Puppy Biting

[George & Charmin]

Hi everyone! I need some help/advice about "puppy biting". Our fiesty 6 week old baby is very aggressive! My husband thinks it's cute when they are playing outside with the balls, ropes, etc... However, our 2 year old doesn't like it all of the time. Is there a way to teach him when to play and when to stop. I know we need to nip this in the bud ASAP! I don't want a 70lb dog biting me at free will! He's already huge! At 6 weeks he weighs like 12lb. The vet said he'll just be a big guy (bloodlines) He barks at us and growls. When I tell him NO, he just tries to bark me down. To make a long story short, PLEASE HELP US. Any advice will be tried!

George & Charmin

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

These threads on the forum may be of help. This is not an uncommon problem.
http://boxerworld.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000833.html
http://boxerworld.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/001147.html

There is also a lot of information on the internet on this subject and many sites out there which will be able to instruct you on various ways to stop this behavior. Do a search from any search engine for "puppy biting" and you'll find many many URLs to visit.

Remember the puppy thinks this is play and your scolding him (since he doesn't know any better yet) is all part of the play to the puppy.

Good luck.


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Dan from Brooklyn
Proud Pappa to Maggie Mae
Born 6/16/00
Flashy Fawn, docked tail, natural ears.
Pictures: http://www.d-batt.com/Maggie.html

 

[Cindy and Lacie.]

Dan has some good ideas. But you know, this is one of the reasons I think our babies should stay with their moms just a tad bit longer. I got Lacie at 10 weeks and to be honest we really never had much of a problem, but if she did this we would tell her in a very stern voice "no bite"

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Cindy Corl
Lacie female, brindle, natural ears,7-17-99

 

[Krikkit]

Good point Cindy, from 6 - 8 or 9 weeks old puppies learn so much with their Mum and littermates.

George & Charmin, you will be able to help your baby learn the things he needs to know. He is biting because it is a very natural puppy thing to do - it is not a sign of agression at this stage This behaviour does need to be handled well though.

Because he came to live with you at such a young age and you have very young children in the household I'd really recommend that you purchase the Ian Dunbar video called 'Biting'. It is crammed full of info on how to handle this and has lots puppy raising information. It is excellent value for money and very easy to follow. Details are here:
http://www.dogwise.com/Detaila.htm$search?db=catalog.txt&eqskudatarq=DTB592&eqcategorydatarq=Training%20and%20Behavior&cart=305794811335981&header1=[header1]

Read the threads Dan posted and if you have any more questions please ask

 

[DeeDee & Clay Sewell]

also look back on page 4 I think it is - I posted a post called "Petting a 4 month old boxer without all the biting - ll-16-00. this was the latest thing we tried and out of everything it has worked the best. My poor hands were torn up, especially my right hand, I had some pretty bad little cuts on the thumb side - This technique these people shared with me has worked incredibly well - just petting your dog like I described - never start at the top of the head - start at the back of the body - whichever side your dog turns to bite - nibble on - stop petting imediately and move your hand if you have to - otherwise just leave it there but no petting until he stops - keep petting on the other side - if he turns his head to that side - stop with that hand and resume with the other hand - once he stops, pet with both hands and continue like this - stopping on either side when necessary. Listen - this works. - any questions - please email me. Good luck. They said you just shouldn't put your hand out to the dog's face and also they said to sort of gather your dog under your arm when you are teaching this - it projects an Alpha dominence signal on your part as well as teaching them petting manners.