Biting/nipping

[Gracie2006]

I would not trust that every puppy will grow out of it. My puppy school teacher taught me this and it seems to be working, but you have to be very consistent.

When puppy bites, you immediately stand up and turn your back to him while you say no bite. The puppy will feel banished from you, his pack. Wait 30 seconds, then return and give him something appropriate to bite. If he bites a second time, repeat this. If he bites a third time, this is a felony offence. He goes into his ex-pen, a gated off small room, etc. so you both get a time out. This is not meant to be punishment for the puppy, but to help re-direct his thoughts to something other than biting. After 15 minutes or so, you can end the time out. My teacher said it was best to keep the puppy tethered when doing this so he can't run off and find something fun to do. I can't tether my Gracie. Usually when her biting happens, we are on the sofa playing. She won't jump down off the sofa so she gets her 30 sec. there. I just pick up all toys and chews when I stand up and turn my back.

[dianaww]

My puppy is teething and bites anything to relieve the pain, we have bought many appropriate toys for teething and when he nips us we say NO firmly and give him a toy. When he takes the toy we praise him (OTT with the praise he loves it) When he nips us again he gets told NO they soon learn.

I must be honest, I would never smack a puppy (Or adult come to that) I also feel very strongly against any form of
electric shock.

How would we feel is we were smacked or given an electric shock every time we made a mistake.

I know CRUEL is a strong word, and I may get slatted for saying it, but I feel that it is cruel to inflict this on any animal, human or otherwise.

[vwaltlon]

Maggie has, I prefere to call it mouthing, as she has never gotten rough.
When it feels to sharp I yelp, like a dog and ignore her for a while.
Never use physical punishment.
Use only positve reinforcement when training, dogs really only want to please their master.
Maggie has never hurt me.
I do hope she will grow out of it though, as others do see it as nipping.

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by sdgdh1

Hey, it's no problem. I'm not offended. I'm also not trying to cause drama. I just think negative reinforcement is as important as positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is used to teach a dog to do something that you like. Negative reinforcement is used to teach a dog NOT to do something that you don't like. I just think giving a dog a treat for licking you will not solve the issue with him biting you. Whether you use a pop in the rear, a stern "No," or lemon juice, it's negative reinforcement and if the dog registers it as negative, it will work. If your dog likes lemonade, lemons won't work. Each dog is different.

The fact is, dogs "outgrow" biting and nipping because they've come to understand the negative consequences when they do that. Giving them a hug when they don't bite doesn't help at all. When you want to teach them to sit, you reward them for sitting. When you want to teach them not to jump on you, you discipline them for jumping on you.

I understand that when people hear someone say to discipline a dog, they immediately assume an abusive environment. I'm a huge fan of my dog. I think people with unruly dogs tend to be less fond of their's. I think that's why some people come on here with older dogs or puppies and want to get rid of them. They can't figure out why he is still doing the things that they don't want him to do. To me, I enjoy a dog more when he's well behaved, so I try to use what works or has worked in the past. I use positive to teach to do something and negative to teach not to do something.

As far as fear, I think a dog can be just as frightened by loud shouting all of the time as a quick pop for biting. I guess it's up to the dog and his owner, though.

Hitting a 14 week old puppy for chewing is like hitting an infant for chewing.

At 14 weeks they don't show signs of agression, they know they are babies.

You can however nip back at them like their mother would do. The mother would never actually bite them, she would snap at them and they would learn that biting is not acceptable behavior.

I don't beleive the behavior should be ignored, but neither do I believe that they should they be hit.

[Potter]

Originally Posted by Gracie2006

I would not trust that every puppy will grow out of it. My puppy school teacher taught me this and it seems to be working, but you have to be very consistent.

When puppy bites, you immediately stand up and turn your back to him while you say no bite. The puppy will feel banished from you, his pack. Wait 30 seconds, then return and give him something appropriate to bite. If he bites a second time, repeat this. If he bites a third time, this is a felony offence. He goes into his ex-pen, a gated off small room, etc. so you both get a time out. This is not meant to be punishment for the puppy, but to help re-direct his thoughts to something other than biting. After 15 minutes or so, you can end the time out. My teacher said it was best to keep the puppy tethered when doing this so he can't run off and find something fun to do. I can't tether my Gracie. Usually when her biting happens, we are on the sofa playing. She won't jump down off the sofa so she gets her 30 sec. there. I just pick up all toys and chews when I stand up and turn my back.

