Help PLEASE!!! My dog bit me!!!?

Question

I realized that my puppy was chewing on two cotton balls that my neighbor must have left behind. So immediately I went over to take them away, but he started growling and bit me very hard. Im still bleeding. He never behaved like this when I took things away from him before. And it was so different from the way he nips at my jeans when he wants to play. I don't know what to do. Im scared of him now and he's only a little guy (a maltipoo). I have been training him; he is house broken and knows sit, stay, down- the basics for a puppy of 3 months. So its not like he isn't obedient. I give him so much love and attention and he is such a joy to me. I just don't know what to do. I don't want him to ever to bite someone else.

Answer 1

You always try the most positive method first:
Some ideas for discouraging finger 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, which a Malti-poo shouldn't be. however, if it doesn't fix the problem this will work:

To introduce an element of "natural discipline", grasp the recalcitrant pup 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.

The methods advised above are just as good, but this works for me..Just choose the one that works for you..But, you have to deny him ANY play biting, as he has crossed the line..He has learned that is is OK to 'ply bite', but didn't learn where to draw the line, and treated you as a littermate instead of the boss..So, No more biting..at all..

Now, for that hand..Get hydrogen peroxide and soak that hand 20 minutes (really!) 4 times per day...If you don't have hydrogen peroxide on hand, use hot salted water..as hot as your hand can tolerate, and soak the same..20 minutes, 4 times per day, until all soreness is gone..

Answer 2

Jindo's, like many other dogs, APBT/Staffordshire, Akitas, and mastiff's are very dominating puppies. Most will try and assert themselves because the Alpha Male, meaning the "big Boss" in a sense. You do not need to only throw -ANY- canine right into a obstacle where it's around a dog it is no longer accustomed to. As any canine is likely to react in fear, and attack/guard it can be self even if needless. Coaching; regardless of how historic will perpetually help. The canine does no longer have got to be put down until Aggression toward humans is a steady trouble. IF the canine is getting loose and attacking strays/neighbors puppies, you have got to preserve your canine tethered in a legal manner. [some states no longer allow chains or like items.] in case you suppose you are not able to furnish the dog the correct training, concentration and care it wants to turn out to be an extraordinary dog; then you definitely must quite often surrender it to someone who can, before placing it to sleep.

Answer 3

I agree with Mammu flipping him over on his back and holding him by the neck is the best way to show that you are alpha you can even get your face by his neck and growl. You don't have to hurt him, it just shows him that you have control. Also for something immediate when your dog goes to bite, push your hand further into his mouth, I know that goes against your instinct to pull your hand away, but it gives him an in the moment reminder that your are in charge not him, and it shows that you are not afraid of his bite. I hope this helps, I have two boxers and a border collie and they have all been through this, it works.

Answer 4

I have a puppy at the moment who is just over 3 months and she is biting me as well so I know what you are going through
(it is very painful) but mostly he is acting like he wants to be boss and this is not good. You have to nip this behaviour in the bud now as he is gaining power in the household and is becoming a pack leader which is your role not his.

When my puppy bites me I tap her very lightly on the nose and say
'No' very assertively and then she hides for a moment and thinks about her action (she knows she had done bad by my tone)
and I walk away and stop playing with her for a little while.

The other thing I do is praise her a lot for everything she does that is good and give her a liver treat or cuddle.

So far I have had success with this method.

One more thing I have learned with her is that she is more aggressive if she is getting near feed time and is hungry,
so feed small portions of food regularly to keep your puppy
happy. (2 - 3 very small feeds)

Answer 5

Watch the Dog Whisperer on National Geographic channel. He has claimed the cotton balls as his, and he does not want anyone near them. What you have to do is establish with him that those are yours, and he cannot play with them. If you do not address this problem now, you may be in for some problems with food/toy guarding in teh future.

Whenever he does something thats really really bad, (i.e. biting you) you must give him the ultimate consequence. Much like a child who, say, slaps you in the face, this is what he did to you (in dog language). You must let him know NOW that the behavior is not tolerated AT ALL. A sharp "NO!" is good, but watch the show... he tells you how to use another method which is good. It has worked with my dog many a time when she has severely misbehaved. It gets the point across in dog language. In a pack, when a dog does something bad, the pack leader will put him down on his back and hold him there by his neck with his mouth until the bad dog has completely relaxed. This simply tells teh bad dog that the other dog is dominant, and that behavior is not tolerated.

Its not something that hurts the other dog, its just in a different language than we speak. Remember, your sweet little bundle of joy is not a human, and does not understand the way we reprimand. He needs to be reprimanded in dog language.

