No Bite Please!

[petervz]

Can I please get some advice on how to stop our 3 month old Rottie from biting (hands and legs). When told off he growls and bites again. We seem to go through these stages and would like to correct this behaviour sooner than later. Apart from that his training is going really well. Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Peter &Vesna
Hamilton,New Zeland

[poohbearsmom]

Could you be a little more descriptive on how you are currently handling his nipping? Without seeing you and your puppy in action, it's difficult for anyone to assist you in any way.

Elisabeth

[Knucklesmom]

I don't know if I can offer much advice, other than to say Knuckles went through a stage of wanting to bite the tongues of my shoes and my jeans around my ankles at about that age. This behavior only occured when we were outside in the back yard, and not in the house. Your baby is probably teething, and about the only advice is to turn his attention to knawing on something besides you! I took some old towels and cut them into smaller squares, tied a knot in each piece, soaked them in water and put them in the freezer. He really loved those, as well as just a piece of ice to chew on. He also needs to learn to have what my vet calls "a gentle mouth" - learning to take treats from your fingers while leaving the fngers intact. If he nips or bites, do what his siblings would do - yelp and stop paying any attention immediately. He will learn that that behavior makes play stop, gentle behavior makes play go on and on and on. Knuckles sometimes plays a little rough, and if he bites or nips - even unintentionally - play stops NOW, and we walk away. ( He gets that "What did I do? look and puts his head down and rolls those eyes.)

[tucker'smom]

my 4 month old does exactly the same behaviors and its the action he takes after scolded that has me concerned. All you "old timers" here - are there ever truly untrainable dogs? How would you know this at this early an age?

[Knucklesmom]

I'm not exactly an old timer, but I don't think there are any untrainable dogs. Remember, at 4 months, a puppy is a puppy - they are just like little kids. They have to try all their boundaries. (Including where they fit in the "pack"). In fact, I'd have to say my dogs have always been way easier to train than my kids! (At 18 and 22 they still leave clothes on the floor! I've tried punishing and rewarding - nothing works!) Ever had a toddler give you "the look" as he reaches for something you just told him not to touch? I've seen Knuckles do the same thing. My sweet lab, Honey, was hell on wheels until she got to be about 2 years old, then she calmed down and was an absolute joy until the day she died. So give your baby dog some time.

[RottiMomCT]

When puppy nips or bites give a high pitched 'OUCH!'. At 4 months old - puppies will mouth everything! Have appropriate toys/chew items nearby and when you give the 'OUCH!' offer a suitable replacement chewing item. When pup chews the correct thing - praise!