Proper way to stop play biting/nipping??

[Ruckus]

What is the proper way to stop my puppy from play biting/nipping? He doesnt bite hard, but just play biting (which are starting to hurt since his teeth are sharp). He bites whens he's frustrated or too excited.

My trainer says to spray bitter apple on everthing he bites. If he bites me (my clothes), stuff a cotton ball soaked with bitter apple in his mouth and hold it there for like 25 seconds. I tried each and everytime he bites me, but it isnt working. Now whenever he bites, I clamp his jaws shut and claw my fingers into his back/neck (like teeth biting down). Is there a better way to correct his behavior?

 

[Chithedobe]

Hi Ruckus,

This topic is currently being discussed in another thread

http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14488

Maybe some of these ideas will help

Incidentally, my pup views bitter apple much as I view ketchup

 

[amymarley]

Please don't think I am talking bad about your trainer. I don't know you or your trainer, just what you wrote. I don't like the advice (which you don't have to agree with, but since you posted, I am just giving my 2 cents). First off, puppies are puppies until about 2 years old. Biting and nipping is natural in the pack and puppy play. They are teething and don't understand like a 4 year old dog would. Putting bitter apple on certain things (like furniture, antiques, etc...is acceptable), but not on everything, your pup should have various toys to "teethe" on. When the toys get boring, they will then turn to you to bite on. Much more fun....haha.
What ever else your trainer is telling you, the cotton ball in the mouth with bitter apple is in NO way teaching your puppy not to do what is natural to him/her, which is teething. That is absurd. Sorry. You may want a second opinion from another trainer. (I also am an animal trainer). Bottom line, there is just no constructive, postive reason for the cotton ball thing, I am floored to even hear of that. Good luck to you and your baby.
Amy

 

[Ruckus]

my trainer is the one from Petsmart , you know the $99 8 week course, so im not expecting much expertise from them. thats why i posted in this forum.

i already stopped with the cotton ball soaked with bitter apple method (suggested by Petsmart trainer), so now he recommends clamping his muzzle shut. what you say makes sense. they are puppies and they are doing what they do naturally. the main thing is i dont want him biting me/people, is there anything i can do to let him know that bitting/teething me/people is wrong, but you can still bite/teeth other things? what would you recommend i do if he bites me/people?

 

[Chithedobe]

Going by the breed mix you have listed on your Dogster page, I'm thinking that working with Ruckus isn't going to be like working with your average dog. 75% wolf? Have you spoke at length with his breeder? He is a beautiful pup but I really think you have got your hands full and you are going to have to find a quality experienced obedience instructor.
Initially though, to curb the unwanted biting/nipping, my suggestion is to make sure you redirect him every time he bites. He nips you, you say "ouch" pretty loud, hand him one of his toys and praise him for chewing on it.
As pointed out in the other thread, make sure that he doesn't have too many toys. It gets confusing for a young pup to distinguish his toys from your shoes and socks <g>. I would say 2 or 3 toys tops. But make sure they are always available to him. Hope this helps at least some. Good luck finding a trainer...
Here is a link to the American Pet Dog Trainers Association. You can do a search there for a trainer in your area that abides by their regulations...
http://www.apdt.com/

 

[amymarley]

Again, from another post I HATE PETSMART.... I would love to have the phone number to "this trainer" only to get some aggression off. Keep chew toys, reward when he/she is doing good, expect some nipping/bitting for awhile, it's natural. It's what they do with their litter mates. Yes, it sucks, and can hurt..puppy teeth are sharp.

BUT, then again you signed up for it, so you can take it I am sure. It will stop, I promise.... Keep the good vibes and positive reinforsement going. Take the advice from people here and incorporate it to fit you and your pups needs. Get out of PetSmart and find a real trainer. Those people at PetCo and PetSmart are not real trainers. Maybe they are good for is puppy socializaion, but beyond that, no way. I will help in any way I can. Just email me with specific behaviors, and what you want to accomplish. Take care.

 

[amymarley]

Also, just want to state, just because your PUPPY is biting now, does NOT mean he is going to be a biter. Get that out your head. He/she is just doing what is natural right now, that is all.

