Help: my puppy keeps biting my hand

UnknownUser · 03-06-2010, 07:56 AM

like some sort of chew toy. we bought him chew toys but when we play with him or pet him he tries to bite our hands. how do i get him to stop?

Animal Lover · 03-06-2010, 04:27 PM

If he's still a puppy, then he's mouthing you.Usually its worse when the pups are taken away from the mother too soon because they don't get the proper training that only the mom and siblings can provide. Everytime he does it try yelping in a really high voice, if that doesn't stop it then yelp and walk away, he will eventually learn that mouthing = no contact.
Most pups outgrow the faze by 8 months - year.

**Criosphynx** · 03-06-2010, 04:41 PM

ditto ^^

try very hard to redirect him to his toys...praise him heavy for any interaction with his toys

How old is he?

UnknownUser · 03-07-2010, 03:39 AM

3-4 months old i think

**fawkese1** · 03-08-2010, 01:27 AM

totally spend lots of time re-directing, when it is play time, always use a toy so that he has something that is ok to bite, do not play rough with him, and every time his teeth make contact with you, yelp and play time is over for a few seconds (obviously over, like get up and walk away and turn away from him, withdraw) he will pick up on this, but it is very important that you be consistent and persistent with this... good luck

AmyNMikeS · 03-08-2010, 07:31 AM

Agreed. Our Luka is about the same age, and she still "nips". You have to keep redirecting and praising them whenever they chew on the toys. We also do the yelping, and she is picking up on that very quickly! Good luck!

hcelizondo · 03-08-2010, 12:21 PM

Agreed, you may feel frustrated at first because progress is sloooow. As other posters have commented it eventually fade away. I had a real hard case of puppy nipping with my pug. After several months of training her it went away. As ian dunbar says redirect the puppy to its chewing stuff until is addicted to the stuff

wvasko · 03-09-2010, 01:32 PM

Also to help you, buy a pair of leather work gloves. At least then the teeth won't hurt so much when you play and it stops you from getting upset/angry at your pup.

lyndahunter · 03-10-2010, 05:18 AM

Nipping and biting is a natural stage in every puppy's life. It's their way to get rid of the unpleasant itching and pain associated with the teething period they go through. These methods will stop your puppy from nipping and biting.

1. Help him socialize.

2. Sort out some entertainment. If toys dont work as you say, take him on a walk to make him tired and well-exercised. Tired dogs will not bite, bark or get involved in other undesired activities.

3. Pretend to be his mother. If you really struggle with your puppy nipping problem you can start pretending your pet's mother. Every time he bites you make a high pitched noise and leave him alone. If he follows you and continues nipping your hand place him in the crate and close the door. This way your dog can understand that biting other people results in loss of a playmate and an end of playtime.

4. Stop puppy nipping using a bit of spices. Try covering your hand (or glove that you can put on it) with a strong smelling substance such as tabasco sauce or cayenne pepper. This will repel your dog very effectively but he may end up biting other people so use it only if you're living alone.

5. Don't play-fight with your dog.

Finally, you are the alpha dog - so when he nips you, grab the piece of flesh between his ear and cheek and pull on it. This will teach him who is boss at an early age.

**alfi** · 03-10-2010, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyndahunter

Finally, you are the alpha dog - so when he nips you, grab the piece of flesh between his ear and cheek and pull on it. This will teach him who is boss at an early age.

This is a technique that personally I wouldn't use. If you start using NR to stop bitting there will be times that you will have to shut your dog down before he knows what you want.