I have two different things that have worked with clients, keep in mind as always each dog is different. One way is to always have a favorite toy at hand when you are playing/petting your baby. When he goes for the finger, give a firm NO and then put the toy in his mouth and praise him. The goal is to teach him your fingers/arms etc. are not toys and then replace the inappropriate behavior (bitting YOU) to appropriate behavior (bitting the toy).
Another thing is the Leave it command which is used for many different situations. Generally, if can put say one special treat in your left hand and then have several treats in your right hand. Try and have your dog sit and then put out your left hand with the one treat, as soon as your dog goes to take that treat, say "Leave it" and then as you open your right hand with one treat at the same time say "Take it" and give him the treat and praise, praise..Do this for about a week or two until he knows those commands. Later, when he bites your finger or arm command "Leave it" and then replace that with something else and say "take it" give praise, praise.
You can also set your dog up have treats in your hand and when you see him going to bit you be ready..Leave it...give him the treat "take it". I use this command for many things..sometimes my guy like to go eat poo (goose and dog) and I say LEAVE IT and he moves away, then I say take it and will give him a toy or treat or even just a pet...
Give it a try, it can't hurt. Generally a dog thinks that biting (with being agressive) is playing, this is how its done with their litter mates, they bite on one another, however when one of them has had enough they will generally give a firm sign that its over. Same from the mama, if pup is biting too much the mom will give the signal to stop. Everyone hs their own way, I do not use the Tap on the nose, or spank under the chin..infact, I don't believe in hitting the dog even lightly. I might my hand like a mouth to give the dog a sign (ie: like a parent would do, behind the scruff of the neck), Cesar does this sometimes when he is working with dogs and it makes perfect sense.
Anyway, sorry so long..good luck and smart of you to nip (no pun intended) this in the bud right away..
kathy |