Question about biting??? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Pup-e-Love · 10-14-2009, 07:23 AM

I read somewhere that when they bite you are suppose to take your finger nail and press it in their mouth to make it uncomfortable for them and they will learn to stop biting. Do you think this will work? I do not want Reesie to become afraid of my hands. What do you think?

Love_Capone · 10-14-2009, 07:36 PM

I think "no bite" and turning away works. I also think it's just a phase they go through and they will eventually grow out of. I've never tried the finger thing. Another thing you can do is if she is to hyper you can sit her in your lap like a baby and say "relax" and hold her until she doesn't fight you and rub her tummy until she is calm and relaxed it's my favorite thing I ever learned.

Nancy1999 · 10-14-2009, 08:57 PM

I read something similar, you push your hand further in causing a slight gag reflex. We did the "no bite" thing and put him down and gave him a chewing toy, but finally I tried the hand thing, and he never bit me after that, it may have been a coincidence, I don't think it's the first thing I'd try, they have such a need to chew and biting is just part of the experience, but those razor sharp teeth can get to you after a while. I'm not sure of the fingernail idea, and I'm not sure if it would be something I would feel comfortable doing. I think you will read many training tips and it has got to be something that you feel sure is right for you. I agree you don't want them to feel fearful of your hands, but I got tired of fearing his mouth. Some people also suggest a slight thump to the nose, some suggest a loud "uh uh", some suggest an almost screeching type of sound, like you were hurt and you are a puppy. I hadn't heard of bully sticks at the time, but I really wished we would have had some, they are a chewing aid that most dogs love, and it will help them get rid of the need to bite, and chew on you.

alnatmom · 10-15-2009, 04:41 AM

I also read about sticking your fingers in their mouth somewhere in YorkieTalk and I tried it as well. Jack is 6 months old and has times during the day where he is rambunctious and wants to play. He would try and nip at our hands and feet. Next time he did it, I pushed down on his tongue with my finger and said 'no biting' in a very stern voice. He stopped immediately and didn't try it again for days. A few days later he nipped at me I tried to put my finger in his mouth and he stopped right away. Seems to have worked like a charm. Now we just have to give the 'no biting' command but he rarely ever attempts it. Thanks to whoever did the original post with the suggestion!

jacksonsmum · 10-15-2009, 04:52 AM

I had posted here one time that if they are biting take your hand sideways and gently push into their mouth towards the back of their mouth but not right down their throat. I was told this and tried it and it does work and if done correctly will not hurt them or make them afraid of your hand. They just let go and learn not to keep biting.

MissSophie · 10-15-2009, 05:00 AM

Our puppy kindergarten teacher told us to do what the mother would do-you take her down. This means that you gently but firmly put her on her side and hold her down by her head. This does not hurt (you shouldn't do it in a way that would hurt), but you should be firm and make sure that your puppy knows that she is not in control. This stopped ours from biting very quickly. They do grow out of it. Also you should be offering your baby something that is okay to chew.

alnatmom · 10-15-2009, 05:07 AM

I was worried about choking him and he already had one of my fingers in his mouth so I just pressed gently down on his tongue. It's kind of a nasty feeling if something is pushing down on your tongue so I figured it would get his attention quickly - and it did. Before we were trying to pull our hands away but that just seemed like a big fun game to him.

Pup-e-Love · 10-15-2009, 05:31 AM

Thanks for all of the replies. I have tried everything it seems and the finger in his mouth is at least causing him to think before he bites now. He still bites, but now he tries to be more strategic when he does.

LOL! I think I need to look into getting him some bully sticks. Where can you find them? Do they sell them at the regular pet food stores?

Nancy1999 · 10-15-2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnatmom

I was worried about choking him and he already had one of my fingers in his mouth so I just pressed gently down on his tongue. It's kind of a nasty feeling if something is pushing down on your tongue so I figured it would get his attention quickly - and it did. Before we were trying to pull our hands away but that just seemed like a big fun game to him.

I think if you can do it this way, it's very natural and they learn fast.

Nancy1999 · 10-15-2009, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pup-e-Love

Thanks for all of the replies. I have tried everything it seems and the finger in his mouth is at least causing him to think before he bites now. He still bites, but now he tries to be more strategic when he does.

LOL! I think I need to look into getting him some bully sticks. Where can you find them? Do they sell them at the regular pet food stores?

Some people have found them at pet stores, I ordered mine online from ebay, I only have used the Merrick brand, and we love them, they are a very hard chewing stick and as your dog gets older, you will find that tartar is a problem, and these chewing sticks help with that as well. People like Bully Sticks because they are 100% digestible unlike many chewing sticks that have small pieces that can lodge in the intestines. Merrick brand is more expensive then most, but because it's so hard they last much longer. Some sticks are more like a chewing food treat, and these are more like a bone that is safe. Some people like the Merrick flossies for puppies and smaller dogs, and here's a picture of those. http://www.merrickpetcare.com/store/images/15051.jpg Joey at 5 1/2 pounds can easily eat a six inch regular stick.

Pup-e-Love · 10-15-2009, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Some people have found them at pet stores, I ordered mine online from ebay, I only have used the Merrick brand, and we love them, they are a very hard chewing stick and as your dog gets older, you will find that tartar is a problem, and these chewing sticks help with that as well. People like Bully Sticks because they are 100% digestible unlike many chewing sticks that have small pieces that can lodge in the intestines. Merrick brand is more expensive then most, but because it's so hard they last much longer. Some sticks are more like a chewing food treat, and these are more like a bone that is safe. Some people like the Merrick flossies for puppies and smaller dogs, and here's a picture of those. http://www.merrickpetcare.com/store/images/15051.jpg Joey at 5 1/2 pounds can easily eat a six inch regular stick.

