Puppy Play?
- Thread starter rsjenni
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Well the biting won't stop magically, you have to teach your puppy what is and isn't acceptable. If you don't teach, then the biting probably won't ever stop - I mean, how will he know?
You can go the route of never allowing any biting/mouthing at all (which you'd achieve by telling him 'no' or 'no bite' or whatever, and ending playtime when he starts to use his mouth) but generally it is best to teach your pup bite inhibition. Same method as above, but playtime ends with a loud squeal of 'ouch!!' from you when he puts any pressure into his bite. That is better than not allowing him to use his mouth at all because it also teaches him about bite pressure. And if you're ever in the situation of an accidental or warning bite from your dog, chances are it won't be a serious one because he knows about exerting pressure with his mouth. Do a search on 'bite inhibition' or 'soft mouth' for more info.
As for the growling and snarling - well, actually that will probably never stop. Boxers are veery vocal dogs. If it's a real issue, you could train your pup to be less vocal, or more accurately, how vocal he can be by the same method as above. Playtime ends when he gets too carried away. He'll soon get the idea
You can go the route of never allowing any biting/mouthing at all (which you'd achieve by telling him 'no' or 'no bite' or whatever, and ending playtime when he starts to use his mouth) but generally it is best to teach your pup bite inhibition. Same method as above, but playtime ends with a loud squeal of 'ouch!!' from you when he puts any pressure into his bite. That is better than not allowing him to use his mouth at all because it also teaches him about bite pressure. And if you're ever in the situation of an accidental or warning bite from your dog, chances are it won't be a serious one because he knows about exerting pressure with his mouth. Do a search on 'bite inhibition' or 'soft mouth' for more info.
As for the growling and snarling - well, actually that will probably never stop. Boxers are veery vocal dogs. If it's a real issue, you could train your pup to be less vocal, or more accurately, how vocal he can be by the same method as above. Playtime ends when he gets too carried away. He'll soon get the idea
TugsMommy
Boxer Booster
I know when Tuggy gets playing to rough, playtime ends and he goes in his crate for a couple of minutes. Just so he won't continue to play rough. He has gotten me a couple of times with his teeth. Usually if I Yipe real loud he quits, but sometimes he needs a Time Out in his crate.
Anna Begins
Completely Boxer Crazy
That's what I've done. Luka has only nipped me hard once...and not on purpose. I yipped REALLY loud (was surprised at myself! LOL). He got real worried, backed up looked at me concerned and has been very careful ever sincegmacleod said:
rdldbb
Boxer Buddy
follow gmacleod's suggestions. I have used the inhibition technique for both of our boxer's and it works very well for them. We have a nine month old pup that has just learned not to bite. She does forget sometimes, especially when she has been playing rough w/ her big bro. and daddy jumps in. She just assumes that he's another dog and sometimes bites a little too hard. However, when the bite is too hard we yell ouch!!!!! and playtime stops. Worked like a charm for us. Good luck!
jbbtlr
Super Boxer
Koda is learning the bite inhibition really well. Like it was stated above, to stop play once they hurt, they usually catch on rather quickly.
As for the growling, I love it. Makes me laugh. He tries to sound soooo vicious but he just is too darn cute and I start laughing at him. I think that is something that most dogs do when they are playing or wrestling or whatever. I know my Dalmatian does the same thing, but it's all in fun.
You can usually tell the difference between the growls, from the playing to the not so playing growls. Jasper our Dalmatian will change is growl when he's tired of Koda playing with him or when Koda is trying to take a bone or something away. It just in their nature.
Good Luck!
Jeanette
As for the growling, I love it. Makes me laugh. He tries to sound soooo vicious but he just is too darn cute and I start laughing at him. I think that is something that most dogs do when they are playing or wrestling or whatever. I know my Dalmatian does the same thing, but it's all in fun.
You can usually tell the difference between the growls, from the playing to the not so playing growls. Jasper our Dalmatian will change is growl when he's tired of Koda playing with him or when Koda is trying to take a bone or something away. It just in their nature.
Good Luck!
Jeanette
rsjenni said:
Actually, it is best to avoid using the crate if possible. The crate should be a nice, safe haven for your puppy where he is happy and secure. Using it as a means of punishment (exclusion is a severe punishment indeed for a dog) should be more of a last resort than a first port of call and can result in a dog that is stressed out by the crate.
*Most* puppies will get the idea that their behaviour is inappropriate if you squeal, retreat 'injured' from the game and ignore them for a few minutes. More persistant pups should be redirected to an alternative, such as a chew toy. It is really only the most obnoxious of puppies for whom you may need to resort to time outs - and even then, if there's an alternative to the crate (such as you leaving the room) then it is a better idea to use that method.
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