Puppy Biting Tips

[jrbarnes]

I have a 11 week old Puggle that I am trying to train. She seems like she is a very smart pup and has really learned to go outside to use the bathroom very well. She still has accidents here and there, but shes a pup with a bladder about the size of a grape so its understandable.

The one thing I can't get her to understand is to not play so rough and bite so hard. I know I'm not supposed to spank her, but sometimes its hard not too when she draws blood. Can someone please give me some tips on how to correct her behavior before she bites someone else? You would save me, my hands, my pants legs, and everyone elses hands a lot of pain.

Thanks

[Doberluv]

First things first....never hit your dog, no matter what. You'll wreck the trust that you need to develop in order to train her and have a well mannered, well adjusted dog. You have to have a good bond for that. You need to be a good leader to her and leaders don't get all emotional and do stuff like that.

The best way to stop a behavior is to take away whatever payoff she's getting. Puppies play like this with eachother and it is a learning process to adapt to humans' ways. When she bites or does any behavior like that, end all playtime, give no attention. Hand her a suitable chew toy (she's teething) and walk away. When she can play gently, praise her calmly.

Is she learning some basic obedience? I'd suggest doing a search on this forum or elsewhere online for postitive reinforcement training techniques. There are stickies here and one of them is about developmental stages of pups, so you know what to expect and what is normal. I recommend doing some reading on handling a dog. That is always best before getting a dog, but you can do it now. Punishment based training is not very effective because you won't get the respect that a confident leader will. Calm, firm and confident and fair is good to strive for. Training for very short sessions and here and there throughout the day...one or two commands helps her see you as her leader. This is important.

Let us know if you have trouble finding info.

[jrbarnes]

Thank you very much for your help. I have read a lot about not hitting and earning their trust. That's why I have been only spanking her when she really bit hard. From now on I will try harder to control my anger, and I will do some reading here and on other internet pages. Would taking her to some training classes at somewhere like Petsmart be a good idea? I watched them for a little bit earlier this week and the man looks like he knows what he is doing. Seems to be a pretty gentle handler too. Plus I've always been told that you wanted to be the one to train your dog not let someone else do it for you. Any truth to this?

[Fuzz Puppy]

When we were teaching my dog, Liberty, not to bite, we would yelp and walk out of the room when he bit us. He learned that if he bites us, the game's over right then. Hope this helps.

Hannah

[Wings]

I did that with my dog too, if she nips too hard, keep the toy we are playing, walk away and leave her alone for 5-10 mins. Then start play again, if she is doing good, give her a treat and praise her.

[Doberluv]

Would taking her to some training classes at somewhere like Petsmart be a good idea? I watched them for a little bit earlier this week and the man looks like he knows what he is doing. Seems to be a pretty gentle handler too. Plus I've always been told that you wanted to be the one to train your dog not let someone else do it for you. Any truth to this?

Training classes, if done with a kind, positive method trainer who is reputable are an excellent idea. They're fun and you learn lots of good tips and your dog gets some socialization, which is vital to a well balanced dog.

Yes, sending a dog away to be trained is not a good idea. You need to learn how to train and interact with your dog. It's more like you're being trained than the dog, at first. Someone could train your dog and he'd come home and you would un-do it if you hadn't learned how to keep it up. It's an ongoing process for the life of the dog, not just a class here and there.

Anger and physical punishment shows the dog that you are a subordinate, not a leader. Only subordinant dogs in a pack squabble and fight. The leader does not.....doesn't have to. So, if you want your dog to turn out right, you'll need to realize what is normal for pups and be patient. If you learn the best ways to handle your pup, it will reduce your frustration because you'll know what you're doing and you'll be able to take these puppy antics more in stride. I know they can be frustrating sometimes. That's when I would put my dog in his crate for a while.....if we both needed a time out or little rest from eachother. This and other obnoxious behaviors is what they do. Anger and hitting will ruin your dog.

Don't forget lots of socialization with all kinds of people, friendly dogs, places, different enviornments....all pleasant experiences....very, very important, every day....new things and people.

These priciples are excellent, even if you don't use a clicker, but maybe an unusual sound or word that you don't always use as the marker is also helpful.

http://www.dogpatch.org/obed/obpage4.cfm