Curbing the Biting Early

[Matt Scott]

We've had our precious Nugget for 5 days now. She is the love of our lives and is probably the sweetest dog. However, the biting is getting progressively rougher each day. If you're on the floor playing with her, she lunges for faces, necks, chest area, etc and has nipped me good on a few occasions. I don't want to curb her playing (especially since we live in the city and can't get out to go on wild rumpuses but twice a day) but I don't want this biting to become a serious issue that we can't stop once she gets older and bigger. Suggestions?

[Becka]

Hi Matt,

I don't think you should worry about curbing her playing--she needs to learn that playing doesn't include biting. Have you tried yelping "Ouch!" (loudly) when she makes contact with her teeth and turning away from her (while crossing your arms in front of your chest)? Even a very young puppy can be taught what is and isn't appropriate, and you definitely want Nugget to know ASAP that any kind of nipping and biting won't be tolerated. Don't worry--you won't quash her spirit or her playfulness by teaching her the rules.

[Amanda & Riley]

Hey Matt,

 

We have the same problem with Riley. (Weve had her for three weeks). We have not found anything that has worked yet to stop her from nipping!!! We just always have a bully stick or one of her toys with us to put in her mouth for when she starts nipping.

I tryed, saying "ouch", that didnt work for us

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Just a bit more info on the yelping - instead of "ouch", try to make it as much like a littermate or momma dog might sound if play gets too rough.  The high pitched yelp is how the "pack" would communicate to a young pup that it's bite is no longer play-like.  In other words, it helps the puppy calibrate the intensity of its bite.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Maybe a high screach instead of ouch! It will startle her more.

[Robyn Schomburg]

Definitely do something about it now. We rescued Riley at 9 months and when they get big it is not cute anymore. We were his third home. He is a wonderful dog and we love him, but he is a big mouther and  at over 90lbs it is not cute. We have been working for over a year to decrease this behavior and it is working, but it is a slow process.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Quincy was a big time nipper when he was a pup, when he would do this and not stop with the shrill ouch we would put our hand around his muzzle and hold it firmly for a few seconds, he didn't like it much and eventually stopped the nipping. You just have to do it firmly, with a stern "no bit" at the same time. Good Luck

[Janel and Sophia]

Sophia is also a Huge Huge "Nipper" .. She has been with us a month now and while her biting has decreased, it is far from over.  I have tried every suggestion that has been offered to me on DK.   In all honesty, some worked a couple of times but then she was right back at it... Very frustrating.   I am now blowing into her nose, which makes her release almost instantly,  works for the most part.    

 

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

i read it as you were  "blowing her nose" and I thought I better grab some tissue and start blowing her nose if it works for Janel..the whole time thinking..how does she keep from having sophia chew on the tissue. I have noticed that Lilly bites harder when she is tired. She won't bite on anything but me..so she goes in the crate for a nap. I turn on the sound machine and say night/ night. when she wakes up, she is her sweet self. she is up about 2 hrs now and then ready for a nap. (3 months) we are also walking up and down the street 3 times a day for about 10 minutes each time now that the weather is nicer.