I just adopted a 10-week-old puppy (chocolate lab/golden retriever mix) from the shelter and she play-bites all the time. It doesn't bother me, but I don't want her being a nuisance to my guests. How do I break her of this habit before it's too late?
2006-12-20 05:28:25 · 20 answers · asked by Hershey 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You probably won't break her of this habit, but you can make it less severe. When she does play bite you, tell her no, then offer her a more suitable thing to chew, a chew toy, pig ear, cow hoof etc. This will let her know that it's ok to chew them, but humans aren't ok. I used to play with my puppy when she wanted to play chewing type games by letting her chew and tug on one of those rope bone things (we call it a wiggy) We'd shake it and gently pull it while she growled and shook it. This is how dogs play in nature, it's what they do so just redirect her. Also have plenty of toys for her to play with laying about or in a basket she can access easily. Because she is a lab, expect puppy like behavior for about 3 years, they grow up slow.
Good luck, labs are great dogs and very loyal and smart.
2006-12-20 05:40:09 · answer #1 · answered by toomeymimi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a lab mix and it depends upon the dog - but she shouldn't be teething at 10 weeks. With our dog he was used to play biting with his litter mates (we got him at 12 weeks). I tried the "yelp like a hurt dog" but this just confused him. It's been most effective to say "Ow! No biting!" then move away or stop playing for a minute. I always let him come back and say he's sorry though (he will lick your hand in apology). If it's a particularly hard bite then we'll give him a quick, light tap (it's not meant to hurt but to surprise) on the nose and say "Ow! No!" It took a few weeks and he still will play bite but he knows better who he can play rough with and who he can't. He also will stop what he's doing immediately when he hears "Ow" because he connects that with my displeasure/pain. Good luck! And keep working because you have to stop it when they're young - particularly Labs won't just grow out of it.
2006-12-20 05:53:45 · answer #2 · answered by SGTCharity 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The puppy does not know her place in the pack yet. It is up to you to let her know her position. If you ever watch puppies playing you will notice that they are mouthing or nipping at each other, and as soon as it one of the puppies give a high pitch yelp the mouthing ie nipping comes to an immediate halt. What you need to do is incorporate this routine into your regular training schedule. Sit with the pup in your lap and place your hand out so that it may mouth you. As soon as the pup puts pressure on your hand give a high pitch yelp and say "No Bite" keep doing this over and over. Make sure to praise her when she does not mouth your hand. And over time your pup will know the feel of human skin and will not latch down. Good Luck
2006-12-20 05:51:55 · answer #3 · answered by k8eblue 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The puppy is still teething.Buy her a chew toy and when she tries to bite at you,DO NOT HIT HER!Sharply say No!and then refuse to play for a couple of minutes,which feels like a lifetime to a puppy.Eventually she will realize that biting results in you not wanting to play.
2006-12-20 05:43:32 · answer #4 · answered by Sassyface 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree that your puppy is teething- feed her ice! I have a 16 week chesapeake bay retriever and thinks of ice as a treat (it helps ease their gums). When she bites you say ouch, put her off the couch and ignore her. That way you're teaching her that it's bad to bite without telling her she's a bad dog. (My fiance and I have a new found obsession with watching the Dog Whisperer, it'll help you and your dog not develope unhealthy habits.) Good luck!!
2006-12-20 05:42:40 · answer #5 · answered by kellilicious5 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dogs quit biting whilst you train them to not chunk. Its no longer anything they "develop out of".. When she bites.. yelp "OUCH" use the identical tone a dog could if it bought bit too rough. If she maintains to chunk, yelp "OUCH" once more, then stroll away and forget about the dog for 10-15 minutes. This teaches the dog.. you're being too tough, Im no longer having amusing, so recreation over. The dog will be trained to not chunk if she desires to keep gambling. Also inspire using toys for play.. do compliment your dog for all correct interactions additionally.. gambling with toys, getting puppy or brushed with out biting, and many others.
2016-09-03 13:20:00 · answer #6 · answered by kaufmann 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because it doesn't bother you, it doesn't mean you should let her do it. When she bites, say "ouch" and pull your hand back. This is the same way her littermates would tell her that she has bitten too hard or is playing too rough. Do not continue to play with her until she stops nipping. She will figure it out quickly.
2006-12-20 05:32:13 · answer #7 · answered by GSDotch 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since he is a puppy he is probably just teething. You might want to buy him a chew toy or bone. Happy To Help
2006-12-20 05:36:17 · answer #8 · answered by JUDI 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since it is a puppy you should get it a chew toy for it to teeth on but other than that maybe you should scold it if it continues when it's older
2006-12-20 05:38:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey well I would suggest that everytime the puppy bites you take it's mouth and close it and tell it "NO!!!!" with a hard voice every time it bites. Well I hope your puppy stops his bite habit. Take care and take good care of your pup. k. Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
2006-12-20 05:39:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