biting when held

[jackdee]

my girl is getting very mouthy when held, to the point of biting hard. She is 14 weeks old and these bites hurt. When I try to get the scruff of her neck to get control, it gets worse. I dont always have a toy in my pocket but most of the time I do. She is drawing blood with some of these bites,and I"M not happy.Is this typical with puppies ? my last rotty I adopted at 1 year old and never had a problem . I am a first time puppy owner. I need some big time advice on this.. and I would like to ask another. SHE is eating her poop some times,. Canidae, given 3 times aday. I have enrolled in puppy school starting this week. PS. biting with growls. HELP you folks.

[GypsysMom]

Gypsy did that as well when about a week after I brought her home, I soon corrected that I would let her know who was in control and redirect with toys, I also learned she likes to walk and she doesnt care to be picked up very often so I leave her be and let her walk, at times when she wants to be held she will let me know.

Try not to always pick her up she can walk let her.

are you picking her up properly?

redirect her growling with toys I would tell her no growl and give her a toy

As for the poop eating meds from the vet should help that and also a good diet I have read they eat their poop when they are lacking nutreints elsewhere I could be wrong

[TR Young]

Your dog does not want to be picked up, and is letting you know. Not all dogs want to be held. They aren't toys. If she 'nips' or 'bites' when you try to pet her, then there is a problem, but I would not call her reluctance to be held a genuine problem.
There are many pups that eat their own or other dog's feces. It really is not a problem, it just seems gross to us. My Tara used to do that. I curbed it by simply being with her at all times when she is outside. When we walk and she goes, I simply wait until she is done, then use her lead to walk her away from the pile and then I use a plastic bag to pick it up. It took a while, about 4 months, but now she does not do this.
Good luck, and keep us posted.

[BostonRott]

TR has given you some great advice. Also, keeping the yard impeccably picked up will help. To try avoid letting the habit form, and you'll be a lot better off.

Puppies have 4 legs which work and thus, there is no reason to be picking them up or carrying them. If you need her to go somewhere, snap a leash on her collar and head off smartly. She'll follow you or be dragged, and most dogs won't let themselves be dragged.

If you look at the top of this forum, there is a good thread on biting and nipping. It has links to several discussions on these issues with good advice. Please read through them.

[spoiledbabies3]

I agree with not picking her up. She's not fond of this...I have 3 rotties and none of them enjoyed being picked up. However, I usually sit in the floor for periods of time and they all still think they are "lap babies"...even my 10 y/o 107# male! She will let you know if and when to love/pet her...just don't let her be in control. Make sure she knows your the owner and she doesn't make all the decisions. Remember she's in a very impressive stage right now. I have a new little girl 4 1/2 m/o rescue (had her about 10 days now) and she is in that "biting" stage. We say No and redirect with a toy. She has lost a tooth already, but this is normal and explains why she is biting consistently. She has even "thought" about trying out the furniture, i.e. my dining room chairs. ..needless to say she wasn't happy with No. But I keep a toy in my hands at all times...makes it much easier. And we have figured out her favorites so that we can use them to lure her away without a problem. Because of the teething she loves the rope with knots (had to get one puppy size) and squeeky balls. She loves to run and chase things...so just be consistent and enjoy having her. She will grow up way too fast!

[rottie girl]

When Brandi was really young, she would become snarly when picked up. True, some may just not want to be held... but in this situation I believe her hips bothered her, as a year later the xrays showed an advanced stage of hip dysplasia.

Good luck with your puppy.