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Puppy play biting
OK so I have an 11 week old Malti-Poo. He's a little guy and he loves
to play bite and chew on my finger when I'm playing with him and holding him. I know this is natural and what puppies do, but I also know you are not supposed to let them bite a human even in playing because I guess that will allow for problems down the road. I had a friend over who is a dog freak and insists that when he even begins to bite me I yell and scream at him and pick him up by his neck, scare the crap out of him and bottom line make him KNOW that biting is not ok. But I'm from the camp of just saying no once loudly or saying ouch loudly and just giving him one of his toys to chew on in my fingers place. If that doesn't work, I will just stop playing with him. But she acted like I was crazy and that will never work and he is just going to grow up and end up biting my daughter in the face. SO, it does seem that like although I have been doing this for a about two weeks or so, he IS still biting pretty much all the time. Granted it is VERY light play biting but he does it non stop. I got him teething toys like the ones that go in the freezer and nylabones etc etc and I give him those as much as possible. What is everyone's view on the best way to handle this? I don't want to be an abusive parent. I just don't like hitting my dog upside the head and sticking my fingers down his throat etc. But am I being naive? Should I do that stuff anyway? Or should I maybe just give him a timeout in the bathroom for a couple minutes? What's the best method!!? HELP!!!! :-) |
#2
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Puppy play biting
"Erich93063" said in
rec.pets.dogs.behavior: What's the best method!!? The best method is a combination of the techniques you mentioned in your post. I disagree with the degree of your friend's corrections, but she's correct in that the dog needs to know that biting is not OK. And that's the crux: when is biting not play? I'll put up with a certain amount of mouth to hand when I'm playing with the dogs here, and the point at which it's no long play seems obvious to me with my dogs and those I look after. It's diffult to explain in words, but I'm sure your puppy is at the point where it's all play. Going over my previous posts on this subject, I see that what I recommend is what is currently working for the puppy I'm dealing with at the time. So, methods change depending upon how the dog responds. Give each a chance to succeed, though - nothing is more confusing to a puppy than changing boundaries. I'd continue with what you're doing: redirecting to a toy and using short time-outs. If this doesn't work, add a yip or a marker word (like "nuh uh") and redirect and praise. You can also hold on to the lower jaw (no pinching or pulling) for a few moments before redirecting and praising. Whatever you do, be consistent and ensure that your friends are equally consistent with your dog. If you're uncomfortable with anything, go with your instincts. Good luck! -- --Matt. Rocky's a Dog. |
#3
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Puppy play biting
"Erich93063" wrote
OK so I have an 11 week old Malti-Poo. He's a little guy and he loves to play bite and chew on my finger when I'm playing with him and holding him. I know this is natural and what puppies do, but I also know you are not supposed to let them bite a human even in playing because I guess that will allow for problems down the road. I had a friend over who is a dog freak and insists that when he even begins to bite me I yell and scream at him and pick him up by his neck, scare the The believability of the "eek" is essential. We're going through this now with our new cocker spaniel pup. She loves to chew on human ankles and fingers and also on Urger's tail. (Urger's an Anatolian.) When she lays into my or Urger's appendages we give an appropriately convincing warning that makes her back off. (Our cats do the same though they also manage to work in a swipe or two.) My wife however can't seem to get the "heft" (for lack of a better word) into her voice when she "eeks". Balim just looks at her as if to say "You're pretending. I can tell." -- Bob http://www.kanyak.com |
#4
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Puppy play biting
"Rocky" wrote in message
... "Erich93063" said in rec.pets.dogs.behavior: What's the best method!!? The best method is a combination of the techniques you mentioned in your post. Second that. I'll put up with a certain amount of mouth to hand when I'm playing with the dogs here, and the point at which it's no long play seems obvious to me with my dogs and those I look after. It's diffult to explain in words, but I'm sure your puppy is at the point where it's all play. I know a lot of people who don't allow any teeth on skin. I've never had to be that strict with a dog. That said, I probably do approach that level when we're training acceptable behavior. We had Spenser as a puppy. After we established boundaries of play versus non-play, we developed games that do involve hands in mouth. We play a game called "Finger" where Spenser hooks his teeth over a curled finger and plays a mild game of tug and shake. (DH actually has a callus as a result.) Sassy stayed with the breeder for two years. She learned to never touch skin with her teeth. After three years with us, she is still trying to figure out the Finger Game. She knows it's a game but she has difficulty allowing herself to play it. If you're uncomfortable with anything, go with your instincts. ALWAYS good advice. Judy |
#5
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Puppy play biting
I disagree with the degree of your friend's corrections, That so, matty? Seems you disagree with EVERYTHING YOU DO. but she's correct in that the dog needs to know that biting is not OK. If "biting" was NOT O.K., matty, Mother Nature wouldn't allHOWE the puppy to NORMALLY NATURALLY INNATELY INSTINCTIVELY DO IT, would She, matty {}: ~ ( Does Mother Nature allow fondling children? What do you think, AssHowe? |
#6
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Quote:
Hitting a dog only teaches him to be afraid of you. A firm "no" works just fine. It sounds like you're on the right track. Patience and consistancy is the key to training. Putting him down or crating him when he misbehaves sends the message that biting is not okay. Giving him alternatives to your finger works, too. Just remember, puppies have a short attention span so you'll have to repeat your method of choice to the point of insanity. (Your insanity, that is! ) Also, don't isolate your puppy for too long after his bad behavior. Just a few minutes gives him the idea. Good luck!
__________________
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." Will Rogers, 1897-1935 |
#7
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Puppy play biting
On Mon, 18 Dec 2006 09:27:36 -0800, Erich93063 wrote:
What's the best method!!? First, play biting is normal in puppies - and essential if the pup is to grow up into a dog who knows how to control his bite. So you don't want the pup to not bite, you want the pup to learn to not bite hard. All dogs will bite, when subject to certain stresses. A dog who has not learned to control his bite strength is dangerous. You want a dog who will nip at your trousers, when his tail is slammed in the car door, rather than tearing your leg open. So let the puppy bite in play, just set limits on how hard you will allow. And make those limits more stringent, over the next weeks and months, as the pup learns. What do you do when the pup exceeds those limits? Act like he hurt you, and move away and ignore him. Puppies are social animals, and isolation is what teaches them best. "Play too rough, and nobody will play with you" is the lesson you're teaching. Doesn't need to be an extensive time-out. Fifteen seconds is usually plenty. Ninety seconds is as much as you'll ever need. -- From briefcase then there comes a list of things we must revise. And all but four within the room are taken by surprise. And all but four are thinking of their last job with remorse: The customer, the manager, the doggy and the horse. |
#8
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Puppy play biting [jerry]
But I'm from the camp of just saying no once loudly
That'll INTIMIDATE your puppy an make him AFRAID of you. What college did you go to, to learn what you think you know? Because they should be put out of business for turning out such an idiot in you. |
#9
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Puppy play biting [jerry]
Can you do us a favor?
Write more bullshit advise. Advertise your silly manual more. Be more idiotic in what you say. Insert "HOWE" and "XXX" and "CON" into more words so you look more clever. Give the impression that you actually know what you are talking about, even though we all know you don't. Pretend that everyone on here is insane yet you are the only sane one. Keep pretending that you are "kindly" when you aren't in the least kind to anyone and you are too supid to realize it. Get a brain you idiot. Oh - post longer posts that no one will ever read. Who cares that some people need to pay for getting messages? Why should we be concerned about them? Triple your long posts - no one reads them anyway. |
#10
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Puppy play biting [jerry]
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