How to stop our 6 week old puppy bite\nips at everyone?

Question

Whether in playing or relaxing our 6 week old rottwiler loves to grab a hold of cloths or bits down on arms legs and now going for the face even in the night time. It is worse with our small 5 year old. we were told to flick him on the nose and say "no" but that doesn't work and it seems to make him yelp away and pout. Help.

Answer 1

You always try the most positive method first:
Some ideas for discouraging finger chewing: when your puppy clamps down, let out a very loud YELP in imitation of a hurt puppy. Then, fold your arms and ignore him for 10 minutes. With very young puppies, this sometimes works wonders - it's the same thing that happens when they get too rough with another puppy. The wounded puppy yelps and runs off, refusing to play for a bit. The yelp must be startling enough to stop the behavior.

That should do the trick, . however, if it doesn't fix the problem this will work:

To introduce an element of "natural discipline", grasp the recalcitrant pup with one hand, place your other hand over the top of his muzzle, gently pressing his muzzle towards his chest as you say, in a low, growly tone of voice, "No BITE". If they begin to throw a tantrum and thrash around trying to bite, just hold the line until they "give in" and "say uncle" (quit resisting). You should not find it necessary to get aggressive with a young puppy. Simple restraint is usually enough to get the message across.

Absolutely do not use any stiffer discipline...No more flicking! That is the worst you can do to a Rottweiler, and will produce a dangerous dog in the future..(about 4 years old)
These people who are recommending that you strike the Rottie in any way, DO NOT KNOW ROTTWEILERS!!

Answer 2

This is normal for this tho it can be very annoying. Redirection usually works. When puppy starts nip/biting you need to pick up one of pups toys or bones, give a firm verbal "NO" and then offer the pup the toy/bone. When puppy takes toy/bone praise praise and more praise. It will take time, patience, and consistency so don't give up. You also didn't mention what breed of pup. Some herding breeds bite/nip more and may take a little longer to stop the behavior because that is what is bred in them. That is how the move their herd/flock. Some herding breeds may start again when they get a little older, my Belgian Malinois did so we started again. 2nd time around didn't take very long it was just a reminder course that that type of behavior is not acceptable. Good Luck and enjoy your puppy! PS--What cinney up above me said is also true. The puppies mom will let out a yelp when they have done something to displease them and then she turns and walks away ignoring them for a few minutes. I have done both ways with my dogs. Try both and see which one works the best for your puppy.

Answer 3

What you want to teach your puppy is bite inhibition. He doesn't mean to hurt you, he's playing.

When he bites or nips you, pull the 'injured' part away from him and yell 'OW' loudly, hold the part to you and say the the puppy 'You REALLY hurt me!' (it will understand tone, not words). Turn away from the puppy for several moments while you 'nurse' your injury, then resume the game. The idea is to _shock_ the puppy with the noise and temporarily stop his fun game. Your puppy doesn't want to hurt you and will modify it's biting behavior when it figures out that biting stops the game.

Your 5 year old will probably not be able to consistantly apply the above. You could try getting a product called Natures Miracle Best Behavior, or another called Bitter Apple, and put it liberally over the child. This tastes awful and the dog will stop mouthing it very quickly. Um...use the water based stuff, the oil based is yucky feeling on your skin, the water based dries and you can't feel it.

It sounds like he is not associating the nose flick with the bite. For the nose flick to be effective, it has to happen at the very moment the bite is happening, doing it after the bite is released is not effective at all, the animal won't think 'Oh, right, I'm not suposed to bite' it will think 'You want to hurt me'. I don't like this method myself but sometimes it does work.

Because the puppy is a rotty, teaching it bite inhibition is very important. Hopefully, my suggestion will work. If not, keep trying other things..
Best of luck with your new baby!

Answer 4

Tell him in a firm low tone: "No Bite" and if he does not back down or continues to nip, get a bottle of "Yuck Mouth" , a nasty tasting spray which aids in training dogs, and spray a few squirts in the mouth when he does it. At the same time say: No Bite!
This spray is available at PetSmart stores, probably other stores carry it too. Don't know.
You do want to stop this now before it gets very serious. Take him to training classes to work on it too if it is still a problem. The sooner the better. Just make sure the training place makes sure their clients dogs have had all their first sets of shots.

Answer 5

Well you heard everyones comment on the pup being too young to take but you have him now and you need to stop him from thinking that you and your family are litter mates.
First tell him NO and try to give him a toy instead. If this doesnt work you can give him a shake at the scruff of the neck and tell him NO. The children should just say NO and get up and walk away. This is the worst for the pup since all he wants to do is play.They are too young to give a good correction. Remember he is a dog and they need to learn their place in your pack.

Answer 6

I've always had success with a tap on the nose and a firm "NO BITE". If he pouts, he'll get over it. If he continues or gets over excited he needs a time out. (just a few minutes should do) He needs to learn now that his behavior is inappropriate. He will soon get too big for your 5 year old so it is very important for him to learn now.

Answer 7

At 6 weeks, they're still learning their boundaries (which is why they should be with their mother and their littermates, in the future, please know that eight weeks is the minimum for separating a puppy from its mother.)

You can fill in for the reaction of the other pups, though. Yelp like a hurt puppy every time he bites. I mean, ham it up, and yowl like it really hurt. That's how they learn their limits.

As he gets older, begin using a firm "NO!" and push him (gently) down to the floor to show your dominance.

Answer 8

Smack the crap out of him. Don't flick him on the nose, smack him with your open hand clean across the side of his head and knock him back a few feet. He won't like it, but he'll quickly learn. Dogs are not humans. They respond to a good smack upside the head. Dogs respect the boundaries that their owners set for them and this is what they need.

People have gotten way too soft these days. So many people can't control their dogs. The dog whisperer is racking up the bucks and he tells everyone the same thing....the owner is the problem, not the dog. His methods are the same in every case. The owner must form a dominating role and set & enforce boundaries. If you'll watch the show, every one of the dog owners on there are passive wimps.

I don't believe in cruelty to animals. But the reality is that dogs respond to being hit as a form of correction. There's a difference between beating a dog and using a slap as a correction.

Don't take my adivce if you don't like it. Spend your hard earned money on obedience school...or call the dog whisperer.

Answer 9

Never hit a dog.That will cause them to loose trust in you.A dog only listens if he likes you.You may firmly but gently grab the snout & say no.He will out grow this,,I recommend rawhide chewies & toys & ball.If something is in his mouth,,he cant bite.They do this because they are teething & curious.You may roll up a newspaper & smack it on your hand while saying no & then give him his toy to chew.

Answer 10

Six weeks is WAY too early to be away from his mother. This is one of the reasons why. When he starts nipping, quit playing with him.