Dog Community

Question about biting in pups

Posted : 3/30/2006 9:53:33 AM

My pup Lucy is just shy of 3 months old and likes to chew-- and therefore bite and hard! Whenever she tries to take a bite off me, I promptly tell her 'no bite' and will make whatever she wants to bite unavailable. Now she has her toys and sometimes whenever she is bitey I will do the same thing but followed by giving her one of her chew toys. Is this what I should be doing? I know a pup is going to bite-- but I never want to tell her it is ok by letting her continue the behavior, right? She also has one specific toy I'll give her whenever she wants to bite.

glenmar

Posted : 3/30/2006 9:56:33 AM

I personally would not limit her to ONE chew toy, but that's just me. Yes, it sounds like you are doing this correctly, but be sure to PRAISE her for chewing on the toy instead of on you.

huskymom

Posted : 3/30/2006 9:57:32 AM

Sounds about right to me. If it gets worse you could always just get up and leave her alone in the room. Go over a baby gate where you can still watch her but she cant get to you. As soon as she figures out that biting = playing stops, she should quit.

Patrick W

Posted : 4/4/2006 10:17:16 PM

I have 4 border collies one of which is an 8 week old puppy. I am 59 and in my lifetime I have had 40+ border collies. As many as 7 at one time. Puppies naturally chew and often do so as a reflex action to their environment. I cannot speak for other breeds, but border collies are natural nippers as that is what they do when hearding sheep, goats, ducks, humans, or anything else that moves. One toy is not enough to arrest this behavior. But several objects that can be chewed would be better. Puppies have short attention spans and variety seems to help.

Another technique I have used is to give praise or a treat for good behavior and ignore bad behavior. One must also become the alpha to a pup or to several dogs, so they know you are in charge. I can't speak for others, but with border collies, and likely most any other breeds, I have used bitter apple to deter nipping or biting. I have sprayed in on my pant legs or gloves , or an object of gnawing or biting attention. Dogs do not like bitter apple, and will avoid nipping at something that has been sprayed with it. It will not hurt them, but is a minor irritant. I know some people will raise some cane about it, but my experience over the years show that is helps prevent future problems by using it. If I have a BC to use for herding, then I do not use anything. Presently none of my BCs are herding, and I have used bitter apple with each and it has done the trick. Remember do not spray it on the dog, but only on an object they bite at.