| TeresaM | 01-09-2009 11:58 AM |
Well with play biting, make a loud yipping OUCH noise, tell her the command you want to use for her to understand to stop biting then stop playing with her turn, away and ignore her for a little bit. Just keep doing this, she'll get the picture. Try your best to imitate the yip that you've heard dogs make when one bites the other too hard. This is a noise she'll recognize from her time with her siblings.
Now if she's seriously biting and not playing, then take your hand and firmly but gently pin her down to the floor. Say the command that you've used with the play biting and hold her down until she stops squirming. Firm but gentle voice and hold are important. Also, it needs to be done immediately when she starts to bite. Once you see that the command is working with the play biting you can try it first with the serious biting, but be ready to quickly add the touch to reinforce it if necessary. Again, it shouldn't take her too long to figure it out.
The chewing...well that's something she'll hopefully outgrow and until then there are several Stop Chew products out. Many people have good luck with the solid deodorant sticks also. Gracie Ruth and Yogi are chewers-extraordinaires. :p Seriously, if there was an Olympic event for chewing these two would take the Gold every time. If I catch them chewing something inappropriate, I'll pick up a toy or treat and say to them, "Trade Ya". They stop chewing the bad thing and come get the acceptable item. It took a few times for them to understand but now I usually only have to say the words and they'll stop and come running. | 