I just adopted a Pit mix puppy with my fiance. Both of us are experienced dog owners and I have 3 dogs already. We both have kids (6 girls). We absolutely love this extremely smart loving 10wk old guy! He has been such a fast learner with commands already (sit, paw, down, stay, and come), but loves to play bite, a lot. What should I do to correct this in a positive way?
Thanks so much!
By anette Kaelin from NJ
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I read and have used this method: When he bites, pull back and squeal high pitched and loud and refuse to play for a bit. This is what the mother dogs do apparently.
I read and have used this method: When he bites, pull back and squeal high pitched and loud and refuse to play for a bit. This is what the mother dogs do apparently.
I know pittys and pitty mixes can be wonderfully good pets but to be on the safe side I would enroll you and/or your fiance and your new baby in obedience training classes to be on the safe side. Pittys can by nature be very aggresive so it's important to train and especially since you have six children in the house and other pets. The most important thing to teach any canine pet is that you, and not they, are the 'alpha'. Bless you for adopting her!
With 6 kids between you, and a dog which bites, and nips. Does not belong with children! What are you thinking? Dog training asap. Keep this dog away from the children. Then too, there are some dogs and cats which do not do well with kids, and other pets. In any case your children come first, the dog second. Good luck to you.
I have a cat who bites occasionally, and used to be much worse. She was a rescue, so I know she had a hard life and wanted not to reject her. The lady from the rescue group told me to blow in the cat's face whenever she bites - and I think that really worked! Now, when she forgets herself, I only have to say firmly but gently, "No biting!", and she stops. Perhaps this will work with your puppy. Remember he is just a baby, so it will take him a lot of trial and error, but if you're consistent and firm but gentle, he can learn not to bite. Good luck! Please keep us posted on his progress.
Couple of tricks.
When he starts doing it, Look directly in his face and say "NO BITE".
Another trick is to ignore him and put him on the floor and spin him around 3 times , what this does is he will forget what he was doing , so this trick can be used for anything and it's in many Training books.
And alot of Dogs do just grow out of it , it's kinda like a baby teething. He is feeling and his mouth hurts . Give him a piece of Ice to play with.
Here's my two cents:
I've raised several puppies of all breeds, including pits, over the years and I have always been persistent and consistent with my discipline when it comes to puppies and biting (this will also help when training not to chew certain things in the near future).
I grab either top or bottom jaw and squeeze firmly with a voice command. If this hasn't helped within a week or so I will add to that grab by taking the lip and press it on their very sharp teeth. Yes, it does hurt a bit, but you don't need to pinch so hard she bleeds! Also, if we're playing and puppy bites too hard, I yelp. I yelp louder than it actually hurt. The pup understands that communication b/c that's exactly what another dog would do.
It is imperative that you learn about dog psychology. You, not the dog, are the alpha. You and any other members of the family (including children) need to know how to treat him like the Omega. It is imperative to do this from as early an age as possible.
EXERCISE then DISCIPLINE and then and only then AFFECTION. We need to remember one very simple truth: Dogs are not humans. Now matter how much we want them to be they do not see the world and express themselves in the same way that we do. Not understanding how a dog thinks is detrimental to the dog.
Make sure he has plenty of safe, chewable things (I buy rawhide from Sam's Club - all natural, no flavoring and long lasting).
Lastly, I would defiantly invest in a large kennel (wire or plastic). For now, he NEEDS to be kept in a place where he cannot chew anything he's not supposed to. It's not fair to get angry w/ a puppy who does not know yet what is ok and not ok in the household... and it is definitely not fair to get angry when the human doesn't put the puppy in a kennel to prevent any accidents. Eventually you will be able to let him in the house alone, but the ONLY way to train him whats ok and not ok is to catch him doing it. So, when you are home make sure you keep a close eye on the little guy so you can 'catch him in the act'.
If you dedicate yourself crate training him, and to walking him properly every day and taking him to the dog park to run, play and socialize, then you will end up with a beautiful pit that will make you proud!
