How do I stop play biting?

[deadhead]

I have tried to reprimand him, tell him no, and when he bites, I substutute an acceptable toy..but he still does it.

It isn't nearly as hard as he could bite, but it still hurts and is annoying.

This is DEFINATELY NOT aggressive biting, he is a puppy, 9 mos. old, and is just playful, I just can't get him to stop.

Any suggestions?

[Rott-Wiley]

From reading your post I thought you were going to say he's 9 weeks old, not months. That is much too old to be still biting, even if it is playful. Are you working him in a structured training class? You do need to and you also need to start a new policy with him. Whenever you feel his teeth at all you need to (in a very firm loud voice) say "OuWWWWW!" You need to make a big deal out of this, you have to convey to him that this is not acceptable and he needs to stop.

[damp]

I don’t care if it “just” is play biting, but when a 9 months old pups bites, he is definitely also old enough for a correction and I have not yet seen anyone (not even the strongest man) being able to yank of a dog’s head, when giving a proper collar correction.

[deadhead]

I have not yet seen anyone (not even the strongest man) being able to yank of a dog’s head, when giving a proper collar correction.

???????

huh?

[JD102175]

I think Damp means for you not to be afraid to give your pup a good, strong correction with his collar when you feel his teeth on you. When you are playing put a leash on him and when he starts to bite give him a strong correction with a very loud "NO". then turn and walk away from him and ignore him for a few minutes. After those few minutes initiate play with him again and when he starts to bite repeat the correction and ignoring. It shouldn't take long for him to associate that biting = mad daddy/mommy and no more play time.


Jaime

[deadhead]

i am assuming by "correction" we mean yank him pretty good by the collar.

thanks alot!

will give it a shot.

[JD102175]

Yes, that is what is meant by correction. Hard enough to get your point across but not hurt your dog.

What kind of collar do you have on him?


Jaime

[damp]

I have said this earlier but I will gladly repeat my very first mentor:

Regardless of you praise or correct your dog… if you don’t see a change/reaction in your dog’s behaviour, you have not done your job good enough!!!

Still after more than 25 years in the dog world, I train by this rule.

PS: Deadhead… do a search here “Come To Jesus Meeting” LOL

[Brooke&Ryan]

Do you have this pup in formal training at all??

I would also agree that this dog would have a COME TO JESUS meeting anytime that this occurred. Nine months old & playbiting is just unacceptable. I agree also about the collar corrections. Have your trainer show you how to give a proper correction either using a prong/pinch.

Brooke

[aquarius3079]

Thanks for the post Deadhead, we have the same thing going on with our 7 month old male. We have been using the OOWWW! tactic and it is not working. Now we will try the collar correction technique.

Our boy is in a basic obedience class and it has helped emensely but the playbiting is our one demon. If your boy isn't in one you should really give it a try, it gives Link a purpose. When he knows it's school night he can barely contain himself! Good luck!

[Storm's mom]

I know this sounds very strange and Storm was four months not nine but when he played bite we would grab him by the bottom jaw and tongue and sternly say no bite. He hated so much that within a couple of days he stopped completely. Yes we had him in obdience training. He got his CGC at 11 months.

[Judi W]

As long as owners feel ambivalent and helpless to stop something it will continue. Ambivalence is illustrated by the language "not aggressive" "play biting" and so forth. Dogs are masters at recognizing the mixed messages and the feelings of helplessness and when seeing that they will choose for themselves what they enjoy.

The puppy license for using teeth on humans expires around 3 to 4 months of age. Extending baby behavior does not do the dog a favor. So, start with labeling it what it is. Your dogs are biting you! There now, doesn't that put a different picture in your mind? It should not take more than one incident properly responded to for this to never occur again. Dogs live in a social environment with humans and other dogs. Other dogs would not accept the rudeness as pups grow older that they might excuse in a baby. Neither should humans.

So, quit thinking of it as "play", and decide that it will never happen again. Unless you do this, it will continue.

[deadhead]

so, i have been trying the "OUCH" and the pulling away to stop him from play biting. no dice.

so, I decided that everytime he does it, I grab him by his snout, not too hard and hold him for a minute. he hates it and i have noticed that just within a few days, he clearly is learning.

now, he goes to bite, then seems to remember what happens and pulls away and just barks or something.

thanks all!