Biting-*sigh*

[Jenna & Cider]

Good Morning All, hope you're weekend is going well! 

3 weeks in and Cider and I are trying to get into a routine. The biggest challenge right now is how accelerated his chewing/nipping/biting has become.  He wants to gnaw on my when every I go to touch him. I've tried telling him "no" and giving him his chew toy, I've tried turning my back and ignoring him, I've tried bitter apple.  The main concern is that we have  4 yr old nephew and an 18 month old niece who we spend a lot of time around. They love him and we've been trying to bring him around to get used to the kids but now that he is getting more playful and "biting", I feel so stressed and have to watch him like a hawk around them.  

I'm hoping that writing this will release some of my stress, he has been very challenging. Sometimes I wonder how long I can endure this pressure and stress. I feel like I'm a bad person for feeling this exasperated.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Cider is being a puppy, this really is normal puppy behavior and if you are consistent IT WILL STOP! My DH was stressed like you are about this very thing and even said "I wish we had our old life back" I guess I was a little more patient then he.

We did all of what you did, turned away, said no and replaced our hands with a toy (all of what you are doing). Try not to get mad, it doesn't help, just be firm.

Good luck!

[BG and Gavin]

Check out this discussion:  http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/chewing-biting?commentId=2...   Its rough for a while but they do grow out of it.  Gavin was a total land shark and he is an awesome boy now.  Deep breaths, don't be afraid to put him in the crate when you need a break.  You can do it!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Our grandchildren came to visit and Owen was excited beyond comprehension. We finally figured out we had to leash him and keep him close. The behavior you are describing IS exasperating. Of course you are frustrated and upset. Please believe everyone when they say it will end. Try to focus on his good points and find ways to enjoy him... walks, fetch, petting him when he is tired, lots of short training times for simple commands, obedience class. Oh, exercise is paramount to getting good behavior. He needs to be tired out to prevent exhausting you.  ;o)

[Leslie J]

When Cocoa was in the nipping stage I kept her tethered to a piece of furniture when kids were around so that if she wasn't playing nicely they could move away from her.  I always kept her tethered in whatever room I was in so I could watch and make sure she was okay, and to make sure the kids weren't unintentionally teasing her by playing just out of her reach. 

Young children love to run and yell and if allowed to run around with them he will most likely jump on them and nip them- just like they were puppies.  I explained this to my kids so they would understand that she wasn't trying to bite them or hurt them- she just thought if they were acting like puppies so they must like to play like puppies!

[Buster and Kathy]

It will get better soon! Buster is almost 5 months now and yesterday I took him to my niece's house for a visit. She has a 4 year old and a 16 month old. I let Buster off of his leash and he ran in the fenced back yard. He didn't bite, chew or nip at all!  However, he did knock the toddler down a couple of times but since they are about the same size, they had a great time!

[Lindsey & Cocoa]

It does get better, but it has been a lot of work.

I have a 4yr old and a baby due any time now so this has been one of the biggest problems in my house.  I wish I had some magic trick to make them stop but it just takes a lot of training.  We got cocoa at 8 weeks and she is now 20 weeks, just yesterday I was able to have her and my daughter in the yard at the same time and they played fetch for 2 hours. I sat on the deck the whole time and being 9 months pregnant it was wonderful to not have to be yelling and chasing the dog to get her to be easy with my daughter.  BUT on the other hand its taken as much or more training for the kid to learn how to act around the dog so that it does not get her to wound up.  She has learned that if she screams, runs, flaps her arms the dog is going to get excited and come after her.

Cocoa still will mouth on my husband and I but its just that now no force with her teeth and now that most of her baby teeth are gone it does not hurt anymore. But we still tell her no because there is no reason why my hand needs to be in her mouth.

Now if I can get the jumping and personal space issue under control before baby comes.... but I don't see that happening. If only they can understand us because poor cocoa is going to be spending more time in her cage or outside once baby comes if she cant stop running full speed at me and jumping on me every time I try to sit down. I just cant have her do that while I am holding or nursing the baby.

[Jennifer]

This seems to be a common complaint amongst us doodle owners. :-) You definitely are not alone. Our pup is 9 and 1/2 weeks and is constantly mouthy. We have found that bully sticks are a great investment. Finn will chew those for quite some time. I have read every thread I can find regarding the biting, nipping, mouthy puppies. In the end, I'm confident this too shall pass and the best thing I can do is continue to be consistent with how I attempt to stop it, even if it doesn't seem to work AT ALL right now. I remind myself that this site is filled with happy doodle owners who have gone through and survived this stage and gosh darn-it, I'm going to be one of them too. :-) :-)