Help! My new puppy is chewing on EVERYTHING!

[onelilspark]

We got a puppy about a week and a half ago, he's 12 weeks old now, and a grand total of about 4 pounds (Malti-poo, he'll be about 12 pounds full grown.) The poor baby is teething and because of that, he chews on everything in sight! We've got the furniture covered with the "bitter yuck" spray, and that works wonders. The biggest thing is how often he tries chewing on us, he really likes our hands and my hair! We try giving him something good to chew on (like a bone or one of his chew toys) but the problem is, we have to give it to him with our hands, and our hands are much more exciting to him than the toys!

Honestly, it doesn't bother me too much that he chews, I know he's just teething and he'll get better. BUT we have a few kids in the neighborhood and of course since he's a puppy, the parents all bring them over to meet him. I don't mind that (especially when the parents are there) and I warn the parents that he's teething and likes hands, but I'm terrified that he's going to try and chew on one of the kid's hands and it'll become a huge deal. I want to try to get him to stop chewing/biting hands, but when I say "NO" and pull away, he thinks it's a game We'll be taking him to puppy obedience classes, but not for another couple weeks (need to wait until one starts!) So...is there anything we can do in the meantime? Anything that you've found works really well??

...oh, and sorry for the run-on sentences!

 

[abdmom]

Buy him some chew toys. My dogs' favorites have always been rawhide chews. Vets don't care for them because of choking potential, but dogs love them.

 

[onelilspark]

Buy him some chew toys. My dogs' favorites have always been rawhide chews. Vets don't care for them because of choking potential, but dogs love them.

We have a rawhide for him and when we can distract him with that, he's good for a half hour We always make sure we can watch him when he has the rawhide, but the problem is still getting him to take it over our hand!

 

[kirbydog48]

Maybe having too many kids over is getting him overstimulated, especially if they make high-pitched squealy sounds (which sounds like another puppy, which means puppy-play, i.e., nipping). Set limits with the kids, only one at a time, etc. He needs to learn in a calm environment how to interact with kids. Also, you may want to try sitting on the floor and feeding him his dry kibble by hand. Offer the food, and if he's going at you with the teeth, pull the food away and say "gentle" in your calm-assertive pack leader voice. When he does take the food gently, act like it's the most amazing thing that's ever happened. Just remember, it's a phase and he'll outgrow it. My lab used to jump up and bite my DH's butt, ripped his pants and two of my coats, so I've been there! Also, if he bites you, get up and leave the room, or turn your back on him. He needs to learn that no one will pay attention to him if he bites. All play stops.

 

[dkdaisy]

We got a young puppy last year and the thing that worked for us was, whenever he starts chewing on your hands, say "Ouch" in a kind of loud, high pitched tone like he really hurt you and then take your hand away and offer him something else (don't have to hand it to him, can kick it or gently toss it). It took him a few times, but he got it that people hands are not for chewing. Our trainer said that it worked because when puppies are in a pack, they chew on each other and on their moms and when one of them yips in pain, the others understand to stop.

 

[Magpie]

I'm glad to hear you're signed up for puppy classes!

In the meantime you need to get right on top of his biting (or nibbling or chewing, whatever). ANY time he puts his teeth on your skin you need to react. But don't pull away! Because that just encourages him to bite down harder and think it's a game.

What you need to do - the instant you feel teeth - is say OUCH as loud as you can. REALLY startle that little baby dog. Shock the heck out of him, and he'll drop your hand. When he does, you can calmly praise him.

Be consistent and he'll eventually get the idea that human skin is made of tissue paper. Train everyone you know to do the same thing.

I think discipline is important with dogs of any size, and the sooner you start the better. Be calm and encourage other people to be calm around your dog. When he gets over stimulated, back off and let him calm down. If he's defying you, roll him over on his back and hold him there until he relaxes or goes limp - then let him go and tell him all is forgiven.

I started training my puppy when she was 5 weeks old. She's now almost four years old, less than 20 lbs, and I can tell her to go out on the lawn and do her business, and she'll do it and come right back. If we see a bunny and she's off leash, she'll wait for me to tell her to chase the bunny. If I call her back - even if she's in the middle of running after the bunny - she'll turn around and come right back. I stand on her leash when toddlers pet her, because she can't be entirely trusted not to jump - but now, the moment I step on her leash, she lies down and lets them pet her. I watch closely to make sure they don't pull her ears or poke her eyes, or distress her in any way.

