how do i get her to stop biting

[toshida]

my 3 month old pup is starting to show a bit of aggression, she bites and growls, noone has to do anything to provoke this she just does it. I have a 2yr old daughter, when she wants to pay with her toys I have to put Myra in her cage or she chases my daughter around and bites her feet and legs.

What can I do to get her to quit doing this?

I bought a muzzle but she outgrew it in two days, I dont know how effective they are on actually teaching them anything and I dont want to be buying one every week as she grows.

[Judi W]

Hang a long string/line off her collar (only when you are supervising) and when she heads after you daughter, give her a correction, bring her back and show her something she is allowed to do. Second step is to teach your daughter never to run or squeal which stimulates the pup to misbehave. She needs to learn to stop (I call it freeze tag) be motionless while you run interference.

[toshida]

the string thing will be simple, getting my daught not to squeak and run now that will be a challenge, thanks for the advice

[Judi W]

Originally Posted by toshida

......... getting my daught not to squeak and run now that will be a challenge, thanks for the advice

That is why I turn it into a game for the small children. It is called "freeze tag" and that means that before your are "tagged" by the dog, you must freeze. No moving, no noise. Trust me on this one, the dogs and pups are much less likely to grab something that is not moving.

[mook1620]

Hi Judy,

Mook is eight weeks old, and he's biting alot also. He tries to get fingers, and bites my ankles when I'm washing dishes. Should I try the same approach? We've been trying to distract him by giving him one of his toys to bite instead, and it seems to be working about half the time, the other half he comes back to my ankles.

Thanks,
Jen

[Judi W]

Not the same thing. Freeze tag is a method for child safety. Of course the "no motion" does apply in many respects. Fingers waving around are just begging to be bitten. Be aware of your movements and when they are stimulating the pup. Be fair.

When not moving, and the ankle biting - put your finger through his collar and very calmly and quietly give him serious eye contact and tell him "no" or whatever term you are using that indicates he is wrong. Hold him like that quietly until you see his body posture change. No shaking, no yelling, nothing stimulating, just quiet control.

[toshida]

[quote=Judi W] - put your finger through his collar and very calmly and quietly give him serious eye contact and tell him "no" or whatever term you are using that indicates he is wrong. [quote]

I had to do this with her last night so I could pet her w/o being bitten and after a minute she just laid down.

[Judi W]

If you have to pet your puppy (not sure why this might be) do so when it is calm and quiet and make sure your motions are calm and quiet as well. No reason to set a pup up for discipline - poor things do that to themselves enough without getting help.

[toshida]

she had been sitting by me quietly while I was petting her and after a bit tried biting me I told her no and she did her growl and treid to bite harder, thats when I corrected her.

[Judi W]

Again, always try for the pup to be successful. If you find that she is not fond of extended petting (nor am I) then give a brief pet if you must and then move on to something else. Dust or mop........ :) I am not excusing her bite or complaints but not all dogs are going to enjoy that sort of thing and since it is something that should be pleasure, if it is not considered pleasure by the recipient, find another method of showing your affection.

[mook1620]

Thanks for the advice, I'll try it next time.

Jen

[toshida]

I'm still having difficulties getting her to be nice in any situation, I havent had any luck she just wants to bite. She even bites our older Rott, and pretty hard...she's just trying to play around, but could there interaction when there together provoke how she acts in general?

[Judi W]

No, I don't think you can blame it on the other dog.

[toshida]

my other dog doesnt really enjoy the playing around, she likes to just ly or sit by us and the pup just wants to bite and chew on her...I do have plenty of toys and do try redirecting her attention...but I'm just at a loss as to what I can do. She doesnt just bite ther other dog if were sitting in a chair she'll come running up and start biting our arms like shes trying to play, I usually put her in her cage for a bit at that point but it doesnt seem to be helping

[Judi W]

We cannot know her genetic disposition or nervous system or actually see what is going on.. .... Considering that you acquired her at 6 weeks of age, it is very unlikely you got her from a knowlegable breeder, however, your breeder should be the first call you make with questions.

If she is more than you can handle or you believe she has behavioral issues beyond what is normal, then return her to her breeder. It is best to do this while she is still young enough and cute enough to be easily rehomed.