Do you buy them on ebay 'cause you prefer to buy online, or can you only get the Merrick brand online?

Nancy1999 · 10-15-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pup-e-Love

Do you buy them on ebay 'cause you prefer to buy online, or can you only get the Merrick brand online?

My local stores didn't have any, but I know some people have told me they can find the Merrick brand locally. I buy them online because I was desperate, and I buy them on e-bay because they had the best prices. We buy 100 at a time, because my grand dogs love them too!

I would not advise geting the Red Barn variety, I've heard that it is super stinky.

Pup-e-Love · 10-15-2009, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I would not advise geting the Red Barn variety, I've heard that it is super stinky.

Thanks for the tip!

Pup-e-Love · 10-15-2009, 10:13 AM

Did I mention that you, Nancy, are the best at answering all of my questions!!! Thank You!

Nancy1999 · 10-15-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pup-e-Love

Did I mention that you, Nancy, are the best at answering all of my questions!!! Thank You!

Oh that's sweet of you, and you're very welcome, but most the things I post, I learned right here on Yorkietalk!

10-14-2009, 07:23 AM	#1
Pup-e-Love YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 896	Question about biting??? I read somewhere that when they bite you are suppose to take your finger nail and press it in their mouth to make it uncomfortable for them and they will learn to stop biting. Do you think this will work? I do not want Reesie to become afraid of my hands. What do you think?

10-14-2009, 07:36 PM	#2
Love_Capone YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Norman, OK, USA Posts: 359	I think "no bite" and turning away works. I also think it's just a phase they go through and they will eventually grow out of. I've never tried the finger thing. Another thing you can do is if she is to hyper you can sit her in your lap like a baby and say "relax" and hold her until she doesn't fight you and rub her tummy until she is calm and relaxed it's my favorite thing I ever learned. __________________ Yorkies come in all shapes and sizes

10-14-2009, 08:57 PM	#3
Nancy1999 I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 25,396 Blog Entries: 2	I read something similar, you push your hand further in causing a slight gag reflex. We did the "no bite" thing and put him down and gave him a chewing toy, but finally I tried the hand thing, and he never bit me after that, it may have been a coincidence, I don't think it's the first thing I'd try, they have such a need to chew and biting is just part of the experience, but those razor sharp teeth can get to you after a while. I'm not sure of the fingernail idea, and I'm not sure if it would be something I would feel comfortable doing. I think you will read many training tips and it has got to be something that you feel sure is right for you. I agree you don't want them to feel fearful of your hands, but I got tired of fearing his mouth. Some people also suggest a slight thump to the nose, some suggest a loud "uh uh", some suggest an almost screeching type of sound, like you were hurt and you are a puppy. I hadn't heard of bully sticks at the time, but I really wished we would have had some, they are a chewing aid that most dogs love, and it will help them get rid of the need to bite, and chew on you. __________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals

10-15-2009, 05:00 AM	#6
MissSophie YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 807 Blog Entries: 1	Our puppy kindergarten teacher told us to do what the mother would do-you take her down. This means that you gently but firmly put her on her side and hold her down by her head. This does not hurt (you shouldn't do it in a way that would hurt), but you should be firm and make sure that your puppy knows that she is not in control. This stopped ours from biting very quickly. They do grow out of it. Also you should be offering your baby something that is okay to chew. __________________ Sophie's Mom :

10-15-2009, 04:41 AM	#4
alnatmom Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 18	I also read about sticking your fingers in their mouth somewhere in YorkieTalk and I tried it as well. Jack is 6 months old and has times during the day where he is rambunctious and wants to play. He would try and nip at our hands and feet. Next time he did it, I pushed down on his tongue with my finger and said 'no biting' in a very stern voice. He stopped immediately and didn't try it again for days. A few days later he nipped at me I tried to put my finger in his mouth and he stopped right away. Seems to have worked like a charm. Now we just have to give the 'no biting' command but he rarely ever attempts it. Thanks to whoever did the original post with the suggestion!

10-15-2009, 04:52 AM	#5
jacksonsmum Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ontario/Canada Posts: 248	I had posted here one time that if they are biting take your hand sideways and gently push into their mouth towards the back of their mouth but not right down their throat. I was told this and tried it and it does work and if done correctly will not hurt them or make them afraid of your hand. They just let go and learn not to keep biting.

10-15-2009, 05:07 AM	#7
alnatmom Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 18	I was worried about choking him and he already had one of my fingers in his mouth so I just pressed gently down on his tongue. It's kind of a nasty feeling if something is pushing down on your tongue so I figured it would get his attention quickly - and it did. Before we were trying to pull our hands away but that just seemed like a big fun game to him.

10-15-2009, 05:31 AM	#8
Pup-e-Love YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 896	Thanks for all of the replies. I have tried everything it seems and the finger in his mouth is at least causing him to think before he bites now. He still bites, but now he tries to be more strategic when he does. LOL! I think I need to look into getting him some bully sticks. Where can you find them? Do they sell them at the regular pet food stores?

10-15-2009, 10:13 AM	#14
Pup-e-Love YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 896	Did I mention that you, Nancy, are the best at answering all of my questions!!! Thank You!