Puppy nipping at my 3 kids

[MudgeOtis]

I'm going to post this and hope for the best. You all have been so helpful. After each post I've made here, our issues have been resolved almost the same day. So, here goes:

Mudge is almost 11 weeks now. He's been nipping at the kids since we've had him (almost 5 weeks now). I know this is normal puppy behavior.

Well, he's getting bigger and his nipping is getting harder and really starting to hurt. I know he's gotten me a couple times and it's been painful. As he's gotten taller, he's now able to knock my youngest (20 mths.) down on the ground and will get on top of her and nip and scratch her. This scares her to death and, frankly, scares and upsets me too. He also grabs hold of my two older kids (3 1/2 and 5 years) pants legs or my dd's hair all the time. Oh, and dont' even get me started with the cat. I'm quite concerned he could accidently kill the cat once he is full grown.

I want to end this behavior now, before things get more serious. We won't be starting puppy training until after his next round of shots (another 2 weeks, I think). So, what do I do in the mean time? Get a squirt bottle and spray him in the face?

As of now, I've been putting him outside or in the garage when his behaivor gets out of hand. Meaning, there are times where it seems like he "gets it" and will stop nipping and other times where telling him "NO" just gets him more hyper and out of control.

Thanks!

 

[gmacleod]

Yes, it's normal puppy behaviour - so there isn't a need to worry, but there is a need to address it.

If you were talking about older children, or adults, then the answer would be for them to give a loud, high pitched squeal of "ouch" whenever the pup bites, followed by turning away to nurse their "wounds" and refusing to play or interact with the pup for a few minutes. And if it didn't work, you'd escalate that to getting up and leaving the room for a few minutes. This is still very much worth you and any other adults doing when possible. It's a way of teaching the pup about bite inhibition in a way that he can understand. And he does need to learn that! But he won't learn by being prevented from using his mouth - he actually needs the feedback on the force of his bite. Here is an extremely useful article that I strongly recommend reading - it puts the process in perspective, and shows you why it is so important that a family pet be taught properly through biting (most especially one that is going to be around children): http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1/bitestop.htm

However - obviously the above isn't going to work with young children and infants. They can probably be relied upon to squeal! But that's all. They can't do the rest, including stopping the pup from biting them. If it can possibly be managed though, getting the older two to freeze in place and ignore the puppy any time he tries to bite pants legs (or them!) would be extremely helpful.

My suggestion is constant supervision, and the judicious use of a leash when needed. Having the puppy and child both on the floor is a situation that is near guaranteed to have the pup trying to play - and his version of play includes jumping and biting. It is not practical to suggest that your children never be on the floor (LOL). But they do need to be supervised in all interactions with the puppy - and you need to intervene when he tries to play with them. It really is only play - but he is a baby himself and cannot yet understand what is appropriate play and what isn't. Therefore, I suggest not letting them play until he's old enough to know how to be gentle. That doesn't mean no interaction! Just not play.

The primary tactic you should use there is distraction. When the pup tries to play with your children or chase the cat, he should be redirected to you instead. Interrupt him, and call him to you to interact with instead. You can reward him for that with games. The "leave it" command can be a good friend to you in this More info on teaching that one at http://www.boxerworld.com/puppy/leaveitcommand/ If you need to, restrain the pup with a leash (especially in the case of the cat).

 

[MudgeOtis]

Wow, I'm so glad I asked this question! Your answer was so informative to me. I really feel like I can use the advice you gave me and make a difference in my day to day puppy vs. kids bickerings.

I will start using the distraction approach today. I think I've been copping out, by just putting the kids up on the couch instead of dealing directly with the situation. If I can't be in the room for some reason, should I just remove the puppy from where the kids are? Is that the time the crate should be used? We ended up having to take ours back, so I'm still waiting to really use one. So, as of now, I've either been letting him out in the back yard or putting him in the garage (the temp.'s fine right there for the time being).

Teaching bite inhibition is exactly what I needed to know how to do. I read this to my dh, so he and I will both start doing that. My 5 year old may catch on and want to try this too.

With the leash, would I just hang onto the leash throughout the day (or the challenging times, when he's extra playful)? We haven't gotten a leash yet, because I figured he'd just outgrow it in no time. Mudge is growing like a weed!

Anyway, thank you again so much! You've really helped me out!

 

[gmacleod]

I'd only use the leash when you need to. That may be quite a lot at the outset, reducing over time. But he should have the chance to do things right, only having his freedom curtailed when he doesn't comply. Very likely, you'll be able to distract him/obtain his attention yourself most of the time, so a leash wouldn't be necessary then.

But pups are like little kids when it comes to learning. They don't learn much when you just tell them 'no' all the time. Combine the 'don't's with clear instructions on what to do instead that is good, and reward for same - and you've far more of a chance of obtaining the behaviour you want.

Oh - and yes, if you can't be in the room to supervise kids and pup, then the pup should be crated or else be taken with you (he shouldn't spend large amounts of time in his crate - big time demand, I know, but he has learning/development needs too, which won't be met in a crate). But teaching the pup how to behave with kids requires both time and consistency. If you can't supervise, then he'll be spending that time doing things 'wrong' - which is only going to slow your training.