How to Prevent Shoe, Sock, Toes and Pants Biting & Tugging Happy Thursday everyone. Well, this is the first problem I am having with Julie. When I very first brought her home at 7 1/2 weeks old, she would grab a tennis shoe or slipper outside the bedroom door where I place them for easy access, and carried either one across the hallway chewing or playing. It was cute and funny at first, but not now. I don't know if this is regular puppy behavior, or something that I’ve mistakenly allowed her to do. At the suggestion of my mother-in-law, I purchased a bottle of "Out! Bitter Cherry Spray" which is to discourage unwanted biting, chewing, licking and scratching. It also says “Satisfaction 100% Guaranteed”. As for me, I am not very satisfied or guaranteed it is doing its job. What I have noticed is that I have to either douse my shoe or pant legs numerous times with this product to have it work. As for tugging, she will grab a hold of either a shoe or pant leg without me realizing. Before I know it, I am sweeping/dragging her across the floor, grass, etc. I am not very comfortable with this either. I have fallen twice this week (Sunday and Wednesday). Not because of Julie. I really don't want to fall due to this type of cleaning and dragging. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated. Starlette NOTE: I’ve tried to do a search on this topic, but I did not seem to find what I was looking for. |
She probably thinks it is ok to do since she has done it before.. When you see her grab / chew something she isn’t suppose to, I would take it back and tell her NO- Then give her one of her toys or something she is allowed to chew on.. |
When chachi would bite our toes bitter apple worked for us. We sprayed it on our toes a couple of times and he never bit them again |
My little Oakley did the same thing when we got him at 8 weeks old. He's now 4 months old. I couldn't walk in the house without him running to my and biting my footsie's or pants leg. I would repeatedly tell him "no" and then just give him a little swat on his bottom. I've retired my footsie's and bought a pair of slippers which has helped. My biggest problem was and continues to be the biting which is driving me nuts sometimes. I've posted this on yorkietalk and to this day, I'm still teaching him "no bite" and he's gotten a lot better. From what I've read here, you need to be consistent and I've been. It's trying at times but pays off in the long run. I have gone to Petco several time and bought him different toys. My favorite so far is the Kong toy (small one). I've only filled it with peanut butter. This comes in handy when it comes time for his daily brushing, otherwise, he won't let me brush him. Patience and consistency is key. |
You should use quick to the point corrections. "AH AH" works well or "Julie NO" You can use a spray bottle with water also. You must stop the unwanted behavior the moment it happens. But its not too late to teach her not to chew on the things that she has gotten away with this far. Look at the web site below for more training tips and good luck. |
In addition to "no" and "no bite," teach her "down" when you catch her dragging on your pant leg. Does she walk on a leash? I would think leash training would also discourage that habit. When Max was a pup, he would play bite my toes in the morning when we first got out of bed. I would tell him "no bite" and put him back in his xpen to make him stop. He quickly learned that if he wanted his freedom in the morning, he couldn't bite my toes. We keep shoes out of our dogs' reach on the other side of a baby gate. Too tempting. Sorry, I don't have any other suggestions for how to break that habit. |
Hi Starlette, we are going through the exact same thing with our almost 4 month old Yorkie. This is especially painful because of their puppy teeth. Ouch indeed!! We take the things we don't want her biting/chewing and stick toys in her mouth. We also tell her "No bite" and "Ouch" and both of these get her attention and she stops. There are some days that are more challenging than others but overall, we are seeing improvement. Keep working at it and you'll have a sweet, non-biting/nipping, puppy!! Just keep at it!! |
Callie was absolutely terrible with this and would do it on the stairs when she was a puppy so we got a squirt bottle and filled it with water and would squirt her when she would do it and say no at the same time. It was the only thing that worked for her. |
Thank you all for you comments.:) Yes, Julie will be sixteen weeks old this Saturday 03/23/2013. My MIL was the one who told me about the "No bite" and "Ouch"! One added question: When you say you spray water, do you add vinegar or is it straight water? @dawn27 - Yes, I took a peek at your website. I like it:) Look forward to reading it. Replacing the biting with a chew toy is going to be rough especially when I'm outside. I'll think of something. In addition to "no" and "no bite," teach her "down" when you catch her dragging on your pant leg. Does she walk on a leash? I would think leash training would also discourage that habit. When Max was a pup, he would play bite my toes in the morning when we first got out of bed. I would tell him "no bite" and put him back in his xpen to make him stop. He quickly learned that if he wanted his freedom in the morning, he couldn't bite my toes. I'm training Julie to walk on a leash. Help me out Maximo, how do you figure leash training would help? I don't understand. This sounds like negative reinforcement. I hear you. She knows the "down" word. I'll see about using that command during this time of biting. I will train Julie with I've learned from your responses. Later, I'll report back and let you know how it's going. Thank you. Starlette |
Yep, Lexi is 4 1/2 months and I've been dragging her across the floor for months. I know it's crazy, but I really don't mind it. I just walk like I have a club foot most of the time. My DD thinks I'm crazy to allow such loony behavior. When I get tired of it I just stomp my other foot and very calmly tell her 'Ah Ah'. The noise startles her and she moves on to something else. I've done it so much that I don't have to stomp anymore. I just say 'Ah Ah' and she moves on to a toy. But, most times I just hobble along with her sweeping the floor beside me. Knowing that she will stop when I really want her to makes all the difference though. I just made sure she was firmly attached before stomping! |
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Let us know how things go. Hopefully you will find something that works for you. |
[QUOTE=dawn27;4166239]You should use quick to the point corrections. "AH AH" works well or "Julie NO" You can use a spray bottle with water also. You must stop the unwanted behavior the moment it happens. But its not too late to teach her not to chew on the things that she has gotten away with this far. Quick blast of water AFTER the cue word. Use the same Word or sound every time. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: We use this method when training puppies |
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I am having a big problem with my little Cupcake (13 weeks) and his biting. He wants to constantly chew my hands when I am holding him. I have gotten him to stop nipping my feet but he still nips the kids and my husbands. I keep telling him no bite and ah ah....usually when he gets too ferocious I have to put him in his play pin and it calms him down. He has a bad habit with chewing cords if I turn my back for a sec.... He keeps me hoppin but I love him to pieces. I think I will try the water... ;) |
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