We're having a tough time getting our 14 week Newfie puppy to stop biting us. Although he does enjoy the chew toys, but when he's in the berserk chewing mood he much prefers our hands and feet. We have tried the "ouch" and leave, the crate time out, bitter apple, a shake can. He'll stop for a moment, but the moment we're back, he'll attack. He doesn't just attack -- he sneak attacks to bite. We'd like to find ways to play with him in which we aren't bitten, but that seems to be the way he wants to play. No matter what toy we try, he goes for our hands. I want to stop this behavior NOW! Suggestions for alternate play? He gets plenty of exercise with walks in different places. Ideas very welcome!

Keep doing what you're doing. Instead of "ouch" try yiking, the sound a dog makes when it's hurt. That worked for our dogs.

Having said that, he's 14 weeks old. Training isn't instant. You have to be consistent and keep at it. It can, and in this case probably will, take months. Make sure he has many suitable chew toys because he's likely also teething, and it can be painful. Biting helps ease the pain.

So, when he bites, yike until he stops, then a firm "NO" and then give him a chew toy. This teaches him that he can't bite you, but a chew toy is perfectly acceptable. But give him time to learn this lesson, he is a dog, not a human, he has to figure out what you expect from him.

Keep doing what you're doing. Instead of "ouch" try yiking, the sound a dog makes when it's hurt. That worked for our dogs.

Having said that, he's 14 weeks old. Training isn't instant. You have to be consistent and keep at it. It can, and in this case probably will, take months. Make sure he has many suitable chew toys because he's likely also teething, and it can be painful. Biting helps ease the pain.

So, when he bites, yike until he stops, then a firm "NO" and then give him a chew toy. This teaches him that he can't bite you, but a chew toy is perfectly acceptable. But give him time to learn this lesson, he is a dog, not a human, he has to figure out what you expect from him.


Thanks, Alty...

Months?? Egads. I hope not - I could lose a pint by then. He didn't take long to pick up on house training, despite having started with sawdust, so maybe this biting won't last long, even though it seems forever. It's frustrating to try to pet your pup and get chomped! He's definitely teething, he'll gnaw on his chew toys and nyla bone for a very long time. He also likes bouillon ice cubes to chew.

I do want to find ways to bond with the little guy and I'm trying to find different games to play -- but some boards say don't do chase games or tug of war in this "phase." Your thoughts?

Enigmom

I see nothing wrong with a loud sharp no and an instant trip to his crate. A puppy is not a child, and part of the problem is often the owner's hesitance to establish a sense that you're the boss.

Puppies start losing their 'milk' teeth at five months, sometimes sooner. He will get tired of the biting. Yes, YIKES! Is good. When you do that you will notice the ears go up and he looks at your face, he will know he has hurt you.

If he caught onto the house breaking early, then you have a smart pup.

Don't forget this breed loves the water !

I have tried that method, too - but doesn't seem to penetrate. Or should it be the only method?
The other methods are to shake the can, which makes him stop and if he tries to bite again, saying "OUch" or "No!" and leaving immediately. But, maybe one mode of discipline?

I see nothing wrong with a loud sharp no and an instant trip to his crate. A puppy is not a child, and part of the problem is often the owner's hesitance to establish a sense that your the boss.

I don't disagree with the loud sharp no, but the trip to the crate, as a punishment, is not a good idea.

A crate should never be used as punishment, it's supposed to be their den, their safe place. If you use it as punishment, it will become the place that you're sent to when you're bad, it won't be the place you want to be in, the place you can rest and feel safe.

Thanks, Alty...

Months??? Egads. I hope not - I could lose a pint by then. He didn't take long to pick up on house training, despite having started with sawdust, so maybe this biting won't last long, even though it seems forever. It's frustrating to try to pet your pup and get chomped! He's definitely teething, he'll gnaw on his chew toys and nyla bone for a very long time. He also likes bouillon ice cubes to chew.

