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| biting people; puppy biting legs, toes and hands hard! | |
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| Topic Started: Jul 13 2009, 09:22 PM (94 Views) | |
| worzel | Jul 13 2009, 09:22 PM Post #1 |
Squeaker
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Can anyone help......please? We have just got a 11 week old irish terrier and he is absolutely gorgeous and actually really well behaved apart from...... He occasionally jumps up, bites hard at your trousers or skin, like he is having a mad one for 15mins. (he looks a little crazy when he does this) We know he is only playing, plus teething and have stopped pushing him away as this only makes him play more, but it does hurt! We've just got a crate and the only way he stops is by putting him in there, however we really don't want the crate to become like a naughty step. We praise him and spend time playing but this has to stop and nothing is working. Slaps on the nose or bottom, saying ouch loud like his puppy mates would and saying NO doesnt work either..... any more suggestions? We cant take him out for a walk till friday, and we start puppy classes tomorrow, both I hope will help the situation. with thanks worzel and her lovely biting dog Eric |
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| Marean | Jul 13 2009, 09:28 PM Post #2 |
Total Gas Bag!
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You must put an introduction in the intros section as we desperately need piccys of your pup Eric, (great name by the way) :D and of course would love to hear more about him. With my Bt we did the loud yelp noises then immediately shut him in another room 'time out' so to speak for a couple of minutes, found he soon cottoned on to what would happen and he soon stopped this behaviour. |
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| Tafia | Jul 13 2009, 09:45 PM Post #3 |
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Total Gas Bag!
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:welcome: Marie's given some brilliant advice, that and perserverence will win the day. Don't be disheartened, every single puppy owner that ever was has gone through this but it does pass thankfully. Couple of things I would add; please don't tap on nose, the major thing it will achieve is to teach him to become headshy and for a number of reasons it's incredibly important he doesn't develop that. Just like children pup's want to put everything in their mouths to find out what it is, how it feels and tastes - plus the teething process is incredibly painful. Chomping down on something relieves that pain. Tomorrow morning go to your local pound shop and buy yourself a supply of flannels, knot them, soak them in water and put in the freezer - when frozen give one to Worzel everytime he fancies having a chomp down and keep them coming! Photo's please! |
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| Lu20 | Jul 14 2009, 10:41 AM Post #4 |
Total Gas Bag!
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:wave: :welcome: Must post some piccies :yes: Can't add anything more than what already been posted. The Frozen flannels really do work, when Jess was little they were a god send. It is something we have all been through and as painfull as it can be ..... it does pass, honest :ok: |
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| Linda & Fred | Jul 14 2009, 11:56 AM Post #5 |
Chatterbox
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When you say 'ouch' what happens next? For it to work you need to remove yourself from the pup, taking any toys with you, for at least a minute. Remove yourself from the room if you have to. Everyone needs to do this every time, and he will get the message. I'd avoid saying it in a high-pitched squeaky way as that's likely to keep him excited too, at this age I might just say a firm 'No' and leave. Bashing a terrier on the nose is just going to get him excited and make him want to bite you again cos it's such fun! Not sure what Irish terriers were bred for, but as most terriers were bred to kill vermin from rats up to badger sized mammals (which would very likely bite back) you'd have to knock his head off for a smack to work - terriers have a high pain threshhold. I know how frustrating it is - I walked a weimy puppy for a while and she never got the message because her family weren't keeping it up as well, and it doesn't work if some people let them get away with it. By 8 months I couldn't stand it any longer and handed in my notice. |
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| zandd | Jul 14 2009, 05:45 PM Post #6 |
Moderator
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Yep agree about the nose tapping,definite no-no.A firm ouch or No (I'm not one of those who believe you shouldn't be negative with a pup :rolleyes: ) and removing yourself/bitten person away from him,do you use a baby gate,they are brilliant for seperating but still being seen.Nearly all pups try this and a) it hurts like hell and b) it's vitally important they learn bite inhibition asap.The frozen flannel idea is brilliant,just don't leave him alone with one in case he shreds it - mine did but then he shredded everything.Puppy Nylabones are also great for teething. |
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| RJL | Jul 14 2009, 09:10 PM Post #7 |
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Chatterbox
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:yes: Definitely agree with all that has been said! As soon as you say 'ouch!' in a loud but not high pitched voice, turn your back and march purposefully out of the room - so it is a definite signal that your interaction with Eric is over - until you choose to resume it. It will pass, but stocking up on teething remedies like the frozen facecloths will help. Irish love being around people, even (especially) if they can make them do amusing and exciting things like play-fighting, jumping up in the air, making funny noises etc. ;) Once Eric realises that biting gets the exact opposite of what he wants, he will cotton on that keeping his fangs to himself is more fun. I would definitely reiterate the warnings about banging on the nose too. Irish Terriers are big dogs (for a terrier) and a headshy, snappy one is no joke. As you will no doubt have realised by now, Irish Terriers are born with a Phd in Emotional Blackmail :ph43r: Make sure early on that if one member of the household asks Eric to do something...or to stop doing something, that everyone backs that person up by ignoring him until he has done his task. Notwithstanding all the stuff in the breed books about their undying devotion to their masters, most Irish would sell their soul for a sausage (and then pick a fight to get it back) - if one person is asking him to sit, or go flat without making the exercise incredible fun and rewarding and another is sitting there just waiting for a cuddle and so much as smiles at him, he will do his best cute face and go for the easy option and if he gets it, he will use this ploy time and time again! I know one very experienced owner who calls it their 'Court of Appeal' :) (BTW - Irish were bred as a general purpose sporting dog - as opposed to a going to ground terrier. They were (and still are) used for rabbitting, ratting, worked as gundogs, guard dogs and in the 'bad old days' badger baiting and dog-fighting too. They were used as guard dogs, rat-killers and messenger dogs in WW1 as well. the colour is important as it allows the dog to fade to almost invisible at dusk - handy when poaching :ph43r: ) |
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