SearchBiting and Rough Play
I just got an 8 wk old Doby, basic training so far has gone very easy and he is picking it up pretty fast. The only thing is the biting, nothing I seem to do is working. I've tried yelling ouch and leaving him alone for a few sec until he calms down, and getting up and leaving him alone completly. neither seem to work. He started biting my ankles today and it doesn't seem like it's play biting, it hurts! My daughter is scared to play with him and doesn't really do much with him other then the occasional pet and giving him a toy. We don't play rough with him at all. Please Help !
It takes time... maybe a month. We worked on it in stages. I don't know if it will work for everyone, but it worked for us. This is straight from our puppy handbook. You are doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing. Yell "Ouch" and redirect to an appropriate chew toy. If he does not "get it", then get up and walk away.
"Use timeouts to help your puppy learn to mouth gently. Give your puppy a time out whenever he breaks the Rule of the Week.
Week One: No hard (painful nips).
Week Two: Mouthing only on hands
Week Three: Mouthing only when invited"
I am going to add a week, Week Four: No biting clothes or hands all together.
Good luck!
Keep doing what you're doing. It's normal puppy behavior.
Thank you all, I'm hoping this doesn't last to much longer. Hopefully soon my daughter can start playing with him with the biting.
OOOOch.. I know it hurts.. we never had that problem with Sofia, as she was all grown up when we got her, but I've read many many posts here re: the same thing
What has worked for others is to immediately pinch ( not too hard.. but firmly) the back of his neck ( scruff) and state 'NO' when he's doing it.. that's what Mama dogs do to inhibit the bitey thing.. that and take the bottom of his little Doberjaw in your hand and press down. ( I would have those lined oven mitts in my hand first though LOL)
Good luck and keep in touch
Thor has been doing better with nipping, we try to keep the house calm. It seems to work. I'm happy that mydaughter has been playing with him a little more.
Thank you all very much for the help
It's all about being consistant in what you teach them and keeping at it. It felt like all I did for 6 months was say 'no bite' and hand him a toy some days. Especially the 12 week to about 3 months age
you said it Lori, same here
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Welcome to dobepuppyhood! The biting & nipping I have been told are normal. When you say "ouch" is it a high pitched yelp? That helps. Also try redirecting him - when he goes for your hands or feet take them away & give him a chew toy he CAN have.
When Brinks was a puppy I swore he was actually a t-rex in disguise & I was going to change his name to "Chomper"! So, I know just how you feel.