Nipping and Biting

[LORRIE PAULUS]

Rosie is now almost 11 weeks old and is doing great.  She had started to go to the door and last night magically rang the potty bells--we weren't sure if it was just coincidence so my husband took her out.  Low and behold she did #2--very encouraging.  She is overall a good puppy except for nipping and biting.  She is VERY mouthy and it seems to be worse than when we got her 2 weeks ago.  We are starting puppy school next Wednesday.  I had a Springer spaniel and she was never this bad with puppy biting--this is our first doodle.  I am hoping this is just puppy teeth and not aggressive behavior.  Sharing of experiences and problem solving that you've had with your doodles would be helpful.  I love her to death, but the biting is really beginning to get old!  She steals shoes and clothes if they are within reach, which is normal...  Thanks!

[Bob Johnston]

The only thing I can say other then training training training for the bitting is good thing its winter and you can wear long sleeves. It eventually stops being a problem because those little needles fall out and as long as its more the sharpness of the teeth then pressure of the biting you should be good. But it is going to feel like an eternity until the change over to adult teeth.

[Doug, Micki, Dawson & Mya]

I agree with Bob. Those puppy teeth are like razors! Once those teeth are replaced, the same jaw pressure won't hurt at all. There is nothing wrong with Rosie's behavior, especially for 11 weeks. Our 13 week Mya is exactly the same, and our 9 month old Dawson was like that at that age also. I guess what I am thinking is don't worry too much about it..... much of it will pass as she matures.....

[Vivian & Mojo]

Mojo was very nippy when he was that age and it lasted until he was six months old no matter what I did, he tore my clothing to shreds and bit me till I bled. I would shove a toy in his mouth and get him into training mode having my bag of treats and the using the clicker. I could shift him out of it but he started again later. Time out did nothing nor did spraying water or a high pitched yelp. I just kept with the training and because he is food motivated eventually he stopped for the most part but he still at 10 months will give a nip now and than and I have to get him into sit and say firmly watch me and the eye contact will help calm him.

[suzanne m. denman]

It sound a lot like her chewing needs may not be being met. I know this ONLY because that was an issue with our sweet Nellie. Do you give her bully sticks? Do you use a Kong? These two things proved invaluable while she was teething. I stuff my Kong with peanut butter and treats, and make sure you buy the odorless bully sticks. Good luck!

[LORRIE PAULUS]

When you stuff the Kong with Peanut Butter do you just use regular?  I have a puppy kong, but haven't tried freezing anything in it.  We've put treats in and she loves it but gets them pretty quickly.

[Carrie]

I fill my kongs with a mix of 1/4 peanut butter, 1/4 nonfat yogurt, 1/4 pumpkin and 1/4 oats. I freeze them.

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

ah... I remember those days. this too will pass. bully sticks- made in usa. frozen wet sock tied in a knot. chew toys. when she starts biting you. say no bite in your mom voice and give her a toy/ bully stick or frozen sock. they get over it wiehn the new teeth come in. but lilly is still a big chewer. just not on us.

congrats on the bell!  Lilly uses her bell and when we travel it goes with us and gets hung on the door. she has yet to have an accident in a hotel or friend's house because she knows which door to go out of. don't be surprised if she starts ringing the bell to go outside to see what is going on ..part of the process.

yes, just like a baby, need to childproof.

Lilly was born 6-2-11.

[brittany mead]

I'm still having this issue with my 4 1/2 month old doodle Silas!
Getting up and ignoring him has helped me the most; or putting a toy or bone in their mouth like others have suggested.
if i say no and he keeps it up i say to bad, get up and walk away for a few minutes. That is what seems to be helping the most with him. He also really loves his kong with peanut butter and any type of bone - the frozen socks or washcloths help a lot to with the teething. The yelping never helped with him - he would just look at me like what the heck is wrong with you and continue to jump and bite. i think the method all depends on the dogs personality as well, but those are the things that have shown the most progress for me :)

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

I also put Lilly in the crate when she got to be too much. sometimes she needed a time out to regroup.

[Renee and Charly]

My 12 week old Charly is about to drive me a little koo koo with her biting. I am so glad I read your posts this evening and got some great ideas.

One question I have though about the peanut butter. I have read and understood that peanuts are toxic for dogs. How is it then O.K. to give them peanut butter? I know that I have in the past given our other dogs peanut butter to assist with taking meds that they weren't too happy about. Just wondering if anyone here knows the difference because since I read about this I have been a little anxious about giving any peanut butter anymore to any dogs.

Aside from that, I have the scars to prove that Charly is a pretty good little biter. I try to firmly say no biting and then have some sort of toy handy that she can chew on instead of my hands. I can't tell you how I am looking forward to the day that she no longer wants to chew on me! :)

[Linda And Loo]

Loo, got me a couple times on my hands while she was teething. It hurt and I yelped followed by a firm no. I made sure she had plenty of chew toys. I also used frozen peanut butter in the kong toys. When her mouth was really bothering her I gave her crushed ice. I also used frozen green beans for treats. As soon as the teething was over the problem took care of itself! Good luck!

[Renee and Charly]

Thanks Linda. I hope that my hands and fingers will be able to hang in there until her teething is over with!

BTW, I do try my best to keep other toys close for her to chew on other then my hands, but for some reason she thinks my fingers and hands or more interesting?!  We will get through this! :)