. He is trying to be the Alpha male and dominate you guys with that behavior.

Also., when he is hyper like that and out of control, roll him on his back and just hold him there. He will yell and scream like you are killing him but he is really just mad that you are holding him down. When he relaxes, you can let him up but not until then. You are showing him that you are boss that way.
That is the way the momma dog disciplines her puppies and it WORKS! I've trained several pups with this method and it really works, better than hitting them.

Answer 8

Bite him back on the ear...not too hard, but hard enough that he gets the message! Also, you have to make him understand that you are the alpha dog. Be firm, assertive, and consistent with him. If you watch a mother with her pups, she will discipline her 'kids', but grabbing them by the scruff of the neck, and taking them down to the ground, growling at them, and holding them there until they settle. Try this, it is also a good training technique. For biting, I have also let the pup bite my finger, and when he has a grip on it, take your thumb and squeeze down on his nose (his nose will be between your finger and thumb). This last method has worked for me and I have 2 dobermans and a border collie.

Answer 9

It is definately not about hitting your dog....please dont resort to that!

Your dog has pent up frustration. Either he doesn't get enough walks or they are not long enough. Your dog does not see you as the authority figure. You get that by becoming the pack leader. Dogs will follow the pack leader. Start by walking 1 hour a day and once your dog is calm and exhausted from the walk then you can reward that calm behavior. Give the dog rules to follow they like that, belive it or not it gives them something to do. Most of the time dogs are just frustrated and dont know what to do so they take it out on you.

Answer 10

Bite him back! I'm serious! Some one told us to do that because our 1yr old female boxer was nipping. So, we bit her Soft, not hard on the ear. She hasn't done it since. Just enough to make him whimper. Then you cuddle him and give him a treat. something to teeth on.