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The doghouse

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Original poster

Puppy biting

43 replies

EyeBetOnSky · 31/01/2023 20:17

I have a ten week old puppy. The biting is getting me down so much. I know puppies bite. I know (so people say) that it passes but it feels absolutely relentless. I seem to be her primary target-and I’m glad it’s not anyone else in the family, so that’s a blessing I suppose.
It’s what to do about it that I’m struggling with. There’s so much online information.
If I turn my back she jumps and snaps at my legs.
If I stand still she jumps and snaps at my legs
When she grabs clothing I keep still but she continues to pull and sees it as a game (I don’t pull back)
I don’t want to put her in her crate because all the advice says it shouldn’t be used as a time out/punishment.
I have a pen that I was using but this week she’s started to jump out
Advice about shouting/loud noises is conflicting
Tonight I’m feeling tearful and defeated (and really fucking sore).
Please tell me it passes.

OP posts:
highlandcoo · 31/01/2023 20:29

I'm no expert (pup is 4 months now) but could you offer her a soft toy to snap at so that her mouth connects with that rather than you?

Highlandpup still bites a bit but it's getting much less frequent. If it's really unacceptable I walk out of the room, close the door and stay out for half a minute or so. He really doesn't like losing the attention.

highlandcoo · 31/01/2023 20:32

I know some of his biting is trying to say hello, for example he's really excited when he sees me first thing in the morning. So recently I've been putting a toy in his mouth at that point so he can bite away at it until he's calmed down.

I'm also wearing skinny jeans tucked into slipper boots most of the time so there's not any dangling clothing to get hold of! That was essential for the first few weeks however I did manage to wear a dress and boots the other day and he wasn't too interested so hoping that phase is passing ..

Suzi888 · 31/01/2023 20:34

It’s still early days. It will pass I promise but it hurts like hell. Some are worse than others. Always make sure chew toys are available.

I said a very loud, sharp NO and completely ignored him for ten mins. I would leave the room if necessary. Are you able to wear something she can’t easily grab hold of?
Are you praising good behaviour so she knows the difference between right and wrong?

HandbagsnGladrags · 31/01/2023 20:38

Leave the room and ignore for a couple of minutes. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

It does pass, but it's not fun.

BarrelOfOtters · 31/01/2023 20:42

Honestly it gets better. I know that does help now but I remember husband standing at to0 of stairs shouting he’d never be able to use the stairs again as puppy on them biting him. it gets better when they can go out.

we found going out the room and shutting the door briefly, a couple of seconds, reset her. It was worse when she was tired, you have to try and get then to sleep more than they think they need.

try brain tiring them too, games, training, treats in egg boxes or toilet roll inners. Frozen carrots, frozen tea towels. Frozen meat juice in a pot to lick out. take her out new places carrying her if she can’t be on the floor yet. Dog friendly cafes.

I don’t think shouting or yelping helps. but other people do…

yakkers, toys all help.

TheFlis12345 · 31/01/2023 20:44

It’s just what they do I’m afraid. Distract and offer chewable alternatives as much as you can. Ours started easing off at 4.5 months and had stopped completely at 6.

Christmasisshit · 31/01/2023 20:46

Going through similar at the moment with an 11 week old 'jaws' as he's known. What the others have said, such as always having something for him to chomp on and putting him down for a nap when he goes bonkers and appears to lose control of himself has really helped. His biting as lessening over time, but good Lord, it bloody hurts when he catches you! Ours also has a UTI at the moment and has spent the last two days confined to the kitchen the utility room as the floors are tiled and easy to clean up accidents. It's not easy, this puppy ownership, but we wouldn't swap him for the world.

Stressybetty · 31/01/2023 20:50

Firstly don't forget that she's still a baby, it's become a game for her and she's definitely not doing it to hurt you. Say no sharply every time and remove your clothing from her mouth, hands etc at the same time swapping for a chew toy, frozen carrot etc everytime. Get a few different toys. When she accepts it say good girl etc, she'll soon learn. She's probably also a bit bored at 10 weeks as well as teething, try distraction feeder toys like a Kong wobbler. Enjoy her in her quiet moments, let her cuddle on your lap when she's calm, if she starts biting, firm no and put her back on the floor. Start teaching sit, potty training etc with rewards, keep her learning, that will tire her out. Once she's had her second injections she can start puppy training classes and walks. This stage won't be forever and she'll learn quickly. This is the time to install good behaviour

Original poster
EyeBetOnSky · 31/01/2023 21:10

Thanks everyone. I’m really trying with toys etc, and I’m trying to stop the behaviour before it starts. Once she’s clamped on it’s so hard to get her to let go. I bought some brain games today to try to redirect her. I absolutely can’t wait to get out for walks-I keep telling myself it’ll all get better but at the moment I can’t think of a single reason I wanted a dog (and I wanted one for years and years). She’s doing well generally though and has started to take herself off for naps in her crate so that’s a win I shouldn’t ignore.
Time to toughen up and get the wellies and gardening gloves out.

