Biting.

[Gracious1984]

I have a 6 month old goldendoodle and we are going through a nipping and biting phase. I know it's playful, but it often involves a bark and hurts us. She won't do it to a complete stranger, but once she gets comfortable she's started to do it to (for example) my boyfriend's mother who is staying with us. We really want to use positive reinforcement techniques in training her, but it seems we can't shake this behavior still. Any suggestions? I know that putting your hands around her mouth to keep it shut after she does something like this is something that people use, but there's a lot of controversy it seems as to whether that's really a positive way to go.

 

Thoughts, suggestions, etc are welcome. I assume this too will get better as she gets older? Thanks!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I've seen some talk that people keep a stuffed toy or bone handy and when they bite they tell them NO and give them to toy to chew.  Also a really loud "OUCH" when they bite is supposed to be sort of simulation of how their mother taught them not to bite.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

We used to screech "OUCH" and cry and leave the room. She hated us leaving the room and stopped doing it.  I would say by 7 months, she stopped completely.  I never shut her mouth as you described.  It was enough for her to know we would simply leave the room.

[Adina P]

One of our members swears by squeezing their mouth shut just enough to make them uncomfortable for any mouthing of human skin.  Some dogs just don't respond to squealing 'OUCH' like a wounded puppy.  Others do.   Always got to do what works for your dog.  If she hasn't stopped by 6 months, chances are an 'OUCH' won't deter her...it might take learning that it's not comfortable for her to bite to make her stop.  You can only be 'so positive' when behavior is hurtful.

[Carol Brand]

What is more important to you?  Fixing the problem quickly or adhering to a training philosophy?  I can give you some suggestions, but I'm a compulsion trainer so I don't use strictly positive methods.

 

I will say that I think you have a bigger issue going on beside biting.  The biting/barking combination is antagonistic and I think shows a lack of respect for you and your personal space.  

[Gracious1984]

What do you think the bigger issue is? What are your recommendations?

[Carol Brand]

I don't think the bitch respects you.   I don't see her behavior as playfull.   She is egging you on to see what you will do and to see what her place in the house hierarchy is.  She is treating you the same way that I see bratty puppies treating adult dogs when they are trying to get the upper hand.

 

6 months old is far too old to be putting your mouth on family members or guests in the home.  Barking at people is rude.  This needs to stop.   What sort of training are you doing?  Have you implimented a structured program in your home like Nothing in Life is Free?  How much basic obedience training does this bitch know?   What tricks does she know?  I would keep this bitch on a leash anytime she was out of a crate both inside and out.  When you can't have her tethered to you, keep her crated.  She gets to be out on your terms not hers.

 

I would keep her on leash in the house so that you can control and correct her as necessary.  The course of action is to give her things to do where she can be successful so that she feels like she has a job and a set role in the household.  Conversely, if she is not following directions or if she is being bratty, she gets a correction.

 

If this were my bitch,  the next time she put her mouth on me, I would take the end of the leash and collar pop her hard 3-5 times backing her up and saying in a very firm voice, "Don't bite me!"  I would be big and scary and serious.  Then I would turn my back on her and go to do something else (she would be attached via tether so she would have to follow).   I wouldn't make nice to her.  She transgressed and she has to accept the consequence.

 

Now the flip side is that you have to give her things to do during the day where she can be successful and be praised and rewarded.   Sit, down, come, stay, shake, sit-up.... whatever.    I know it seems like a little things but in her mind she will be working.  She will start seeing the benefits of working for and with you.   Give her a direction and if she immediately complies PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE TREAT.  If she doesn't she gets a collar pop.  Cause and effect.  Compliance is not optional.

 

Then as time progresses and she starts to get out of hand, you can head her off at the pass by giving her constructive things to do.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Lorraine Bromley]

I would push my thumb down on his tougue back enough that he wanted to get it out of there while I said no bite! And looked right in his eyes. It didn't take long to get that into him. Then when we were going to play rough we would always tell him to get a toy or ball so that we wouldn't get caught on his teeth or get bitten accidentally. He never clamped down hard when biting on us. But that combination of things worked for him really well.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

We tried no bite and gave them a toy, we tried the screech, we tried pennies in a soda can and throw it down while we sa ouch. I guess you really need to try and see what works and then be consistent!! Did you skim the training group discussions or the puppy group?