Need Advice - Puppy Biting

[JARNJ3]

Our new puppy, Mickey (yes, named after the "Mouse") thinks my hand is a toy, and actively tries to bite it.

Any hints to stop this behavior?

My boss, who is a breeder as a hobby, told me to dig my nails into his neck when he does it - however, I have no nails. So he thinks that's a move in the playing we're doing.

I don't want to swat him - I read that you shouldn't use the hands that pet the pet to discipline.

He's 7 months old, and was just neutered two weeks ago. Perhaps he's mad at me for that?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.......

 

[MontanaZoo]

Apple Bitter works great. Most pet stores have it.

 

[Judy Judy Judy]

My dog who happens to be a year and a half old now,use to do this as a puppy all the time, I seriously thought he would never grow out of it, what I did whenever he started biting my hand was say a sharp NO and replace it with a chew toy, it took forever and I'm not sure exactly when he stopped biting but today he no longer bites our hands, feet and nose.

Be very patience and consistance and he will come around!

 

[nephthys43]

here's what worked for me. everytime he bites, stick your fingers down his throat. it'll trigger his gag reflex and he won't like it. kinda gross, but it teaches them to not bite. one of the dog trainers i met told me about it.

 

[doxdogy]

With most of mine a stern no bite and pointing my finger at them worked. Except with SuzyQ, I actually had to flick her in the nose to get her to stop biting when she was a puppy. I actually did it one day accidentally out of reflex. The little brat jumped in my lap one day acted like she was going to give me some puppy kisses and bit me on the end of the nose.

 

[Anewman]

Some dogs a simple sign of disapproval is enough to get them to change behavior.

With some it might take a flick on the nose or more aggressive action that shows them who is the alpha.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Leashing the dog will help you gain the upper hand. Do some daily active training with the dog. On leash do sit, stay, etc...

In fact set him up and then correct. Repeat. That is the quickest way to a solution.

 

[kirbydog48]

I would hand-feed him his kibble for a while, and only let him have it if he takes it with a soft mouth. If he starts to get bitey, close your hand into a fist and say "gentle", and when he does it correctly, say "good gentle, (dog's name)". If he still bites when you are playing, say "OUCH" very loudly, stop the play and ignore him for a while. You have to be very consistent but it will work. My 3 yr old lab was a terrible biter (used to attack our toes when we sat on the couch) and now he's so gentle with his mouth. Just remember, you're going through adolescence right now. Firmness and consistency are key, and praise when he does what you want.

 

[McKelly]

We did what the above poster did. when our puppy bit us, we said "ouch" very LOUDLY and after a few weeks or so, it seemed to subside. The puppy trainer told us to do this.

 

[CathrynRose]

Leashing the dog will help you gain the upper hand. Do some daily active training with the dog. On leash do sit, stay, etc...

In fact set him up and then correct. Repeat. That is the quickest way to a solution.

 

[RitaE]

I would put a hand on the back of his neck and force him down into a submissive position. Pick a consistent word to give him like "mouth!" and a glare right into the eyes. Eventually you'll just be able to use the word.

Then walk away and refuse to interact for awhile.

Also make sure he has plenty of things around he can gnaw on like rawhide and toys. Puppies teethe like crazy.

 

[arminnie]

Apple Bitter works great. Most pet stores have it.

I've always used Tabasco or other hot pepper sauce. Usually after one taste they back off.

Depending on the size of the puppy you can turn them over on their back. My latest pup got very submissive also when I would hold him under the arms. I thought he was going to bite my nose forever - but we eventually worked it out. I was not putting Tabasco on my nose!

I was really afraid that Breaux was going to be a biter. But he doesn't even try now. I took a bone out of his mouth (way at the back) the other day. I didn't know what he was chewing on. Now he didn't like it - but he didn't try to bite. A few months ago I would have been missing fingers had I tried that.

 

[Jockaroo]

This worked for me when Mac my Scottie was a puppy. When he tried to bite, I would grab a small amount of fur around his gum area and give a little twist and say "no bite" sharply. It was enough to get his attention and it only took 3 or 4 twists to break him of this habit. It was a long time ago, but I remember reading in a training book that when puppies nipped their moms too hard, the moms would give a little nip around the lips. Of course this method works better if the dog has longer hair on its muzzle. Good luck. This is a habit that you need to break quickly.

 

[meliss8599]

here's what worked for me. everytime he bites, stick your fingers down his throat. it'll trigger his gag reflex and he won't like it. kinda gross, but it teaches them to not bite. one of the dog trainers i met told me about it.

I worked for a boarding and grooming facility for about 6 years and have used the following method with those and my own dogs. Doing something similar to the aforementioned, I would grab the dog's bottom jaw and/or tongue with my fingers still in its mouth (they HATE this) and they would immediately pull away. A few times of this and the biting would stop.

 

[JARNJ3]

Thanks all for your suggestions.

I've been trying the "ouch" or "no" technique for a couple of days now.

I just need to give him the cold shoulder better.

As an aside, he allows us to put our fingers in his mouth - no matter what he is eating (he's been eating everything, as a typical puppy does).

 

[DisneyKevin]

I saw a video once that said when a puppy was exhibiting an unacceptable behavior (such as biting) you should flipn them on their back and gently hold them there until their back legs stop kicking.

While doing this, you should firmly state "NO". It said there was no need to yell, but to use a voice that you would not normally use to communicate with your dog.

The video said that this is a similar technique to how a mother dog would let the puppy know that this behavior wasnt acceptable and lets the puppy know that you are the dominant one in the house

I have used this technique with two dogse for biting and chewing and it's worked wonderfully well....but both were smaller dogs. It might be much more difficult if it were a larger dog.