How do I get my puppy to stop biting?

Question

I have a 10 week old Catahoula that we found when she was one week old, so she was not raised by her mother. The problem is, I cannot get her to stop biting. She has plenty of chew toys, but much prefers body parts. My arms and feet are torn up where her teeth get stuck in my skin. Sometimes she gets very aggressive and growls and barks while she's doing it, but I'm pretty sure she is just playing. If I flip her nose or swat her with a paper, she just thinks I'm playing and she goes at it even harder. I bought some of the bitter apple spray that is supposed to keep them from biting whatever you spray it on, but that doesn't seem to bother her either. And it's not just me...she is this way with everyone.I don't want to get rid of her, but she is tearing everything up, including me!!

Answer 1

She is a puppy and I'm afraid that puppies do bite. I know because my arms were black and blue from the two I kept from my last litter. They are cutting their teeth at this age and it can drive them crazy. Make sure she has plenty of hard toys to chew on. I get my pups hard smokey bones.

The only way I was able to stop my two from tearing me to shreds was to fold my arms accross my chest when I walked into a room and avoid all eye contact with them. Your body language will tell the pup that you don't want this kind of behaviour and they eventually get the message.

Try the 5 minute rule. Walk into the room, don't say a word to her, don't give her any eye contact whatsoever and every time she tries to bite just turn your back on her. This will help to establish your Alpha role. In the Wolf pack the Alpha will walk through the pack at will and none of the subordinates will approach him. You need to be able to do this and now is the time to start when she is so young.

A puppy will leap on people because it wants attention and by swatting it with a paper you are giving her the attention she is seeking because she will regard this as a great game.

I do sympathise with you but, to give you heart ,they do grow out of it once they have cut all their teeth.. My two are now 10 months old and have started to calm down and are really quite a joy to be with but, believe me, I have been to hell and back with them in the early days of puppyhood.

Hang on in there, it will get better!

Answer 2

"Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., an animal behaviorist and adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin, suggests a method which startles the biting puppy. Just as the puppy bites down, make a sudden, abrupt, high-pitched and loud 'AWRP' sound. This would be the same sound that a littermate would make if bitten by the puppy. The sound should be so sudden and sharp that the puppy is immediately startled and stops the behavior. If done correctly, you will be surprised at how instantly the pup removes his mouth and looks bewildered. At that point, quickly substitute a toy, such as a ball, the puppy can chew on. This redirects the puppy's biting behavior to the ball. This way the puppy learns it is no fun at all biting you, but chewing on the toy is. You may need to do this multiple times if the puppy gets excited in play. If the 'AWRPs' make the puppy more excited, try another approach."

Answer 3

Be persistent, don't give up on the chew toys and bitter apple spray. I had a Labrador that wouldn't stop biting either and we had to just teach him whats right and wrong. I'd also suggest a crate. If you have one just put the dog in there when they're biting and throw some chew toys in there too. They'll learn eventually you just can't give up. Good luck!

Answer 4

First of all don't EVER hit your dog! Their noses are very sensitive and should never be hit! You can not use your hands to play with her or play rough with her and don't let anyone else do it either. She needs to have plenty of toys and chew bones around. when she bites, say owe loudly and give her a toy to bite on, when she bites it, tell her what a good girl she is. Do this EVERY TIME. When she gets much older and learns to understand what you are saying, you can begin to play rougher with her, but not while she is young at all!!! Get a book on how to train her properly so you don't end up having to get rid of her!!!

Answer 5

My 6 month old puppy does that too. She stopped for the most part now. What we did was just ignore her and if it continues give her a timeout in her kennel or anywear away from people. I know those Kong chew toys do the trick usually too.
Good luck!

Answer 6

Well first off she playing. But you must stop this behavior now. Do not allow her to her mouth around your arm, hand, leg or any other body part. gently put your hand around her muzzle and tell her no. You shouldn't yell at her, but a firm no will get the idea to her.

I highly recommend you get some dog obedience classes for her. Or Ceasar Millan training book(s)


Adam Kataz is another who has a book as well http://www.dogproblems.com/whispering.cfm?affID=dogs360 I don't know anything about him though

Answer 7

We have a 5 month old Basset Hound, who is chewing everything...this weekend, we got some stuff called "Bitter Bite"...(At Wal-Mart) that tastes bad to him...we have sprayed it on everything he chews on that is a no-no...even our fingers...he's beginning to get the message! He HATES the taste and has not tried to go back and chew the items that are sprayed...

Answer 8

Well im not the dog whisperer But i have two dogs.When my dog was a very little puppy he used to chew on chair legs and sometimes shoes but he kinda grew outa it.He doesnt really do that at all anymore he sometimes bites like my arm and things when we are playing.My guess is she will grow out of this over a little time but if all else fails try red pepper.

Answer 9

your puppy is teething. its very normal,a nd there aren't that many ways to train her quite yet. but keep at it, and if she bites you, in a low tone say "no!!" do this ALL THE TIME when she bites. she might also be bored, so keep her ocuppied with alot of walks and playing with chew toys.

also, dont let her sit on the couches or even go near them yet. she'll think that they are hers to play and chew on.

Answer 10

You should get something to make a really loud noise to startle your puppy as soon as they bite.

They'll then associate that loud noise with biting people and stop doing it after a while.

But don't look at your puppy when you do it or they'll associate YOU with the noise and start to be wary of you.



Hope that helps :]