He's 8 mos old, been neutered and nothing keeps him away from our hands and feet. He's a Shitzu with a cute personality but he chases our feet when we walk - and we've tried it all...and when we go to bed all he wants is our hands to chew on. He has chew toys, we've been consistent in his training and are at a loss. Any, any suggestions...please help.
2006-12-11 10:20:48 · 12 answers · asked by Mark 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Puppy are naturally mouthy creatures. In fact, play biting with their mothers and littermates is one of the ways they learn bite inhibition. If they nip their mum too hard, she will correct them with a growl or even a nip back! This is how most dogs general know not to break the skin when they are playing with other dogs.
Part of your problem is probably that he is just a baby. It will take time before he settles down and feel less inclined to nip. That said, 8 months is old enough for your puppy to know the difference between you and a raw hide. You are his pack leader, and when he bites he, he is showing dominance and disrespect. Show zero tolerance for any kind of mouthing. Remove your hand, and give him a firm no (or growl or whatever abrupt noise works for you). While he is nipping or mouthing, he should get absolutely no affection, or any kind of attention at all. After you correct him, ignore him. he needs to learn the only time he gets petted and loved is when he is calm and submissive, NOT when he is biting.
Another helpful tip might be to get a bunch of spray bottles full of water and distribute them about the house (or carry one on your belt!). When he chases your ankles and nips, give him a squirt and say no, Make sure you only correct him IN the act or he will have no clue what he is being corrected for.
Make sure he is getting enough exercise. he is a puppy after all, and he could just be overly hyper and needing to burn some exercise. Try obiedience classes. Anything you can do with him that teaches him to listen to you and respect you as pack leader is a good thing.
Be patient and consistant, and it will eventually pay off. Good luck!
2006-12-11 10:40:38 · answer #1 · answered by mlle-fantine 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have been studying this for a while lately. I think it is probably because of excitement, teething or attention and it has become a habit. Try this....but it has to be consistent. So if he is doing this for attention then attention is absolutely what you SHOULD NOT give him. Even if you are giving him negative attention, it is still attention.
1. Whenever this happens do not talk to him. Sit up so that you are higher than he is (pack leader) and gently but firmly push him down and on his side. This puts him in a submissive state. You're the boss (pack leader). Leave your hand on him keeping him down and ignore him. I said not to talk to him but you can choose a sound to make and he will learn when you make this sound he is to cool it. You make the sound as soon as you sense he is going to go for your hand. Nip it in the bud. Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer uses a CH sound. Kind of like saying chew quickly.
2.Then begin bringing your free hand a little closer to his face/head (hile ignoring) and make him remain in the submissive state. Continue not to say anything to him. But if someone is in the room, you are welcome to have a conversation while holding him.
3. Bring your hand closer and continue until you can have your hand by his face for several minutes....maybe five.
It will not take long if you are faithful. Then, after he can stay there for those minutes without chewing your hand, begin to pet/stroke him. You will be rewarding him for not chewing your hand. Positive reinforcement works on animals as well as humans.
4. The foot fetish.... Yes this is a pain but sometimes only takes a couple of days to rectify. If he is always with you, beside you ect, then place a leash on him and leave it on him while he is in your presence. Let him walk with you around the house, outside ect but this time you be the pack leader. Keep him right beside you or a tad bit behind you and do not let him get your feet, using the leash (preferably short leash 4 ft. or there abouts) to guide him.. Never let him walk in front. If you don't have time to mess with it like you need to put in laundry or whatever, crate him. If he continues to do the foot thing then do what I mentioned in the hand info....hold him down..introduce foot.
I know this sounds a bit goofy but I have seen it work time and again and it happens pretty fast.
Best of luck. Post for us and let us know how he did.
2006-12-11 11:12:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When my puppy went through the hand biting stage I would hold his muzzle still for a second and firmly say 'no teeth' - the holding the muzzle was to get his attention, it was not a punishment. If he was too excited and couldn't stop himself I stopped playing with him for a few minutes, but would repeat the 'no teeth' any time he even looked like he was thinking about chewing on me.
After I did this a few hundred times he stopped.
2006-12-11 10:35:27 · answer #3 · answered by Axel M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My puppy was like that for a while but the first thing is get him out of your room at nights, he will understant after a couple of nites of crying and scratching your door, i know is cold but they learn. Try hit him SOFTLY just a snap with newspaper when he bites your feet or stop and pick him up saying a firm NO on his face and put him back again. What i usually hear from vets is that you should try distract them with something they like. They need a lot of attention so watch when he does it , after a long day of being alone ? good luck
2006-12-11 10:26:28 · answer #4 · answered by Alex P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A strong "no" in a deep voice will affect him more than a squeal of pain. Do the muzzle grab like above or pinch them on the nose, like a nip from a dominant animal.
When our dog was a puppy, we'd pull her bottom lip over her tongue when she bit, so by biting us she bit herself. This may sound rough, but believe me, it works. The dog learns biting means pain from biting themselves as well as from your stern reprimand. Try not to smile when the dog bites as that means "it's okay" in dog language so the puppy with think you don't mean it when you say "no".
2006-12-11 10:39:40 · answer #5 · answered by cellar_door 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try a quick squirt with something unpleasant, like lemon juice (diluted) when he bites. He won't like the taste and hopefully will stop the action that produces it. Other than that you must ignore him when he bites or else he gets rewarded by your attentions. Make sure to praise him lots (but in a calm manner) when he isn't biting.
2006-12-11 10:29:29 · answer #6 · answered by CHICK 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well he is in the teething stage so he's definitely a chewer... but be consistent and that means everyone in the house and pull away whatever human part he is chewing. If you have a chew toy near by that is apprioproaie give it to him but always keep pulling away from him if he chews, if it includes knocking (gently) off your lap.
2006-12-11 10:25:21 · answer #7 · answered by smurf 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In nature their mother corrects problems by taking their muzzle in her mouth and applying a light pressure. Try that wtth your hand and at the same time say no. It Will Work. Give No Praise And Be Patient.
2006-12-11 10:32:20 · answer #8 · answered by EL-BRAY 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off why could they deliver a dog simplest two weeks ancient? It demands to be with it is mom proper now. Not to say I dont believe a two week ancient dog could be growling and barking at any individual.
2016-09-03 08:11:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give him kong bones and heavily scold him when he bites and ignore him, it will make him bite more for a while but will eventually stop because he is wanting your attention.
2006-12-11 10:24:23 · answer #10 · answered by Jessica B 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