Puppy training?

Question

My 10 week old labradoorX won't stop biting anything and everything. I know that she's teething, but would like know how to stop this becoming a habit and how to teach her to not bite humans and their SHOES!

Answer 1

What Every Puppy Should Learn


to be comfortable in a crate, both when owners are home as well as when owners are gone


to eliminate outside (on command would be nice!)


to respect human hands and skin (no nipping or mouthing!)


to not jump up on humans or countertops


to respect their owners as the leader of the pack


to release or relinquish food, toys or inappropriate objects when told


to come when called


to be tolerant of handling (nail trims, cleaning ears, kids grabbing fur, taking things out of mouth, drops in eyes, giving pills, bathing, brushing/grooming...)


to "leave it" when told


no chasing bicycles, children, squirrels, rabbits, cars, balls...


to walk without pulling


to sit, down, stay, wait on command


to be comfortable and under control in new or uncomfortable places such as: the veterinary hospital, groomer, boarding kennel, training class, pet store, other people's homes (perhaps even over night!)


to be comfortable if and when separated from other dogs, pets or people in their family - able to be left alone without destruction, barking or nervousness


to play, chew or relax without constant contact or interaction from owner


to be tolerant of and possibly sociable with other dogs


to not be protective of food, bowl, crate, toys or bed


to quiet barking when told


to greet friends & strangers without jumping or shying away


to not rush through doorways or down stairs ahead of owner


to move location (even if on furniture or bed) when directed without complaint


It comes as a great surprise to many puppy owners that their little darling arrived with a full set of sharp pointed teeth that the average shark would be proud of! Worse, the puppy likes to flex them on you! This information is designed for puppies under the age of 18 weeks - which still have their puppy teeth. If you have a dog over this agethat is mouthing or biting please call the office for advice.

Biting during play is essential and normal for all puppies, but you need to take action to reduce it in your home. Puppies have needle-sharp teeth for one reason only - so that when they bite, it hurts! This helps them to discover what is alive and what is not! This is normal and should not be treated as aggression. However, it is not acceptable for dogs to bite people - and puppies need to be given education in how to moderate their biting.

• Puppy biting teaches a pup just how hard it can bite other living things. Clearly, it can exert a huge amount of pressure on a lifeless object such as a toy, without causing any kind of reaction, while trying the same behaviour on a litter mate - or on us - will most certainly result in a big response!

• How do litter mates respond if they are bitten too hard? Puppies play by biting each others’ ears, tail, legs and any other part that they can catch hold of! This is accepted quite happily - until the pressure becomes too hard. Then the ‘victim’ is likely to yelp and stop playing for a short while, leaving the pup that bit too hard to realise that there were consequences to his actions. We need to mimic this response when teaching our own puppies not to bite.

• The process of learning to moderate biting is known as learning ‘bite inhibition’. It is vital that all puppies learn how to moderate their bites before they lose their deciduous teeth at around 18 weeks’ of age.

Suggestions

Your puppy needs to know that biting hurts! This means that each and every time your puppy mouths your hands or clothes, you MUST:

• Yelp loudly or give a shout.

• Immediately turn away as if to nurse your wounds, and ignore your pup.

• Your puppy will probably look a little bewildered.

• Ignore your pup for about 20 seconds, then resume interacting.

• Repeat the “Ouch!” and turn away each and every time you feel his teeth.

• It is important to be consistent, that means everyone must do the same.

Biting will not stop immediately. Instead, it should become less and less hard over a period of about three to four weeks. At this point, your pup should realise that he cannot put any pressure on you at all, and then you can yelp even if he puts his mouth on you gently - finally teaching him that he cannot initiate biting.

IMPORTANT! Do not play rough and tumble games with your puppy, or play any game where the pup grabs your clothes, skin or hair. (Dad, listen!!!) This is giving your puppy permission to bite and will set back all your other efforts.

Help, we’re still having problems!

This process works well for the vast majority of puppies. However, there are exceptions: pups which are already well over 14 weeks’ old and puppies which have learned to bite for attention! If you find that yelping and turning away has had no effect, despite total consistency for a fortnight, or if your puppy seems to become more excited and snappy if you yelp, you may need a different strategy.

• Take all the fun out of the behaviour! This means no laughing, squealing or shouting if your puppy bites.

• As soon as your dog puts his mouth on you, even in play, say “Wrong” or “Quit it” in a normal voice, then immediately put him in the kitchen or behind a door or baby gate.

• This social isolation should only last about 3 minutes, then he can rejoin the family.

• However, if your puppy gets excited by being picked up, simply say “Wrong” then get up and leave the room yourself, shutting the door behind you. Children can do this very effectively.

• Be consistent! It will take many repetitions before your puppy understands that biting results in the loss of fun.

Answer 2

Your thinking on this is wrong. Your puppy in human years is only a little baby with NO understanding of right and wrong. It is perfectly normal for a puppy to bite at this age. It will learn around three months of age that No means NO. Until then enjoy your puppy - It will soon grow up!

Answer 3

We have a 6 month old Sheltie. She is still a puppy and puppies like to chew, but we watched the "Dog Whisperer" and took an idea from him. When Belle starts biting I give her either the command or hand signal for "down". Then I come over and forcibly (without hurting her) hold her down for a second and say "calm". This way she senses that I'm the alpha member of her pack (having to lay down in submission) the word "calm" just gives her a command. She will immediately stop biting.

