Play biting vs not play

[StevePax]

OK, our puppy does the play biting thing like almost all puppies do. So, I know that what I'm supposed to do is say "No" and then ignore the puppy for a while. That's all fine and good, but what if he isn't playing? What if he tries to bit a little because I'm pulling him away from something he shouldn't chew, for example? Tonight, Leo had a small period of crazy activity - running around like crazy, and pretty much pouncing anything and everything that moved. He started chewing on the couch, which of course I can't allow, so I went to pull him away from it and try to redirect him to a toy of his. He tried to bite me. I said no, and then ignored him. Well, I realized that having me ignore his was exactly the reason he was trying to bite me - he went right back to chewing the couch, confident that biting me was an effective way to get me to leave him alone.

What's the solution now? Ignoring that is exactly what he wants, and I can't do that and let him chew the couch, pounce my daughter, etc. I don't want to time-out him in his crate, because he's only been here for a week and he really quite likes his crate. Any ideas?

[killerz298]

Welcome to my life. I still haven't found a solution. He is better than he was before but he is still very mouthy.

[Maxy24]

Is there anyway you can get him away from the couch without grabbing him? Use a squeaky toy or something? I would also teach the "leave it" command.Here is one article on it from Chazhound http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38669&highlight=leave+it

Is he completely conditioned to being touched? I have never had this problem nor have I head many other people with it here so I'm gonna wait and see what others say. Hopefully Doberluv or Doc or someone with more experience will be along soon.

How hard does he bite? For now I would bitter apple spray the spot he likes to chew and praise him for using his own toys.

[~Tucker&Me~]

I would attach a leash to his collar so if he goes to chew something, a light tug on the leash, say something like "Uh oh!" then replace the coach with a toy of his own and lots of praise. A good way to prevent him from getting into stuff he shouldn't is to tether him to your belt with his leash all the time.

~Tucker

[Blondie]

What I did with Blondie was yelling NO! and give him a squeaky to play with. He eventually destroyed the furniture LOL .... Just kidding, he didn't destroy anything, but ripped a couple of sofa pillows. I'm not too hard on the doggies, I accept it but he eventually learned that it was a bad thing to do. Most people warned me when I got him, that Cockers were destructive and vindictive and such. But I can tell you that, if you are patient enough and teach him with love, he will learn eventually.

Blondie can sit on my bed, sitting right next to my laptop and I trust him with it, I know he won't tear it apart and he doesn't... I swear! Where's the destructive Cocker, then huh?