Not Play Biting!

[*Jay*]

Have to agree with the others - it is normal puppy behaviour but I know how disheartening it is.

When my Vegas was a pup, he was a nightmare. He would lunge at my ankles, my face, basically anything he could get those lovely sharp teeth on  I spent many a night in tears wondering how I ended up with this monster.  Looking back, I think part of my problem was trying out a method, such as saying "ow" really loudly, and not giving it nearly enough time to work before changing to something else. I started seeing light at the end of the tunnel when I decided on time-outs and sticking to it.  It may appear that its not working but it will take time - just persevere and make sure that all household members and visitors stick to it too.

[suzysu]

I remember being in floods of tears one day when Georgie was a pup with the biting..... it does get better I promise, but you have to persevere  

By the way Georgie now is the nicest, gentlest girlie xxxxxxxxx

[Bo's Mum]

From the amount you are posting about problems with your pup it sounds like you are having second thoughts about him.

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Carley - I noticed on one of your other posts on Bo about him being left all day - you were trying to avoid that so were looking to a sitter. What hours do you work at them mo and how long is Bo left at present? While the behaviour you describe is normal there are factors that could make it worse and one I wonder is how long he's being left. At 10 weeks old he needs lots of attention, but the right kind of attention, so you might need to think about this too.

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no no im not having second thoughts i love Bo to bits he is a part of our family and i just want to help him settle in. i have had dog before but never a pup so i didnt realise this was normal behaviour when you think of puppys you automatically think cute lil innocent adorable etc etc  (which he is) but i didnt think it was rnormal for im to be this naughty. but guess i was wrong

and Bo hasnt been left alone for more than an hour or so since we got him an still wont be left alone for another few weeks yet, when we are back working he will be alone for max 3 hours for 3days a week, plus he will have the dog carer lady coming to see him taking him for walks.

as soon as he is fully vaccinated we are taking him to puppy training classes so hopefully that will help us with his training.
 
sorry if i have offended anyone    

[suki1964]

Dont think you have offended anyone at all

Having a puppy is a bit of an eye opener isint it? Within a couple of days of Alfies arrival it all came rushing back to me - the memories of me saying "never again" from when my Gunnar was a pup. And I was always at the top of the queue in telling friends not to do it.

But keep with it, this is just a stage in his life. By time hes 16 weeks his adult teeth will be coming through and he drawing of blood will stop. No doubt the biting wont stop but at least it becomes more of a mouthing and doesnt hurt But then of course you will have the serious chewing to contend with

Have you rung your puppy classes to see if you can go along now before his vacs? I know a lot of classes do allow young pups along - mainly for the socialisation and the rough and tumble that puppies love. A few nips in return from older pups will help with his manners

[Pammy]

You certainly haven't offened me - I was just simply trying to gather more info'n that's all.

You must just stick with it - he will get there but it does take time and patience. That's all

[clairep4]

It really will get better. Puppies ARE cute and adorable and all of that but they are incredibly hard work as well. I was actually thinking just yesterday (my Bella is 6 months old now) that I'm quite relieved to be out the other side of the real baby puppy stage with her. I miss her being a teeny weeny thing who would only be awake for an hour at a time and then snuggle into my lap to go to sleep, and I miss her being all baggy and floppy, but I definitely don't miss the wee's all over the house and the crocodile teeth!

Just keep perservering and you can always come onto COL for a bit of moral support - sometimes just knowing you're not alone with your little snapping crocodile pup (has Bo lunged at and bitten that middle bit of your nose yet? I can still remember Bella doing that and boy did it hurt and it bled as well!) can help you get through.

[Penel]

Noo you didn't offend me at all - but I could hear the desperation in your post - and its often at this stage that people give up because like you they thought puppies were all cute and cuddly - when in fact they are little monsters.
I have had two puppies that didn't mouth us at all - but they had other dogs to play with - a single pup only has you humans to play with and interact with so will treat you like they treat other puppies - playbiting and rough-housing is all part of it !
My first pup - Saffy was the most awful biter - even Roger Mugford (behaviourist) said he hadn't known a puppy bite quite so hard as she did !!!
You just have to grit your teeth and go with the flow.  One of my friends wore gardening gloves for weeks - so the pup didnt get any reaction from biting her, and therefore learned that it was not a rewarding behaviour - its a different approach but it worked for her.  No reaction is awfully boring for a puppy !
Keep on with him - in a few weeks time he'll be fine.  Even if you can't take him to classes at the mo - you can take him out, carry him around - get him used to the sounds and sights of traffic - you can take him to other people's houses for socialising etc etc - all these things are good mental stimulation and will distract him from the chomping !!!

[Bellbellsmum]

Hi, I know it seems vicious to you , but it really is normal.  My Bella was a nightmare.  I was on here in tears all the time as owning her was a misery, she drew blood on my OH and my 11 year old daughter.  I thought she had rage syndrome at one point she was so vicious.  We tried everything, but really she just grew out of it.  She growled when you picked her up and snapped at your face and ears.  I wondered what I had done.

Now she is 11 months old and still playbites when you rough and tumble but she uses no pressure and it is more like a suck than a bite     We joke about her now saying "ooohh Bellbells has rage look at her!" as she lays on her back snoring with her tongue haning out   She is very passive and gentle and we would never have known she would turn out the way she has.  She really is a gentle soul.  And I am amazed at how much difference a few months make.

