Puppy bites people's hair! Hey everyone: Well, my little Gia picked up a bad habit! If someone has long hair and picks her up, or gets down on her level to play with her, she grabs it in her mouth and won't let go. The cause of the problem isn't her fault. I went out of town for a week, and my mom watched her and thought it was a cute game to fling her ponytail and let the puppy chase it and bite it. Unfortunately, this is a very painful game - not to mention rude and bad manners. I'm trying to work with her to teach her that she can't do that (at the expense of my poor scalp!) but I just can't seem to get her to understand that it's not a game. I try to say "NO" firmly, but she just goes back for more. I try to yelp like a dog would, and I've tried to get up and "ignore" her for a while. But eventually when I get back on the floor to play with her, she goes after my ponytail again. Can anyone advise me as to the best way to train her and "undo" the damage my mom caused? |
Oh no.....(although it's kind of cute). I'm sure you will find some good advice. If it makes you feel better Knox sometimes tries to chew on my hair when we are in bed. I just firmly tell him no and he quits but I'm not sure that will work with your little one. Good luck :) |
Say a sharp NO like you've been doing and then turn your back and stop playing with her. She'll get the idea quickly. Bite moms hair = no play. An idea you may want to try is to spray bitter apple spray in your pony tail (probably after work I don't know what it would do to your pony tail- it might be like super strong hair gel lol:p) so she gets a bad taste in her mouth when she bites your hair. |
Spray some bitter apple on the ends of your hair. After a couple of tastes, she may get the idea. |
You know, I forgot that Wrigley used to do this to me when she was a puppy. I had pretty long curly hair at the time. If I was down on the floor she would grab my hair. Also she would lay on the back of the sofa and bat my hair around. It wasn't a major thing though and she outgrew it! I would try a little sharp "no" and stop playing or give a toy instead. You could also try a high "ouch" to get her attention. |
I have a 2 year old that does this but only to me and only at bedtime. She starts with snorting in my ear, which tickles and gets me laughing, then she bites at my head as her excitement winds up and she'll grab my ponytail and try to take off with it, with a whiplash effect! I do like going to sleep after a hearty laugh though... does my soul good. If your puppy isn't listening to you, try growling like a momma dog at her. This works with younger puppies. You may try substituting a toy for your hair too. Good luck, and be persistant about it. Might help to make your hair less available to her too, just while training her to leave it alone. She must have had a blast playing with your Mom though! :D |
Thanks everyone! I'm trying to work with her in the evenings to play play play, then I'll lay down on the ground and if she goes for my hair she gets a "NO! Bad girl" and playtime stops for a bit. I think she's getting the idea... :) I just don't want her to bite at someone else's hair and get their face or something on accident. :) Thanks for all the great ideas! I love this site!!!! |
The next step may be to show her your hair, like in your hand, and allow her to sniff it (reward: Good Girl!), but if she bites at it (interruption: Ah Ah!). Something like this I think is less confusing as it is more specific, as some puppies may not be able to differentiate between playing with Mommie and not playing when Mommie lays on the floor. Just posted this incase others are having the same problem and not having as sucessful an outcome as you seem to be having with your pup. :D |
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:39 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2003 - 2018 YorkieTalk.com
Privacy Policy - Terms of Use