This is a good idea. I will try this. I think my puppy is sometimes more than just teething. When I do not let him do something like going behind my tv and trying to dig the cables, he does use his teeth to bite me off. Does your puppies do that too? I will try a few ideas from here but shock collar? I don't think so...personally, I will never go to that. It does sounds cruel.

I do have lots of chew toys for him. He is never short of that. Hands are the perfect texture for teething puppies though-that is what I think; with all the smell on our hand and the rubbery feeling.Will keep everyone updated after a week or two. Thanks!

[vanessa19]

Honestly my girl is 10 months old and she DID grow out of biting, me nor my boyfriend have ever spanked nor used a shock collar on her and she has turned out great listens to basically anything we tell her...when she was biting we had and still do about 20 toys in the house she still plays and BITES thos but not anything shes not supposed to. I would NEVER hit a 5lb dog let alone use a shock collar on them thats awful!

[Brookef18]

Just to let you know...Shock Collars will kill any dog that is as small as a yorkie...They are not made for dogs this small! Chewy nips when we can't play... he wants attention! We tell him no and turn our backs.. sometimes he gets a time out when he gets on a roll and can't seem to stop! He is getting there slowly... he is 6 months.[/SIZE]

[Gizmo0719]

Nipping
Ouch! Those puppy teeth hurt. Most puppies nip, so it's your job to teach them to control that bite. Littermates will teach each other some bite restrainthard biters are not popular playmatesbut you'll have to expand on that learning once pup is in your home.

When pup nips, say, "Ow!" in a voice loud enough to startle it. Make the pitch lower if your exclamation seems to provoke more nipping. Give the pup love when the nips stop. Another method is to gently push your fingers farther into the pup's mouth when it nips. It will not like this sensation and quickly associates nipping with an unpleasant feeling.


I found this hope it helps I am going to try it let me know how it goes...

[Pautau422]

Originally Posted by Potter

Do all puppy nip? Siu Pao is 14.5 weeks now and he seriously nips. I have lots of chew toys for him and bully stick and ice cube but he loves hands, my hands and any other people's hands and pants too.

I have tried holding his neck and say no; I have tried the OUCH and I have tried the shake can. None of it really works.

The thing that bothers me most is when I pet him (besides sleeping time), he nips at me. When I try to groom him, he nips at me. He liked hugs and cuddles when I first got him but now he is nipping and doesn't even want me to hold him. Or..when I don't give him something that he wants like the roll of toilet paper, boy he nips me hard! I never ever hit him or abuse him. My husband and I treat him really really well. When we first got him though, whenever we try to pet him, he kind of duck his head like we are going to hit him but he was only 12 weeks old then! He doesn't do it everytime but there are quite a few times I saw him doing it and he doesn't really warm up to my husband. Do you think his breeder treated him badly or his kids because I knew they have like 4 children in the house?

Any YT members with the same experiences? Do they eventually stop? My training is very very consistent..but I don't know what is wrong here. I really hope he is not genetically aggressive. He will grow out of it I suppose? Help please.

I understand exactly what you are going thru because my Tyler is the same way, the only time he does not bite me is when we are in the car and I am holding him, but besides that he is forever chewing on my hands and fingers. He will bite my hubby but he just tells him to stop and he does, well at least for a few, but no luck when it comes to my hands. Now, this action is only with us and no one else.
He lets anyone pet him, hug, cuddle and not one single moment does he bite. He is good that way. I can not wait for it to be over.
Good Luck

[Stormy]

Originally Posted by vanessa19

Honestly my girl is 10 months old and she DID grow out of biting, me nor my boyfriend have ever spanked nor used a shock collar on her and she has turned out great listens to basically anything we tell her...when she was biting we had and still do about 20 toys in the house she still plays and BITES thos but not anything shes not supposed to. I would NEVER hit a 5lb dog let alone use a shock collar on them thats awful!

OMG..I'm with you, Sweetie...how could anyone even think about hitting or shocking a teeny Yorkie baby....gives me goosebumps. Ya know, they all do love to chew on hands...keep in mine how miserable teething babies can feel and the poor little pup feels the same pain.....You just have to kindly keep after him and offer him something else to chew on like Nylabone or some other hard puppy chew. (no rawhide) He will outgrow it...they all do....

