[LuvMyMaltipoo]

I know I've asked a lot of questions about my new puppy but I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing, I do not want to raise a disrespectful puppy.

Callie is 8 weeks old now and she has really come out of her shell. She used to hide in corners and under blankets to avoid socializing.

I bought her a few toys from the pet store (a stuffed hippo and stuffed bone with ropes hanging from it) she LOVES those toys, she will play for hours biting on them and wrestling with them but the problem is she gets really wound up when she's playing and bites me and my niece. She doesn't bite hard and I don't think she means any harm by it but I don't want her to think it's okay to bite people. I always say ouch! So she knows it hurts me and I will stop playing with her when she doesn't stop but I don't really think that is helping. Any advice?

[tombb25]

I have a 10 month old Boston Terrier, just stay consistent with whatever you do. If it is a verbal command of No! Or Ouch! Just make sure that it is used consistently so she knows what it means, taking the toy away or to stop playing if it continues may help. I won't say strike your dog... but a smack to the knows may show her you are displeased.

[labman]

What you are doing is just the right thing. It will just take time. Suggesting you hit a puppy that has had shyness problems is a terrible idea.

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 and jerk their hand away, or growl "Bad dog." and clamp
Their mouth shut. Then offer a chew toy. They keep trying despite hundreds
Of corrections. Another good technique is to quit playing and go away. Be
Sure to praise them when they are playing nice and not biting.

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.

Usually stuffed toys are OK with the smaller dogs. The advice below is meant for larger dogs, but if your puppy starts to shred anything, get rid of the toy.

The pet stores are full of toys that many dogs will quickly chew up into
Pieces they could choke on or cause intestinal blockages. If you are not
There to watch, stick to sturdy stuff such as Nylabones and Kongs. Keep a
Close eye on chew toys and quickly discard anything that is coming apart in
Pieces. Rawhide is especially bad because it swells after being swallowed.
These problems are the worst with, but not limited to, large, aggressive
Chewers such as Labs.

[tombb25]

I did not say hit your dog, and I made it very clear that I don't mean beating... I knew someone would take it the wrong way and blow it out of proportion.

[LuvMyMaltipoo]

Tombb... Labman just said his disagreed with that because he's read my other questions about my dog being too shy. It has taken over a week for me to get my puppy to even feel comfortable with me. She is a very shy dog and she gets frightened real easily. I don't think smacking her would be a great idea considering I'm still trying to get her to trust me.

Thanks for all the advice though, it is really appreciated!

[tombb25]

Okie dokie

[Allheart]

Just my opinion here - I only love animals - and I am not an expert at all,

But whether they are shy or not, pup or full grown - it is my belief, you NEVER EVER EVER use your hands to smack or even tap or any type of motion to the pup or animal for discipline purposes. Actually for any purposes.

One reason being - you just should not do it - and a more logical reason is, if you were to use your hands, even to tap, smack call it what you will, the pup will from then on, associated your hands with something negative. In time, they may even feel the need to defend themselves when they see your hand coming their way, and nip or bite your hand.