Discouraged!

[hrclrc17]

We adopted a female rotti/boxer mix puppy that is 8 weeks old from our local humane society. Her name is Maggie. She is really adorable. It has only been a week and I know I am probably expecting too much but she just will not stop biting and nipping. She especially likes to bite my 11 year old son. I feel bad because it seems like all we do is yell at Maggie all day long because of the biting. We do the redirecting to a toy or rawhide to chew on but she just goes right back to our flesh, clothing or shoes. It's very frustrating and discouraging. We do intend to enroll in puppy kindergarten at the shelter.

I have to admit that I am a cat person. I wanted to get the puppy because my son has wanted a dog for so long. I'm bummed because he can hardly play with the puppy because she bites him so much.

Please, somebody, tell me there is light at the end of the tunnel! Will she ever stop biting?

[JoJo]

Don't get discouraged. This is a puppy just as if you had a human baby at home. You need to teach the puppy. Here's a link that may be of some help. Also read all the stickys in the Puppy Development Forum and continue to ask questions.

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/pup...nance-etc.html

It's quite possible your puppy was taken away from his litter to early?

[Janus'sMom]

Another thing to keep in mind as your puppy goes through this stage of her life... puppies and dog's don't have hands to grab hold of things and investigate with, so they use their mouths. She is also teething (could be wrong on that, can't remember exactly what age it was).

Yes there is a light at the end of the tunnel, just stick in there and keep reading.

Remember, she's a puppy only once in her life, enjoy and have fun.

[bliss7373]

Hang in there. Raising a puppy can require the patience of a saint sometimes - but it is worth it to keep things positive. There is no reason to be discouraged yet - what you're going through is okay, it's perfectly normal.

Read the stickies in this forum, enroll in puppy classes (and follow through to regular classes), consider ordering "How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With." Take LOTS of pictures.

One of these days, you will suddently look at Maggie and realize that she is a well behaved, wonderful dog. Then you can pat yourself on the back for sticking with it and doing things right!

[Lola B Marie]

There is much light at the end of the puppy tunnel. Just don't give up. When my son was seven, he wanted a puppy for his birthday.Back some 20 plus years ago, we selected a boxer from a well researched breeder. She met us and then picked the pup she thought would be a match. He was 8wks old when we picked him up,tail cut and ears cropped. He was adorable.
The little devil did not stop biting my son. He would get those sharp little teeth in his PJs and my son would drag him around screaming. He bit his toes his fingers any exposed skin. If my son held him, he bit his face and hair.
Lesson learned, Puppies are not for kids. The old Lassie concept that the two would grow up together comes after the puppy and teething stages are over. An 8wk old pup is a baby himself and does not understand that he is hurting any one. I took a dozen soft washcloths wet them and froze them in individual baggies. When my son played with the pup, he had to keep a frozen cloth to stick in his mouth when the biting started. This has to be watched because the pups are quick and can down a washcloth if it's left on the floor. We did a lot of redirecting and eventually, the pup began to prefer the toys and chewies to the skin. Finally, around the time the monster learned to walk on a leash and climb stairs and a accomplish other activities, the dreaded biting just stopped. Just be patient. This will stop and you will have a joy of a pet for many years. We also kept a large baby playpen in the kitchen. When the pup came charging down the hall,looking for a bite, he was placed in the playpen which was high enough to keep him in but low enough for my son to put him in. It had paper sherddings in it and was very soft and easy to clean. Pup was placed in there often till he calmed down. I know today's mode is a crate but this was such a convenient drop off in addition to the crate and we could still reach in for a kiss or a petting.
The real bonding will take place with your son and his dog, as soon as there is no pain involved with those razor teeth. Let your son know that the pup does still love him and will stop this behavior at some point. Have him watch for the baby puppy teeth to come out and he will be that much closer to having a great companion. Let your son go to the library and find beginner books on training so he can plan some things to teach the dog.
The boxer in question lived until my son was in his 3rd year of college.They shared a childhood together and he will never be forgotten.

[QuietDaze]

Let me tell you, I am an adult and I was discouraged with Kane's biting and carrying on so I can only imagine how your son feels. Unfortunately, I agree with Lola, puppies and small kids don't mix. YET. They will though, you'll just have to teach/train the puppy until he gets past this stage. I would limit the playing interaction with your son. Right now, they both want to play, if your son starts running around, rolling him over and what not with the puppy, it will start biting him because that's what small puppies do. They mouth everything and your son doesn't need to be another toy.

JoJo mentioned that maybe the puppy was taken away from the litter too early and that was my thought. Maybe little Maggie hasn't learned proper bite inhibition yet.

Hang in there, puppies require a Saint's worth of patience but it will all be worth it when your son and Maggie are the best of buddies. The light at the end of the tunnel is not a train!

[hrclrc17]

Thank you so much for all of your replies. They have made me feel much better. Just knowing that this is not unusual helps alot. We will hang in there!

[gmo1379]

Originally Posted by hrclrc17

We do the redirecting to a toy or rawhide to chew on

Rawhide is BAD, it's possible for your pup to choke on it. Bully Sticks are much safer, you can take it away when it gets to small.

[4zenuff]

Don't be discouraged!!! It so early in Maggie's life! What she is doing is normal. Start teaching her not to now and eventually it will get better. Redirect her by giving her toys to chew and play with when she nips or bites. PRAISE her when she stops and plays with the toys. Tell her No, "no bite" or even whine as a pup would do when she does it. PRAISE her when she stops. Check the other threads about puppy biting as they may be of more help than me. I have been there done that with two. One dog and I currently have a rottie puppy (5 months).

My nottweiler, Roscoe had it the worst. It took him until he was at least 7 to 8 months old before I could get him to stop, but was a shelter pup and didn't have much help from his mom or litter even though I got him at 8 weeks.

My rottie stopped at about 3 or so months. I seriously can't remember the last time she nipped or bit!

I have four kids ages 12, 10, 5, and 3. You will get through this!! :)

[Meegs]

Your puppy could be nipping your son because it seems him as a playmate/littermate. If voice commands and redirection arent wokring at this stage you could try something a little more "startling".

If you get a coke can and put some coins/rocks inside and tape up the whole you will notice it makes an awfull loud noise when shaken. Give the can a shake and say "No" in a stern voice when the puppy nips, this will surely startle your puppy sufficiently for it to stop what is is doing..now you can give it a toy/chewy.

If you simply give the pup a toy/chewy when hes nipping it is possible that this oculd be seen by the dog as a reward. You need to totally redirect the dogs attention from nipping to something else.

When the puppy nips - shake the can redirect to a toy and reward the dog.
The dog should soon learn that nipping = bad noise and chewing a toy = reward!
But dont give up because nipping can take a long time to correct..just make sure you be consistent!!

Good luck,
Let us know how it goes.