Biting!

[TishaMoon]

I still have a big problem with Bailey biting. She gets way too excited during play time and focuses all her attentions on me- my hands, feet, clothes, hair, face, whatever she can get.

I've been using a soda can with pennies to shake when I say no. At first it worked great, but now it just gets her more riled up. She focuses her energy on the mountain dew can with pennies. She growls at it, barks at it, jumps for it. And she still bites me when she can't get the can.
I also use time outs, putting her in her crate for a few minutes. After a couple times she comes out more relaxed and focuses more on her toys than me. But it's not long before she's biting again and we start all over.

I don't know what else to do. It's not like play biting anymore, it's *mean* biting. For some reason she has an obsession with faces and if I put my face near the floor I can expect her to run and jump at my face biting and scratching. Whenever people come over to play with her she gets overly excited and bites, and it has caused people to accidentally throw her off. I'm afraid she's gonna get hurt or hurt others.

It's been 3 weeks and my hands are STILL sore from all her bite marks. Help!

[kcarey13]

I have the same problem with Layla, she constantly bites and chews on things mostly flesh. I have been putting different chew toys in her mouth and it seems to work for a while. I just bought a few more toys for her today so its something new for her to focus on. They say they grow out of it. Our Skootie was never like this. Someone suggested switching out the chew toys to keep her busy and it sorta works for now. Hopefully it will tide us over till we can go to puppy training classes.

[TishaMoon]

Giving her a toy instead rarely ever works. She usually barely touches it before coming for me.

[Sweetlips6]

Put some clear deodarant on your hands and feet (If she bites them). She will hate the taste.
Bonnie is really bad if I get down in the floor, so I don't get down in the floor anymore and stay elevated above her.
Quicksilver suggested rolling her lip into her mouth (so that she bites herself) but I can not figure out how to do this. Hope this helps

Does she have a bully stick?

[TishaMoon]

Thanks, I will try the deodorant. Not sure it'll faze her 'cause the bitter apple doesn't seem to (although I use that for wood and stuff, not my hands).

Maybe my problem is that I sit on the floor with her. I want us to have fun play time together, but maybe it's better to let her play alone. However if I stand I know she'll still bite my feet and pant legs.

Not sure I could do the lip thing. A couple times I tried holding her mouth closed while I said no bite but she whimpered and it made me feel bad. Plus it just got her more angry.

[TishaMoon]

Oh and I haven't gotten any bully sticks yet. I guess I'll just have to take the plunge and get her one. I also want to try the flavored durable nylabones. Actually I just ordered from dog.com the other night, and the next morning I was going to call and see if I could add that stuff to my order but it had already shipped.

[Chance]

Try yelping, like a little scream, that is what puppies do in the liter. I book I bought said to try this because in the liter they yelp when the play gets to ruff, and quit playing with that puppy. I tried it with Chance, it worked for me.

[JoeyP]

You have a little girl who thinks you're playing with her when you're not

First of all she's a puppy and needs to learn when the game's over
Like Chance said
Yelp when you want her to stop or yell No! or No Bite! Loud enough where she stops dead whatever she's doing

Then without saying another word leave her where ever she is
Do Not scold her or tell her she's being bad
Your talking with her will make her think you're continuing to paly with her

[TishaMoon]

Originally Posted by Chance

Try yelping, like a little scream, that is what puppies do in the liter. I book I bought said to try this because in the liter they yelp when the play gets to ruff, and quit playing with that puppy. I tried it with Chance, it worked for me.

I forgot to mention that I've tried that too. I've tried just about every method that doesn't harm the dog at all.

And I just tried the deodorant. She didn't seem to mind. In fact, she licked it off my hands.

[JoeyP]

If she's licking it off your hands you're hanging around after you had corrected her
If you're interacting with a puppy after she has bitten you ... she'll just think you're not minding her biting you

[TishaMoon]

Originally Posted by JoeyP

You have a little girl who thinks you're playing with her when you're not

First of all she's a puppy and needs to learn when the game's over
Like Chance said
Yelp when you want her to stop or yell No! or No Bite! Loud enough where she stops dead whatever she's doing

Then without saying another word leave her where ever she is
Do Not scold her or tell her she's being bad
Your talking with her will make her think you're continuing to paly with her

I always say quite loudly and firmly no or no bite. Nothing stops her! The problem I have is that leaving her doesn't work so well, since she gets hyper when I let her into the family room for play time. It has carpet and we're still potty training so leaving her there is not really an option. That's why I usually lock her in her crate or put her in the gated kitchen for a few minutes when she's biting.

