New puppy is chewing, and my Aunt hits the dog...?

Question

Well, we got a new puppy, and even though my Grandma bought the dog, my Aunt pays for the toys and whatnot.
She's 16 weeks and got her rabies shot a couple days ago, and now is so hyper from her downtime. She's a shih tzu, very small, runt of the little.
She wants to play, and she'll try to play with our hands and nibble on them, but whenever she dose that my Aunt, my Aunt smacks her, hard.

The dog welps, tried to run and goes somewhere where she can be avoided, but goes back to normal, yet gets a bit shy and flinches when someone tried to pick her up.

Me and my Grandma have both told her that people can get tickets, and plus the dog will become a lonely dog, not trusting anyone.

Whenever she nibbles on me, I get her favorite toy and praise her for playing with it, so dose my grandma.

When we told her, she just got defensive and yelled at us, telling us that no one ever gets a ticket for hitting there dog, and my friend said it was okay!(see addtional details)

I don't want the family dog to become so scared, but my Aunt isn't going to quit doing this. Is there any way that I can help the puppy become a little less hy and hand-afraid?

Answer 1

If your aunt continues like this and the puppy is already showing a sign of being affected by this treatment, then no, there isn't anything you can do except to find a way to stop your aunt from doing this.

There are much better ways to address puppy biting than the way your aunt is doing it. See if you can do a little research on the net about the couple of methods here and show them to your aunt and see if she's willing to at least try these less aggressive methods instead. Would be best for your dog all around.

To stop a biting puppy....

1) Reduce the pressure of the bite. When your puppy nips at you, immediately let out an "ow,ow,ow" or "ouch" in a tone of voice that sounds like a puppy yelping. Your puppy should immediately stop the behavior as he will understand that he has hurt you. This is how he communicated with his litter mates if he got hurt and how they let him know if he hurt them. The puppy doesn't want to hurt you, biting is part of how they play, but only needs to learn that what he is doing is painful for you. This will teach him that. You must do it every single time he nips/bites at you and then always resume play with an appropriate play toy, rather than using your hands as "the toy". It will take time, but if you persist with this training method and NEVER allow a nip to go unaddressed, eventually, your puppy will understand that biting you simply hurts and it shouldn't happen.

2) A more direct approach. When the puppy nips at you in play, grab him GENTLY, BUT FIRMLY by the scruff (back) of the neck and GENTLY SHAKE while saying "No" in a tone that sounds like a dog growl. When the puppy relaxes in your hold of him this way, it is a sign of submission and you can then let go and tell him to "play nice" and offer a proper toy to engage in play. It's very important that you realize your own strength and be sure not to grab or shake too hard. You are doing this to get his attention and teach him that you are not happy with his behavior. Momma dog disciplined him exactly the same way when he was still with her when he did something she did not approve of.

With both of these methods, if you do this a couple of times and puppy doesn't seem to let up, then you must ignore him and walk away for about 10 minutes, then attempt to resume proper play time. Your puppy wants your attention and to please you, so he will learn that biting causes play time to end if he doesn't let up when you indicate for him to do so.

Always be sure to only use a proper toy during play time with puppy, NEVER USE YOUR HANDS AS THE TOYS. You must also be consistent and never allow a nip/bite to go unaddressed as you can confuse the puppy as to what you expect of him.

Answer 2

The dogs biting isnt the issue, your focus should be on how to make your aunt stop abusing the dog.

If you aunt pays for toys and what not does that mean she pays for the food too?
If she does, I can see where this would be difficult to remedy.
But if she doesnt, then simple...tell your aunt she shouldnt be doing that, and if she does it again you will call the police on her. Or even call the local animal shleter and ask them what they would advise on the subject. Maybe one of their emplyees will come down and give a free obedience class. Animal shelter employees have always been very helpful.
or
Call the police and tell them to come over and talk with her. Tell them the situation and if they can have a talk with her about thats no way to treat an animal -- and she could be punished for it.
They will gladly oblige the request.

This way your aunt knows she must change her behavior.
Sometimes people are just hard headed and dont see the results of their actions.
Heck, my wifes mother believes dogs are just dogs to be left outside and treated like second class pets -- like you would a bird. just feed it and water it and pet it when you want to. Dogs and cats need more than that and are very susceptable to abuse.

So what you must do is make your aunt understand that it wont be tolerated. its hurting the dog and hurting you and your grandmother.
If financial responsibility for the animal is a factor..then maybe you getting a part time job or doing chores so you can support it and claim it as your own is the answer -- where your aunt will then need to treat YOUR dog ifferently.

