puppy problems?

Question

I just got this new puppy and the only way want to play is to fight. he lunge at you and bite. He's biting people feet and hands. He'll even go after your face if it is closer than your hands. How do i teach him to play without biting.

Answer 1

You must train your puppy to play with humans. It is playing the same as it would if you were another dog. Grab the pups muzzle squeeze and say NO sharply each time this behavior starts. Then stop playing or paying attention to it for a while. I will soon learn this behavior ends play. You must praise and reward good behavior so the pup learns what is acceptable play.

Answer 2

How old is he and what breed is he? It is very common for puppies to prefer playing to being pet. Don't worry too much. I'm concerned that you said he lunges and bites at your face. If he's a larger breed, this could be a major concern when he's older. First of all, encourage him to play with toys rather than feet and hand. Invest in an assortment of different toys and rawhide bones (if he's old enough). Secondly, take him to puppy kindergarten ASAP if you can afford it. They can help you control your puppy and help it become a calmer adult dog. It also gets him used to stange dogs and people. Thirdly, make sure he's getting lots of long walks and doesn't have alot of "pent-up" energy. If you're confining him all day, this is probably why he's acting so playful. Don't let other family members play rough with him and encourage this behavior. It might be cute if a 3 month old pitbull or doberman is growling and attacking your feet but it could be dangerous as young as 7 or 8 months when adult protective insticts are developing. Does he have another puppy he can play with? Anyways, when he is biting you, tell him "no" firmly but never yell or hit. Walk away when he acts up. Find a good "tug" toy that you can pull at one end and him at the other. Teach him to fetch. Just show him that you can have fun without biting. He could also be "teething" and there are toys and bones out there at PETCO ans PETSMART that help with this. Just be careful that if his lunging and biting doesn't improve that he could be a potentially aggressive dog. This is why it's crucial to seek some outside help like puppy kindergarten or private sessions before he becomes dangerous. I hate to say it but if he is a pitbull that this could already be his nature and that would be very sad because you could never trust him around anyone. Ask this question again and let us know his breed (if he's a mutt, what's he mixed with) and age. GOOD LUCK. Dogs are wonderful. Make sure he gets the best life he deserves.

Answer 3

If you ever watched pups play with each other and their Mom, this is how they play and learn to establish the ground rules; they lunge after siblings and Mom , then roll around each other , nip at each other , learning when it it too hard, they are corrected; they are doing what they have only known; it is your job to set the rules just like he would with Mom and siblings; he doesn't know any better, they are not here now but you are; it is your job to train; don't think that he is aggressive b/c he is not but if you don't train and correct, he will think this behavior is okay if unchecked. Don't hit, smack, shake etc; stern NO; don't encourage any play that reinforces this at this time (tug toys etc) until he learns the rules; replace with good things to chew and bite;exercise him; they teeth at this age as well; throw a ball and teach fetch and drop it command; give treats by hand so he is less apt to bite the hand that feeds you; etc; not a puppy problem just a puppy learning about the world around him and his teacher, YOU! Patience, time, consistency, bonding builds love and trust. Good luck , a well mannered adult dog had a good trainer as a puppy , again YOU. Also, people are telling you about physical aggression, you don't need to show dominance by human aggression; you don't want to train by intimidation or exercise your physical strength against him- that is just a weak, unskilled , inexperienced person who thinks training is threatening and withholding affection as punishment-NOT.

Answer 4

as soon as he bites, tell him NO and stop playing. get up and walk away. he's trying to show dominance. nows the best time to stop it. when he relizes that the game ends when he starts to bite, he'll stop biting. the other problem is that biting is how he played with his littermates. its a habit that needs to be broken and everyone in the house has to be consistant. you don't mention what kind of pup he is, but if he's whats been labeled a "bully breed", and the biting doesn't stop, your in for alot of problems when he's full-grown.

Answer 5

Do not play any type of tug of war games as this will just increase his fighting desire.

Everytime he gets out of control put him in the sit position and don't let him out of it until he calms down. It is said that with dogs like this to not talk or make eye contact with them for twenty minutes when first walking into the room. If they come near you simply use your hand but no voice commands to move the dog out of the way. They learn to be calm before interacting with you.

Answer 6

Firmly tell him no. He obviosly won't understand at first, but be consistent and stern. Also, push him away or pin him to the ground (not too hard) to teach him who is in charge. He will fall into line so long as you're consistent. You need to get him a chew toy to passify this need to bite.

Answer 7

That's how puppies play.

He needs to be taught bite inhibition. This is even more important for him to learn that not biting at all.

http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_BiteInhibition.php

http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/archives/bite.txt

Answer 8

I would suggest when he does it again to tap him on the nose and say no...and just keep doing that until he stops...hope this helps and good luck with your new puppy...

~caring dog owner~

Answer 9

teach him the word no and push him away but don't push him too hard.this is common in pups.they don't know there hurting you they just want to play.

Answer 10

aw to bad