I have a 10.5 week old Westie who bites constantly! You can tell it's in a playful rather than "vicious" manner but I don't want him to continue this inappropriate behavior, plus those little puppy teeth are pretty strong! I have tried everything suggested in my puppy books and from online research (Bitter Apple spray--he just licks it and continues biting, gentle tap on the nose while saying "No bite!", replacing whatever he's biting with an appropriate toy, ignoring him, etc.). I am trying very hard to be patient but I'm becoming so frustrated! A fellow Westie owner and friend of mine told me nothing worked for her but he eventually outgrew this stage when his adult teeth come in.
Any other suggestions, advice, or similar stories? :-)
2007-11-05 10:41:42 · 9 answers · asked by lifelover581 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Try holding its mouth shut (not tight) and say no in the sternest way possible never smack their faces cuz then they'll think your going to smack them when you go to pet them. Or put some coins in a metal pop can and shake it when it does that or something bad. It worked for my dog.
2007-11-05 11:03:36 · answer #1 · answered by katie_la_flaka<3 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried putting him in his crate and leaving the room or putting him outside every time he bites you? Also, you can give him a chew toy after saying "no bite". Also you can yelp like a puppy and move away. Also you can put him on a leash and do some obedience excercises. The thing you have to do is take control somehow.
There is no one thing, but the dog is trying to dominate you. That's what dogs do: they try to be pack leader, and until he figures out you are pack leader, he's going to try that stuff. You have to be assertive and be in control of him at all times. It's a matter of consistency. If you are inconsistent and allow misbehavior, it will continue.
2007-11-05 19:04:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Believe it or not, I have a 9 yr old Staffordshire/Boxer mix. I got her when she was 6 weeks old and the first time she nipped at me I bit her on the nose. She has never tried to bite since.
2007-11-05 18:58:31 · answer #3 · answered by JBL 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
first... i'm glad to hear you realize that this is inappropriate and have done your homework!
whenever he puts his teeth on you grab his snout and hold it closed while saying "no mouth" in a stern voice. Then give them a toy to chew on, such as a rope, and continue to play with him while he has that in his mouth (this is important). it is natural for puppies to want to chew and use their mouth while playing. this allows him to do it while teaching him, in a positive way, that your hand/arm/etc is not an acceptable chew toy. if he drops the toy while you are playing and goes for your hand, repeat the same thing (over and over again!)
don't get discouraged if he doesn't get it right away. just make sure you are consistent. eventually he will grab the toy on his own and try to get you to play with him.
2007-11-05 18:51:51 · answer #4 · answered by trsturself 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What I do is hold their mouth shut and say NO very stern. I also tap them on the nose and say NO. The other thing you can do is push his lip into his top teeth just until he yelps a little so he knows how much his own teeth hurt. Those approaches have worked for us.
2007-11-05 18:49:15 · answer #5 · answered by sweetangelgreeneyes 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Best way to get him to stop bitting is the yell "ouch" every time he bites. He doesnt realize he is hurting you. Yelling "NO BITE" to a dog is the same as yelling "HFDSHF JKRUOIEU" it makes no sense to him because he doesnt speak english. Making a sound of pain helps him realize he is hurting you. I used that with my GSD when she jumped up and it was the only thing that made her stop.
2007-11-05 19:16:48 · answer #6 · answered by megamom1976 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
my puppy is 4.5 months old and he nips too when he bites you say ouch a little loud and then say no biting and that seems to help me
2007-11-05 19:08:08 · answer #7 · answered by Angie G 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
hopefully he'll grow out of it , till then say NO in a strong voice!
2007-11-05 18:55:07 · answer #8 · answered by lynnoso 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
dogs bite to keep there teeth trim, and to make them stronger. Most dogs outgrow it.
2007-11-05 18:49:22 · answer #9 · answered by Nick4nito 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