Dog Community

Mouthing Puppy

Posted : 12/14/2009 6:45:59 PM

Hopefully this is the right place to put this.... Anyway! Hey guys! So I'm new to the whole young puppy scene, as my first dog was three when I was born, my second was 10 months and had his adult teeth. However, this past weekend my family and I adopted a beautiful boxer mix named Simba. He's 10 weeks currently and is VERY smart, he already knows sit on command and is getting better at staying. I know puppies like to teeth a lot, and we've gotten quite a few toys specifically designed to help him teeth. However, he tends to nip a lot during play. I know that dogs do this with each other but this should not be acceptable and I know that.

Whenever he does this I get up right away and tell him no before turning around and ignoring him until he stops. Sometimes he listens, sometimes he doesn't. Am I doing the right thing or should I be doing something else? Any advice would be good!

tiffy

Posted : 12/14/2009 8:24:28 PM

When he does this squeal like his littermate would, stop all play or interaction and leave the room. He should catch on quick.

punkchica321

Posted : 12/14/2009 8:28:53 PM

Okay I'll try that! I've noticed now that he seems to 'talk back' when I do that, or tell him no when he bites something he shouldn't. I'll shake a can of pennies and say 'no' in a firm tone and either he'll stop or he'll pounce on the floor and bark. Is that him 'talking back' or just wanting to play?

glenmar

Posted : 12/14/2009 8:47:17 PM

NO doesn't tell him what you want him TO do.

When I have a foster litter, or pups of my own, I literally walk around the house with stuffed pockets and a fanny pack chuck full of OK things to chew on. A gentle, uh uh, no bite, followed by an appropriate chew thing and THIS is what you can bite, then praise for biting it and not me works wonders.

I have a realistic yowl...so much so that one time neighbors came running into their yards to see if one of my dogs was hurt. However, I've never had any luck with the yelp/yowl. On the rare occassions that my first try doesn't work, I simply, without a word and without a look, get up and leave. NO attention at all. I get a babygate or a door between me and the biter pronto. With a litter, that sometimes meant walking with 7 or 8 clinging to my pant legs.......

punkchica321

Posted : 12/14/2009 9:00:19 PM

Ah yeah, that makes sense. I've been trying different things, which probably confuses him and I feel bad. So I think I may stick to this approach. I have had done that, where if he starts to bite on me I'll go "no bite" and give him a toy to chew on. And that's pretty hilarious! I'll talk to the family about trying this approach. Thanks so much hun!

sl2crmeg

Posted : 12/14/2009 9:02:31 PM

the_gopher's Ari had a lot of mouthing issues, if I recall - if she doesn't respond you might PM her or look for her old posts.

punkchica321

Posted : 12/14/2009 9:08:19 PM

Okay thanks hun! I'll check her posts out. :)