Puppy biting

[unxchange]

Hi guys, new here.

I recently (1.5 weeks ago) purchased a rottweiler puppy, he was 6 weeks (i know bad mistake) , now he is 7 weeks old and since the 2nd day he's been biting our ankles, foot and pant leg.

Things I've tried:
Yelling "NO" when he does it, but that doesnt stop him.
Yelling "NO" and shaking him on his scruff.
Yelling "NO" , shaking his scruff then put him in a seperate room for a few minutes as a "time out".


I've tried the above for a couple of days and really don't see much improvement, but it's not really getting worst either. I spend alot of time with him so it's not stress related or anything. My vet recommended this seperation anxiety spray or plug that you plug into an electrical outlet, something to do with his hormones.

What should i Do?

[Cherry Heart]

Welcome! I am kind of new here too but I have read a BUNCH of great info. Lemmie try this out on you and maybe the pro's will step in and tell me how I am doing.
Your pup was a bit young when you got him so he missed out on some valuable time with his litter mates. You'll need to spend a bit more time on the "No bite" situation because of it, but your love and dedication will help pull you through. Try keeping a couple spare chew toys with you when he is out of his crate, when he bites give a high "Ouch" or "YIP!" like one of his litter mates would have done and then direct him to a chew toy. He should catch onto the whole "This hurts my human pet but my toy doesn't mind it". This issue has been talked about lots on here and you can find more on it by searching "biting". Stick around this place has alot to offer a newbie owner like me.

Cherry

[Bruce Lanthier]

There are many, many threads on puppy biting. Do a search on those two words. A lot of the advice will talk about re-directing your puppy's biting behavior.

[ladycricket]

I know the spray you are talking about, but I don't know how it would keep him from biting. It is used to replicate the scent of a recently whelped mother to calm the dog. Biting is a puppy thing, they all do it. Try redirecting him with a toy and do a search here on mouthing and biting, you will find a wealth of information.
Congrats on your new puppy! Be sure to socialize socialize and socialize. Getting him at the age you did does set him back, he is missing some very crucial pack rules with his littermates. But if you are committed to him you will have a great dog.

[unxchange]

Thanks guys, i am just very worried he will turn out agressive. I know there is alot the stress and trouble involved if he does turn out aggressive. I am glad I found this forum for hellp and advice.

When he bit me and i screamed NO and he just held on, that made me really worried and mad. Mad because I can't stop his bad behavior and worried that he will keep doing to us. I've considered calling a trainer to help out, but I will try all the advice that is on here before I do so. Eventually, when he is old enough, he will be taken to training classes.

Again, thanks for all your help and I will stick around

ps. I've also read alot of information just searching off google "puppy bite" but almost every site does different things, so I don't even know what to trust or what not to!

[Meka]

We have had the same problem with our puppy - and we didn't think she would EVER stop. We did the "Ouch" thing every time she went after the ankles (and you have to make it sound like it really does hurt), and then redirecting her to a chew toy. Within a few weeks, she stopped the behavior all together. The other thing that we did was that when she mouthed us while we were playing with her, we told her no/ouch, and if she did it again we walked away from her (and the playing) for a few minutes (kind of a "time out"), and that seemed to work. In the beginning it felt like nothing was going to work. But stick with it, and in a few weeks you'll see a difference.

[unxchange]

Thanks guys, I guess what I need to be is persistant and patient!

Also, do you guys think a crate or maybe a removable fencing thing would help? I know crates are not for punishing your dog (some websites says its OK) but will it help if I give him a time-out either by placing him in his crate or maybe fencing him off in a smaller area for a few minutes as a "time-out"? Because when you guys said "ignore him/her totally" if he is still in the same area as us, he will just follow/chase us.

[emillinium]

yes, you should defintly crate train your dog, not as punishment, but just to give him his own place to feel safe etc. believe me I didn't do it and i really regret it now

[RottiNkids]

Methink raising a Rottie from 7 weeks old that biting is going to be one the lessor of your worries. Puppies will grow out of the biting stage (with you guidance) as long as you understand that he is a baby--and in your case a very young one. My girl is 6 months and has all but 1 or 2 of her adult teeth and she still nips at my youngest son, who's 9 year old. She is the furthest from being aggresive in fact just the opposite. Of course my son in under my protection, so she ceases once I intervene. I personally don't think one should punish a puppy for just being a puppy. She will learn and adjust in due time. Please remember the most important virtue in raising any young'n is patience, more patience and then even more patience!

Good luck to you.

[moondog]

I didn't use the ignore method with my dog when she was a bouncing little ball of fur and teeth. Whenever she latched onto me (or tried to, LOL), I would say "Ah! Ah!, You little rascal!" "THIS is what you can chew on!" and redirected her to a stuffed toy she was allowed to latch onto. Puppies NEED to use their mouths, that's one way they explore the world around them. When your puppy is chewing on something you don't want chewed on, don't expect him to cease all chewing (won't work), instead show him what he CAN chew on and praise him for chewing on it. It takes time, consistency, and repetition for him to understand this, so patience is very important. If you need a break from him, it's fine to put him in an xpen or crate, but remember that it is only a break for you...he is not learning anything from it, and you still need to work with him so he does learn. Here's a good post with some excellent book recommendations that I'm sure will be of value to you and your new little land shark. Have fun with him.

What You Can Reasonably Expect From Your Puppy

[Meka]

Just remeber that this won't be the overnight cure. This is going to be a several week process. Try one method for a few weeks and I would guarantee you will notice a difference.

[emillinium]

Biting and nipping comes naturally to puppies. When puppies play among themselves, their play consists mainly of nipping and biting. It is through this type of playing that puppies learn to control their biting. In order to help your puppy understand your expectations about biting you need to teach them what you want. If your puppy does accidentally bite you, make a high pitch “Aaaacccckkk” noise to startle your puppy. Find a toy that your puppy can bite on, and give it to them. Calmly praise while the puppy bites on the chew toy.

When playing with the puppy if he bites you, make your noise and cease all play. Your puppy will begin to learn that inappropriate biting leads to play time ending. Make sure to be consistent about always stopping the biting and redirecting their behavior to something that is acceptable. Please make sure that all the family members are handling biting in a similar fashion. Otherwise this gives the puppy mixed signals, and will diminish their chances of learning what is expected.

Be sure to quietly praise puppy when he is offering appropriate behavior, ex: playing with a toy, lying or sitting quietly. It is important to keep in mind that nipping is an instinctive behavior for puppies, so be patient with them.

[unxchange]

Originally Posted by Meka

Just remeber that this won't be the overnight cure. This is going to be a several week process. Try one method for a few weeks and I would guarantee you will notice a difference.

Thanks for the gurantee

[Judi W]

so like, if it doesn't work, does Meka get the pup for 6 months of reconditioning?

[kittycat]

Like the other person said..your puppy missed out on socialization with his littermates..also a few days isnt enough..just be consistant, dont change too many "methods" and keep at it..eventually he will get the point. Make sure you have PLENTY of chew toys