And dont be afraid of him, because if you are, he can sense that, and he will try to overtake your whole house and your life! He will be the one ruling the home, not you. You never want this to happen, or you will have a dog that will NEVER listen to you because he is top dog!

I hope this helps, and please watch the show! good luck!

Answer 6

Learned Aggression - Aggression from a usually non-aggressive dog

Aggression, like tricks and commands, can be learned. If Poochie was happily playing with his toy and you tried to take it away, he might snap at you to stop you from ending his fun. And if you back off and withdraw, Poochie slowly realizes that by snapping, he can get his way. You try to take away his food bowl and he tries out his new theory again. He snaps and you back off again in shock, totally bewildered. Poochie is smirking now, at his new found theory. He has learnt that through aggression, he can get his way.

Training Method 1 - What is learned, can be unlearned. You will have to be firm and make Poochie realize that his aggressive behaviour is NOT accepted no tolerated by you, the Alpha. Whenever Poochie snaps or turns aggressive, discipline him. Some owners hold their dogs by the scruff of the neck, similar to the way a mother dog will discipline her pups. Other owners will make their dogs perform all sorts of basic commands to remind Poochie of their alphaship. Others give a firm "NO" and ignore the dog. There are many ways to discipline Poochie and different dogs will respond differently to each punishment. Try out each one to see which one Poochie responses the best to and use that each time to correct him. I will not hide the fact that some owners will hit their dogs as a disciplinary measure. If you really want to adopt this approach, do keep in mind that sometimes, violence will create more violence. Your dog may not respond well to it and may turn more aggressive instead. A firmer but non-violent approach is always a safer bet.

Answer 7

Quit being afraid - you are the leader and he is a small guy. You'll create a monster if you allow this to continue. I've had clients whose tiny dogs won't allow them to sit on the couch!

I'd start retraining the "trade" to get the puppy used to allowing you to take things from him. At first - start with a low value item, maybe one of his toys. While you are playing- you need to teach him to "give" - by offering him another toy or treat. You will fade this treat away. This is ONLY how you teach him the command. You have to practice it alot - gradually increasing the value of the item he has. If you only wait until he has something really special (stolen) it won't work. Find a good article on resource guarding - they are all over the internet. Practice with his food, toys, everything.

And when you are practicing - keep a light line on him so you are in control and he can't run away. I did this with all my Dobermans and they are fine to let me take something from them. I even went a bit overboard with one of my pups and she brings me things to see how please I am. So - I taught her to pick up objects for me that I dropped (as opposed to stealing).

But remember - stay in charge and don't wait til the problem gets even worse and until then - be careful of children around her and her food or toys, this is how kids get bit in the face.

Answer 8

He's being possessive. I agree with maamu's answer, you need to show him your the boss/alpha of the pack. I had a similar problem with my dog, a 90 lb sheperd/yellow lab mix. He didn't bite, but he'd growl and show aggression. I ended up wrestling him down and getting him into a head lock type of position so he couldn't move. And then we sat there until he stopped kicking and fighting. I won, and now he's the best dog in the world, almost anyway. But he knows I'm the boss and all I have to do is slightly raise my voice and he listens.

Answer 9

My suggestion to you is take control of the situation. As alpha in the house YOU need to make it clear that biting is NOT acceptable behaviour...even for play. You may not like my statement, but I'm going to put it out there anyhow. When it comes to dogs, there is no such thing as "play biting." If they are biting, they are expressing aggression and dominance and its your job to make sure that he listens to you so you can prevent biting occuring in anyone else. I'm not telling you to hit or strike your dog. You should NEVER show agression back to a dog. And NEVER be angry with them. Remember that challenging you is a natural part of his instincts. Right now, your puppy is merely testing the waters to see if he can be boss. As young as he is...you need to take control now. The next time you are playing with him, when he bites make a LOUD sound, then tell him NO in a firm, solid, low pitched voice. none of the "don't do that sweety" you HAVE to be firm. And make sure you express that he has caused you pain, and upset you. He will surely learn soon enough. This and socialization (VERY IMPORTANT TO TAKE YOUR DOG PLACES AND SOCIALIZE HIM) will prevent future outbursts and the possibillity of others getting bitten.

Answer 10

If you want to keep him you are going to have to show him who is the Alpha dog (which would be you). The fastest way to do this is when he growls at you again. Grab him by the neck and lay him on his back. Hold him there until he calms down. You DO NOT need to hurt a dog doing this. DO NOT choke him.
This will show the dog who is dominent. It may take several times before he gets the picture. I just finished training a Rottweiler this way. Years ago, I trained a Doberman the same way.