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Post by Mutt_MOM on May 12, 2005 14:56:26 GMT -5
I have a puppy who is about 3 or 4 months old and we have a big problem with play bitting. We've tried no and ouch and giving him toys to bite on. I've closed his mouth and told him no. I've even placed my finger under his tounge and pressed down saying no. (advice from someone else) I've tried to place him in time out, in a room alone with no fun. He still bites. Any help?
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Post by Tammi21 on May 15, 2005 22:58:54 GMT -5
Ok here is what I did about my dog Jetta. When I got her she loved to play bite, mostly in the face. So I would set down where she had the chance to bite me and when she did bite, I would say a quick and loud “NO!” I don’t know why but she would then start licking my face, I think she was trying say sorry. So when she was licking I would say “Good girl!” And if she would try to bite, “NO!” again. I did not jerk back at all so she did not mistake my actions as playing. I did this in 5 minute sessions about two times a day for tree days, and she does not bite at all now. If the “no” is not enough for your dog. a spray bottle of water might help you get your point across. Just remember not too do anything that your dog might see as play. Keep me updated would ya? ;D
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Post by Aussienot on May 16, 2005 1:09:40 GMT -5
To some extent, play biting is natural puppy behavior, and the mouthing should begin to diminish on its own as the dog grows up. Corrections will not be immediately effective, it takes time to completely extinguish the behavior. The important thing is that a bite is corrected AND ends the play. The two consequences must follow the action.
Whether you choose to say NO and redirect, say ouch and turn away, water spray, scruff shake or tongue depress, pick one correction and use it consistently. All family members must react to being bitten exactly the same way, and the consequence of play stopping must be absolute.
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Post by Am on May 16, 2005 1:26:49 GMT -5
In the beginnning I did try tickling Monsta's tongue to stop him chewing on me, but it didn't work particually well - I think he thought it was just part of the game. So I stuck to growling at him when he nipped too hard, then immediately stopping the game. He responded a lot better to that. He was being careless, not malicious, but still had to learn that nipping hands wasn't appropriate. It took him a couple of months, but now we can play wrestle without me ending up with tooth marks all over me... Might take a bit longer with a puppy - they seem to have a lot more enthusiasm and a lot less self control. But I reckon it's well worth getting on top of it now, before you have a large adult dog who likes to nip
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