New Rescue Bites

[Roxie]

Hello,

I just rescued a beautiful little doodle who has a bad habit of biting. Any suggestions on how to correct this. Also, he seems to hate the crate. I throw treats in since he is very food motivated, and he hesitates to get them, but since he loves food, the temptation to not get it is too strong so he will try to grab the treat and get out before I close the door. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


Roxie and Samson

[Adina P]

Hi Roxie,

I'm no expert in biting dogs, but this sounds like something that needs a bit more professional help than us lay folks can answer. I recommend you interview a few trainers or behaviorists in your area and pick someone you feel both comfortable with and confident in. A biting dog is never something to take lightly and as much as exercise is important for all dogs...I don't think it's enough in this case. He sounds like a pushy dog that wants his way and has learned a great way to get his way.

My recommendation is to find an excellent trainer experienced in such cases who has an excellent track record for 'fixing' this. You may end up having to muzzle him while you train him just to protect you and not give him a chance to practice this biting stuff.

[Ginny Nightingale]

You have gotten great advice except for one thing--this is something you need professional help with if you want this dog to be a good pet. You should find a trainer or beginner's obedience class as soon as possible and get some solid instruction on how to train the dog. Some dogs are easy and people don't see a need for classes. But this dog already came to you with issues and can be re-trained IF you know what you are doing. I have had dogs for thirty years, but didn't go to a trainer until I got my first doodle a few years ago. I went because I had failed to train the previous dog and he never really got past some if his bad behaviors. I am a believer now! I am sure the rescue organization you got the dog from can help you locate classes. They have them at Petsmart, and some DK members like the classes there.

[Adrienne Shapiro]

Hello. I listen to my dog's trainer radio show each week, I think he would say a few things about this: 1. You are training him to bite by giving him treats---do not reward him for his biting...or not wanting to go into his crate. 2. For a dog to play with a tugging toy, that is for DOG play, do not engage in that play, it encourages biting and the wrong play..He already does not recognize you as the Alpha and is biting, tugging will encourage winning. INSTEAD, put a training prong collar on and a 4 foot leash (that the handle has been cut open) and work with him. If he does something wrong, give a little POP, and say firmly, NO. This can be done with treats too. It gives you a chance to correct poor behavior....Hope this helps...

[Roxie]

Thanks for all the good advice. As far as the biting, it's not the playful nipping, it's when he doesn't get his way or doesn't want to do something. For example, he marks and I was told to get a bellyband to correct that, well he bit me the entire time I was trying to put it on, even though I started with giving him treats. Another time he bit me while sitting on the couch just petting him, he was fine then he bit. He will spin his head in every direction trying to bite with a snapping noise, so he's not playing. He knows how to take treats gentley from the hand. At first he didnt, but now he does. I tought him to sit and give paw in 10 minutes with the treats, so he will work for food. Someone suggested walks, he hates the cold, I dont know if this is because he is from Florida, but he smells the cold air when I open the door and backs up, so most of the time I take him out by leash, or just pick him up. I did buy him some squeak and tugging toys cause he likes to tug. Thanks to all who took the time to anwser my concerns.


Rox

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

We shut the door and then place the treats through the crate.
Biting, that one is hard. My doodle, when excited still bites at a year old. It is constant training to say NO BITE but we work on this. It is the excitement that causes Spud to bite.
You stated he was a rescue--could he be worked up in his new environment? I think so. Some rescues will not move for weeks--internalize all the emotions. Other rescues will lash out--externalize all this new information. Protective Nipping. Is it mouthing? Biting? Or Nipping?

Get him some leg bones and some chews to work out some of the aggressions. Exersise! I can not say enough about exercise for a new dog. To sit there and take this all in is very stressful for him. You are stressed too if your new dog is biting. I know it is cold, but bundle up and go walk your dog or play some fetch. It will help you bond. Our dog has to go out into the yard and play frisbee every few hours for 10 mins. He come in calm and well mannered. We also take him to a school on off hours. It has a fenced in area, where we can run and let off steam. Take a ride in the car. New sites and sounds will stimulate his brain and let off some of the stress.
Training--positive training is a great thing. Even if your dog knows sit, stay, roll-over and all the basics when you work with your new dog you wll develop a new trust and bond. Both of you will. Work for just 5 mins every hour or so.
Good Luck and thank you for rescuing.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I agree Kathy. My last foster had a issue with crates. We had to use is sparingly.

I think he is afraid. I think he needs exercise. I think he needs to get used to a new environment.

Does he bite or is he protective biting? He is a dangerous dog or is he a dog who is very afraid????

If he bites with the treats--just drop them on the floor. ALSO, there is a way to hand treats to a dog who grabs treats out of your hand. Hold it so they can barely bite it or give it to the on the side of thier mouths.

[Kathy Spyker]

As far as the crate goes, I would not try to close the door until he is much more comfortable with it. Maybe he had a bad experience with a crate before.

[Adina P]

Can you tell us more about this biting? How has it occurred so far? What happened before and after?
Did the rescue tell you he was a biter? How old is this dog?