Help!!!
- Thread starter MikkisMessiah
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One thing that worked for me with my dog is just ignoring it.
When we were playing and she went and started biting my hand, I said NO, firmly, and then got up and walked away and ignored her for a while. Then I would play with her later and if she did the same thing again, I just did the same thing. Said no, and walked away. She got the message and hasn't done it since.
Another thing that a friend of mine did is when his dog (a Shihtzu) is said "OW" really loudly and then walked away. He caught on right away that he was hurting him and didn't do it again.
When we were playing and she went and started biting my hand, I said NO, firmly, and then got up and walked away and ignored her for a while. Then I would play with her later and if she did the same thing again, I just did the same thing. Said no, and walked away. She got the message and hasn't done it since.
Another thing that a friend of mine did is when his dog (a Shihtzu) is said "OW" really loudly and then walked away. He caught on right away that he was hurting him and didn't do it again.
I agree that completely stopping the play and ignoring the dog is the best way I know.
Don't expect it to fix the problem the first or second time, but it normally doesn't take the dog long to understand that biting=end of play if you are CONSISTENT.
It can't be "ok" this time and "not ok" next time. It has to be the same every time for the dog to understand what you mean.
Don't expect it to fix the problem the first or second time, but it normally doesn't take the dog long to understand that biting=end of play if you are CONSISTENT.
It can't be "ok" this time and "not ok" next time. It has to be the same every time for the dog to understand what you mean.
Yelp really loud (even if it doesn't quite hurt but has pressure) and turn your back and ignore for a minute or two and than go back to playing. If the dog does it constantly than wait an extra minute before going back to playing.
You know what I do after they learn bite inhibition (is that what its called?) I play tug of war with them and I kiss their snout or face. This helps them to learn how to play with little kids. Kids are close and personal. I had a puppy who learned to not bite hands when playing with the rope or any other toy in its mouth but would get in your face close, let go of the rope and snap, in a play way but not o.k. We all know how hyper bouncy puppies play. So yelping than getting close and personal as the next stage works awesome.
Also train with the dog taking food nice out of your hand too. Start with boring treats and work your way up to hot dogs or something else super yummy. Play and mess with its food while it eats too.
You know what I do after they learn bite inhibition (is that what its called?) I play tug of war with them and I kiss their snout or face. This helps them to learn how to play with little kids. Kids are close and personal. I had a puppy who learned to not bite hands when playing with the rope or any other toy in its mouth but would get in your face close, let go of the rope and snap, in a play way but not o.k. We all know how hyper bouncy puppies play. So yelping than getting close and personal as the next stage works awesome.
Also train with the dog taking food nice out of your hand too. Start with boring treats and work your way up to hot dogs or something else super yummy. Play and mess with its food while it eats too.
Agree with what has been already posted. Also use a little bit of peanut butter smeared on your hand and teach him to lick.
Also when playing, you have to end the play because he/she is getting to rough and bitting, make sure they don't have other toys to play with at that time.
Here is a link to a bite inhibition article.
http://www.crickethollowfarm.com/biteinhib.htm
Also when playing, you have to end the play because he/she is getting to rough and bitting, make sure they don't have other toys to play with at that time.
Here is a link to a bite inhibition article.
http://www.crickethollowfarm.com/biteinhib.htm
Puppies get that oral fixation and test the limits. They learn to have a softer mouth from litter mates who squeal or run off it one pup is too rough.
So, there are several things you can do: Try saying "ouch!" followed by "no biting" and cease any interactions immediately when your pup bites. After about 15 seconds to a minute of non interaction and ignoring the pup (no eye contact either) redirect into another type of play.
Another thing to do is to redirect the biting to a toy or chewy. Have toys strewn around the house to make this easier. Be careful to get into redirection before you get into a biting issue because you can accidentally reinforce the biting if done incorrectly.
You can also use a topical deterrent on your hand such as Bitter Apple...which makes biting unpleasant.
So, there are several things you can do: Try saying "ouch!" followed by "no biting" and cease any interactions immediately when your pup bites. After about 15 seconds to a minute of non interaction and ignoring the pup (no eye contact either) redirect into another type of play.
Another thing to do is to redirect the biting to a toy or chewy. Have toys strewn around the house to make this easier. Be careful to get into redirection before you get into a biting issue because you can accidentally reinforce the biting if done incorrectly.
You can also use a topical deterrent on your hand such as Bitter Apple...which makes biting unpleasant.
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Hi ... you didn't specifiy the "all sorts of thing" that you tried, but I can tell you for sure that the suggestions in this thread are spot on target .... and I also have a Westie puppy!
He's now 13 weeks old and has learned bite inhibition, by us using the same methods in the previous replies. The "Ouch!" or yelp from you will really help ... I used a loud high-pitched yelp and it always stopped him immediately.
Also important is getting up and walking away from him directly after your "yelp!" ... reinforces to him that all playing and attention stops anytime he gets too rough.
Puppies and dogs are social animals ... he really doesn't want to hurt you ... but you must clearly communicate to him when he does. Being social, he mostly wants that play and attention ... so it has to be made clear to him that biting means the playing and attention stops because he screwed up! It takes a few times of doing this but he will learn the connection. At this point our Westie puppy still mouths lightly at hands ... but he is not biting. He bites the heck out of his toys ... but not people.
If he's snapping at all (mine was not but some terrier puppies do) then try hand-feeding him at least one meal a day. Also helpful is a have him chew a toy or bone while you hold the other end of it.
He's now 13 weeks old and has learned bite inhibition, by us using the same methods in the previous replies. The "Ouch!" or yelp from you will really help ... I used a loud high-pitched yelp and it always stopped him immediately.
Also important is getting up and walking away from him directly after your "yelp!" ... reinforces to him that all playing and attention stops anytime he gets too rough.
Puppies and dogs are social animals ... he really doesn't want to hurt you ... but you must clearly communicate to him when he does. Being social, he mostly wants that play and attention ... so it has to be made clear to him that biting means the playing and attention stops because he screwed up! It takes a few times of doing this but he will learn the connection. At this point our Westie puppy still mouths lightly at hands ... but he is not biting. He bites the heck out of his toys ... but not people.
If he's snapping at all (mine was not but some terrier puppies do) then try hand-feeding him at least one meal a day. Also helpful is a have him chew a toy or bone while you hold the other end of it.