Puppy Biting

[Emma Brown]

We have tried distraction with various chew toys, forcing/holding the puppy to lie down until he relaxes, taking him on frequent short walks but he is determine to play with us by biting.  Unfortunately, we do not have an older dog around that could teach Winston when he is biting too hard.  Any suggestions from other doodle owners would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

It passes. Remember he is playing. Try to give him something in his mouth to keep him busy. A puppy pacifier so to speak. It is natures way. To chew. So provide him plenty of Bully sticks--keep some in your pocket. Keep them all over the house.

Again, it passes.

Join the Puppy Madness Group. There are many articles on this issue. Remember, most/if not all of us have been with you on this. We now have healthy happy doodles who are not biting us. I really don't care for the hold down method at this young age. Also join ... can't think of the name--it's me or the dog group. Lots of info there also.

Congratulations on your new puppy.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Here is the name of the group I suggested you join above

The Doodle Whisperers
http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/doodlewhisperers

Call around for Puppy Classes tomorrow

[Emma Brown]

Thanks, I will go to doodlewhisperers.................

[Bodie Bear]

If our pup bites, we tell him "Ouch!", and then stand up and walk away. The lack of attention makes him stop - almost all of the time. If he gets too excited and nips to get attention, we crate him until he is calm. Both of these methods have worked very well for us so far.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yep, those are good. How soon I forget. It seems like forever ago that we went through all this. It can be a trying time. Read all you can and wear rawhide gloves ( J.J. )

[Winston :)]

Emma- My Winston is going through the same thing. Everyone keeps telling us that it passes! We are also taking Winston for walks and giving him plenty to chew on. Two other "techniques" that work well with him are getting up when he starts to bite and asking him to sit.

We have tried the "ouch", but it actually gets him going. Now, my fiance and I tell him "no" in a very low voice (just not too loud to make him really scared). It kind of startles him enough to back-up and we can quickly put a toy in his mouth and tell him "good boy".

The trainer at Petco told us to put Vinager on our hand, but I wasn't too into in. Maybe if I get really desperate. :)

Keep me up to date with any new ideas!

[Emma Brown]

How old is your Winston? Our Winston Churchhill just turned 2 mos. Today, is a good non biting day as I think he is getting the picture at least for the moment. He has mastered "sit" and "speak" so I too say sit when he starts to get rambunctious. I don't think I will try the vinegar on the hands either.....although I did rub some lemon juice on the electric cords and it did work.

[Kelly & Monty]

My puppy is almost 4 months and when he nips and it truly hurts, we yell ouch too and sometimes turn our back on him. If it's real bad, we put him in his crate for a 30 second time out. This was recommended to us in our puppy class. Most often, a distraction with a toy or Kong helps.

[Emma Brown]

4 months....I hope I can hold out that long! I am using a Kong toy and chew stick now as well as time out in the crate. You only keep him/her in for 30 seconds. I have been letting him stay in the crate for up to 10 minutes.

[Leigh & Allie]

My vet told me to hold her lip in between your fingers. NOT hurting her, just holding her lip. She would get very annoyed with this and we did not have any more problems. It worked well for us.

[L.M.]

My pup is 1 now and every now and then when the mood strikes him, he still nips at us to play. Honestly, in my experience, the only thing that works is literally getting up and walking away from him when he begins to bite. I still, to this very day, do it and it gets him to stop. I pair it with firmly saying "No" and then remove myself from wherever he is. We have issues with this play biting outside, as Seamus, our pup, knows that outside usually means play time. I promise you it gets better, but I myself am still waiting for this to completely pass. (Everyone I ask about this tells me that it just takes time.) Also, for Seamus, excitement leads him to mouth (not bite down though). When people come in the house, he gets very excited, so we trained him to grab a toy in his mouth when anyone walks in. It distracts him, forces him to hold something in his mouth, and therefore he cannot bite our guests, even if it is just out of excitement. This was the best and ONLY thing that worked for us in the case of mouthing at guests when he greets them. It worked wonderfully. No toy in his mouth = our guest does not come in the door. He learned this in about 3 days and still does it today.

[Emma Brown]

What a great tip! Winston has only been with us for a week or so and we have not had company coming to the door. However, he did not bite or get excited when one of the handymen came in for a check. I was grateful for this. He did greet but immediately laid down to be petted. I will remember the toy in the mouth whenever the doorbell rings!

Thanks!