Puppy biting help needed!

john_gb · New member Joined: 25 Nov 2004 Posts: 1

I have a four month old lab/shepherd mix and she is having some real puppy biting issues. It's not even so much stuff around the house she's biting that bothers me, but it's biting me! I'm pretty sure it's the normal and playful puppy biting, but it's really getting to the point where I just always want to keep her in the crate and not play as much with her. I can't play with her for two seconds without her wanting to attack my cut-up hands and arms (she's got sharp little teeth).

The pet store gave me a couple suggestions (putting her on her back when she bites and holding her there for a couple seconds to teach her it's a bad behavior, putting my arm towards the back of her throat when she bites to make it uncomfortable to bite me) but nothing seems to work.

I've tried turning away and ignoring her as well, but she seems unfazed and just goes on to something else. Is there ANYTHING that may work in this case? Are all puppies like this? How long before she will get out of this phase?

Thank you very much!!

Aqueous · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 9:58 pm Post subject:

Rocky was a biting puppy too. What I did was to put my thumb in the roof of his mouth and my index finger on top of his upper jaw and give a light squeeze and say "NO".

Sara · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 10:01 pm Post subject:

My BF bit Honijade back...LOL...she was cured...so I tried it..and it worked... She was SHOCKED...LOL...it was and is hysterical... I'll never forget...talk about stopping her in her tracks...litterally...LOL Not hard but enough to let her know that I have teeth too...LOL

Samsintentions · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 4352 Location: Texas

I bit smokey back, and when puppies try biting me, I yelp really loud to let them know it hurts, even when it doesn't.

If that didn't work. I would place my thumb on the roof of her mouth and the rest of my fingers on the topof my nose and hold it firmly for a few moments, and scold them. If they wouldn't quit a flick of the nose usually cured it. Not hitting or anything. but a good thump on the nose added discomfort and they learned really quick, bite me and its gonna hurt.

nern · Moderator Joined: 14 Mar 2004 Posts: 5042 Location: NY

Here is a good article on teaching bite inhibition:http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1/bitestop.htm

Jamiya · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 5593

Thank you, Nern. I love that article.