My jack russell, Reggie, is just a little over 6 weeks old and he gets carried away with biting my husband and I. He keeps going after our fingers, toes, and clothes. I know he's only being playful, but I'd really like to know how to get him to stop chewing on us before it turns into a big problem. He has plenty of toys to chew on, but really prefers our hands (ouch!). What should we do???
2007-06-05 05:51:28 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Found this on Google Search! Good Luck!
How to Stop Puppy Biting
It is never a good idea to let Puppy play with your hands or feet – no matter how cute it seems. This teaches Puppy it is OK to bite skin. Even though tiny puppies playing tug-of-war with your big finger is cute, it is teaching a very bad habit! Never let a puppy do something once that you do not want him to repeat. It is far easier to prevent bad habits from developing that it is to retrain an older puppy or adult dog. Here are two techniques to teach puppy not bite. Technique #1 is less physical and I recommend it first. It may take a few days or so for puppy to catch on. Technique #2 involves physically stopping puppy. Some puppies (or dogs) may actually perceive this as a challenge to try again so I do not recommend it is as much.
Technique #1 – yelp and walk away:
Puppies are very social creatures and refusing to engage in play can be an effective training technique. As soon as puppy starts to bite or nip, give a loud, yelping OUCH!!! Glare at the pup, get up and move away. After a minute or so, get a toy and return to puppy. Encourage the puppy to play with the toy. If he goes for you with a nip, repeat yelping and walking away.
Technique #2 – shake can:
If puppy does not respond to a verbal command only, try a shake can. Get an empty and clean soda can and place about 10 pennies in it. Tape the mouth shut. When your pup starts to nip, give the verbal command and at the same time give the can a good shake or drop it next to puppy (not on him please). This will help reinforce the verbal command. As soon as he stops, praise and give him a good toy to chew.
Technique #3 – shake down:
If Techniques 1 and 2 fail, then try this. I am not as fond of it as it involves physically grabbing the pup for reinforcing the "No Bite!". Start with a loud yelping OUCH; at the same time as you grasp the loose skin on puppy's neck. Give a firm scruff but not a shake and firmly say "NO BITE!" Do not pull puppy up and away, just scruff him. Release puppy and get him involved with a good toy. After a while, stop the scruff and just use the verbal.
Play Initiated Nipping
Certain games encourage biting and should be avoided when working on "No Bite": tug-of-war (my dogs are not allowed to play this with humans until they are well aware of the "pack hierarchy" and will release the toy when told to.); chase and tackle games; and other games where you actively encourage the puppy to bite a person. Dangling treats and encouraging a puppy to jump for then can encourage snapping for food as well as injure growing joints. If you play tug-of-war make certain YOU start the game and YOU stop it. If puppy brings you a toy and encourages you to play, reverse the rules (see NILIF below).
Nothing in Life is Free:
It is also a good idea to get your puppy used to working for things – even play time. Before you feed puppy, have him sit and then feed. Do the same before leashing up for a walk. If the puppy brings a toy and asks you to play, turn tables and do a bit of training then play. Puppy learns that if he listens and obeys and does something, there will be a reward. This also helps establish humans as higher in the pack order.
Should your dog continue to bite and not respond or if the biting is accompanied with aggression, growling or anything you do not like, contact a behaviorist. Also, have your dog examined by a vet. There could be an underlying factor for the biting. A dog that is sore or not feeling well may bite. It is his way of saying something is not right. Also, a poorly socialized or scared dog is more prone to bite, as is a startled one. Teach your children NEVER EVER touch a dog, even one they know, without the owner's permission. Teach them never to handle a stray or loose animal, even if they know it. Children should contact a grown-up instead. Teach children not to tease or hurt dogs. Even the most tolerant dog can be pushed past his limit and retaliate. Even if the children are plainly at fault, it will be the dog that suffers. Prevention is the key.
Article written by:
Karen Peak
West Wind Dog Training
http://www.westwinddogtraining.com
2007-06-05 05:55:43 · answer #1 · answered by susieque 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try to supply him tons of bite toys so every time he bites you exhibit him a toy and probably he will run off and play with it. Stuffed animal bite toys would no longer final too lengthy primarily in case you have a side beagle domestic dog. I'd take a look at Kong toys. If you take a seat at the flooring with him and he begins biting then you definitely, stand up and stroll away. If you've got a pen you'll positioned him in, positioned him in there for a minimum of 30 seconds without any awareness if he will get too difficult. Then he will observe he does not have his play friend anymore. If you've got a couple of mins you'll additionally take him for a stroll. That might fairly get his power stage down. Make certain at the stroll you're in entrance of him so he thinks your the chief and no longer him :) Good Luck together with your domestic dog:)
2016-09-05 22:41:12 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Telling him no and all that is good, but I just wanted to tell you that this is pretty normal. My Schnoodle pup (now 2 years old) was biting us all the time (playfully) when he was around 8 weeks to 12 weeks. I was concerned and did not want him to be a biter, so I enrolled him in puppy preschool. He grew out of the biting and he had a great time playing with all the other puppies at preschool and we learned a lot about training, socialization and canine health.
2007-06-05 06:07:36 · answer #3 · answered by KC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You already had some good answers but let me add a resource you might consider reading:
Cesar's Way
It's a book by a guy nicknamed the "dog whisperer" He not only has this book but television show. You might check it out and find answers to other questions as well! The book has been endorsed by Will and Jada Smith who came to him for help with their dogs.
Netflix has all the episodes for his television show so you can go back and view past issues as well.
2007-06-05 06:02:11 · answer #4 · answered by Cory W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
His nose is very sensitive so when ever he bits the two of you pop him on the nose with your fingers just hard enough for him to feel it-cry. and tell him bad puppy at the same time in a firm voice. He will soon learn. It does work.
2007-06-05 06:00:12 · answer #5 · answered by nickle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I also have a Jack. When he was a puppy I thought he was never going to stop nipping at our fingers and what ever else he could get. One thing you can do is put something on your fingers like lime juice that they do not like and he will bark at them but will think twicw about nipping.
2007-06-05 06:02:09 · answer #6 · answered by mustang 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when he happens to bite you,you can either tap his nose or smack his cheek. but do not just keep saying no all the time or it wont mean anything. as far as chewing on stuff goes, DO NOT PUNISH THE DOG, rather punish the thing he is chewing on. trust me. if he keeps biting your fingers after you smack him put him in his doggy crate.
2007-06-05 06:02:22 · answer #7 · answered by thwacka-tack 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All puppies go through this phase. Just firmly tell him no and give him something he can bight.
2007-06-05 05:56:00 · answer #8 · answered by Angela C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