STICK WITH IT - IT WILL GET BETTER

[Bo's Mum]

thanks for all your support i am gonna stick with it for Bo i luv him to bits and am begining tosee their is a light at the end f the tunnel. at least i got a day of from the biting yesterday as he slept most of the day he was sulking too because he had his injections and mircochip put in.she also gave us more tips on how to stop the biting she said to grab him by the scruff of the neck and shake him a bit but i wont be doing that it seems too harsh   she did it in the vets an he sqealed sooo much   ooops she also said he getting a lil chubby haha she also said he a complete mummys boy an i need to watch out for separation anciexty (cant spell) but he is fine when he alone now so dont need to worry about that    

[Leicester mum]

Oops, first time user .. not sure yet how this works

I am having the exact problem, this is why I just logged in to see if I can find a solution.

Leicester is just 10 weeks old and in the last couple of days he has changed from loving puppy that was getting on really well with our trainning to this biting monster. The only way I have been able to go near him in my kitchen today to do anything is by putting on some old riding boots that go almost to my knees. I have spread some back pain cream on them and he left me alone. My wrists are still very painful because he does grab me some time. I was told in my local pet shop to try to put some chilli in my wrists and he soon will stop.

Regarding the humping, mine does that too but it's because he wants us to pick him up. Did you used to cuddle yours? Unfortunatly we used to cuddle ours a lot that he now is allways asking to be picked up. ((well not anymore after this biting))

Someone mention to do time out, what does that involve exactly?

And for the experienced ones, how long does phase this last?

Thank you!!

[PennyB]

Someone mention to do time out, what does that involve exactly?

And for the experienced ones, how long does phase this last?

Thank you!!

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To be honest I can't remember how long it lasted---seemed like forever though and as all pups are different it would be wrong to specify.

As far as timeouts are concerned its a bit like the 'naughty step' when training the terrible twos. You warn them then if that doesn't work remove them from the problem for a couple of minutes. Where depends on the layout of your house.

[suki1964]

Welcome to col

This really is NORMAL puppy behaviour and punishing a pup (no cuddles/chilli pepper)for being normal is a bit cruel

As far as hes concerned hes playing. Thats how he would play with his litter mates and mum. The only difference would be that mum would soon put him in his place by nipping back. Also they have started the teething proccess and biting and chewing is an important part of this

I know its painful and frustrating, Ive been there myself as have most of us who post to the forums. I spent the first 4 months in shorts so the little sod couldnt hang of my legs and my arms were a mass of little bruises and scratches. Some one else has posted to this thread how they had to wear gloves when they wanted to handle their pup.

The way most of us get through this stage is with time outs and ouchies, and praise for when they are biting their own toys rather then you.

When you are playing/cuddling with him have a toy at hand. If he starts to bite, give him the toy and if he chews that praise him. If he carries on biting then put him out of the room, somewhere safe, for a couple of minutes. If he whinges and whines, wait for that nanno second hes quiet before you let him back in. You will have to repeat this time and time again (he might be spending more time shut out then in with you playing for a few days) till he learns to associate biting with the end of fun.

Another thing to try is the loud sharp OUCH when he nips. It has to be sharp enough to attract his attention then do the put out of the room.

If you dont have a "safe place" to put him (never use his crate) the just putting him down on the floor and ignoring him (no eye contact) will have the same effect.

As for humping all pups do this - excitement mainly - just discourage it by removing him from your arm or leg with a firm no.

Please dont stop handling him. They need to get used to being handled else you will have a nightmare on your hands when you try to groom him, check ears teeth etc and its an important part of the bonding process

This stage seems to go on forever but by time hes six months and his teeth are through it will end

Hope that helps some

[mick]

Hi Carly

Our Jess is now eight and apart from the problem in that he does not like Alsatian’s due to one attacking him when he was very young we have in our opinion a perfect lovable chap.

He is well behaved in every way and we know he has a good and happy life with us.

Yes he is spoiled in some ways but it has not harmed him nor has it made him aggressive or domineering with any of the family.

Jess was our first pup and when he was young we only had the advise of a puppy book as I was not aware of COL at the time (not sure if this site was formed in 1997).

Reading now the advise from all the people on this site relating to your problem then I now know that I probably made the classic error of playing with our Jess hand to mouth so to speak so my hands and arms were pretty bad at times.

Now I did not mind this at the time because I truly believed it was the normal growing process for a pup whose teeth were like needles.

At this point I have to say that the advise you have received from other members are far more sensible than this post.

My point though is that no two dogs are ever the same and each has its own personality. Our Jess grew out of the biting stage through the natural growing process and I would argue with anyone that he is no worse off for not being pressured to stop this biting activity in any way except for the times he got over exuberant at which point I would tell him to stop it.

But that’s our Jess and each dog can be different you do however need to realise that Bo has been removed from his family and there is nothing like a Cocker IMHO for getting bored and needing attention.

Stick at what the folks here advise and see it through…Before you know it you will wonder why you were worrying and it will be all worth it in the end.

Keep smiling

P.S what  lovely read your post was SUE H

[Leicester mum]

Thanks Caroline for your advice, I will use some of you technics  

I have told my husband today about these messages and he was so much more relieved to know that after all he did not have a demented dog that was going to stay like this forever ...

[suki1964]

Glad to have been of some help

having a new puppy is such a shock to the system. Its no wonder they have to look so cute cos if we knew what little devils they really were none of us would have them

But toughing out these painfull times is just so worth the effort. There were times I felt I could have easily given Alfie back, now Id walk over hot coals for him   The work you put in now you reap back a zillion fold

Do a search on biting and you will find so much help and advice. Also reading others posts about how they survived it really does help you through the days when you think its never ending. There is light and the tunnel really isnt that long

Good luck and keep posting