NOT PLAYING/biting beagle...

[hjova]

My 5 month old beagle puppy Arie is adorable & so sweet...but lately we are having a little problem. She's biting...and it IS NOT PLAY-BITING. I need to make this clear. Play biting I understand...but this is aggressive real biting! She has even broken the skin a few times!

Here's when it always happens: Since she was 8 weeks old I have let her fall asleep with me on my bed and then at bedtime I put her in her kennel. I am a 43 yr old mother of three. Now here's when it has just started to happen...when it is time for bed and she has fallen asleep on my bed, anyone who tries to pick her up from my bed she seriously bares her teeth at, growls and bites HARD! Everyone is afraid to even try anymore! I had always been able to pick her up from my bed when nobody else could, but the last few she's even doing it to me! It's kinda scary! And this will sound silly, but even hurts our feelings more! We love her and we are very NICE to her!

We have tried to gently wake her, talk to her in a sweet gentle voice while petting her and THEN gently try to lift her but if you even try to move her she growls, bares teeth and bites hard!

What is going on? The rest of the time she is a normal pup...she plays and is very friendly & lovable. I just want this to stop before it gets out of hand! ADVICE?

 

[CharlieDog]

Don't let her on the bed anymore.

 

[lizzybeth727]

It sounds like she's guarding your bed. She feels like it's her bed, that she's entitled to sleep there, and she's trying to correct anyone who wants to challenge that entitlement. I agree that not letting her sleep on the bed is a very good idea. You should also watch out for other areas where she is being "bossy," and try to change those situations - pay attention to how she plays with toys, if she gets on other furniture, if she guards her food or bones, etc. Start implimenting NILIF if you're not already, and hopefully once she gets the idea that you're the "boss", and once she matures a little more, she'll be able to sleep on your bed again.

Have you taken a training class with her? That would definately help, too!

 

[Sniperess]

Beagles are extremely independent dogs. Mine also has an "attitude" when told to do something he does not want to do and has and will bite. It doesn't happen often, in fact rarely, but it does happen.

I'd start by closing the bedroom door and not allowing access to that room. Ever. It's not her room it's your room, she needs to respect that. Until she has learned the "house rules" and has learned the meaning of the word OFF I would not allow her on furniture at all.

My beagle had to learn this the hard way too, he had to be taught he is first and foremost a dog and when I say OFF I mean OFF. His first bite was to the cheek of my then 3 yr old grandson. Jeep was laying on the couch, wide awake, and Ian stumbled and landed against the couch. Jeep snapped. No blood, but it did leave a blood blister. Right then and there the rules were laid on who calls the shots in my home. He no longer was allowed on any furniture unless invited and when we said off he better be moving and not just thinking about it. It meant the difference between him being sent back to his breeder and being able to live in my home. I will NOT tolerate a biting dog, especially where children are involved.

Jeep also will not allow his crate door to be shut once he's in it. He no longer needs crated but on the occasion we've had to he goes in willingly enough, but when you go to shut the door he will whip around and try to bite you. I've never been able to stop that behavior and a call to his breeder only resulted in the comment that "his mommy is just like that too, ignore it, it will go away or just be careful". Lots of help there NOT.

Definitely start the NILIF as suggested, it helps alot with their bossy attitudes. Watch her body language, especially her eyes, beagles tend to be very expressive with their eyes and you will learn "that look" when they are even thinking of being contrary with you. I can now head off many issues with Jeep by watching his eyes. I give a stern "NO!" and he puts his head down and stops immediately.

Be firm but fair in your training, but for now, no bedroom, no furniture. Save yourself some discipline issues later! and some bites!

 

[hjova]

Question...

Ok. I may sound dumb here but I'm going to ask anyway...what does NILIF mean? I really don't know.

I have been training her myself along with my kids. She is very smart and learns fast! I had heard that beagles weren't very smart but I disagree. She can sit, lay, roll over, shake, speak, and when you stand w/ your legs apart and say "Go through!" she walks through your legs and comes back around and sits. Also this one is funny...I'll say to her "Arie...where is my hair tie?" And she'll go around to the back of my hair to my ponytail and take out my scrunchie! Potty training has been more difficult...but she's catching on. FOOD modivates her more than anything else...anything that involves a treat!

But one thing I have not been strict about was allowing her on my bed. I used to lift her...soon she learned to jump up with ease. Also the kids have allowed her on their beds too. My 8 year old told me today she tried to bite him on his bed when he only tried to move her off of his legs! Now I must also make it clear she is also very cuddley and lovable! It's just lately when you try to move her that she turns into the tasmanian devil!

I think it is a good idea to let her know she is INVITED to sleep on our beds and if she is going to bite she won't be allowed to anymore! She takes me much more seriously then the kids and I have not put up with this. It makes me very angry! I very firmly tell her "NO!" And she looks at me like she knows I mean it! Then pick her up with confidence. I think the kids show some fear.

Well...I hope it passes!!! Thanks for advice & PLEASE keep it coming!

Oh and don't forget to tell me...NILIF?

 

[dr2little]

Nothing In Life Is Free.

 

[Punkygirl0101]

It means nothing in life is free, and that means she has to EARN everything. Before feeding her, she has to do some form of a command (usually sitting). She has to earn pets, she has to earn toys, etc.

I agree, do NOT let her on your bed again!

 

[hjova]

...

this is true...even SHE cost 425 bucks! Lol.

(From a private breeder! NO PET SHOPS! I don't trust pet shops.)

 

[lizzybeth727]

Here's a good article on how to impliment NILIF: http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm

Considering that she's having problems being on the bed with your children, it will probably be a safer idea to keep her out of their bedrooms alltogether until she learns the rules of the house (no getting on furnature unless invited, must get off furniture if asked, etc.) and grows up a little more. She's entering the "teenage" stage, where she'll try to test your rules every chance she can. Once she grows up a bit and stops testing, then it will probably be safe to start teaching her that she may go in the children's rooms and get on their bed if invited. It will probably take several months for her to get through this phase.

 

[hjova]

Can try!

I can try keeping her out of their rooms...I think it may be harder keeping my kids from having her in their rooms! They are ages, 8, 13, and 17...all boys. They all have their own rooms and she takes turns going in all of them. Most of the time she likes the 8 yr old's room because of his stuffed animals. I must admit she is very spoiled by all of us! It's time to be a little more firm I suppose. Often times I find her asleep on my 13 year old son's bed w/ him...although he says he has never had a problem lifting her form his bed, only mine. I'll have a talk with my boys about the situation. I have explained the 'NILIF' to them. Now if only I could teach them the same thing!

(I just noticed I wrote 'potty training' earlier...I meant to say 'house training' she doesn't sit on a potty! ha.)

 

[lizzybeth727]

Yes, training the boys will probably be a little harder than training the puppy. Good luck.

(I just noticed I wrote 'potty training' earlier...I meant to say 'house training' she doesn't sit on a potty! ha.)

Ah, someone finally brought this up. To me, "house training" means teaching a dog to live in a house - it includes teaching them how to eliminate outside, as well as teaching them not to chew on certain things, not to go in certain rooms, not to get on furniture, TO chew on their bones, TO go to their crates, etc. "Potty", to me, is usually a verb, and it's just easier to say "potty" than "pee and poop."

Sorry if I'm getting a little too "English major"y again....

Oh, and "house breaking" - not a term I EVER use. It just sounds mean.