My puppy won't stop biting despite using behavior tactics?

Question

I have a 10 week old cockapoo who continues to bite and have behavior problems after 3 weeks of using various behavior techniques. First I tried a firm "no" and rubbed the roof of his mouth. After several days of no success, I continued with a firm "no" and ignored him. After several days of that with no success, I tried yelping after every bite and then ignoring the pup. When that made no change, I would yelp after a bite and grab pup by the scruff of the neck and give a gentle shake. I would then walk away and ignore pup for 5 minutes. Now, I am using the yelp technique and delivering a low growl with eye contact. Pup only growls back and continues to bite! I am at a total loss and think I need to consult a behaviorist. Can anyone help me?

Answer 1

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. ( I am a behaviorist)

Note: DO NOT hold him on his back and look him in the eyes..That is an old 'remedy' that has proven only to cause aggressive, rebellious dogs, as they mature, at about 4 years old.

Answer 2

To prevent or eliminate play nipping, advise owners to avoid using their hands in play unless they are petting their dogs or tossing a toy to be fetched.' Also tell owners to avoid rough play and tug of war. Such activity can excite the puppy, prompting mouthing of the owner vs. chewing on a toy. Instead, advise owners to use toys such as balls and ropes that keep hands at a distance. Puppy bites necessitate a firm "no" and quick withdrawal of the owner's hand from the puppy's reach. When the owner's hand is withdrawn, the puppy's game no longer works. If the puppy still insists on biting in play, some carefully measured discipline is required. For example, the owner might quickly grasp the puppy's mouth, holding it firmly closed until the puppy relaxes or whimpers for a few seconds. If the puppy interprets that response as play, becomes defensive or overly fearful, or challenges the owner, all such direct punishment must cease. In many cases, leaving the room to socially isolate the puppy for 30 to 120 seconds is enough for the puppy to learn that mouthing is unacceptable. Owners may also need to put a bitter-tasting substance on their hands, as described for chewing problems. This tells the puppy that hand chewing is unpleasant. Other forms of acceptable puppy discipline include using a squirt bottle or water gun; a shaker can; loud, hand-operated horns; or a head halter.2 These techniques work only if they are handy when needed. It is best to have several options in place wherever the owner and the puppy spend time together. When the puppy's play gets too rough, a deep, firm "no" needs to be followed by an effective intervention. This combination gives the puppy the vocal cue that it has overstepped acceptable bounds and reinforces that its actions will have consequences.

Answer 3

By keeping eye contact, you're actually signaling to him that you are playing. You are supposed to break eye contact then growl. (Cesar Milan - The Dog Whisperer) What I did with my Lab puppy was held her snout very gently but firmly and told her NO BITE in a firm but not loud voice. Then broke eye contact and walked away. After doing this a few times she started to catch on. It did take another few days for her to really learn though and now she doesn't do it at all except to the kids when they get her all riled up. Try that and see if you have any success. Good luck! This will tone down once the teething phase is over, they usually lose puppy teeth between 5 and 6 months old.

Answer 4

wow what a strong willed little booger. you definatly have your hands full there. i see one main problem with your techinques. you have used too many of them in too short of a time. you are not going to break him of this after one or two no's. does he start out the same way each time before he bites? for example, do you know when a bite is coming? if you do stop him right then and there, don't wait for the bite. and if he just seems to bite out of nowhere, the treatment is the same. when he does bite, or start to bite, grab him by the scruff, and say no bite in a firm voice, not yelling or being angry. immediatly fip him on his back and hold him there. hold him down until his relaxes. it might take awhile at first, just be patient, don't get angry and don't let him up. you can restrain a pup this size with very minimal restraint at this age. he might yell and scream and wiggle, but hold your ground. once he relaxes let him up and immediatly continue with what you were doing. if he tries to bite you again, say NO scruff him and flip him. no exceptions. you must be consistant. keep doing this until the behavoir stops. each and every time he does bite repeat the same behavoir. right now he has no clue as to what will happen as the punishment has varied. stick with one style and be very patient, and don't get frustrated, i know it's hard, and be consistant. if he knows what to expect each time he does this he will know before he bites what is going to happen eventually. it might take a few weeks, but just keep it up. and when he's old enough enroll him in a training class. this will further help him to understand you are the leader and are to be respected. but most of all it will build his confidence and strengthen your bond. and by getting on the ground eye level with her and growling at her, you are provocing her to stand her ground. don't give her this choice. just show and tell her how it is. good luck.

Answer 5

Have you tried spraying the dog in the face with water? A spray bottle on mist might surprise the dog enough to stop it. Or try it on the stream and get the dog in the nose or near the eye.

Take into account what happens right before the dog bites. Are you near its food dish? Watch the dog's body language to help predict when it'll bite and to try to avoid the situation that brings on the behavior.

I don't like to suggest shock collars because they're usually not used properly and because it's a puppy, I'm even more hesitant to suggest it. So don't use one unless it's with the guidance of a professional.

If this is full-on biting that is serious and not just the puppy "mouthing" then honestly, it really does sound like a behavioral issue that might require a professional to help you.

Best of luck to you.

Answer 6

Some dogs can be "mouthier" than others. I am assuming that the puppy is playing when he is biting you. The pet stores sell a product called "bitter apple" spray that you can spray on your hands when playing with him. He will not like the taste of this and he will keep his mouth away from your hands.

I am no "Caesar Millan" but I think that growling at him when he does this...will teach him to growl as well.

You could also try giving him something to play with instead of your hands. Like a rope toy. Just make sure that you don't pull his little teeth out while playing "tug-o-war".

Remember, he is young and most likely he will outgrow this.

Good Luck.

Answer 7

He is a puppy so he does need a lot to chew on. When ours went through that, my husband would curl his lip on to his teeth and push. It made the dog bite himself. He'd yelp, and after about 3 tries he'd gotten over that, but ours was a German Shepard who was very easy to train. Also, my husband always made sure the dog knew he was the boss. He has been the best dog for about 12 years now.

Answer 8

I stoped my pup from biting by gently but firmly holding the snout, looking her in the eye, firmly saying dont bite mommy, then released, gave her a bone and changed my voice to a high pitch and praisied. if she refused the bone i knew she was not teething but playing instead. then i would get her rope and play tug, after five or ten min i could hand her her bone agian and walk of. like a child entertain then allow alone time. i seen results within a few weeks.

Answer 9

What I do it grab the lower jaw of the pup when they are coming in for the bite. Most puppies are trying to play because that is how they played with their siblings. Do you have chew toys or bones for the pup?? Well, try those! good luck!

Answer 10

The pup is teething. Get it some thing safe for it to chew on . Dogs tend to like different types of toys. Get it one rubber toy, like a small Long toy and get it a small Nylabone type toy. See which one it seems to like. then each time it chews on you give it the chew toy.

keep in mind it does it because it likes you. And that is the way dogs play. Just keep gving it the chew toy. Once it has gotten rid of ll its baby teeth and the adult teeth have grown in you will have less trouble. Dogs like to chew all their lives but once teething is over it is much easier to keep them from chewing on you.

hopefull you are old enough and smart enough not to take th eadvice of idiots who advise hitting or using a broom handle, or pushing a dogs ehad to its chest. Keep in mind your dog is a very small dog. The can easily be hurt very badly!

Answer 11

My puppy is only slightly older than yours and she wants to chew constantly. If she is in my lap and starts trying to chew on my fingers, etc, I say "No" firmly and give her a chew toy. She may have to be reminded several times, but she is beginning to get it. Eventually she will understand what is acceptable to chew on and what isn't. I think being aggressive with a pup this young will only confuse him. Hope this helps! Good luck!