Originally Posted by JoeyP

If she's licking it off your hands you're hanging around after you had corrected her
If you're interacting with a puppy after she has bitten you ... she'll just think you're not minding her biting you

Well she hadn't been biting yet. She was biting me earlier so before I let her back into the family room I put the deodorant on my hands. She never bit me this time, just came and licked it off. (She had calmed down because of the previous time out.)

I appreciate all the suggestions though! I just feel like I've tried it all and nothing works.

[KJLive]

Originally Posted by TishaMoon

I always say quite loudly and firmly no or no bite. Nothing stops her! The problem I have is that leaving her doesn't work so well, since she gets hyper when I let her into the family room for play time. It has carpet and we're still potty training so leaving her there is not really an option. That's why I usually lock her in her crate or put her in the gated kitchen for a few minutes when she's biting.



Well she hadn't been biting yet. She was biting me earlier so before I let her back into the family room I put the deodorant on my hands. She never bit me this time, just came and licked it off. (She had calmed down because of the previous time out.)

I appreciate all the suggestions though! I just feel like I've tried it all and nothing works.

Sometimes "leaving her" doesn't necessarily mean "leaving her alone in a room". Sophie does this also (more with my DH and skinchild) and less with me b/c what I do is tell her "no bite" and I get up off the floor. I go about my business within the same room as her. If I'm in the kitchen I'll unload the dishwasher or turn my attention to the TV. Basically, get your attention off of her (of course keeping the Yorkie Mommy Eyes that we all have in the back of our heads watching her every move) This usually diffuses Sophie. Sometimes she starts back up on bitting my feet/shoes. But ignoring her works best. You can be in the same room and still ignore her, so to speak. Sorry..wish I had more for you. This puppy stage sure is tough and I can say that I do relate!

[TishaMoon]

Originally Posted by KJLive

Sometimes "leaving her" doesn't necessarily mean "leaving her alone in a room". Sophie does this also (more with my DH and skinchild) and less with me b/c what I do is tell her "no bite" and I get up off the floor. I go about my business within the same room as her. If I'm in the kitchen I'll unload the dishwasher or turn my attention to the TV. Basically, get your attention off of her (of course keeping the Yorkie Mommy Eyes that we all have in the back of our heads watching her every move) This usually diffuses Sophie. Sometimes she starts back up on bitting my feet/shoes. But ignoring her works best. You can be in the same room and still ignore her, so to speak. Sorry..wish I had more for you. This puppy stage sure is tough and I can say that I do relate!

Thanks, that's a good point. A lot of times when I try that she bites my pant legs and I can't walk (and walking makes it a game for her) so I get frustrated. I guess I just need to stand still and not move until she gives up.

[JoeyP]

I always say quite loudly and firmly no or no bite. Nothing stops her! The problem I have is that leaving her doesn't work so well, since she gets hyper when I let her into the family room for play time. It has carpet and we're still potty training so leaving her there is not really an option. That's why I usually lock her in her crate or put her in the gated kitchen for a few minutes when she's biting.

KJ is right
If you need to just let her cool down putting her calmly into her crate or away from the family is perfect
Puppy's do get riled ..... in the wild or with her Mom
when this would happen she'd get a nice nip on the neck with a loud growl
You vocalizing will take the place of that
but she must be separated from stimulation

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by Chance

Try yelping, like a little scream, that is what puppies do in the liter. I book I bought said to try this because in the liter they yelp when the play gets to ruff, and quit playing with that puppy. I tried it with Chance, it worked for me.

This is what I have done with my new little girl, Jazzi. When ever I feel her teeth on me (I want her to be aware of what she's doing when she's near me or the kids) I let out a loud, shrill yelp. She'll stop and look at me. Sometimes she'll try it again and I always respond the same way.

Another thing that has helped me, and she is much calmer now with me, is when I go to give her her food I hold my hand down and prevent her from getting any. This is showing her that I am head dog and tells her that I need respect. I hold my hand down there until she sits down or shows submission to me. I was having trouble with her snapping at me and that has now quit. She's been doing so much better since I've done that. Good Luck!!