Puppy biting please help

Welshwoofs

Oh gawd this brings back memories. I wasn't close to tears, I was in tears....frequently....when my Mastiff was around this age. He had teeth like needles.

I know some schools of thought say don't play tuggy, but actually I found that this was what worked. I had a rope toy and some squeak toys and I simply played 'hide/seek' with those and let him grab/savage them every now and then. I'll hasten to add that I didn't heavy tug the toy in return, more a case of holding it and moving it around quickly so that he had to catch it to worry it.

After a few weeks that phase seemed to pass and he's certainly not a biter now. In fact, where he'd tear toys apart as a puppy, now he takes great care of them and gets very worried when visiting dogs worry at them!

Stick with it Op - it often feels like you can't cope, but it'll pass and then when the memory is faint you'll start thinking about having another puppy

skivenov

Sounds harsh, but bite him back. Mine bit me once when he was finding his boundaries growing up, got bitten back on the ear, realised that thing with the teeth hurts and never did it again.

Teach them not to bark, then teach them when to bark.
Teach them not to bite, then teach them when to bite.

vicx

skivenov wrote: »

Sounds harsh, but bite him back. Mine bit me once when he was finding his boundaries growing up, got bitten back on the ear, realised that thing with the teeth hurts and never did it again.

Teach them not to bark, then teach them when to bark.
Teach them not to bite, then teach them when to bite.

Not very good advice. This is not how to train a puppy not to bite. He could bite again thinking you are playing or turn aggressive.

ollow

Well what a week, thank you all for all your advice, biting calmed down a bit but has raised its head again. I've changed the food over and we seem a bit calmer, poo's not so soft either.

Now for the good news Archie is in fact a girl, I bought her as a him but it's a she so her name is archie-boo.

Can I ask another question, I wormed and fleaed her on Monday and the vet said there were no fleas present, but myself and ds have (I think, itchy raised red bump) been bit is this normal?

vicx

ollow wrote: »

Well what a week, thank you all for all your advice, biting calmed down a bit but has raised its head again. I've changed the food over and we seem a bit calmer, poo's not so soft either.

Now for the good news Archie is in fact a girl, I bought her as a him but it's a she so her name is archie-boo.

Can I ask another question, I wormed and fleaed her on Monday and the vet said there were no fleas present, but myself and ds have (I think, itchy raised red bump) been bit is this normal?

I've heard of owners getting the sex of cat wrong but never a dog

Why don't you change her name while she is still young?

It would be best to hoover right through regulary, making sure to get in to the corners and edge of skirting boards and empty the hoover after each use to prevent any flea eggs and larvae from developing. Wash all beds and blankets and treat your house with Indorex household flea spray as it is possible you could have flea's in your home. Your pup is protected but flea's actually live in your home, bedding etc and only jump on the dog for a feed.

skivenov

vicx wrote: »

Not very good advice. This is not how to train a puppy not to bite. He could bite again thinking you are playing or turn aggressive.

Move fast and make sure they know you're not playing.

It's how his mother would show who's in charge, now you're leader of his pack you need to carry on until he's learnt his place.

zaksmum

I used to s say NO!! and point to where the pup had bitten and say WHAT'S THAT?? then NO! again.

They all very soon got the message.

How on earth did you not realise the puppy is in fact a girl?

vicx

skivenov wrote: »

Move fast and make sure they know you're not playing.

It's how his mother would show who's in charge, now you're leader of his pack you need to carry on until he's learnt his place.

You should never smack or bite your puppy for biting - you may hurt and scare him, which could make him afraid of you. He may think you're playing with him and his 'game' may become more aggressive - he may bite you even harder.

Biting him back or smacking him is not the correct way to train a puppy not to bite. You need to redirect the biting, not encourage it. Either yelp and say 'no' and/or replace your hands with a toy or chew and stop playing with him and ignore him for 60 seconds. Your puppy will probably continue to bite, but his bites should now be 'softer' as he's beginning to learn how much bite is enough to allow the fun to continue, and how much bite will stop play.