[Stormy]

Originally Posted by SweetCuteness

sdgdh1,
I don't know if you're just posting to try and create drama within the forum, or if you're just ill-educated on the training of dogs and children. Either way, if you're using physical force to try and create fear in your children and animals, you shouldn't be allowed to have either. I found the following in another post you made:



In response to the above: I've had dogs my entire life and have never used physical force NOR an electric shock collar on any of them. ALL of them grew out of the puppy biting stage and NONE of them bit people, not even once, after they grew out of it. Also, if you're causing them pain, they're going to be afraid of you and you're going to redirect their aggression.

I don't mean to be rude by anything I've said, I'm just quite honestly apaulled by what I've read that you've written.

SHEESH..I agree...I am totally appalled as well...I just cannot believe anyone would think to use violence on a teeny little Yorkie pup. I do not think that is how trainers handle tiny dogs behavior problems either.

Not to be nasty about it, but why did you get a little teeny dog ??? Most of us think of our Yorkies as our furBABIES....do you believe i n capital punishment for human babies also ?? OMG just the thought of this makes me feel sick !!!

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by sdgdh1

No , he will NOT grow out of it .

Do what works with kids. Spank.

as far as offering advise That's the WORST THING I've seen posted in a while - where do you get off jumping in and saying that ? I really feel sorry for your pets AND your kids if you think hitting solves all problems.

Most ALL puppies DO GROW OUT OF IT ....but even if one doesn't, there are way better ways to train a dog than to HIT it.

Man - if YOU would hit a puppy (or any pet for that matter) - then YOU need The TRAINING ....and a serious attitude adjustment.

[Stormy]

Originally Posted by Pautau422

I understand exactly what you are going thru because my Tyler is the same way, the only time he does not bite me is when we are in the car and I am holding him, but besides that he is forever chewing on my hands and fingers. He will bite my hubby but he just tells him to stop and he does, well at least for a few, but no luck when it comes to my hands. Now, this action is only with us and no one else.
He lets anyone pet him, hug, cuddle and not one single moment does he bite. He is good that way. I can not wait for it to be over.
Good Luck

Awwww sure does sound like ooupy was seriously abused.If this breeder has 4 little children and allowed them to ineract with the litter there is something seriously wrong here. Yorkies are not normally aggressive in these waysl, The teething is a normal happening but aggressive behavior of they type you describe is not in charactor for Yorkies.

[Stormy]

Originally Posted by red98vett

as far as offering advise That's the WORST THING I've seen posted in a while - where do you get off jumping in and saying that ? I really feel sorry for your pets AND your kids if you think hitting solves all problems.

Most ALL puppies DO GROW OUT OF IT ....but even if one doesn't, there are way better ways to train a dog than to HIT it.

Man - if YOU would hit a puppy (or any pet for that matter) - then YOU need The TRAINING ....and a serious attitude adjustment.

Oh and I beg to differ with you and again insist he will grow out of it. Puppies chew everything, including human hands because they suffer from teething pain. I suggest anyone spanking a Yorkie or a human baby get some serious help. Violence begets VIOLENCE !!!

[sdgdh1]

Originally Posted by Stormy

Oh and I beg to differ with you and again insist he will grow out of it. Puppies chew everything, including human hands because they suffer from teething pain. I suggest anyone spanking a Yorkie or a human baby get some serious help. Violence begets VIOLENCE !!!

Whew. I was starting to worry when I read on this site that 90% of the dogs are little monsters. I thought it was a problem with the breed. Thank goodness it's just poor training.

I'm not suggesting anything close to abuse or violence. It's called negative reinforcement and positive reinforcement. I would rather give a little reinforcement early than deal with a dog that bites me and others. I couldn't have a dog around my kids that bites all of the time. It's for the safety of the dog and others that I use the most humane and effective approach.

The Bible says "He that spareth the rod hateth his son." I agree with that. I suppose some here don't, and that's fine. I think it's unfortunate, but I appreciate your opinion. Please don't worry if you've offended me. I'm a big supporter of free speech. I think we all have the same intention of tyring to help someone train a pup to be an enjoyable companion and to enjoy all the blessings of being a dog owner. She's free to heed whatever advice she wants. I don't have a perfect dog, so maybe my approach isn't the right one. I might not have perfect kids either, but I sure do love them. It would break my heart for them to have to go through life without any dicipline or love. It's a hard life when you're a brat and I pray my kids won't ever have to experience that.

I have found that most people who are having such a problem with my advice try to reassure the original poster that it's OK because their 6 mth or 4 yr old dog still bites and it's normal. It's not normal and it's not OK. It's cruel if you ask me.