OP posts:
ohsheglows · 31/01/2023 22:22

Hi OP, I could have written this myself! We also have a 10 week old puppy and the biting is relentless! It is also massively aimed at me (he seems to love my husband more and will come to him when called etc) but with me, he doesn't listen and even drew blood last night when he bit my foot! We asked the vet today and they said all completely normal - it will pass but I'm not going to lie, I've had really bad puppy blues of late!

WFHbore2023 · 31/01/2023 22:30

Been there, done that!

I remember the despair as it was only a few months ago.

Give them something else that they can bite.

Could she be over tired? Are you enforcing naps?

Another thing we did was look at the food we were feeding, to make sure there were no additives that could cause the pup to go a bit hyper.

They do grow out of it. Promise.

Original poster
EyeBetOnSky · 01/02/2023 05:16

@ohsheglows sorry you’re having the same issue-it’s really hard isn’t it? I thought I was prepared for the puppy stage to be awful and knew that puppy blues was a thing, but I wasn’t expecting it to feel like this. What breed is your pup? Hope both the little reprobates sort themselves out soon x

OP posts:
Original poster
EyeBetOnSky · 01/02/2023 05:20

WFHbore2023 · 31/01/2023 22:30

Been there, done that!

I remember the despair as it was only a few months ago.

Give them something else that they can bite.

Could she be over tired? Are you enforcing naps?

Another thing we did was look at the food we were feeding, to make sure there were no additives that could cause the pup to go a bit hyper.

They do grow out of it. Promise.

@WFHbore2023 thanks for your reply. It’s heartening to know that in a few months things might be different.
In terms of sleep, I’m going to properly monitor exactly how much she’s getting. Her behaviour is definitely in line with being over tired but it doesn’t feel as though she’s up all that much during the day. I’ve been trying to do an hour up then two hours sleep but in reality she’s probably not quite getting that.

OP posts:
pilates · 01/02/2023 06:17

I did the squeal and it stopped my puppy in his tracks. He looked quite shocked as if he recognised he had hurt me. I think I may have had to do it one more time and then he stopped completely.

Original poster
EyeBetOnSky · 01/02/2023 07:31

@pilates i think you got very lucky there. If only it were that easy.

OP posts:
ohsheglows · 01/02/2023 07:50

@EyeBetOnSky he's a cocker spaniel but show type, apparently they are supposed to be a bit more chilled out than the working type but he's definitely a little ball of energy! What breed is your pup? I'm looking forward to taking the pup out in a week, he had his 2nd jab yesterday!!

NormaLouiseBates · 01/02/2023 07:59

We called our Dalmatian puppy "the spotty crocodile" for a long time! I was his favourite chew toy 🙄 but I promise, they DO grow out of it. What worked for us was having something to shove into his mouth at all times! So plenty of toys available to replace your poor hands/feet/ankles.

SquashPenguin · 01/02/2023 08:21

When I was at my wits end with my pug nipping my feet, I put vinegar all over my toes. It stank to high hell but he got one lick and backed right off! My sister had put some on her arms when her lab was a pup and it had the same effect. Might be worth a try!

Newpeep · 01/02/2023 09:01

It's vile. Our pup eased off at about 4.5 months and at nearly 6 she does still do it occasionally but it's not as frantic and doesn't hurt as much. Keep shoving a toy in and taking deep breaths. My husband wore wellies for the first couple of months as she was worse with him than me.

Time outs or punishment don't teach them what to bite. Adult dogs bite and chew so they need to be taught what is acceptable. Ours is now slowly learning that if she wants to play she brings a toy to us not grabs our hands/ears/feet/face! She does sometimes forget herself though. We find she is worse if she needs a poo.

Newpeep · 01/02/2023 09:02

Oh try squealing with a terrier - once and you'll never do it again 😂

pilates · 01/02/2023 09:23

Yes I’m told it doesn’t work for all of them but he is a terrier breed.

Original poster
EyeBetOnSky · 01/02/2023 09:55

@ohsheglows Ah yes! Spaniels are really high energy. Hopefully the walks will be a game changer. I have another two weeks to get through until we can do that but I'm trying to get out and about as much as is practical with my pup. She's a Bedlington whippet cross. She's very 'terrier' in her play, but zooms around the back garden like a whippet.

OP posts:
Goawayangryman · 01/02/2023 09:58

Wellies are your friends for a few months ;) old ones as they will get punctured. Tuck your trousers in and there is not much to hang on to.

Original poster
EyeBetOnSky · 01/02/2023 09:59

@Newpeep Vile is definitely the right description! I'm ditching any loose clothing and will be armed with ALL of the toys today. I think the key is probably to try and avoid the behaviour starting in the first place but it's easier said than done when you need to walk across a room....
Poo zoomies are definitely a thing - I've noticed that when she gets all wild and I take her into the garden she'll have a poo.

OP posts:
Original poster
EyeBetOnSky · 01/02/2023 10:10

Goawayangryman · 01/02/2023 09:58

Wellies are your friends for a few months ;) old ones as they will get punctured. Tuck your trousers in and there is not much to hang on to.

Good idea!

OP posts: