How do i stop my 9 week puppy biting?

Question

Does anyone have any training advice on how to stop my new Cavapoo puppy nipping/biting me. I have tried yelping when she does it and distracting her with a toy but neither work for long. She has responded well to training in other area (house training and basic commands) but with this she takes no notice. I have also noticed that she doesn't do it as much with my husband. Could it be something I'm doing wrong?

Answer 1

I can relate. We have a 12 week old english bulldog puppy. It takes time. What we do is when he bites we put our thumb in his mouth and push down on his toungue and say "NO BITE" he doesn't like the feeling at all it's not really hurting him. Then we divert him to a toy. Good luck I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Not sure about the Eek lots of bad advice post, in my experience the best  approach is the one that the puppies mother would take. If the yelping and shunning doesn't work then you may have to get a little physical, I'm not talking about smacking or beating the poor little mite but a little shake by the scruff is very effective.

If a puppies mother is fed up with being bitten then she will do this with her teeth, a human can do this with a little pinch of the fingers and a quick shake (not too hard). I find this method is essential when yelping and shunning wont work although I don't recommend pinching too hard as this will make your puppy frightened of you rather than respectful of your dominance.

Also pinning can yield positive results, rolling the puppy on its side and pinning it down with one two or three fingers on the neck and a hand on its flank. This must be done until the puppy stops struggling and relaxes otherwise the puppy will think it has won and is dominant one.

I have a 10 week old American Bulldog pup and sometimes a simple bowling over whilst giving her a couple of little nips with my thumb and index finger is also effective. Different situations call for different measures, sure you you can try simply yelping and turning away but when you are holding your 1 year old baby as my wife often is and you turn your back only for the puppy to start savaging the backs of your ankles then what do you do?

Puppies are not human babies, they are used to a little dusting up by their mothers when they get out of hand and will half expect this from their new pack leader, all I will say is definitely no smacking and certainly not on the head or face as this DOES NOT WORK it will as I said make your puppy scared of you. As with the yelping technique all disciplinary measures should be followed by simply giving puppy the cold shoulder for a period (definately do not chuck them in their crate as this is supposed to be a safe place and not a sin bin)

Answer 3

It may be because of the energy you are projecting. I used to be nervous around my dog because I did not like him mouthing me and doing crazy behavior, and this nervousness caused him to get more crazy. Try to be calm and assertive as much as you can.

Some things to try:

1. Hand-feed her

You can try and teach her some bite inhibition. Hand-feed her some kibble one by one. If she bites too hard while trying to get at her food, yelp in a high pitch, and ignore her for a few seconds. Then start feeding her again. This way she learns that biting hard can hurt humans and when she does that, the food and attention stops. Hand-feeding is also good for bonding and establishing your leadership.

2. If she continues her bad biting behavior and escalates it even after you have told her to stop, then say "timeout" and remove her to a time-out area (boring but safe room, e.g. laundry room). This way she learns that when she bites, she no longer gets to be with people. You can leave a drag-lead on her to make controlling her easier.

3. Follow the NILIF (nothing in life is free program). Don't give anything to your dog (food, toys, freedom, attention, affection) unless she does something for you first. This can be as simple as just asking for a sit before letting her out.

Keep doing the obedience - it will help you bond and establish you as the leader.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 4

ignore her after you yelp

fold your arms and look at the ceiling until she stops

or longer. It could also be a dominance issue

Answer 5

Yelping is good, but if you don't thereafter turn away and ignore her, you are failing to make the full point.  The thing is, among her sibs, a bite would not only get a yelp, it would leave her out of the play altogether.  I'll bet when she nips your husband, he just goes away and leaves her, and you don't.

Also, praise her when she might have bitten you and didn't, or when she plays calmly.  She will get the point.

Answer 6

spray with water

Answer 7

Eeekk! Lots of bad advice here. Please do not poke, hit, or in any other way physically punish your dog - unless of course you want to ruin any hope of a good relationship with her.

Also, do not use a crate as punishment - EVER!  That's the complete opposite of what crates are intended to do . If you are going to crate, it should only be used for a safe and happy place for them. If you make it punishment then you will never get your dog in there again.

Instead, follow the advice about ignoring your dog. I always pulled my hands back and looked away for a minute or so - it didn't take long and now my little guy never goes after my hands. That's how you "punish a dog."  

Answer 8

When she bites you try doing the loud yelp , and put her in a crate or leave the room every time this happens,. She will learn that biting means no more play. I am sure she is just playing, and does not mean to hurt you.   Try watching the "Its me or the dog" on the animal planet channel you can get some great ideas for biting puppies there.  

Answer 9

poke her in the neck, not very hard. this shows that you are the dominate one. Or roll her over and pinch her tummy as if biting it. this is what the mother does to show dominance.