Quote:
Originally Posted by Starlette  Allow me rephrase:
Even at seven months old (or whatever age), our puppy should:
-Not bit our hands
-Direct their biting instincts to something else as chew toys
-Tire them out with walking, playing fetch, etc.
Correct? |
At seven months you are still dealing with a puppy that may still try things, but your right in that you should not allow your pup to chew on your fingers or hands, ever. Don't play with your pup using your hands. If your pup is highly excitable try not to get the pup into any rough and tumble games that involve your body parts.
Lot's of walks, running, fetch and things that use energy but do not involve you wrestling, tugging or generally inciting the fight instinct.
Remember that they are instinctually little ratters. In their play their instinct is to sharpen that ratting skill. Redirect. Find something your pup likes to chew that is safe in order to use up some of that chewing desire on appropriate objects.
There is a video on YouTube that shows 3 terriers in a barn killing rats. When they catch the rats they shake the daylights out of them and they are dead in seconds. If your pup gets a hold of your hand or fingers do not move them. Hold still because moving your hand just causes the pup to hold tighter and possibly try to shake it. Let your hand go limp. That takes the challenge out of the play. Use your other hand to remove your pup's mouth from your hand gently. Just keep in mind that these darling little dogs have a genetic background that causes certain behaviors. A terrier is different than other types of dogs because of what they were bred for and it runs deep in many of them even today. Consistent training will teach your pup that your hands are not appropriate toys.
My little girl still "kills" her toys on a regular basis. Just like the terrier video shows, she shakes the daylights out of her toys and even growls at her "play prey" which is fine with me. I'm just glad she knows not to go after my hands anymore!
