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-   -   Why am I his human chew toy?? Help! (https://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/general-training-questions/23975-why-am-i-his-human-chew-toy-help.html)

FirstYorkie 12-07-2005 01:00 AM

Suzanne,

I've had great success using a bell tied to the doorknob as a way for dogs to let you know they need to go out. Since it rings automatically every time you open the door, it doesn't take long for them to get the connection that bell ringing = door opening.

If your arms are sore from the biting and she continues to jump on you, I'd have to say that simply saying "no bite" isn't working too good for ya. Here's what I'd do:
Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstYorkie
In addition to saying "no bite" or yelping, I would either offer an appropriate thing to bite or immediately break eye contact, stand up, and walk away depending on the severity of the bite. If it hurts, do the latter. Ignore him up for 1 to 3 minutes (no longer - by then, he has forgotten what he did wrong).


ivy 12-07-2005 09:53 AM

This is funny, but if you give him something he can chew on and praise him as soon as he goes for it he'll learn eventually. My Kiroshi did the same thing, except for the peeing. As for the peeing, my brothers dog did that when ever he got yelled at and we realized that it was because he was so scared he'd just pee that instant. My brother corrected this by now ofcourse, but it took awhile, hang in there.

SnowWa 12-08-2005 12:26 AM

I have never had a puppy in my life that didn't want to use me for a chew toy. I have a 3-month old Yorkie pup that is doing it right now - and, you're right -- it hurts!!

Have patience - they do outgrow it!

Carol Jean

hunniebunnie 12-08-2005 01:00 AM

oh good, i'm not the only one being used as a human chew toy. i swear i have so many other toys for him to chew, and he just goes for my fingers, and those sharp canines are starting to hurt! i tried saying "NO" and "NO BITE" but it seems like he'd stop for a split second, if that at all, and then continue. If I ignore him, he'll just try to chew on my clothes or my ankles instead. even when i give him something more appropriate to chew. he'll sniff it and then ignore and still go for my fingers instead. any other ideas?

so far, the only thing that would stop him from chewing on me is if i put him into his crate for a time out, or if i put bitter apple on my fingers. i'm not sure if that's really teaching him not to chew on my fingers.

Patti 12-08-2005 08:40 AM

I'm so glad that others have had the biting experience! Last night she was crazy biting. She had 3 time outs! I said to my husband today I have never had a puppy be so strong willed even other Yorkies! But she is so darn cute!

Marie 12-08-2005 10:09 AM

Gucci uses to be nipper also, she outgrew it finally. SO all be patient they learn eventually. I guess you need lots of patience. You need to keep telling him on a stern voice (not yeling) " No bite", give him a chew toy and ignore him. Good luck.

ilovezoe 12-08-2005 10:15 AM

Oh my goodness!
 
I can't believe I'm saying this again, but that sounds exactly like what my little Zoe did when she was little. We called her "needle-teeth" and joked that "she was coming to sow a dress on your hand"...lol. We broke her of it when she got all of her teeth, because they where like little razors. What you do to break him of it is: Don't yell at him just sternly say "no" or "bad", just take your hand away, but don't jerk it 'cause he might think your playing with him, once he sees that it's not fun when you don't participate (when you yell and get mad and punnish him) he will stop biting and peeing on the rug too. When he does pee on the rug just act like nothing happened and he will stop. I know this sounds crazy, but it worked for us, and it won't take long for him to stop.

sylvan 12-10-2005 08:31 AM

This is the mouth training sheet I send home with new pup parents. It is long, but I'll paste it here since there seem to be so many with this issue. Hope it helps..

