I keep being told that the biting, sudden pouncing, and growling is just the puppy in her, however I've had dogs/puppies my entire life and never has one been as aggresive as she is. I know all puppies do this but she seems a little mean. I've tried anything and everything to get her to stop biting she just gets worse with each attempt. I can handle the biting however she was a Christmas gift for my 2 girls, the youngest being 8 can't play with her puppy. Any advice? Thanx.
2006-12-29 14:47:32 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
First of all, read Raredawn's answer, if you have not already done so. She is the only respondent I've seen that speaks like a dog trainer. No offense to all the other folks who answered, they are all well-meaning people, but their advice is more "dog-owner to dog-owner", than "trainer to owner".
There is a chance that your pup is actually "aggressive", but it is a very tiny chance. The most likely answer is simply teething, mouthing (for play), hunger (as dawn said), frustration etc. One technique that I have not seen mentioned is faking a yelp. It's a little less effective than spraying vinegar or similar things at the dog, but it's also much gentler to the dog and more natural for them to understand... when the pup puts her teeth on you, let out a LOUD high-pitched YELP!.. like a puppy or dog would, if they are hurt. Then look very sad / injured, and turn away from the dog. When puppies grow up together, they learn how to play from each other. The main form any dog has of playing is to use their mouths, much like humans use their hands. When puppies play with each other, they mouth and nip each other (for fun). If one pup bites another too hard, or does something too aggressive, the sibling pup will yelp... "hey! that hurts!" in dog language. I have used this on scores of dogs, with excellent results. The key is, you have to REALLY "sell it". Really let out a big yelp or "OUCH" and pretend it's the most painful thing you ever felt - for a few seconds. See the pup's reaction. If she seems stunned for a second, you are right on track. This is best done one-on-one. If too many people are present, the pup is more easily distracted.
If it doesn't seem to work, give it a break and try another time. If it seems to have no effect whatsoever, you may have better luck with other methods. Personally, I would only ever resort to negative-reinforcement methods after all positive-reinforcement methods have been exhausted.
Good luck... don't give up on her!
2006-12-29 15:27:25 · answer #1 · answered by Jasper B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Getting your children, the youngest being 8, a Boxer puppy for a present was not a good choice. This is a very energetic breed that can be a wonderful friend, but not really recommended for small children.
I'd give her back to the breeder and get a smaller, more docile breed like a toy poodle or a nice mixed breed rescue.
2006-12-30 04:16:24 · answer #2 · answered by renodogmom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For one thing your dog is teething. boxers were bread to ahve powerful jaws and the desire to use them. Do not allow any rough housing with this dog. NONE! Play should consist of throwing a ball and letting her go get it. Tug toys. NO WRESTLING! And no hitting on the dog. To teach a dog to be gentle the dog has to be handled gently, just like a child.
Boxers are also very energetic. Hope your yard is fenced! This dog needs to run!
Get Nylabone chew toys. Dont' allow the dog to chew on humans. Give it chew toys. these dogs were also bred to ahve lightening reflexes. Tuning and jumping fast is part of her make up. the need to use her fast reflexes.
A couple more things. Feed her. people get a pup and are told to gfeed the pup half a cup of food a day. The pup grows and in a week needs more food tahn 1/2 cup a day so the pup is getting very hungry. A hungry pup will bite and chew. Also get mean and agressive. Lack of food is one of the fastest wasy to make a dog agressive! Don't for get lots of water.
I am also wondering wehre you keep your pup. Dogs are a pack animal. Social. They need lots of company. If you are kepeing your pup outisde very much it may be very lonely and this may be part of the problem.
Dog reach the mental capability of a three year old. Putting a dog outside alone, a social animal that needs company is like sentencing a small child to solitary confinement. Dogs can and do go insane when they are tied in the back yard with no companionship. 3 minutes a day to drop off food and water does not count as companioinship.
Keep everyone calm around the dog. Just like a small child excitement will excite her.
Your dog is just a baby. She will clam down and grow out fo soem of it as she ages but it will take a good year.
Go to the library and get a dog training book or tow or go to classes. You need to do it right away. Dogs grow fast. She wants to please you but you need to learn how to teach her what you expect fo her.
2006-12-29 23:05:05 · answer #3 · answered by raredawn 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I got my Bichonpoo when she was 12 weeks old. She had a biting and chewing problem usual for pups that age. I would tell her firmly (not yelling) "no bite". If she was chewing an object that she shouldn't chew I would tell her "no bite" and "switch" as I gave her a toy or bone to chew in its place. I was very persistent and consistent making sure to do this every time she chewed or bit and making sure that anyone who played with her or petted her did the same. She is now 5 months old and I have no chewing or biting problem with her. Be patient with your pup and yours firm discipline, no yelling and no hitting (that just makes it worse). He will learn that that behavior is unacceptable.
2006-12-29 23:18:44 · answer #4 · answered by ESPERANZA 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The pup is probably just playing,but I understand your concern with your girls. Get her some toys to chew on and when she starts playfully biting you get a squirt bottle of water and squirt her in the face as you are telling her no. She probably really isn't mean, she just needs to be taught right from wrong. My brother just got a female Boxer to replace one that he lost to Rainbow Bridge this past summer. She is only 13 weeks old and does the same thing. He is in the process of breaking her from doing this. Your baby will be fine,just be stern with her.
2006-12-29 22:59:27 · answer #5 · answered by ® 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try spraying viniga rin her mouth everytime she bites and say "NO" very stern;y. Then she will acsociate biting with vinigar and learn not to do it. My pitbull did the same thing when she was a puppy, it was so bad i thought of getting rid of her. After a few weeks with the vinigar she snapped out of it and has never bitten any hand since and is one of the nicest dogs I've ever owned.
2006-12-29 22:51:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
She might not be the type of dog for children. I'm not really sure what you have tried--since you have tried anything and everything to get her to stop. Chew toys? Training? Penning? Space? Positive and negative reinforcement?
2006-12-29 22:53:13 · answer #7 · answered by What, what, what?? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know people who have been bitten by their own dogs, and stores about injuries from dogs to children, you seem to be in the know about that kind of behavior, if I were you, I would seriously consider getting rid of the dog for your kids safty, if you really don't want to do that, I would consult a trainer if you can afford it, safty is not something I would try and skip out on as far as training goes. Good luck!!
2006-12-29 22:54:02 · answer #8 · answered by Katrina 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
give her some teething toys to play with and shew ill be more occupied. Also praise your dogs good behavior so she knows whats right to chew on and wrong to chew on
2006-12-29 22:50:16 · answer #9 · answered by coldog33 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Shoot it? if it bites its not something that should be around children, would you give your kid a knife? no, then why would you keep something that bites around?
2006-12-29 22:49:54 · answer #10 · answered by Not a hippie 2 · 0⤊ 5⤋