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puppy biting
by Angela
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
My 10 week old puppy is biting my ankles, toes, fingers, the table, everything. She has lots of toys and does play with them but likes chewing on people too much. When I say "no" and point my finger at her, she jumps up to bite my finger. I know she is playing, but I don't want this to get out of hand. Should I be concerned or will this go away ???
DISCUSSION:
Angela, i have the same problem. Our puppy goes for the toes, socked or unsocked. I hope some people who have been throught this can give us good advice.
vita
Angela, there is some good advice in the archives :) Its about training. When the puppies are with their mother & they bite, she will first go limp & stay very still. If the baby doesnt let go, she will then make a quick gesture at her pup and growl. So thats what we do! Say, "OUCH" sharply - startle her! If she is 'mouthing' too hard, make a low growling sound, kind of like clearing your throat "ahem". She will soon learn to not bite hard on her humans :) Saying, "no" is just another "no" to one more thing, & pointing a finger ??? I bet that looks like an invitation to play. Dr. Ian Dunbar's book or video, "Sirius Puppy Training" uses training methods to which puppies can relate. (I got it from the library) Your little baby will soon know what is acceptable and what pleases you :)
BeeGee
My solution to a maltese puppy who bites humans is to get another maltese puppy. That's what I did. They irritate the daylights out of each other now instead of attacking the feet of innocent by-standers. By the end of the day they have worn each other out and the rest of us (including my 6 year old maltese) can have a little peace.
Peny
BeeGee's advise is great regarding "Sirius puppy training" - that's what they use in Bailey's puppy kindergarten class. Bailey is almost five months old, and has stopped biting the furniture (I used "bitter apple" spray) and for my hands, I used to use bitter apple lotion - since puppy classes, he kind of listens to the "off" command (we still have 5 more classes to go) - Hopefully it will stop, just remember, they are babies, and they are teathing - I also sometimes pretend I'm crying, and it diverts his attention, and he starts licking my face.....
Mary & Bailey
There are lots of info regarding puppy training out there...Find any and all and read them well! Your puppy is not only "playing" but is using "pack behavior" to establish his/her dominance in your family. By allowing her to chew on hands,fingers,toes, etc. you are telling her that she is the boss in your family! And while that is cute behavior in a puppy, it can turn him into a snappy,growling dog. There are many ways to assume your role as "leader of the pack". The key rule being, as with anything you try to teach your pet to fit into your family, CONSISTANCY. What one dog may learn in a day another will learn in 3 months...Good Luck!
Donna
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