posted 11-30-2003 06:00 AM         

I have given Squirmy several toys to chew on that he knows are just for him. Plus, I give him these bones that look like sticks that I got at walmart. They are flavored rawhide.

Sometimes puppies nip also, I have read, when they are bored and need more active play,however, I would wager that at this age providing more chewing toys and a small bone like I have would really help alot.

posted 11-30-2003 06:00 AM         

I have given Squirmy several toys to chew on that he knows are just for him. Plus, I give him these bones that look like sticks that I got at walmart. They are flavored rawhide.

Sometimes puppies nip also, I have read, when they are bored and need more active play,however, I would wager that at this age providing more chewing toys and a small bone like I have would really help alot.

posted 11-30-2003 07:31 AM         

Depending on how long your pup was with his littermates, he may or may not have some degree of bite inhibition already.

Puppy biting and mouthiness is very normal and he will outgrow it. It is important to teach him to inhibit his bite, though, while you have the opportunity.

posted 12-12-2003 04:28 AM         

We are still working on the biting issue, and she is about 7 months old (although it is getting better). I have tried things like holding her muzzle shut and telling her NO very firmly. I hold it shut until she relaxes or sighs. Some say this does nothing, but I think it helps her to calm down. She nips more when she is excited and out of control. Pay attention to your voice and posture when you do this. Dogs speak in body language, so have a stern look on your face and a low, firm (not angry) voice. Yelling does not work and just excites the puppy more.

Some say to yelp like you are a puppy that just got bit. This surprised Nala, but it didn't stop her for long. It works for some, I am told.

You could try squirting her in the face with a squirt bottle of water. Of course, that requires having the squirt bottle with you.

You can keep her on a leash so you can step on it to prevent her from jumping on you.

As a last resort when Nala got totally out of control, we would put her in her crate for a few minutes, or outside alone (just for a few minutes). We did this to try to give her time to calm down. Sometimes it helped and sometimes it did not. At 10-weeks, she is probably too young for this as you are still trying to establish your bond and she needs to trust you.

I really think some of it you have to wait for her to outgrow - but that doesn't mean you should just let her do it. I kept being consistent with Nala, even when it didn't seem to be doing anything. I figure that maybe even though she can't control herself she is still getting the message that what she is doing is wrong, and hopefully as she matures she will be able to control herself better.

Also, be sure to praise any GOOD behavior. Sometimes this is hard to do, as your praise sets off the bad behavior but grit your teeth and do it anyway.

Also, make sure her nipping is not getting her extra attention. This is easier said than done when the dog has her teeth embedded in your leg or your clothes. I posted an article on attention-seeking behaviors in another thread recently. it's hard to apply in this case (I thought) but it is good advice if you can make it work. One behavior counselor actually told me to bundle up so she can't hurt me and then totally ignore the biting until it stops. It could take days, though. Try this at your own risk.