Ankle Biter

[a_me9691]

Hi, our boxer Neo has had the problem of biting at ankles when guests and even us at home try to walk around the house. We have taken him to obedience school and work with him daily, however, this problem is getting worse. He is actually biting now and not just mouthing. Does anyone have any suggestions on what we can do to break this bad habit? He is almost a year old and a very large boy. He thinks he is playing, but it is not considered playing to whoever he is biting.

 

[lmwenske]

Try wearing strong shoes, and just ignoring him. Eventually the fun will wear off

But he might be doing it to protect the house. My friend had a boxer who had his special place in the house and if you went near it and he didn't know you he would bite at your feet. So maybe he is just being protective.

 

[BeckyNC]

When Neo goes for the ankles, stop walking and stand still--I'm assuming he goes for your ankles when you are walking. My girl Tae does the same thing, especially when she gets excited. I usually give her a firm "NO," which helps, but standing still would probably be more ideal to fully break her of the habit. Notice I am giving advice I don't follow myself. Hmmmmmmmmm.....

 

[a_me9691]

thanks we will try all of those, although we have tried a lot of things. But his ankle biting started before we moved into the new house.

 

[Cami]

I put Bitter Apple on my shoes a few times and stopped this problem, don't know if she grew out of it or was discusted with the taste but I am glad it's over now.

 

[BoxerRock]

I used the bitter apple too. Nothing else seemed to be working...ignoring, telling her "leave it", giving her a toy to play with instead of my feet. I got little spray bottles so I have the bitter apple handy almost anywhere in the house. It only took a couple of times of her tasting my "apple feet" for Carley to lose her foot fetish.
The Rocks and Carley

 

[tvlgrl]

ankle biting

Hi, our boxer Neo has had the problem of biting at ankles when guests and even us at home try to walk around the house. We have taken him to obedience school and work with him daily, however, this problem is getting worse. He is actually biting now and not just mouthing. Does anyone have any suggestions on what we can do to break this bad habit? He is almost a year old and a very large boy. He thinks he is playing, but it is not considered playing to whoever he is biting.

interesting
it was my understanding that they outgrow the biting but that you do have
to work with them either with a firm "NO" or by a loud "YIPE" and stop playing
with them
am i wrong in assuming that they do grow out of the biting ?
hopeful

 

[a_me9691]

well, maybe we should try the bitter apple and see how that works. He will be a year old on Satuday and he hasn't grown out of it yet. It is actually getting worse. Might have to take him back to obedience school. The instructor there said that boxers are strong willed dogs...no kidding. Love him lots though.

 

[luvin'm]

You would think that at a year old the ankle would be a troublesome spot for the bigger dog. My first boxer would nip us in the butt when we walked away from him or tried to ignore him when he wanted to play. A nasty habit too, but funny as heck when you weren't the one getting nipped.

 

[lambeau'smom]

You probably already have, but you could use a water bottle and give him a quick spray in the face when he goes for your ankles. Now, Lambeau rarely bites our ankles anymore. It didn't take long before all we had to do was get the water bottle out and Lambeau would stop.
Good luck!