But if I was a child, and my older aunt didnt want to listen to me and wanted to abuse my dog I would do what I had to do to let her know..thats unacceptable. If it takes the police coming down then so be it.
Either that, or for dogs own well being, one day when aunts away find a safe place for her. adoption or a friend that will treat it right.

Sorry but sometimes you have to make tough decision in life

good luck with it

Answer 3

She is going to create a dog that is scared, unconfident, unpredictable, untrusting, and possibly will be a fear-biter. By being a self-ish, abusive b*tch, she's ruining the possibility of that dog ever being a normal, happy member of the family. That puppy is a BABY. Still learning, still not knowing what is right or wrong. GET HER IN PUPPY CLASS ASAP if you do not want to give her up. TAKE her out lots to meet other people, so she learns they are not all scary. Seriously, do not let your aunt do this. The pup does not deserve to suffer because of someone else's stupidity. Get someone to talk to her if you can't. A trainer...anyone. If she was my aunt, I'd hit her back. Ultimately, if she doesn't listen, you guys might want to consider finding her a better more suitable home, who can raise a happy puppy, and not one that fears everything.

Answer 4

Your aunt is wrng by hitting the dog she's making the dog scared, her hands should represent of petting her and loving her, the dog is still a puppy and she will try to nibble on hand or anything else because she's teething. when the dog start nibbling on her hand your aunt should just say NO to the dog and give him her toys for teething and be consistent. If she constantly hit the dog she will make the dog scared of everything and her, and that's going to be a problem. always play with your dog with a toy don't let her play with your hands or she will get used to it.
and your aunt is wrong if she keeps doing that you can report her that is consider abuse.
I'm sorry that your aunt is like that to the dog talk to her and explain that hitting the dog hard won't do anything good for the dog and dog won't be able to protect if she's scared.

Answer 5

Sorry hon, the safest thing you can do for your puppy is to find her a different home. You probably had no idea this would happen but you have brought the puppy to live with an animal abuser. She is already starting to show signs of abuse and will suffer serious mental damage if it doesn't stop now.

The only other thing to do is make your Grandma and aunt go to the vet with you where the vet can explain the damage your aunt is doing to this poor puppy.

ps, you are doing the right thing by substituting a toy for your hands to the puppy. Unless you can remove your aunt from the home you will need to save your puppy by removing it from your home. I hope your aunt does not hit you.

Answer 6

I am always amazed when friends and family come to visit and assume it's Ok to bring their pet without asking first and not accepting it if no is the answer. I never take my dog when I visit friends and family out of town - it is disruptive to their households and their pets even if my pets are well-behaved. If the dog has damaged things in your house in the past, tell your aunt the dog needs to remain in a crate when she can't supervise it's behavior and you expect her to control the dog's behavior and not let the dog damage things. You shouldnot have to be responsible for disciplining her dog. If she can't do that, she should board the dog either at home or near your home. If she gets mad, too bad. It's your home and it's your right to set house rules.

Answer 7

I've read most of the posts here. Print it out and show it to your Aunt. If she doesn't get the message, you may need to find the dog another home where it won't be treated so badly that it cowers and find places to hide. This dog can grow up to be a fear biter because of your Aunt's misguided attempts to train the dog. Either your aunt begins to realize that there are other options in training other than 'hitting' or you are fighting a lost cause. In this situation, no one wins, unless your Aunt educates herself on dog training.

Answer 8

it's your dog/grandma's dog. Stand up for it. It's little it doesn't eat that much and does not need expensive toys. Cut the aunt out of the equation. She is no longer allowed to even touch the puppy. When she is around take the puppy to your room. Make it obvious or not your choice. It is your responsibility to care for and protect that dog. If you cant do it, then you need to find it someone who will.

Answer 9

Your aunt is weak. Only a person who is highly ignorant would hit an animal. They don't respond to hitting, but training. Train your dog (pick up a how-to book, take your dog to an obedience class, etc.) and things will get better. It's a puppy. They chew, get excited, etc. and need to be shown the appropriate way.

You do need to find something to counteract your aunt's abuse. What can you say or do to make her stop? Every body has a button. I suggest you push hers - HARD.

Answer 10

Do the best thing you can do for this puppy and find it a LOVING home where it is not abused. Striking a dog like this is abuse, plain and simple. Your aunt may or may not be right about not getting a ticket for hitting your dog, Unfortunately animal abuse laws are very inadequate and often times non-existant.