Puppy won’t stop biting

[Gypsyrose74]

Hi new here, we have recently got a new puppy, he’s 9 weeks old however he is play biting us all too much, bites our ankles/feet & holds onto our trousers with his teeth. Breeder said when he does this to tap his nose and say no which should stop him. We have been following this advice but he seems to be doing it more & to me it seems kind of cruel. So has anyone have any suggestions or experiences on how to stop puppy biting. Many thanks to all

Have lots of toys to hand, when his mouth opens to go into a bite, put one in the way and turn it into a game. If he still gets hold of you, a sharp No/squeal and ignore him. Always make a dog come to you when they've done wrong. I had German shepherds, I couldn't risk them thinking it was ok to put their mouth on anyone.

Just to add, all breeds need to go through the chewing and tugging stage. It's just about allowing for that, in a safe way.

Is breeder right to say to us to tap his nose or is this cruel?

My understanding is that the way to go is to praise and reward the right behaviour.

So perhaps when you see him about to start distract with a toy and the praise with a treat.

What breed? Not that it matters too much but just in case there is any different advice for a particular breed…
However, the very very basic advice would always be, you never reward unwanted behaviour. And ‘tapping’ (🙄) or speaking to a puppy doing this would absolutely equate to a’reward’ of attention. So the first thing I would do is literally ignore it and, the second they stopped the undesirable behaviour, reward them with attention and praise. That way they learn they get praise and attention when they aren’t nipping you.
You might see ‘tapping’ (don’t ever do this) and saying NO as negative, your puppy won’t, they’ll see ALL attention as good attention. So your ‘breeder’ sounds shit tbh.

He is a Cocker Spaniel puppy

Tapping noses and stuff is very outdated advice. Get yourself a book on positive methods for dog training. Avoid anything about dominance, hierarchy, showing a dog who is boss, any of that old-fashioned guff.

But puppies do play-bite and it's normal. Don't reward it with excitement in any way, just move away, remove the puppy from the area, offer a toy instead, etc.

Ah cockers are particularly known for being play-biters! That's why they're called cockerdiles

All puppies do this. As PP said, have toys nearby and encourage him to hold on to one of them.
Also make sure the puppy isn’t getting over stimulated, and has enough sleep.

Well then even more important to never, even accidentally, reward any bad behaviour with any attention whatsoever. Model good behaviour instead and reward that appropriately

I have a cocker and the biting stage was wild. It felt like forever but really it was only about a month. Don't wear loose flappy clothing, wear Ugg boots or wellies in the house to protect your ankles. Use room dividers to contain the puppy. Do NOT tap (let's be honest, hit) the puppy, do not spray it with water or any other ridiculous cruel method. The Facebook group Dog Training Advice and Support is very good.

It’s a young puppy. That’s what they do. Did you do any research before getting a pup.

I really liked Pippa Mattinson's puppy book:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Happy-Puppy-Handbook-Definitive-Training/dp/0091957265/ref=asc_df_0091957265_nodl?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310867999190&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10288492319373503907&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9180598&hvtargid=pla-627183771272&psc=1&th=1&psc=1&dplnkId=16d66c4c-5791-43d7-b24a-d431b8cf375f

Total Recall is another of hers and also very good, we used the methods with our working cocker when she was a puppy 10 years ago and her recall has always been excellent.

Get yourself a copy of the book Easy Peasy Puppy Squeeze. Fab book. Don't tap nose, it's cruel and unnecessary, distract with toys as mentioned above. Good luck! The land shark phase is tough but it does pass eventually...then they become adolescent tw*ts and forget all their basic training😂

Don't hit your dog. Not ever

Tapping is hitting. Dogs have v sensitive noses.

The best advice I was ever given was to tell them what to do, not what not to do.

So teach stop rather than no.

Give him a toy to bite instead. We took ours to Pets at Home in a bag (too early for outdoor walks) to see what they were interested in toy wise. Good for socialising too.

NEVER hit/tap your dog, it's not OK and not necessary.

As others have said redirect with a toy. Also a big sign of being overtired. Make sure pup is getting plenty of quiet time for naps.

I think tapping the nose is cruel and not necessary (but understandable).

We have a 10month old.pup! At 16 weeks he was a child mplete biting nightmare. Nearly had him rehomed at 20weeks because I feared for my children when around him. His bite was VERY sharp, and strong and I couldn't see it ending.

However, at 10months old he is waaaaaaaayyy better! Hardly notice the biting now. He does still do it when excited but it's not sharp or hard, and I finally feel my children are safe with him! I think it will only get better!

It does get easier OP! It takes time, but ignore and/or re-direct (to a toy he can bite) seems to be the best method.

Another saying no re tapping the nose. Their nose/muzzle is one of the most sensitive parts of their body. You want to build up trust with your dog through positive reinforcement, not make it wary of you.

Maybe allocate one specific toy to distract them with - so they recognise it as an “approved” biting mechanism!

One reason that puppies bite/mouth is that they’re in discomfort due to teething. There are freezable puppy chews which can help - it helps to sooth their gums and, at the same time, focuses their desire to chew on something more appropriate. Also, raw frozen chicken wings - I used these as a treat for my girl when she was a pup. They have to be frozen and raw - do not cook and freeze them!

As your pup gets a bit older, maybe have a look at antler chews. They last for age and they never smell like normal bones do after a day or so. The price might look high, but they really do last a while.

Awful breeder to say tap him on the nose. What a bastard.

Biting and mouthing is normal.

Tapping on the nose can actually encourage more rough housing as you are 'engaging in the play'. Best thing to do is turn your back to them or remove them from room (like a time out for kids). This shows them when they bite they get no attention, which is the opposite of what they want. Look it up on you tube!

I have a land shark too. Some breeds are more prone to it. Don't tap his nose for anything. Have lots of toys around if you can see it's going to happen offer a toy. Don't react/give him attention. Lots of fuss and attention at other times.

Don’t turn your back on them.

Dogs turning their back is a “submissive” move. Instead, just gently keep walking towards the dog - they will eventually back off. I would never turn my back on a dog - whether it’s a mouthing puppy or a full-on Cujo situation.

Oh for goodness sake, a light tap on the nose is not cruel!
Have you seen them get disciplined by their mother? They get far worse off her than a light tap on the nose.
My thirteen week old spaniel is still very very bitey as he is teething, he just knows he needs to bite his toys, not people.
I am with the breeder sorry, light tap on the nose and either a loud firm 'ah ah' or 'no' (ah ah tends to work better as it automatically sounds firmer than no).

Some great advice here. (Apart from the stuff about being submissive. That’s nonsense. Ditto the poster above. )
Also overtired puppies are more bitey so watch for that. Frozen carrots are great for teething. Plus lots of stuff they can chew!