Good luck and I recommend to watch the Dog Whisperer on The National Geographic Channel!
EXERCISE - DISCIPLINE - AFFECTION (in that order!)
**Kudos to all of the people out there that have a shelter pet!
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I have a 5/6 month old male Pom that we are having a few issues with. He loves playing (as all puppies do), but he thinks he has to bite and hold on to play. Buddy will nip at your feet every time you walk; or try to chew your hands when sitting.
He loves to play with his toys and when we play retrieve he will drop his toy for me to throw again, but bite my hand when I reach for the ball, etc. Sometimes when he brings the toy to me he will just drop it and grab my hand. I correct him every time he does this, but he seems awfully stubborn.
Are shock/vibrate training collars an option in this situation? Anyone out there with some ideas? Buddy is a handsome boy with a white collar like a collie, and reddish brown body with mostly white tail and paws.
By Nelwyn Mills from Bunkie, LA
You have to realize puppy is not being nasty by biting. He too is a baby. He is trying to find someone to play with. You need to play with puppy and take him for walks with the baby and find great chewing toys for him to play with. Watch on National Geographic station the Dog Whisperer, and consider buying his book. (02/16/2010)
By jill
The method I have used on every dog I've owned (and it's never failed) from very small to large breeds, is whenever they bite, I don't pull my arm or finger (or whatever) out of the dog's mouth. Instead, I tap, not hit, but lightly tap, their nose firmly saying "Ow" at the same time. They learn that there is a difference between biting and holding with their mouths. Now my dogs will grab hold, but not bite. If they get excited and put too much pressure into the hold, I simply say "Ow" and they let go.
It also doesn't take as long to train them this way. Just be sure and don't yank your hand away, and do not ever punish the dog. She is simply playing in the way that is natural for a dog or cat to play. (02/17/2010)
By Cricket
My American bulldog is 8 weeks old. How can I get him to stop biting when he plays? I would rather do positive reinforcement than negative. Any suggestions?
By Mia from IN
They all like to do that. Sometimes we play a little too rough and crazy with them and then they get too excited. Some of them are just wired to jump up and bite at your face, hands and ankles, without any extra stimulation. It is a way the pup learned to play with its litter mates. If it was taken before 11 weeks it probably will do this quite often if not all the time. Nothing drastic needs to be done.
Here is the scenario: The pup bites and possibly pricks your skin with its teeth: Say, "Ouch!" in a loud and shocked like voice. This mimics its momma's response to rough play. At this point give the pup a toy and gently place it where the pup will most likely take it. When he does, praise him or her SOFTLY.
When the pup calms down, then start playing softly. Only let the toys be out when you are playing with the pup. (06/17/2009)
By Robyn Fed
Biting is a natural form of playing for dogs and cats alike. You are smart to try and curb it at this age rather than later, though. Here's what I have always done with all my dogs and cats and it's never failed me in all the 50+ yrs I've had them.
Any time they bite me, I don't jerk my hand (or whatever) away. I leave it in their mouth and in a firm tone of voice say "Don't bite!" and lightly tap the dog's nose. Not hard, just a light tap. I do this over and over till he releases, then I love the heck out of him.
It doesn't take long using this method, and also there's no "abuse" to it. The light tap on the nose helps to re-enforce that you mean business. But they don't need to feel physical pain to learn that. Just enough of a tap so that they know what you are talking about when you say "Don't bite!" Tap as if you were spanking a canary. That lightly.
Like I said, it's always worked with every dog I've ever had, and believe me I've had lots! Good luck! (06/17/2009)
By Cricket
This is normal play for them, just don't use your hand when playing. I use a stuffed animal or sock with rags in it. If you do this, they won't bite you, only the object. As they grow older they will get the toy to play with you. This works even with a pit bull dog. How you raise them is how they will play. It works. I have three dogs; one hyper, one very laid back, and one who might lick you to death.
By Mary