Mouth Training
Biting/Playbiting
No one expects their cute little pup to grow up into a dog who bites. But if you don't take the opportunity NOW to teach your puppy "bite inhibition", you are asking for trouble at least, and at worst you are risking injury and/or a lawsuit and/or euthanasia for this dog. Please don't skip this very important daily puppy training exercise, and please start as early as possible in your pup's life!
Bite Inhibition
If you watch a litter of puppies playing, you will notice that they spend much of their time biting and mouthing each other. Because your pup has very sharp teeth and a weak jaw, his harder bites or mouthing hurt his littermates so they yelp and refuse to play with him for some time. Soon the pup learns
that play time ends when he bites too hard. Because an adult dog has duller teeth but a
very powerful jaw, Bite Inhibition (a "soft mouth") is one of the most important lessons
your pup can learn while his sharp baby teeth are still in. You and your children should mimic this puppy play behavior in daily life.
There are two phases to training Bite Inhibition:
Step 1: Practice several times daily for 3-4 weeks. Allow pup to mouth/playbite.
When he exerts slightly more pressure than usual, say "Ouch'" just loud enough that he stops in surprise, and Immediately stop playing for a few seconds. Now allow him to mouth again and repeat the "Ouch'" and stop playing steps several times until he ONLY mouths softly. If your pup is not responding to the "Ouch", simply skip It and Just stop playing and/or get up and move away for a minute, then start again. Your pup will quickly learn that fun ends when he mouths too hard.
Step 2: (Only after Step 1 has been practiced for a MINIMUM of 2, and preferably 4 weeks) Now, any and every time his teeth make contact with human skin, say "OUCH!" and Immediately stop playing. Get up and leave, and/or ignore the pup for a minute or two. Your pup should now start to believe that humans are very sensitive and cannot stand the incredible pain of any tooth contact to their skin. The point of these bite inhibition exercises is to first teach your pup to have a "soft mouth", and then to teach him that the instant his teeth touch human skin, play time is over. Remember, if your pup doesn't respond to the "Ouch" or seems to get more riled up, just skip it and simply stop playing or interacting in any way for a few minutes.
Chew Training
One of the most important tasks you have as a new puppy owner is to spend a much time as possible encouraging your pup to chew and play with appropriate chew toys. It is natural and necessary for puppies to chew as long as it’s on something appropriate! But if your puppy chews on your coffee table, it's because:
1) puppies/dogs like to chew things
2) you didn't teach him what was appropriate to chew
3) he has nothing else to do
4) you left him access to the coffee table
Don't scold him for chewing your coffee table unless you catch him "in the act'. A quick shout is usually enough: Say "Rex, OFF! Find your chew toy!" Then go and get a chew toy for him and praise him when he shows even the slightest interest in it.
If you punish your pup "after the fact, he won't learn not to chew that thing, all he will learn is ''when the owner comes home, I get punished". This often increase his anxiety during the day, and he may start to chew even morel So how do you teach your dog what’s right to chew and what’s wrong? Provide many
appropriate chew toys. Keep half of them in the cupboard until he's bored with other ones. Then take up the old toys (for use later) and give him the new toys, one at a time with much fanfare.
Remember, 10 good chew toys cost a lot less than a new coffee table. Appropriate chew toys are:
Kong or similar hard rubber toy with a hollow center. Smear a thin layer of honey or peanut butter inside, then stuff these with kibble, treats, other goodies. (Don't worry about your pup getting too fat, just take the food your use for chew toys out of his daily ration.)
Natural, bleached, or smoked bones with hollowed-out marrow area (stuff with kibble, peanut butter, etc.).
Twisted ropes. Soak in chicken or beef broth, then dry. Cow hooves and bully sticks are big favorites too.
NOTE: Limit edible chews (bully sticks, hooves, rawhide and/or pig's ears) to 1-2 per week maximum, and supervise when he's chewing these take the chew away immediately if he tries to swallow a piece
Don't give him an old shoe or rags they teach him that shoes and clothes are OK to chew. Praise, praise, praise each and every time your pup chews something right. Never take this action for granted. You should also make each toy particularly attractive by stuffing it with kibble, rubbing some kind of meat on it, or waggling it temptingly in front of his nose. As soon as your pup shows any interest in the toy, lavish him with praise.
Do consider spraying your baseboards, furniture (chair legs, table legs, etc.) with a bitter-tasting aversive like Bitter Apple (available at pet stores) or even hot sauce (if you're furniture is dark wood), the first time your pup goes to chew any of these items will surely be his last! Also, make sure your home is truly Puppy Proofed-clear all tables and counters of ALL items your pup might want to chew, for at least 2-3 months and preferably until he's 7-8 months old. If he grows up believing "There's never anything fun to steal or chew up there", he'll stop looking (and vice versa -If he grows up believing "There's always something fun to steal or chew up there", you can bet he'll keep searching the counters and table tops for fun chewables.) What might your pup want to chew -Remote controls, mail, any paperwork, any food or anything that had contact with food, sewing supplies, yarn, cans, candles, books, plants, etc. - basically, anything at all.
Occasionally practice "entrapment': Bring your pup to something you do not want him to chew, and if he sniffs or mouths it, correct him with a quick "OFF!". Follow immediately by giving him a good chew toy and praise when he takes it.
Until he truly understands chewing rules, never leave him alone with access to inappropriate chewables. A kitchen filled with stuffed Kongs, bones and ropes is usually a good place. A Buster Cube or Roll-a-Treat is also a great toy to occupy his mind while you're away or busy.
Important: Keep your hello's and goodbye's very low-key and casual. Never make a fuss when you come home or leave; this will only increase his anxiety while you're gone. Before you leave the house for a while, let him outside to pee then completely ignore him for the last few minutes before you leave. A low-key, very casual “OK, watch the house, Rover” is enough of a goodbye. When you get home, take him outside and do not greet him until he has peed. After he pees, you can give a quick hug hello and start to go casually about your business (reading mail, etc.) This can will help greatly reduce the chance of developing separation anxiety.

