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The doghouse

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Original poster

How do I stop him biting?

38 replies

Crumpet1 · 22/01/2016 14:23

It's really wearing me down, being constantly bitten. Puppy is about 11 weeks now but he always goes to bite. He's your average amount of bitey during the day but on an evening when all I want to do is sit and relax he goes mental and becomes quite aggressive. He has a variety of toys that I alternate, I will play tug of war with him while I'm sitting but then he starts lunging and will not give up. I'm trying hard to be really positive with him but I just can't take this biting of me and the children.

OP posts:
Costacoffeeplease · 22/01/2016 14:28

He's 11 weeks, still a baby, of course he's going to bite that's what pups do - did you not expect this when you got him?

Does he have a crate? He could be overtired and need an enforced nap - I used to find that if our pup became frantic he often needed to be settled in his crate for a while and he'd go straight off to sleep - obviously not for too long or too late or he'll be waking up as you're going to bed

Original poster
Crumpet1 · 22/01/2016 14:34

I didn't know I was getting him, he was a surprise. That's a whole other thread!
I understand he's just a baby but I'm asking if there's anything else I can be doing as he is getting quite aggressive.
He has a crate but he's not tired when he is doing this on an evening.

OP posts:
Costacoffeeplease · 22/01/2016 14:40

Not the one brought home as a surprise at Christmas?

You have to be calm, firm and consistent - no squealing, screaming or shouting at him, that will just encourage him. Don't reward the behaviour in any way

If he's already excited, I wouldn't be playing tug games - give him a stuffed Kong to keep him busy, and make sure he has plenty of things he can chew - mine always liked a nylabone

Google kikopup on YouTube for various training help

Costacoffeeplease · 22/01/2016 14:45

Posted too soon

Do lots of short 5-10 min training sessions through the day to build up a rapport and keep his mind busy - sit, stay, down, recall, lots of treats when he gets it right, so he wants to please - and look at clicker training

marmaladegranny · 22/01/2016 14:49

When my puppy started doing this it was suggested that I made a short sharp yip sound, like the mother would do in the litter. This stopped him very quickly - a sort of reminder of what their mothers taught them!!

ThatsNotMyRabbit · 22/01/2016 14:51

An 11 week old puppy is not "aggressive" 🙄
Costacoffee speaks sense.

MiddleClassProblem · 22/01/2016 14:54

A quick yelp noise (like when a dog gets accidentally stepped on) they tend to pick up on quickly, may take a couple of nips to connect action and sound depending on breed. Also as a disciplinary noise a sharp, stern "ah" in other situations where they are doings something you don't like such as going to nip you, chewing something they shouldn't.
Keep in mind puppies are both teething and exploring the world with their mouths. It's one way they learn about their environment, exploring textures etc.

Original poster
Crumpet1 · 22/01/2016 14:55

Yelping just makes him worse. I've got him to stop biting my legs by doing a sharp ah ah sound and giving him praise when he stops, but he still goes to do it. Is it something he'll grow out of and by what age is it usually by? I guess I'm mostly worried about if this is just his nature, or are all puppies bitey like this?

OP posts:
Scone1nSixtySeconds · 22/01/2016 14:55

crumpet he is tired. It's a well known puppy sleep avoidance technique - just like toddler tantrumming out of tiredness.

His teeth will be hurting, he is overtired and jumpy and looking for fun. Time for quiet distractions - a Kong with cream cheese, a broken tennis ball with sausage hidden inside.

SconeSpaniel is now 20 weeks and the biting is already diminishing. Puppies are landsharks, but it passes.

Original poster
Crumpet1 · 22/01/2016 14:57

Well he is aggressive. I understand he's just a baby and needs teaching but he does get aggressive and jumps for my face.

OP posts:
MiddleClassProblem · 22/01/2016 14:59

Puppy nylabones are also great for teething as they are beef flavoured without being food.

Original poster
Crumpet1 · 22/01/2016 15:00

I will give the treats a try instead of playing with him, thank you. What time should be asleep by do you think? He wakes with us at 7, has a good 2 hour sleep at lunch, another sleep while I bathe the kids at 6 for 30 mins and then won't go to sleep until 8.30 - 9.

Sorry if I'm not very clued up but I'm learning. It's all new to me

OP posts:
Costacoffeeplease · 22/01/2016 15:00

or are all puppies bitey like this?

Have you read any of the replies here?

He's a pup, a tiny baby, he's not aggressive - listen to what people are telling you

Costacoffeeplease · 22/01/2016 15:03

At that age he should be napping a lot - an hour awake, an hour or more asleep - poor thing sounds completely exhausted

MiddleClassProblem · 22/01/2016 15:10

Treats instead or playing? No! Training (with treats or praise or a toy) instead of playing

MiddleClassProblem · 22/01/2016 15:10

And play too!

Original poster
Crumpet1 · 22/01/2016 16:09

He has plenty of opportunity to sleep, I'm not depriving him on purpose.

I can't train him on an evening middle but I have been doing it during the day.

Yes, thank you costa I have read the replies Hmm

OP posts:
Scone1nSixtySeconds · 22/01/2016 16:13

crumpet if he is sleeping from 9-7 you are doing really well. Spaniel features has only been sleeping through from 10.30-6 for the last ten days.

You need to do some reading I think - having a puppy is like having a child, the more you read the more clued up you will be for the next phase. Has anyone recommended The Happy Puppy by Gwen Bailey yet?

Middle - if he is already tired wouldn't you think that training would be over stimulating? I tend to do training when he is awake and full of beans. Ttraining and making them think does make them tired (lots of scent games for mine).

Scone1nSixtySeconds · 22/01/2016 16:18

Sorry, me again.

When he is leaping for your face it's because that's how puppies play with each other. They basically play at killing each other, lots of leaping aiming for back of the neck, under the throat, paws to hold each other down etc.

Gently remove him when he does something you don't like, tell him 'no' or 'leave' and then three seconds later do something different.

He isn't going to be calm in the evening for a while yet. What breed is he? Might be some breed specific things we can suggest.

MiddleClassProblem · 22/01/2016 16:39

I think our wires crossed I read it from a small post that had nothing to do with tiredness

Original poster
Crumpet1 · 22/01/2016 16:45

Thanks scone, that's really helpful. He is a mix between a cockapoo and a beagle so lots of energy! He's responding to the training I've been doing well it's just the biting that worries me. I've never had a puppy so didn't know to expect it as much as that.

OP posts:
ThatsNotMyRabbit · 22/01/2016 16:51

Yelping often makes them worse.

Wolfiefan · 22/01/2016 16:53

Give him a toy. He can't bite you then.
He's excited and playing. Not aggressive. Perhaps read up on dog behaviour and book some training.

MiddleClassProblem · 22/01/2016 16:57

Yelping is one of the most common methods to stop this behaviour but granted it doesn't work on all dogs. Just like people they are all different.

Costacoffeeplease · 22/01/2016 16:59

Good, I'm glad. No need for the Confused face though - you'd already been told that it's normal puppy behaviour, and asked again

I won't bother spending any more time on replying or trying to help

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