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View Full Version : My maltese won't stop biting!


Pce_nd_luv
Dec 29, 2010, 09:10 AM
I have a maltese dog named Nina and I just got her Christmas day. She is 8 months old and she won't stop biting. She will bite my hands and when I walk my feet. It is not like soft biting it hurts a lot and she is starting to break some of my clothes. I need help becauase if she don't my mom says that we might have to give her away. I love her a lot cab someone please help me!

mogrann
Dec 29, 2010, 11:04 AM
Where did you get her from? Was she an abused dog? Do you have other pets in the house? Is it only you she is biting?
I would suggest when she bites you say a sharp no and then ignore her. You just got her so she is still becoming acquainted with you and the house. That is all I can think of but I am sure one of the more knowledgeable dog peoples will have more advice.

shazamataz
Dec 29, 2010, 08:45 PM
if she don't my mom says that we might have to give her away.

This is the EXACT reason dogs should NEVER be given as gifts, especially at Christmas!!

When she bites your hands say "OUCH!" high pitched and loudly and then stand up and walk away.
By saying ouch loudly it sounds like yelping, which is what dogs do when they hurt each other.
And by standing up and walking away, you are depriving her of what she wants,. attention.

She is only a puppy and still learning.

Harper1980
Dec 30, 2010, 09:56 PM
Like Shazamatz said, your dog is still a puppy, young and learning what she's supposed to and is not supposed to do. Training a puppy is difficult and your mother needs to understand that, as long as you are adamant about her training. However, I would not suggest yelping when your dog nips you. It's an excited response, which will probably only excite your puppy more. This usually works among dogs that have learned pack behavior, but if attention is what your puppy wants from you as their master and human owner, a yelp will probably only affirm the behavior (i.e. she bites, you yelp, she has your attention). A firm "NO!" is good and if she persists, separate her from yourself and ignore her(i.e. walk away, put her in another room or in a crate). You and the rest of your family memebers must stick to this plan though. She will learn eventually, if not immeadiately. I hope this helps.

Harper1980
Dec 30, 2010, 10:08 PM
I agree with you 100% on dogs/puppies not being given as gifts. I volunteer at my local SPCA and from the seven dogs that were adopted, three of them were brought back after the holidays. They know they were rejected. It's absolutely heart-breaking.