 

[Lexus]

Can I please reiterate that animalbiz... Just because your puppy is biting now now, does NOT mean he is going to be a biter!! That really isn't directed at you Ruckus, just so many people are told that and it drives me nuts!!

Like Chi said, redirect. That is really the very best course of action, screech OUCH (screeching it really gets their attention, like they had bit another littermate too hard) turn away for about half a minute or so and ignore them(just a very short time for a young pup). Then give then the toy. By doing this, you're teaching your pup that if he nips too hard "....hmmm funtimes over...boring. Ahhh, but the toy is great! Lets bite the toy instead-that only leads to more fun!" Make sure you give Ruckus the toy throughout the day at several times too, not just after he catches your hand. And play with it with him, bring that toy to life for him! Let him shake it and tug away and growl while he's pulling. All totally natural behaviour!

*pretty much everything that Chi said.... opps sorry for sounding like a broken record!*

 

[Angelique]

Yes indeed, puppies and young dogs tend to use their mouths and teeth a lot! Well, I guess that's what you do, when you don't have hands.

It's okay to let your pup know when you don't like them biting you. I tend not to use the loud "OUCH" or any shrill sounds, when I mean business, though. This is where I tend to differ a bit, from the advice most folks would give. I always keep my vocal tones low and direct, when I want a dog's attention. I would also use a bit of eye contact to get my point across.

A lot of what a dog can understand, depends on their age. Be direct, and then redirect. Many people avoid direct communication with their dog in favor of conditioning. Dogs understand a lot more than they are given credit for.

If your dog is indeed a wolf hybrid, I hope you understand most folks cannot handle these animals, once they reach maturity.

 

[Chithedobe]

Angelique,
I like how you put that... Be direct, and then redirect. Very concise
I can also understand the reason for keeping your voice low rather than shrill. I think I've always resorted to shrill to get the pups attention immediately. But, then again, how often do I speak with a shrill voice in a public situation when I need her attention? Sort of a catch 22 for the pup, I suppose... Thank you

 

[Angelique]

Angelique,
I like how you put that... Be direct, and then redirect. Very concise
I can also understand the reason for keeping your voice low rather than shrill. I think I've always resorted to shrill to get the pups attention immediately. But, then again, how often do I speak with a shrill voice in a public situation when I need her attention? Sort of a catch 22 for the pup, I suppose... Thank you

Thanks yourself!

Catch 22 is right! Another area I've run into this, is when people move too quickly physically, in dealing with a pup's "mistake". The common belief is that you only have a brief amount of time for a dog to connect their behavior, with some sort of redirection or correction. Moving swiftly, can come off as lack of calm control on our part, in the dog's eyes. Swift movement can also make a dog nervous, or even make them freeze up.

Tricky ground sometimes, dealing with an issue in a timely manner so that your dog connects their behavior with your action, yet appearing calm and in control at the same time!

 

[Doberluv]

I find that social isolation works wonders. They HATE being ignored and having all the fun end. And you don't have to scold or speak or look at them. They find out what kind of mouthing (gentle, no pressure with their teeth) gets them the good stuff; praise, affection, TREATS and what behavior; ouchie biting... doesn't get them the thing they like best; your attention. It's all over. Weah, weah...A chew toy should be replaced so they have something they can teeth on. But you, their living, breathing world is out of their life for a couple of minutes. LOL.

 

[Chithedobe]

Thanks yourself!

Catch 22 is right! Another area I've run into this, is when people move too quickly physically, in dealing with a pup's "mistake". The common belief is that you only have a brief amount of time for a dog to connect their behavior, with some sort of redirection or correction. Moving swiftly, can come off as lack of calm control on our part, in the dog's eyes. Swift movement can also make a dog nervous, or even make them freeze up.

Tricky ground sometimes, dealing with an issue in a timely manner so that your dog connects their behavior with your action, yet appearing calm and in control at the same time!