Gio'sMamamia 12-20-2005 09:07 AM

First of all I'd like to say thanx for starting this thread , bcz I too hav a puppy who thinks of me as his chew toy. I saw on here that a few of you mentioned giving them a chew toy in place of using your hand. What are some of the chew toys that you use? I only have one toy for my 7-week old puppy seeing as I've only had him for a few days. I'm not quite sure what would be considered a good chew toy at his age. Thanx.

Mommy2b 12-20-2005 09:25 AM

I am the human chew toy.. UPDATE
 
Hey everyone! I figured since I stared the thread.. i should give an update:) Buster is doing MUCH better. The firm "no bite" is working and when we play with him and he tries to bite us..he does it softly. The second he starts to bite a little harder, we tell him no or no bite and he stops. I know it sounds crazy but I KNOW he understands exactly what he did bc if he does get us with those little pin teeth and we say "ouch" and break the eye contact, he tries to jump up on our laps and make up with lots of kisses!
PATIENCE is the best thing that I can say to new yorkie owners like myself! They are the most strongest willed dog I have ever owned! Want to say Thank you to all who posted there advice!

In response to the last post... We buy our little guy little raw hide bones and he will sit and play with that fpr hours BUT-You have to keep an eye on them. When the end gets to the point where he can break off a peice and swallow it, I cut it off. My vet said that its hard for the puppies to digest so I dont want to take any chances. He has a big stuffed animal dog that he loves and rolls over all the time, the rope toy is wonderful((especially when it is frozen..must feel great on his little teeth)) and all types of other chew toys. I got these other little plastic bones that he loves too. Its all trial and error with the toys.. he has alot that he wont play with too.

Good luck and keep me updated on all of your little nippers!

Gio'sMamamia 12-20-2005 08:23 PM

Thanx for the info on the chew toys Mommy2b, that's something I will definitely look in to getting. :thumbup:

Gio'sMamamia 01-03-2006 09:29 PM

OK I went and got some more chew toys like the rope as well as a nylabone. Giovanni absolutely LOVES the rope toy. As soon as I gave it to him he went at it for a good while. The only thing though is that since his teeth have come in they are extrememly sharp and it seems like he's biting harder. I firmly tell him "No", stop playing for a bit, ignore him and then pick up playing again and he still keeps biting hard. What is is that I'm doing wrong? I tell him no and he keeps doing it. I'm not yelling at him when I say it and at times I'll also say "Ouch" too but to no avail.


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