Is this normal puppy behaviour?

[femke]

Hello,

our puppy really just loves to bite. She doesn't bite hard but sometimes it can hurt. I can tell it's just play but we do tell her off for it. Problem is that she is ALWAYS doing it, it is almost impossible to just pet her coz she goes all hyper trying to grab you. I do think this is puppy behaviour and she will outgrow it, right?

the thing that worries me a little is that she goes after my stepson (7) all the time. It is fine when he is walking but if he starts running ahead she goes after him like you wouldn't believe and grabs him by his legs and sometimes really hurts him. She tries to bite my husband or myself as well if we are running with her and also while biking with her. We have her pretty much under controle but my stepson doesn't at all and gets bitten like this quite a bit. She NEVER draws blood and I dont' think it's coz she wants to hurt him. I have told my stepson to ignore the behaviour because when he acts to it she is getting the attention she wants. But she does really hurt him and he's still so young so he has a hard time ignoring it. it is not just outdoors either she does it indoors too if he starts running.

At first I thought it was just her being a puppy but I'm starting to doubt that now. I wonder if it has anything to do with her being a sheltie (sheepdog) trying to " herd" my stepson back to the group when he runs off, coz she's usually fine when he's with us. But he is seven and when we're at the park likes to run, I'd like for him to be able to do his own little thing without the dog attacking him. Also I worry she might go after other kids if they are running around.

She doesn't listen to the firm " NO" she'll just back off for two seconds and then bite him again. If she is on the leash while he runs ahead she will literally almost choke herself trying to get to him! any advice on this? Or anyone else who has the same problem?

 

[Fran27]

Boris still does it occasionally and he's 9 months now. Usually I manage to take his attention away by just making him sit and stay, which calms him down, but he will still do it again when he's very excited. It's sooo annoying.

And he does the same thing with my 6 year old nephew. He doesn't even dare coming to visit anymore because he's scared of Boris now. The problem is that he just encourages him by running around and yelling loudly, and Boris takes it as an invitation to play. That kid just won't stay quiet a second, and I'm sure it's about the same problem with your stepson...

I'm sorry I don't have much advice to give you, just wanted to say that it's normal, just puppy behavior, and that I too hope he will get over it...

 

[Dreeza]

it is normal...but as far as i am know, she will not grow out of it unless taught otherwise.

Oakley did that when we got him at 6 months...he is a year now, and he still does it (then agian, he has other issues...he cant control himself when he gets too excited, and tries to attack whatever is holding him back)

but try and find as much info about controlling the problem, i wouldnt assume it will take care of itself. (which i am not saying you are doing!!)

and btw...she is soooo cute!

 

[SandraC]

Can you get her interested in one particular toy so it becomes her favourite.
If she starts to bite give her the toy or say where's the toy, find the toy and hopefully she will be more interested in finding the toy than biting. Her reward would be you playing with her and her toy.
She should grow out of it if the behaviour is discouraged.

 

[Whitedobelover]

my doberman female did that... we put bitter apple and vinegar on our hands after we realized it wouldnt stop... and finally she stopped and just recently because she is teething she started again... above twelve weeks they teeth...so get some frozen carrots... cold cold wash cloth... let her chew on it... it will help her gums... our babies have stopped since we make food her chew toy hope that helps