Give her lots of chew toys to prevent the chewing. Keep things up off the floor that you don't want to be chewed, because puppies will chew. It's part of being a puppy.

Answer 4

She doesn't understand it hurts you, so you need to tell her "Ouch" like you mean it, and ignore her for a few seconds. Stay very still, movement can make her think you are playing. Try to be convincing, pull out your inner actor.

For shoes, get a bitter product such as Bitter Apple or Fooey or Yuck and spray on the things she likes to chew. The reality it, she is a baby, so if she can reach it, she will chew it. If she chews shoes, put the shoes where the puppy can't reach them.

You have the bigger brain. If she is chewing shoes, at this stage in her life, it is your fault she can get to them.

Also, for teething, her gums hurt. Give her lots of things to chew on: Take a washcloth and soak it in water laced with a little chicken broth. Wring it out thoroughly, tie a knot in it and freeze it. Give it to her. She'll be inclined to chew and the cold will sooth her gums.

Or a large carrot that is chilled, the carrot won't hurt her and the cold will soothe her gums.

Or Puppy Kongs, stuffed with some kibble, treats and peanut butter and frozen.

Answer 5

Never, never punish a dog or puppy by sticking its nose in its poo, that is pure abuse. as someone suggested u do. When ur puppy mouths or bites ur hand or fingers, a stern NO, is what is needed. All puppies chew, it is a stage they go thru while teething.
A hard rubber or plastic toy, especially one u hide a treat in is a good choice, as it keeps them entertained and satisfies their chewing urge, be careful they don`t chew off pieces of material and swallow it. Don`t roughhouse when playing with ur puppy, that only encourages biting. Be patient, consistent and give her
lots of love, it will be returned to u many times over as she outgrows these annoying traits.

Answer 6

Its funny to read different folks responses to their dogs, but I suspect that the ones that believe that a puppy can't learn, prob. have animals that I wouldn't want to be around. It is very important to begin training your pup. Bad habits are difficult to break once they are tolerated. The guy who gave you the long list has given you excellent advice, esp. the one about crate training. Pups need some down time to relax and sleep as well as active time. Take your pup out everyday and get some of his energy out. Be consistent on using a word that you choose to say when he begins his chewing. Keep your pup near you during the time you are home so that you can observe his behavior. When you are not home, crate train. This has worked so well in our home that when we visit friends and family, our dog is the only one allowed in their homes. Cesar Milan (the Dog Whisperer) is so right when he says that dogs rule the home in America.

Answer 7

Hola shayde.

Unfortunately you are going through stage 1 of teething and even more unfortunately it is the easier of the two to handle. Contrary to popular belief i never use a word like "no" to speak to my dogs in my household. Establish a word that you don't use very often. I prefer wrong...otherwise our constant use of no will only confuse them.

Whenever your puppy attempts to bite on your hand...a shoe...etc. Tell them "wrong." They will be through their puppy teething stage soon...I'd say a week or two but, between four and five months when their adult teeth start coming in it will be even worse. Just make sure to establish alpha status in your household and make sure they understand the meaning of wrong.

ps. I absolutely swear by a pet training classes. Especially for first-time pet owners. It is a great experience for both you and youur dog. Stop by your local Petsmart/Petco and talk to their resident pet trainer. They will definately help you out as well.

Answer 8

this is a stage you just have to go through with puppys for say 6 months and then it eases my advice to you is take him to puppy training classes it woth every single penny

Answer 9

Yes my dog had the same problem. This is what they told us to do at a training class and it worked. When she tries to bite you or bites you, whether it hurts or not make a high piched "OUCH" and then turn your back to her. If she goes to the other side turn around make sure she knows that you are "hurt" and disappointed in her. It totally works. It shouldn't be too long before she gets the idea.

Answer 10

thats what puppys do... so just be patient and it will pass with time, also give your dog plenty of toys to play with and dont go for any hard line attitude as it is just a puppy.
make the most of your time together and treat them as part of the family.

Answer 11

lol, bless her, nope she will continue to bite well teeth till her teeth stop hurting her lol, she does not think she is hurting you when she bites your hands etc, but shoes, boy do they love shoes!!, i have had dogs virtually all my life and breed them now, but my advice is give them an old shoe ... yes yes i know millions will disagree but its always worked for me.. make sure all the others are out of the way but spray them with a mixture of water and say lavender, citron etc it does nothing to the shoes but makes them smell nice but tastes horrid to the dogs, i also advise on things like leather, mix a little pepper powder into the leather food/cleaner and rub around the bases where they chew this also discourages them. As for your fingers, you can only make sure they know your not happy when she does it, a firm no a small tap on the nose and push her away, dogs love to be part of the family and shunning them is one of the worst things you can do but make sure its only for 5 mins any more and she will become agitated. Good luck :-) oh and it will wear off eventually lol oh and unlike some one who knows nothing mentioned... DO NOT STICK A DOGS NOSE IN ITS OWN POO there are better and more effective ways of training a dog, without damaging its senses in its nose.. always thougth it was a good idea for your average drunk male tho