I just got a new 9 week old pit bull mix a week ago. So far she has tried to bite my jugular 3 times, went after my fiance several times, and even did it to one of my guests. We don't smack her....we never have so it can't be aggression. We do what can to show her we are boss. But we are desperate!!!! How can we stop the biting?1

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xphelper

Whack her when she does that (just a small tap on the snout will do it). Lunging at you and guests is unacceptable. As dogs do not have the capability to understand reason (like a human sometimes does), your only recourse is to stop that kind of behavior as soon as possible.

labman

Young Labs, which I know best, and other puppies tend to very bad about biting. You see a litter of them, and all the ones that are awake are biting another one or themselves. I am not even sure they realize that when they are alone, if they quit biting, they would quit being bitten. At 3 to 4 months they are getting their adult teeth, and it seems they spend every waking moment biting or chewing. One thing you can do at that stage is to knot and wet a piece of cloth. Then freeze it. The cooling will soothe the gums. Only let the puppy have it when you are there to watch it. I maintain a Lab's favorite chew toy is another Lab. Otherwise they settle for any person they can. They keep hoping to find one that won't yelp, jerk their hand away, and leave.

You just have to keep on correcting them, hundreds of times, not dozens. Provide sturdy, safe toys such as Kongs and Nylabones. Avoid things they can chew pieces off and choke on them. Keep them away from electrical cords. Crates are essential for most young Labs and other dogs.

It may misunderstand who is in charge too. Here are some gentle ways to correct that. ''Elevation for small puppies: Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up. He is facing you. Hold him for 15 seconds. Repeat until he no longer struggles. If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.

Cradling for small puppies: Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby. If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds. With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down: Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you. Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position. When he is quiet, praise him. Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position. When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work. It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual. I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective. You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too. Helps bonding. There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly. The latter cements your place as pack leader.

xphelper

Thank you for your opinion labman. Maybe labs are not as intelligent as other dogs as I have seen this work many times. However, you will never know unless you try it "or something." Now, if you try this, and it doesn't work for you, then please update this thread accordingly. And if it is not a lab you are working with, and you fail to get the results you want, then I will generally concede that cats are smarter than dogs.

Saigecorinn

Why don't you just simply pat her ont het head or on the bottom and say no in a clear, strong voice and if not put her/him in a seperat room.

teachnk

Just to clarify - Labman knows dogs, not just labs. You must teach the dog in a way they will understand. My Rotti mix was a biting maniac for a while as a pup. My trainer suggested I yelp or yell "OW!" every time her teeth touched my skin. I would yell really loud all the sudden and it really startled her. Within a week she had stopped. She is 10 months now and will only gently mouth my hand when playing, she is very cautious. While leadership is key, as far as biting - this DOES works! Puppies play very rough with each other and with other dogs, when the pup hurts another they yelp loudly. Play will usually come to a complete stop for a few seconds and then resume at a lesser degree. They are learning limits and about appropriate behavior. Of course, you need to get all your friends and visitors to go along and yelp as well! Considering the breed it is very important you do not encourage aggressive play or reprimand with aggressive behavior. Teach you pup to trust you and accept you as a leader - not fear you!
Best of luck with your new pup!

happy711

Every time my dog used to bite, we put him in his cage for about 15 minutes. When he came out, he listened to every thing I said.

carolbcac

I absolutely agree that a puppy should not be hit for biting. A dog should view human hands as things that bring food, affection and other good things. Play biting is a normal and necessary behavior in a litter, but they need to learn that it is not an acceptable way to play with a human. I also use the "OUCH!" method. As soon as puppy teeth touch human skin with any degree of pressue, squeal out in as high-pitched a voice as you can muster. At the same time, stand up, turn away and walk off for a minute or so. Use body language that clearly tells the pup he crossed the line and has mortally wounded you--drama queen time. The response you want is for the pup to startle, stop his foolishness and look at you as if you have lost your mind. (Forewarn other household members what you are doing before you scare the daylights out of them too!)
In a minute or so, return with a toy in hand and use it to play with the pup. Playing and roughhousing with a puppy using your hands is a clear invitation to him that biting them is acceptable.
I'm a little concerned that this puppy is biting people in the neck area (I don't think at 9 weeks he is "going after the jugular") He may be trying to greet people by licking at their mouth the way puppies greet their mother when she returns to them after an absence. In addition to learning that dog teeth on human flesh is not tolerated, he needs to be taught to sit to greet people. (People not allowed to greet the puppy unless his bottom is firmly planted on the floor.)
Just so you know you are not alone, I am dealing with a 21-week old Labrador mix puppy who was abandoned in a neighbor's yard at birth and was bottle-raised. With no siblings and only my older dogs and cats to play with, she has been a holy terror. She is much better now with people, just chewing up anything she can find when our backs are turned. She was spayed this afternoon, so we may have 2-3 days of relative calm, but I doubt it, lol! "Hurricane Emma" will return!

isabelgopo

As a puppy, my pit used to bite me A LOT when playing ( She gets really excited when we play) I had scratches and scars everywhere!but she wouldn't bite my husband!! so I figured that I was just being too nice to her. Every time she bites or scratches me I just slap her in the butt and scream NOOOO and stop playing with her. After 1 week her behavior changed and now, 8 months later she's a good girl. She still gets very excited when guests come over and play with her! but the biting has stopped, now she enjoys jumping on people <<sight>>