My dog bites me! Help, please!?

Question

When I try to trim my dog's nails, she screams like I'm hurting her and she bites me! I've had dogs for a long time, but this is the first time I've run into a problem like this - I know how to cut nails, so I know I'm not hurting her. I pretty much just want to know whether this is a common problem and if it's a behavior problem that needs correcting.

She's 8 months old, and I'm in the process of teaching her not to play-bite by grabbing her lower jaw and holding it for 10 seconds, punctuating by telling her, "No biting!" and letting go. I'm also teaching her not to jump up on visitors or us when we arrive home. Can any of those teachings be incorporated into getting her not to bite me while cutting her nails? She tore me up last time - I actually have scars on my arms and hands! I tried a muzzle and training collar, thinking I'd be able to get better physical control over her, but she just wiggles and screams and ended up defecating and urinating all over the both of us (yeah, it took 2 adults to unsuccessfully hold down a 15 lb dog!)

Thinking about just taking her wily butt to a vet and letting them sedate her or something, but I'm scared for her to bite someone else. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Mouthing and biting are natural, normal behaviors; all puppies do it. During teething (generally starting around four months), the urge to mouth is extra powerful because it feels good on your pups' tender gums. Lacking opposable thumbs, puppies also use their mouths to catch, carry, and play, making it all the more crucial that they learn how to control themselves in the presence of human skin.

Check out this link for some very helpful tips on how to treat this problem:

http://dogtime.com/biting-and-mouthing.h...

As for your dog's jumping issue, i'm sure this one will help:

http://tinyurl.com/5ov3wb

Goodluck with your dog!

Answer 2

Take your dog to training classes, and invest in a grooming table with a noose so the dog must stand in place while you trim.  You might want to try a dremel, some dogs are less freaked out by the dremel than they are by clippers.

Answer 3

Biting when they get thier nails trimmed is really natural. You're probably holding her in a posttion that she doesnt like. The best way is to approch her from behind so that you can have control of her head. Or providing her with treats while you sre doijng it so thst she is distracted.

Answer 4

I don't particularly like your No Bite training.  It should have been completed before the dog was 5 months old, the Sirius Puppy training way.  That said, for whatever reason, your puppy is terrified of having her nails cut.  You could have your vet or groomer muzzle the dog and do the nails (and get peed and pooped on, poor souls) but the best thing to do would be to get in touch with either a clicker trainer or an dog behavior specialist, to teach her to LIKE having her nails trimmed...or she will only get worse.  She's very frightened and fear can't be stopped by punishment or physical control.  

Answer 5

Get some chewy treats she likes. Any time she gets worked up, make a noise to get her attention and pop it in her mouth, quickly cut as many claws as possible and repeat.

Soon she'll expect lots of treats when her claws get clipped and will be thinking about that and not trying to bite.

Don't grab her snout either. Simply ignoring her when she gets like that will produce the results you want.

Answer 6

if i was your dog i would bite you to and then run away

Answer 7

Groomers are cheaper then vets, and they're trained to do this for a living. Most of your successful groomers have done some work for Vets at one time or another. The good one have degrees as animal health care technicians.

Tell them you have a screamer, and come back in an hour.

Answer 8

you should take her to the vet. maybe they could show you a better way to hold her or something.

Answer 9

i suggest u get a trainer or u train him yourself . and give him more love and teach him some tricks, and give him treats.

Answer 10

many dogs carry on and make a big fuss when having nails trimmed. for many dogs its the action of having their leg/foot held at an unusual position which they do not like the most. perhaps try handling her feet a bit more and making it a good experience. so when sitting quietly hold her foot as if you were going to cut her nails but dont. make sure you reward her when she is being good and dont push the fact if she starts getting grumpy.other option is to use a nice thick blanket to place over her head/neck so when one person is holding her she will not be able to bite you as easily. this is something you will need to get on top of before she gets older because she will only get worse. i would not recommend getting her sedated i would make sure you just be persistent with training and it will get better.

Answer 11

Please consult a doctor for you. and also for your dog.