I do want to find ways to bond with the little guy and I'm trying to find different games to play -- but some boards say don't do chase games or tug of war in this "phase." Your thoughts?

Enigmom


I love chase games, and tug of war. The trick to playing those games is to train the puppy when it's okay. He has to know that when you call him, it's not time to run away and play the chase game. He has to learn that when he has something in his mouth, and you want it, that he hast to let go, it's not an invitation to play tug of war.

For that reason, I don't play those games with my dogs until they're well trained, come when called, drop a toy or food on command. Before then would likely confuse the dog "Okay, am I allowed to run away or am I supposed to come? When is it okay to run? Am I supposed to drop the sock, or is it time to play? I'm so confused".

I've never owned a crate so I would regale pets to another room or a leash after the sharp no.
It never took more than two or three days! Even my cat, who bit and scratched a LOT when I got her.
I think a lot of people who don't get anywhere with training just don't shout a real no. They are so afraid that it won't be 'bonding with the little guy.' Again, a dog is not a child. The NO has to be LOUD. It has to be SHARP. It can't end on a 'please' high note, and your body language must be immobile while you stare into his eyes for that long second. You are the boss.

I've never owned a crate so I would regale pets to another room or a leash after the sharp no.
It never took more than two or three days! Even my cat, who bit and scratched a LOT when I got her.
I think a lot of people who don't get anywhere with training just don't shout a real no. They are so afraid that it won't be 'bonding with the little guy.' Again, a dog is not a child. The NO has to be LOUD. It has to be SHARP. It can't end on a 'please' high note, and your body language must be immobile while you stare into his eyes for that long second. You are the boss.

I agree.

The crate is a useful tool. My dogs actually try to make their own crate, the want the comfort and safety of a den. Our Rascal (the 1 1/2 year old border collie) outgrew his crate. We dodn't have the hundreds to buy a new one. He's been sleeping in the closet. Same with our beagle, he will sleep under the table, in the closets. A den is a safe place, that's where wild dogs live and raise their young. You can take the dog out of the wild, but you can't take the wild out of the dog.

A firm No can work, but I find that the "yike" works better. A dog understands "yike". It means that you're being too rough, and the other dog is hurt. To this day, if my dogs are playing too rough with each other, all I have to do is make the "yike" noise, and they stop.

For biting, one thing I didn't mention, and I wouldn't suggest this until you try the other advice I posted for at least a month, is spray bottle. When puppy bites, yike, no, and if he doesn't stop, squirt him with the spray bottle.

Our Rascal, the 1 1/2 year old border collie, is a jumper. That dog really needs to get into agility training, boy can he jump. When people come over, he jumps. I tried the kneeing, I did the firm no and removing him from the situation. I greeted guests outside and advised them not to look at, touch, or acknowledge Rascal until he calmed down. None of that worked, and this is a really smart dog. Finally I bought a squirt bottle at the dollar store. He would jump, I'd squirt. He'd back off. Now I don't even have to squirt. As soon as he sees the bottle, he backs off. A bit more time and I won't even need the bottle. :)

The main thing to remember is that this is a dog. It's not a human. Just like a baby, you have to teach them to live in our world. You have to teach them what's okay, and what isn't. They don't automatically know, and no matter how much you talk to them, they don't understand what you're saying. They have to learn by teaching them what's okay, and what isn't. No one method works for every dog, you have to find what works for you. But, you always have to be aware that some training can be damaging. Praise when they're good, a firm no when they're bad, never use the crate as punishment, never hit, never abuse, and most dogs will figure it out.

You have to find out what works for this puppy. :)

Joypulv,

I think you misunderstood my statements. I'm not trying to bond when I'm disciplining - I certainly know how to issue a sharp and loud "No!" to the puppy. I raised my children successfully with combination of firm discipline and affection, and figure it's not that different with a dog. The question about good games is separate from my question of no biting - but, I do find it true that the puppy is more wired after a game of chasing a toy. I don't know why one would have a dog if you have no interest in having it bond with you.

I apologize for sounding that way.