Absolutely agree with the "moving swiftly" bit. Had huge problems when I instructed my daughter what do to when Chi was very young and nippy. She's a kid, had no concept that the whiny "Nooooooooooo" and flailing hands were all puppy signals to play and chase the flailing hands LOL. After maybe 5 minutes of having her try to redirect the pup, I buckled down and resolved to step in every time they were playing. Guess I can mark that up to a "live and learn" situation

 

[amymarley]

I thought you had a domesticated pet, etc... I guess you can't guarantee that the dog will not be a biter...but stats show most won't. Now if this dog is majority wolf, that's a whole different subject...
If you indeed have a 75% wolf on your hands, you REALLY need a good trainer, not one from PetSmart. Sorry if I didn't read all the above, but most pups will nip and bite, but grow out of it. If they don't there are so many factors involved.... breed, temperment, the owners, the dog in general and the behavior modification involved. I just hope most owners aquire a dog that they can handle before they get them, if they do get them, and problems arise, then get really good training and advice.
Amy

 

[yuckaduck]

75% wolf--- you are dealing with a wild animal not a domisticated dog, not a pet. Time to bring in a good trainer of wolves not just a dog person.

 

[Ruckus]

75% wolf--- you are dealing with a wild animal not a domisticated dog, not a pet. Time to bring in a good trainer of wolves not just a dog person.

to each his own.

my "wild animal" is actually very gentle and people friendly. What an ignorant blatant statement saying he's not a pet . many fellow wolf dog owners here gave me some wonderful tips, and so far hes responding very well to them bah, theres no use in explaining myself to anti-wolf dog people, it only feeds the troll

 

[Gempress]

I have to agree with Yuck. No, I'm not being anti-wolfdog. Wolves have very different temperaments than dogs. I personally am telling you this based on my past experience as a wolfdog owner.

Right now, your pup is very young. Young wolves and young dogs have nearly identical temperaments. In fact, most behaviorists agree that dogs were domesticated by encouraging wolves to keep their juvenile traits. But when your wolfdog reaches maturity, given his 75% wolf heritage, it is likely that his temperament will change. And wolves are less like dogs than many people realize.

Please don't call us haters, because we're not. We're just trying to give you advice to the best possible end. All of us on this forum care about dogs, and we want your wolfdog to have a good, happy life. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I remember reading in one of your other threads that this is your first dog. If that's the case, you are very much in need of a professional wolf trainer to guide you.

 

[Ruckus]

if you guys really want to give good advice, please stop reminding me how dangerous and bad he may become (by now, ive already heard them all), and post ways on how i can prevent this from happening. thanks to the people that have posted helpful non biased advice.

i find it quite offensive to say that my dog is "not a pet", even though he may be part wolf, its still wrong to say he is not "pet material". statements like these are uneeded. next time, please just give the advice, and NOT remind me how dangerous he may become.

 

[Chithedobe]

Ruckus,
If you were a first time dog owner and came here seeking advice with a Dobe, Rott or Pit pup, you would receive similar comments and advice. Nobody is trying to criticise you or hound you by endless reminders that he could become dangerous - it's a fact that some breeds are more pre-disposed to develop aggressive tendencies than others. The advice to seek out a reputable trainer who is experienced in your breed is the best advice I've seen given yet in any of the discussions about Ruckus. He is your first dog, his breed mix gives indication that he may be difficult for anyone much less a novice owner to train.
As far as the "not pet material" comment. Prepare yourself now for a long life of comments like this. As the former owner of a Pit and the current owner of a Dobe, the "aggressive breeds" carry a stigma. It is our job as responsible owners to change that stigma by raising shining examples of our chosen breed. That said, even I who thinks Ruckus is the living end of cute puppies, do not think that many would consider a wolf-dog prime "pet material". Not when we have so many breeds of completely domestic dogs to choose from.

 

[Ruckus]

actually there are a few people (1 or 2 people) here that are criticizing me and who constantly remind me how dangerous he may become. of course, there are people like you who only want to help and (thank you, i appreciate it!).

i guess ill have to accept that some people will always consider him "not a pet". i just wish people would be more considerate and not rub it in my face. its very discouraging.