To Young to start training???

[Bettis'Mommy]

My 5 week old baby boy is constantly biting my feet and ankles. I've read the other threads that you all have posted about ways to get him to stop, but is he too young to yelp at him? I know we got him when he was too young from his littermates and mother, so I don't want to scare him or do anything that will cause permanent social damage. Should I wait until he is at least 8 weeks to start this kind of training?

Also, is he too young to learn about the potty training and actually remember what he's learning?

Thank you for any advice or knowledge you might have for me. Bettis is my first puppy and I want him to be as well rounded as possible.

 

[K_J's Dad]

I would start correcting the problem now, he would be learning these things from his Mom and littermates if he were still with them. Once he bites or nips, let out a loud "ow" and pull away and stop what ever you're doing. You might also have to give him a "time out" so that he knows he did wrong. The time out needs only to be a minute or two.

Potty training can start now also. Just remember he needs to go out about every 1/2 hour to hour. Pick a spot and just keep going in the same place. I would also put some puppy pads down if he is going in the house, then you can slowly start to move the pads towards the door leading outside. I trained Kilbane to ring a set of bells when he has to go outside.

Hope this helps, good luck.

 

[gmacleod]

Whether you're actively training him or not, he will be learning. So he might as well be learning what you want him to, not thing you'll have to try to correct later having first taught him the wrong thing

Shrieking in "pain" anytime he bites, then sulking in the corner for a minute or two before reingaging is generally the most effective method of teaching bite inhibition. Redirection is another tool in your arsenal (shove a soft toy in his mouth instead). If he's the the incredibly persistent type, you can "escalate" your ignoring to walking away and leaving him isolated for a minute or two.

This method does work. But don't expect it to happen in five minutes. As trying as it can be, bite inhibition is something puppies just start to learn around this age. It normally takes (as in, is designed by nature to take) until around 18 weeks before the pup fully understands how to use his mouth gently only. So a very gradual learning process! Some get it quicker of course, but if he doesn't appear to be making much progress after a week or two - do not be discouraged (some people are). It's normal and was never meant to happen instantly.