My puppy wont stop jumping and biting.?

Question

She's good about not biting me, usually, but she likes to bite everyone else and my roommate's 2 year old... she doesn't really hurt anyone badly, she's just playing, but she's already around 7 months old, and i cant get her to stop jumping and snipping at people. I've tried saying 'no' and ignoring her, but she just stops for the moment, there aren't any long term results.

Also, I've already looked this up, so don't give me a bunch of web sites, although if it's a really good source, I can check it out. But, I'd rather have 'tried and true' methods from people who have corrected similar behaviors in their animals.

Answer 1

I have a 7 month old Jack Russell and have the exact same problem. I took her to obedience school and she learned to sit and lay down...but she won't do it when she's excited. She jumps in people faces and bites my other dog. Sometimes I will tell her no biting and put her in her crate for a few minutes. Once I let her out, she does ok for awhile. I also bought a really soft muzzle...that sounds horrible I know. But if she's really biting hard, I will tell her "MUZZLE" and put it on for like 30 seconds. It really depresses her. I did it like 3 times. Now whenever she's biting, I only have to SAY "muzzle" and she stops biting!! Hope this helps.

Answer 2

7 months old is still considered a puppy!

Have you thought about hiring a trainer?

Answer 3

When I first adopted my puppy she would jump and bite too!  She didn't do it out of aggression, rather she just loved people so much and wanted to play.  She was taken away from her litter and her mom way to early and I believe that is why she was like that.  Believe it or not, she has changed so much, and occasionally she needs a little reminder (she's only 6 months) but overall is a great dog.  

They tell you to 'bark' or 'yelp' loudly to scare them every time they bite.  I tried this, and that just made her even more excited.  

Instead this is what I did.  Slowly allow her to bite you less and less.  This week any hard bites you will do the instructions below, next week medium size bites, and the next week even light bites.. until she isn't alot to nip or bite at all.

My dog loves being around people.  When she bit I would say no, and place her in her crate (or a small room).  Don't make eye contact with her, and try not to touch her as much as possible.  Occasionally, I would have her leash on her in the house so when she did this I could just take her to her crate without reinforcing negative behaviour.  (Don't drag her, if you have to you can pick her up).  Leave her there for 2-5 minutes.  Puppy's have a short memory and any longer won't help her learn.  Let her out, if she continues to bite.. repeat.  The important thing is that you are not in the same area with her.  While she is in her crate she should not be able to see yoou.  She wants to please you, and be with you so when you put her in another room, she is learning a lesson.

Also, get her to sit for everything.  This is how I kept her from jumping on people. The first night she came she jumped on a couple of guests and bit their ear lobes...urgh!  It takes time, but make her sit before she can go outside, sit before she gets her food.. very soon she will realize that if she sits she will get what she wants.

As for the child, try to teach her that when the dog comes up to her that she freezes like a tree and call for mom.  That way she doesn't get the dog more excited.

I've been where you are, and these will be the toughest part.. if you can get through the next couple of months/weeks you will have yourself a wonderful dog!  It can be stressful, especially when they just keep biting you - but trust me it is well worth it!

Answer 4

All puppies do that.The way to break them is when it happens grab the puppy and hold it down by its neck with your hand in a bite shape(imitating a dogs mouth) until it calms down(stops protesting).As far as the 2yr old goes while holding the dog down place the 2yr old over the dog in a dominate position.The dog is just testing to see who is dominate.Yelling never does any good just talk calmly praising the dog(they don't speak english they just get excited by loud noises.) This I learned from "Ceasar Romano" "The Dog Whisperer" Also if you walked her more she(he) would be to tired for such folly