stopping a puppy to bite

[rydlewis]

we have just got a new pup which is 10 weeks old .the first few days have been alright but she is starting to bite every now and then.how can we stop this behavior.

[WorkinDogz]

Puppies HAVE to chew. It's not "if" they do; they have to.

At this point; redirect the puppy to chew on something you want her to chew on. (knuckle bones are great for this)

Be consistant with her. If you're playing and she starts the biting thing; correct her with a stern verbal correction; take those cute little cheeks in your hands and firmly tell her "NO BITE" then give her something you want her to chew on.

It's not hard to teach bite inhabition; just takes consistancy and patience.

[Chantal]

Both my Rotts did this when they were puppies. But we stopped it early, which is very important. I held their mouths closed and said "No Bite", they don't like that, and they learn quickly.

[southerncomfort]

I agree with WD, a stern correction and give a good toy to chew on with a goooood pup when he is chewing on the right thing.

[Carol Burke]

I have found that screaming as if hurt stops puppy biting very quickly.

[Doug Wendling]

Just my opinion, I would not scream and make it look like the pup hurt me! I handle this problem my own way, but never make it look like they are hurting you. I allow my pups to bite me when I play with them untill they get to the age that they are hurting me, this is usually at a little later in life for the pup. Then enough is enough. I would not recommend that everyone do this, it would depend on the person and the pup. I have always done this and never had a problem later in life with the dogs dominating me or anything like that. I have a very strong Dutch Shepherd pup right now and I know the bloodlines and I am a lot stricter with him. So, as I said before I think it depends on the pup and what you want from the pup later in life? I think it is a very natural thing for this to take place. Look at wolves in the wild, it is normal for the pups to roughhouse with the older dominate wolves, but at a certain age the adults don't put up with it anymore, then they put a stop to it. Just my opinion!
To stop the behavior, I agree with WorkinDogz, this is what I do with my pups when it is time to stop the biting. But, like I said for me this is a little later in life for the pup.
Doug Wendling

[Carol Burke]

By indicating to the puppy that they are hurting you you are teaching bite inhibition the same as their mother or litter mates would teach them bite inhibition. The puppy's intention when biting is not to hurt, they are playing. Once they realize this hurts they will stop.

[WorkinDogz]

hmm...whenever I've bred a bitch and she was teaching her pups bite inhabition; the only screaming done was by the pups when she'd correct them.

Everyone does things a little differently; but "tone" of the voice is far more important than volume IMHO.

Corrections of any kind aren't meant to "frighten" a puppy or a dog.

[michale baker]

Like everyone else has stated, biting is something all dogs do at that age.

What has worked for me is a stern NO BITE, then I have her sit for a 3 seconds, then redirect her biting by giving her a chew toy.

The reason I have her sit, is that I want to break the cycle and take control of the situation. I don't want to give her the chew toy right after she bites because it will form the pattern bite and get a chew toy.

When I have her sit, I take control and then I praise her for siting and give her the toy...just a distraction. Not sure if what I do makes a difference but it works for me.

[Ethár]

I have written a lot on my webpage.

If you go there and press the link "newbeginner..." you can read all about it - and many, many more things

Good Luck with your darling!