Help - Debo's biting too much!

[Badassboxer]

Okay, my usually well-behaved goofball pup has this biting thing and today was the last straw! When he wants to play, he continues to bite my hand. I had it in check for awhile by leaving the room, saying ouch, stopping play, etc. and I still do this, except lately he continues to want to play. I want him to stop AS SOON as I say whatever command I should give him. Any tips on actual training to get him to listen. Other than this he is a very submissive dog and I think this is more play than trying to be "alpha"
oh yeah, my next idea was to put bitter apple on my hand when he gets into this mode. ???

AND

One more question, is it possible to get them off the couch after you've already set it that they could be on the couch - if it's possible, is it very hard? I haven't decided to pursue this.

Thanks.

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Asy
Debo's Mom
01/23/2000
Brindle, male, nat. ears

 

[Krikkit]

As far as the mouthing goes you could ask him to do something different so you can praise and then stop the game. For example, tell him to sit, then praise and treat, then stop the game - this may distract him Once he has stopped it may be an idea to give him a toy to occupy him, a kong or similar is good. If this is not possible and you really need some Boxer free time pop him in his crate for a little while. Deebo is still young and young Boxers need to learn a little self control LOL Have you taken him to obedience classes yet? He sounds as if he would love it

With the couch, if you change the couch a bit you should be able to change the rules. If you do want to stop him going on the couch drape a sheet or something over it so it is a bit different then set about teaching Deebo the new house rules. It is a good idea to give him his own bed near the couch if you do this. We talked about this on the other board and there were heaps of great suggestions but I can not remember them :( Hopefully someone here has a much better memory than I do

 

[ChrisM]

Asy - see my reply to Biting/Mouthing post for ideas for biting. If Debo is older (I can't remember his age) you might try putting him on his back in a firm way after giving the correction so that he really gets the message that YOU are alpha! Good luck!

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Mom to:
LADY - White female, natural ears. Rainbow Bridge February 2000

TESS - Flashy Fawn female, born Dec, 1999, natural ears

ZELDA - Semi-flashy Female, natural ears, born May 31, 2000

 

[Brutus and Amaya's Mom]

Just FYI- The bitter apple thing probably won't work. Debo is not biting you cause you are tasty, there are other issues. Biting is a dominance related action. A dog that truely knows its role will not bite.

Try shaking her scruff when she bites and say no-biting. If the dog come back, shake harder- she thinks its a game. This has worked for us with Brutus. Amaya is very submissive and has never bitten.

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Brutus & Amayas Mom
Brutus 9/23/99 Flashy Fawn
Amaya 3/22/00 Flashy Brindle

 

[Boxer Crazy]

We let Keisha on the couch when she was a pup and then she destroyed the cushions just from the wear from her rough foot pads, not to mention the doggie smell! We can still turn them over and the couch looks fine. It has taken what seems like forever to get her to stay off the couch. I put a blanket over the cushions, scolded her when I caught her, that didn't seem to help. What did seem to help was when I scattered metal clothes hangers on the seat of the couch, or when I put the cushions from the back of the couch on the seat cushions - leaving no room for Keisha. She seems to have stayed off for quite a while now - I hope she is finally cured.

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Keisha - March 8/98 - female plain brindle with cropped ears
Travis - May 14/00 - male flashy fawn with natural ears.
Sammie - approx 11 yr. F/S Beagle X
Riley - March 8/97 - F/S tri-color, long haired chihuahua

 

[frenchy47]

we did not have this problem with buster (our boxer)but we did have this problem with our rotty. our trainer told us to fill a coffee can with a few pennies& shake the can when she or he displays this behavior.it is working for us.

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janet fuess

 

[Badassboxer]

Thanks - I'm going to try the obedience classes, I changed my mind before because Debo is very easy to train and he listens 80% of the time, but as he's getting older, he is listening less and testing alot more, I think this is the time for puppy school - '



BTW Debo is 7 months old - typical "teenage flakiness" age I guess.

 

[Brutus and Amaya's Mom]

Badass,
Glad to hear your going to training (I think I recomended that to you before ). It is quite normal for a dog to reach that "teen" stage and begin to act out. OUr trainer says that 80% of his clients are 9mo-1 1/2 year olds. At that age dogs begin to gain confidence and have the size to back up their "I'm a big cool dog" thoughts. They start to test the waters and often win.

Training is great for you and the dog. My husband and I want to get Bru into agility and Amaya into obedience. You may not be as into your dogs as us (some people have real lives ) but a few classes will be worth your while.

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Brutus & Amayas Mom
Brutus 9/23/99 Flashy Fawn
Amaya 3/22/00 Flashy Brindle

 

[Bxrlvr in KC]

A couple more tips:

When our two were pups and were trying to use our hands as toys, we would yelp like a puppy to let them know they were hurting us. You just have to talk their language. I felt a bit silly at first, but not after I realized how well it works! I don't know if this will work as well if it's a dominance issue, but it's worth a try.

The pennies in the can work great!!

The metal hangers are a good idea for the couch. My mom-in-law has used sheets of aluminum foil to keep her three off (Greyhound and 2 Frenchies) her couch.

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Michelle

Mom to:
Clyde - Flashy fawn male, natural ears, 3/28/98
Cricket - Beautiful rescued black mutt, 1/98