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Playful/Destructive Biting
Hi Bernice,
A month ago I picked up a stray teenage pup from where I work, about 10months to year old, and have taken him in. He was in really bad shape, full of mange and secondary infections. Now that he has fully recovered, he is an amazingly happy lively dog. The only problem is that biting is his form of play, and we dont know what to do about it.
My legs are full of bruises from all the playful nips, and my older dog who is about 9years old is now very grumpy because the puppy keeps biting his ankles. I have tried enticing the puppy with toys, but our ankles obviously are more fun. The nips can be very painful, so its impossible (for me or my older dog) to ignore him and not shout or react.
As a result of this our older dog has become very disobedient because he doesnt want to go outside with the puppy, or he jumps on the couches and beds to get away.
As part of his playing, we now find that he carrys our socks and shoes around the house (luckily none chewed yet), and he bites and throws around any rugs, blankets or cushions.
What can we do? Please help before he does start chewing things.
P.s. We intend on taking both dogs to obedience class in the next month or two when the puppys fur has all grown back.
A month ago I picked up a stray teenage pup from where I work, about 10months to year old, and have taken him in. He was in really bad shape, full of mange and secondary infections. Now that he has fully recovered, he is an amazingly happy lively dog. The only problem is that biting is his form of play, and we dont know what to do about it.
My legs are full of bruises from all the playful nips, and my older dog who is about 9years old is now very grumpy because the puppy keeps biting his ankles. I have tried enticing the puppy with toys, but our ankles obviously are more fun. The nips can be very painful, so its impossible (for me or my older dog) to ignore him and not shout or react.
As a result of this our older dog has become very disobedient because he doesnt want to go outside with the puppy, or he jumps on the couches and beds to get away.
As part of his playing, we now find that he carrys our socks and shoes around the house (luckily none chewed yet), and he bites and throws around any rugs, blankets or cushions.
What can we do? Please help before he does start chewing things.
P.s. We intend on taking both dogs to obedience class in the next month or two when the puppys fur has all grown back.
Answers
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Hi.
Firstly, whenever he bites too hard, make a loud yip like a puppy would make and end the play session off. You need to teach your puppy bite inibition. Try to take him to a socialising older puppy group or send him to a puppy daycare where he can learn to play nicely. Please give me a shout so that I can give you names of people in your area.
You can also try a spray bottle, and everytime he bites too hard you can spray him (with the sharp spray and not the mist) on his nose. Before you spray, say "ah ah" so that you can just use the words and he should stop the biting in a couple of weeks.
But remember to socialise, socialise and socialise
Bernice Jaffe
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