How do I get my dog to stop biting???

Question

I have a 70 pound german shepherd "puppy" who is adorable; until he gets excited. Then he starts jumping up on everyone and biting. My mom is always hitting him when he bites which I think just makes it worse. I've tried to tell her to stop but she won't. Also I live with 6 little kids under 10 and one is an infant, and he just knocks them down and starts biting them... PLEASE HELP ME!!

Answer 1

Dogs are pack animals. The problem is he was taken from his litter mates and Mom too early. He didn`t get to learn what kind of playing is ok and what is not ok.. When puppies are young they play fight. While they do that, They are learning NOT to bite as well not to bite hard.

What I would suggest is when he puts his mouth on you ((EVERYTIME)) Yelp real loud and get up and leave the dog, turn your back and do not interact with him for about 5 minutes. Not too long, They don`t have long memories. They will quickly learn NOT to do that. That is how they teach each other. When one puppy bites another puppy too hard, the other puppy will let loose a yelp and all play stops. And the other puppy (the one bitten) will not play anymore.

Hitting and yelling will never work. He only thinks you are playing and barking.. You must stop all activity whatsoever. And you must do this everytime..

One more thing. No matter how much he weighs. He is still a puppy until he is about 1 1/2 years old.

Also they have about a four year old mentality when full grown. You also need to get that dog on a leash and train him to come, stay and lay and sit and not to jump on people. He needs some serious schooling. You can do it. Go to the library and get a book or four. You will form a bond that nothing can break.

Train him with love and approval for good things and hitting does not work.. A dog naturally wants to please you. It is obvious he doesn`t KNOW to NOT do this. He must be taught just like any other baby.

Dogs do not like to be alone. Some folks will put the animal in a different room for a few minutes when it bites, and you can achieve the same effect. Altho it is hard to make a 70 pound excited puppy do this . It is easier if YOU leave. Remember to yelp loudly.

Puppy will soon learn that the pack will not tolerate this. But you MUST be consistant. everyone in the house must react the same way to put the idea home.

Good luck

Answer 2

the puppy will on no account quit biting until you coach it. Your puppy has found out that this is a suitable variety of play. It's no longer simply going to get up at some point and feel, oh, I am nine (or anything) months historical in these days, I will quit biting now. Get a sprig bottle and squirt it within the face each unmarried time it bites, then don't pay any concentration to it (should you react it is going to feel of this as a gift.) If this doesn't paintings, you may also ought to get a official instructor concerned. You surely are not able to have a puppy that bites visitors coming over for your apartment, it's going to emerge as biting the flawed character & being stated & taken away. Start coaching him instantly- the water bottle must paintings.

Answer 3

A German Shepherd Dog can be a real challenge to their owners if they believe that they are in charge. I know a man with a chow mix who had the same problem except he didn't have children. I have had large breeds and one was a GSD. Someone had her before me that had a three yr. old child and she was at a loss for what to do for similar reasons. You can get past this but will probably need to work with a trainer because you are going to have to learn how to be assertive and strong with the dog and how to correct the behavior. You are right that hitting the dog is not effective. The dog probably thinks your mother is playing or else senses that she is afraid. If you can commit to the training you can have the best dog you ever had.
There just isn't adequate space to do the subject justice for you by writing here. What you might want to try is a training class in a PetSmart which has cheap classes and one on one training, or if finances aren't an issue, get references of a trainer in your area.
GL with your dog!

Answer 4

You all have to work together to correct this problem. Do not hit the dog. Do not yell at the dog. When he bites tell him in a firm tone "no bite". Give him a bone or toy to chew instead. If he knocks one of the kids down tell him firmly, "no". If you are consistent with this he will stop. You are right hitting the dog will only make the problem worse. If the problem persists even trying these techniques then ask your vet for a referral to a Dog Behavioral Specialist. He can correct your dogs problems and teach you some other techniques on working with your dog.

Answer 5

He is too big to be playing withsmall children like that. I assume he is only play mouthing when you say biting(grabbing with the mouth but not really biting down) A 70 pound shepherd "puppy" . I assume he only thinks hes a puppy any more? Unless hitting him hurts him he probably just thinks its more rough play. Take him to obedience classes and when he does bite either wop him on the nose with a rolled up newspaper to startle him or squirt him in the face with a water pistol then ignore him until he calms down then give him loves when he is doing the right thing. but when it comes to the kids be more firm. Either put him outside or on a chain when he knocks them down until he calms down. A dog that size can easily do some damage if he gets overexcited so try to walk him more and get him neutered if hes not. He should calm down as he gets older but nip it in the bud now before he hurts someone.

Answer 6

You need the help of a professional trainer. Some of this is normal for some "mouthy" breeds, and Shepherds do qualify as mouthy... DO NOT HIT THE DOG!!!!!!!!!!!! It does absolutely NOTHING except make him afraid and more likely to bite out of fear based aggression (which shepherds are VERY prone to)! You need to find a trainer that works in "positive reinforcement" rather than negative (ie: choke or pinch collars). If you can find a trainer that does "clicker training" it would be even better.

Ian Dunbar wrote several books on puppy training, and they are incredible and all about positive reinforcement training. Look his name up on Amazon.com and either buy one or two of them or get them from the library like I did.

Answer 7

Your best bet is to take him to an obidiance training class. Even at 70(?) pounds(wow) he is still a puppy, still excited and wants to play. But since you live with 6(wow)little children, they can mistake his idea of play and become frightened. Petsmart and other local pet supply stores offer dog training classes for a reasonable price. Also, the local animal shelters often offer obidience classes from time to time, and also your local community colleges and some high schools who offer vocational classes(like vet tech) can give you some help. You have to train the dog to let him know which behaviours are acceptable, especially with small children involved, and it HAS to be a family effort! Everyone has to train him the same way or else he will not learn. If everyone is giving him different commands, he will get confused. Maybe you can go to the classes and inform the rest of the family! Good luck!!!

Answer 8

I had the same problem when I had my puppy a year ago. It's most likely a teething phase that he's going through. By chewing on items, it helps to relieve the pain. I suggest you go to your local pet store and pick up a couple of chewing toys, specifically for puppies going through this stage. As soon as he starts chewing you, give him the chew toys to deter him. Trust me, he will eventually grow out of it. Keep him busy with toys, but don't give him all the toys at once. Alternate the toys and mix it up a little. Hitting the puppies only makes them more aggressive.

Answer 9

If u hit He puppy make shore u tell hem no and bye the way a German shepherd is not a good dog to have around kids.

Answer 10

Correct the crap out of that "adorable" 70 pound puppy when he bites.
Then get him into an obedience class. I would never tolerate a biting dog.