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Original poster

My 8wk old puppy sleeps through the night now, but now he won't stop biting!

21 replies

kid · 12/12/2009 08:39

and it really hurts!

I know he is just a baby, but he bites constantly. The only way to stop him is to restrain him and stroke him firmly while talking nicely gently to him. But thats only after he has already bitten and hurt!

I didn't think they started teething till 12 weeks, or was that just wishful thinking?
Any tips on how to stop him biting people?

There is also the problem of him weeing everywhere but I'll leave that for another post

OP posts:

BellasSparklyBaubles · 12/12/2009 08:57

It's not teething - puppies have to learn bite inhibition, i.e. how to play bite other dogs without hurting them, but of course they have to learn that they don't bite humans at all.
I'd be wary that stroking him and speaking nicely is encouraging him to bite more to get that 'reward'.
Have you tried all Minimu's methods?

morethanyoubargainfor · 12/12/2009 08:58

stop rewarding his behaviour!

By restraining him and stroking and gently talking to him that is what you are doing.

You have 1.5 seconds to praise or correct behaviours any longer than that and he wont have a clue what he is doing.

When he nips yelp in a high pitched voice and stand with your back to him with your arms folded. After 3 seconds of calm from him then praise him but don't do it if he continues to jump or paw at you etc.

Also be consisitent and teach everybody else what to do if he nips them.

HTH.

Original poster

kid · 12/12/2009 09:04

Thank you so much for tips on how to stop him. I had no idea how to stop him, I just knew that holding him still and stroking him prevented him from biting!

I will stop that as I definitely don't want to give him the message that its ok to bite.
Will advise DH and DC what to do if he bites them. He does seem to be saving most of his biting for me though

OP posts:

BellasSparklyBaubles · 12/12/2009 09:05

X post morethan - you put it a bit more bluntly than me

Original poster

kid · 12/12/2009 09:06

I don't mind bluntness, I need to know how to stop it now. He is still so gorgeous but I wasn't very happy with the biting this morning at 6am!

OP posts:

BellasSparklyBaubles · 12/12/2009 09:07

It will take time, kid - some pups stop quicker than others.
As morethan says, make sure everyone in the house is consistent and offer pup toys to bite instead!

morethanyoubargainfor · 12/12/2009 09:07

well there is no point driving around when you can go straight for your destination! .

morethanyoubargainfor · 12/12/2009 09:09

raggers soaked in water and then frozen are very good for nipping pups or whole carrots.

morethanyoubargainfor · 12/12/2009 09:09

i mean for them to chew .

BellasSparklyBaubles · 12/12/2009 09:10

BellasSparklyBaubles · 12/12/2009 09:13

Nylabones too - and soft toys they can sink their teeth into - buy doggy ones to avoid eyes etc which can be swallowed. Cheapo Ikea soft toys have fabric eyes and last really well!

BellasSparklyBaubles · 12/12/2009 09:15

Or an old sock stuffed with more old socks or a tennis ball.
Any toy which has been rubbed between your hands will appeal to a dog more.

newpup · 12/12/2009 10:03

Nylabones are fab and those teethers you put in the freezer!

Totallyfloaty35 · 12/12/2009 15:00

My 9wk old Lab is quite jumpy and nippy but getting better,he has learnt that if he wants attention from me he has to sit and keep his teeth to himself.For the kids its taking a bit more effort as they tend to shriek and roll around which makes him think its a game.
Also my Chi female is the dog boss and she has told him off a few times for biting and trying to steal her food,he is pretty well behaved for her to

Romanarama · 12/12/2009 15:35

I have the same prob with the kids' reaction. It's pretty hard for a 3.5yo to stay calm with his arms folded when there's a big puppy hanging off his trousers! He tries though, bless.

Original poster

kid · 12/12/2009 19:24

My DS is 7 and torments the life out of the dog. I have told him what he has to do though and if he doesn't, he will be getting in trouble, not the dog!

We bought him some more toys today which he loves. Gives him something else to chew on too!

OP posts:

BellasSparklyBaubles · 12/12/2009 20:18

You said you don't mind bluntness - stop your ds from tormenting the puppy.

Even the best natured dogs will snap if pushed far enough, and it's the dog that pays the price

Original poster

kid · 12/12/2009 22:50

I have told DS he isn't allowed to pick the dog up, he is also not allowed to lay on the floor with the dog because he rolls around and lets the dog nibble his ears!

If he sits on the settee or even on the floor, the dog is quite happy to lay on DS for a cuddle or stroke which is good.

I can't believe how good the dog has been today. He has done a wee everytime I have put him in the garden. (He has also done some wees in the house) When he started chewing my clothes earlier, I pushed him away and folded my arms so he just walked off! He is a clever little thing, I think so anyway.

I just wanted to thank you all for offering me fantastic advice. It certainly has helped me through my first week with my new baby. I thought having a puppy was going to be fun, I wasn't expecting this much hard work. I definitely wanted a pup though and I am delighted that I have such a little cutey.

OP posts:

BellasSparklyBaubles · 12/12/2009 23:13

You're doing really well with him, and he sounds super.
This is the hard part, but it will get better - although, like dc, you just get one stage cracked when the next phase starts

Original poster

kid · 13/12/2009 00:27

"although, like dc, you just get one stage cracked when the next phase starts"

great, I can't wait to find out what stage the little rascal will go through next!

his bedtime routine is perfect now. He goes in the garden then he follows me to the bedroom. Gets in his bed and goes straight to sleep without any fuss. Just like a baby, he doesn't get staying in bed later than 5 or 6 am.
He usually does just one wee at some point during the night. His toilet training will be my next battle.

OP posts:

Totallyfloaty35 · 13/12/2009 13:03

Doing great Kid! my pup slept through from 11:45pm -7am so he is in my very good books at the mo.He is doing well toilet training to.But like you i have to sort out the nipping.He does nip the kids more than me but he is getting better.He also goes into crate for naps now,im so proud
Its great hearing that everyone else is dealing with similar things with their puppies,most reassuring.

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