Pup Attacking Everyone

[Shanie]

Hello all,


I just got my new pup on Wednesday. I was so excited when the day came for me to finally go pick her up. I have really been enjoying her. One thing that we have been experiencing is she likes to attack everyone in my house. I know that a pup likes to chew and bite on things she does that but the attacking is more aggressive to the point where my son is scared of her because she attacks him the most. Yesterday she was running and jumped trying to bite my mom face as well as my nephew ankle and anyone that's sitting on the floor she will try to bite. As I just let her out her playpen to run around for awhile I was sitting on the floor trying to get her to play with her toys and she was staring at me for awhile the sat on my lap made a growling sound and tried to bite my hand; I told her no in a firm voice then as I got up to get my phone she chased after and an bit my foot. I put her back in her playpen after that. Have anyone ever experience this with their pup or anyone have any suggestions that I can use.

[Lilah Charm]

How old is your pup?

[Shanie]

Originally Posted by Lilah Charm

How old is your pup?

She's 9 Weeks

[Lovetodream88]

At 9 weeks the pup was to young to leave her mom so she is missing out on learning socialization and bite inhibition. Now you will have to teach her about biting. My puppy although older would grab onto pants legs making it dangerous so we would squirt her with a water bottle and say no.

[Lilah Charm]

Oh shoot, developmentally this is a pivitol week where they would learn bite inhibition through interaction with their siblings and correction from their mama. Although I would hope to hear from the wisdom of an experienced yt'er here my first inclination would be to reign your pup in. Make sure pup doesn't have the run of the house so there is no unexpected, keep a clear, firm and consistent no as the response to any innapropriate behavior (like nipping) and run that pup ragged! Have repeated and intentional play sessions with toys that are appropriate for puppy teeth to sink into and direct all that rambunctious pup energy into safe intentional play sessions, keeping the consistent response of no and attention withdrawal at bites. Good luck!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Lilah Charm

Oh shoot, developmentally this is a pivitol week where they would learn bite inhibition through interaction with their siblings and correction from their mama. Although I would hope to hear from the wisdom of an experienced yt'er here my first inclination would be to reign your pup in. Make sure pup doesn't have the run of the house so there is no unexpected, keep a clear, firm and consistent no as the response to any innapropriate behavior (like nipping) and run that pup ragged! Have repeated and intentional play sessions with toys that are appropriate for puppy teeth to sink into and direct all that rambunctious pup energy into safe intentional play sessions, keeping the consistent response of no and attention withdrawal at bites. Good luck!

Totally agree. Great advice.

Also, if she does bite you - make a yelping sound like a hurt littermate/puppy would make - they usually understand that sound and it will temporarily halt them from whatever they're doing.

She is very, very young and doesn't know (at all) her boundaries yet so lots of patience is required. You'll get her there, don't worry!

[Graneet]

Try puttig pennies in a can and give a good shake whe she does it. That should cause her to stop. Then reward her for stopping. May have to have several around the house for quick grab. Also say no or what word you want just make sure everyone says it. My boo will grab my clothes when he see im leaving. But will go after strangers pant legs or back of legs. Ive been keeping him put up when people come around. I mean can ask people to be ate. But he hates the can and stops.

[LisaMcG]

Poppy was taken away from her Mum at around 5 weeks and we got her about 6 weeks.

She is currently going through a stage of biting the rug ALL the time!! When playing she snaps and bites at us but to be honest I think it's just excitement/sore teeth.

We have all started yelping like a dog and pulling our hands or whatever away, or letting whatever she bites go limp and she lowers her head knowing she has done wrong.

She is slowly learning not to bite as hard...you may look/sound like an idiot yelping all the time but it's worth a try! I also read somewhere if they are biting when walking etc to stop moving until they stop then praise aparantly its the movement they think you are playing.

[gracielove]

It appears that you pup did not have a lot of socialization even before she left the litter. Terriers do tend to be very tenacious but the level of aggression you are experiencing sounds like socialization issues and could also be some genetic weakness.

You have a road ahead of you. If it is just socialization you could possibly overcome the problem with some consistent socializing techniques. Watch for any activity that would lead you to think that this behavior could have anything to do with the breeding. Did you get to meet both parents?

Maybe try to discuss with the breeder what kind of conditions this pup was raised under. Don't accuse, just listen to what the breeder says about the methods they use to raise their pups. Puppies should be gently handled several time a day by the breeder from day one in order to start the socialization process. When they start walking they should have play time with a human several times a day with lots of holding and kisses, no rough play.

Sadly, many breeders want the puppies gone when they are weaned because they face a lot of cleaning up after the pups when they go on solid food. The mother dog does all the cleaning until the pups are weaned. At that point the mom starts showing them where to potty if they are not separated. This is also when they start learning how hard they can bite and roughhouse without getting bopped by the mom or a litter mate

Make sure no one plays tug or any other type of play that will get this puppy riled up. Your pup sounds like it needs to be taught how to be calm more than getting all excited. A good chew like a bully stick will help keep the mouth busy with constructive chewing rather than biting people.

[gracielove]

It appears that you pup did not have a lot of socialization even before she left the litter. Terriers do tend to be very tenacious but the level of aggression you are experiencing sounds like socialization issues and could also be some genetic weakness.

You have a road ahead of you. If it is just socialization you could possibly overcome the problem with some consistent socializing techniques. Watch for any activity that would lead you to think that this behavior could have anything to do with the breeding. Did you get to meet both parents?

Maybe try to discuss with the breeder what kind of conditions this pup was raised under. Don't accuse, just listen to what the breeder says about the methods they use to raise their pups. Puppies should be gently handled several time a day by the breeder from day one in order to start the socialization process. When they start walking they should have play time with a human several times a day with lots of holding and kisses, no rough play.

Sadly, many breeders want the puppies gone when they are weaned because they face a lot of cleaning up after the pups when they go on solid food. The mother dog does all the cleaning until the pups are weaned. At that point the mom starts showing them where to potty if they are not separated. This is also when they start learning how hard they can bite and roughhouse without getting bopped by the mom or a litter mate

Make sure no one plays tug or any other type of play that will get this puppy riled up. Your pup sounds like it needs to be taught how to be calm more than getting all excited. A good chew like a bully stick will help keep the mouth busy with constructive chewing rather than biting people.

[SirTeddykins]

I don't think the biting is a case of a long lasting personality trait or behavioral issue. I think the puppy is young, it is playing and exploring and learning and you are the teacher! Puppies are not born with the knowledge of how to behave in a human world so you must guide it by showing what you expect.


When the puppy bites, just move your hand and say, "No bite!" and then put the toy in the puppy's mouth. It really is that simple. The puppy will learn it is acceptable to bite toys and not human hands.


I think it is way too early to read anything else into this behavior or speculate on issues which are not even evident. If the dog is still doing this in a year, despite appropriate training, then you may have an issue.


Until then, just take it easy! It's normal and correctable behavior.


Also, wanted to add that your perception is slightly skewed which could impair the way you handle this situation. For example, when tiny babies are teething or exploring, we do not say that babies are 'attacking' us when they nibble on our hands. To say that the puppy is attacking people makes it sound like the puppy is hostile and, therefore, you may react to it as though it has intent to harm which couldn't be further from the truth.


Try to think, instead, that the puppy is 'learning'. That should help! Good luck!

[bayou1]

My puppy is 11 weeks and has a biting problem. Nothing has worked to get him to stop.