nipping heels and biting

[Cheryl Thompson]

Any advice for an 8 week pup who loves to nip at heels and bite???

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

This is something that every one of us who has raised a puppy has been through.  Basically you need to take all measures to keep this from happening.  If he is nipping you stop and don't move.  Do not move or kick your legs or anything to turn it into a game.  Don't continue walking or run from him.  Redirect his attention with a toy or chew.  Every person must be consistent with this, adults and kids.

[Cheryl Thompson]

Thank you for the good advice!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Sherry is so right -  dead stop and ignore.  Play statute!  do not acknowledge the pup at all!  then re-direct.  ohhh, those puppy days.  miss them and don't!!! 

[Gigi Bradley]

how do you "dead,stop,and ignore" when the 8 yr old is crying his eyes out as she continues to bite him? We have used the switch technique as well. We all have blood drawn bites every day! 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Welcome to puppyhood .

[Wendy and Myla]

I was horrified at all of the nipping and biting that Myla did as a puppy - the best advice has already been said - consistently saying "no bite", always redirecting and ignoring them. We also found that tiring Myla out with games of fetch helped.  I know it must be hard for a child to comprehend, as all they want is to play with a cuddly puppy.  Maybe if you had a safe zone for your grandson (like his bedroom) where the puppy cannot go to and then every time the puppy starts to nip or bite him, he could say "ouch, no bite!" and walk to the bedroom and shut the door - the puppy might figure it out.  Biting was by far the most challenging part of puppyhood for me - it brought me to tears more than once.  Just know that it will stop, almost overnight, around the age of four months.  Join the Puppy Madness Group - lots of good advice there and I'm sure there are more helpful hints for helping your grandson understand that it's not personal and all part of having a young puppy!  Good luck!

[Stella]

I had to resort to spraying my legs and feet with Bitter Apple spray!!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I agree Lucy and Annabelle's Mom.

But, I will add, it is called a PUPPY.   You have several more months to go.  Basically, you have to deal with it and be patient.   It is called normal. Expect it.  Have lots of toys to occupy his mouth. Invest in an Antler Chew!!   Love this age but this is one of the downfalls. It passes. It is what puppies do

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Joanne nailed it. It is just what puppies do. The advice given above is spot on. Not fun, but it is all part of being a playful pup. Stopping dead and not encouraging the play ....substituting a toy for your body parts...rites of passage as a new puppy owner! ;)
This too shall pass...and on to the next phase.....

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

I agree! Welcome to puppyhood! The bite everything in sight phase will pass, but not encouraging or turning it into a game will help it stop sooner. 

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

It is just a puppy thing and will pass.  My Sasha would nip when I was getting dressed for work in the morning, I can't tell you how many skirts, dresses and pants have little holes in them from the puppy teeth !!!  I would re-direct her and stand still and say a very firm "NO".