Bichon puppy growling, acting vicious?

Question

I have a 10 week old bichon puppy and lately when she starts playing and chewing on her toys she will refuse her toys and go after my hand or arm. I always try to redirect her to her toys, but she starts growling and biting even harder. When I grab her mouth or put her down on her side to show her who's boss she just comes at me even harder. I then have to crate her or put her on the patio until she calms down. Any suggestions on reading her or letting her know who is really boss?

Answer 1

let her know whose boss just dont hurt her or if u dont let her know whose boss she will think she can do anything she want and she will keep getting more vicious hope that helped

Answer 2

She isn't being vicious, she's being a puppy. This is how she played with her littermates and she doesn't realize that she can't play with you the same way. Plus she is also going to be teething so she needs to chew to make her mouth less irritated.

If she grabs on to you, immediately stop playing with her and walk away. You could even squeal like another puppy would if she bit them too hard. Your puppy is too young to be vicious.

Answer 3

Personally I would take her to a dog training class early to nip this asap. You can also use voice commands to let her know who is boss. When I change the tone of my voice and my gestures with my dogs they respond. Good luck and get yourself a book on these dogs.  

Answer 4

Oh it's cause when you force her down, you are basically attacking her. Tell her NO and get up and refuse to play with her. By attacking her back, you are giving her the idea that it's all okay. You will never stop her from biting if you are going to attack her. You don't have an issue with whose boss, you have an issue with a 10 week old puppy who is used to using her mouth and you need to teach her it's not acceptable with people. She isn't vicious, you are misusing words and making things sound worse than what they are, what she is doing is perfectly natural and normal.

Answer 5

First tip: Stop watching Cesar Milan.

Second: Stop flipping your dog on her side, you're making it worse.

Third: When she grabs your arm, yelp, then get up and leave. It'll take a few times but she'll eventually learn that "teeth on skin=no more play.

Fourth: Enroll in a puppy kindergarten class.

Fifth: If you really want to try a t.v. trainers methods, watch Victoria Stilwell on Its Me or the Dog.

Answer 6

An obvious ploy for dominance. Persistently putting dog in crate should do it.

Answer 7

I own a bichon and he is two now.They are a breed highly unlikely to be biting out of pure aggresion which is why I think it sounds like its just puppy behaviour.Your puppy is trying to assert its dominance and now is when to establish your alpha status. A trick you can use when a puppy bites at you or becomes too exuberant in play nipping/biting etc is to let out a high pitched yelp like its littermates would have done.This communicates well with puppy and lets it know that theis much force is not acceptable. Also turning your back and ignoring your puppy for a minute can work too.It will help calm her.Good luck with your new bichon puppy they are totally precious. -x