And - I can't stress this too much in light of a recent local tragedy - DON'T leave a dog of ANY size alone with a very young child. Seriously, it's a really bad idea, no matter how sweet and trustworthy you believe your dog is.

 

[onelilspark]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, I'll try some of it out and hopefully it'll work!

I should clarify that the only time he sees kids is outside when we're out for a walk. I don't have any and I wouldn't leave him alone with them! So far we've never come across more than 1 kid at a time. My problem is that I don't want to seem mean and tell the kids that they can't touch him...perhaps I need thicker skin (in more ways than one!)

 

[Yankeemouse]

good advice Magpie!
We have a new baby too, 11 week old lab, that we've had for 3 weeks. We also have a 2 yr. old lab, so we've been through this before. The new one is much worse with nipping and chewing than the 2 year old ever was, but we've made great progress in 3 weeks by being consistent in discipline when he wants to chew or nibble on us. I second the rawhide bones, we picked up a couple at Agway that are made in the USA (I don't buy the ones made in China, etc because I am scared they are treated with chemicals) and we supervise when he chews on it. Its quite cute to see the two of them gnawing on opposite ends of the same "bone"!

 

[Magpie]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, I'll try some of it out and hopefully it'll work!

I should clarify that the only time he sees kids is outside when we're out for a walk. I don't have any and I wouldn't leave him alone with them! So far we've never come across more than 1 kid at a time. My problem is that I don't want to seem mean and tell the kids that they can't touch him...perhaps I need thicker skin (in more ways than one!)

Kids can certainly pet your puppy as long as you supervise the situation. It's good for your puppy to meet lots of people and dogs. Also if there's a construction site nearby with big machines, walk her down by there. Expose her to as many different situations as you can, so she'll be calm when she runs into them again. (We did good on the city stuff, but my dog still panics at the sight of a horse - I swear she's convinced they're going to eat her!)

Standing on her leash is always good - also remind the children not to let her get close to their faces. Kisses are sweet but puppy teeth are very sharp. I once had a lady lean down and pick up my puppy without asking. She started making "coochie-coo" kissy face noises at my puppy and before I could get my dog back from her, she'd licked the woman's face - and also accidentally ripped her upper lip with a razor sharp puppy tooth!

There was blood everywhere!

I felt bad, but at the same time - I bet that's one lady who won't be making "kissy-face" with puppies again!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Leash him in the house and do training sessions. You do the set up and correction, just like you are going to be doing for obedience.

Leash him around the house and when he goes to chew on XYZ, you give a correction. Don't allow free roam if he is chewing up everything.

You have to correct BEFORE he puts his mouth on you. That is why the set up helps. Once you do the correction in a controlling way you can figure out his angle. Eventually he will get it when you say the command. Remember it is your house and you have to show the puppy the house rules.

I would not give him stuff from my hand to his mouth. Instead, make him wait for the toy. Set it on the ground and make him wait.

The key here is that you are in control and he is not.

Takes time and practice and a lot of patience.

 

[goofy4tink]

A few things to remember. A puppy is acting like a puppy. If he were still with his puppy brothers and sisters and him mom, he would be disciplined by them. So, you need to be the puppy's mom. If you feel teeth at any time, yelp as loudly as you can...that is what a puppy sibling would do. This is what will stop the puppy. He has no idea he is hurting you. He can't help himself.
Also, he needs to be crated when you aren't there to keep an eye on him. When he is with you, leash him and attach that leash to your belt.
As already noted, socialize him by putting him in all sorts of situations...loud noises, kids, people in the park, people playing tennis (this was a tough one for my tennis ball lovin' golden retriever!!).

Do NOT allow anyone to just walk up and pet him. They have to ask first. If kids want to pet him, it may be a good idea if you held the pup and allowed the kids to pet him that way..if the teeth come out, and they will, you are much closer to his head and can correct right away.


Hang in there....my dd had nightgowns with little perforations all around the bottom for months. The puppy loved chasing her, since she moved quickly, and then trying to hold on to her by her nightie bottom!!!
This will pass, and he will grow out of that puppy biting...it's really not biting in any case. It's just the way pups learn about their world. As he gets bigger, give him ice cubes to chew on. My dog will actually perform for ice cubes!!!