Biting at my ankles
does any of this make sense,as soon as we go back inside he stops.It almost seems like a game as he circles being goofy but I've let him know it's not a game to me.I don't know what he's trying to let me know. HELP!!! He is a mellow dog otherwise,puppy behavior aside he's great |
|
|
| he is over loaded and acting out is my guess. Either he sees the dog next door as a threat, or a playmate he can't get to, but it probably contributes to his behavior.
The good thing is if you work with getting control now it will only help in the future. I assume he is on a leash, if not that is step one. and step two (temporary) is to cover up those ankles with pants or boots (depending on your climate so it doesn't hurt). When he attempts to bite put him in a sit when he seems calmer let him up - if he tries again sit. He can only be up and walking if he is being good. I wouldn't praise him at first (it will only add to the excitement) but after he seems to get the idea you can treat or pet him when he is being good. It really should only take one night (and some refresher courses) to break him of the habit. If he is very intuitive he may catch on very very quickly. |
| Maybe related, maybe not. The next door dog could be nervous and that in turn plays upon your pup. Poor next door dog, very sad.
As for your pup, he could also be wanting to play, needs more exercise, "Oh boy, we are outside, let's play." This tiny growl and nipping is seen in the litter. Back then the other pups and the mother correct this rather quickly. If you could start play before he starts biting and growling then you are exercising him before he goes into his "way of asking." If he does bit the ankles, the game stops immediately and you go inside. Lesson learned: ankle biting does not get me fun play. Most dogs go thru some of this aggressive period, but seems to be more so in a herding or working breed. At four months he's still exploring boundaries....which they will do until after a year......and then come the terrible teen months where the ears to deaf and the brain turns off. With patience and consistency this all passes and you will be singing the praises of your dog. |
Sounds like he wants to play? Does he drop down on his fore-legs and stick his butt in the air when he's nipping? If so he's playing even if your not  I would only add one thing to the great advice above, perhaps he needs more constructive exercise that you both will enjoy. |
| Ok First we have a fenced backyard so he's not on a leash,the house before we lived was in the country so no leash there either,however he goes to work with me everyday and IS on a leash to potty there,not doing really well on the leash either but more just playing not the ankle biting,but my job is in a more city setting the noise level is different.Will try leash at home,just thought he'd enjoy the freedom of his backyard |
EHearn wrote: Ok First we have a fenced backyard so he's not on a leash,the house before we lived was in the country so no leash there either,however he goes to work with me everyday and IS on a leash to potty there,not doing really well on the leash either but more just playing not the ankle biting,but my job is in a more city setting the noise level is different.Will try leash at home,just thought he'd enjoy the freedom of his backyard
If he needs leash work he really shouldn't be outside without one unless its for a short period of interactive play, after the pottying. |
| Once he learns that nipping is not acceptable play, which shouldn't take long with consistancy, giving him the run of the yard is great. But given that he's not doing well with the leash, you may want to consider a training class. To be able to walk on a leash in a city setting is necessary for his safety. |
| yes he is playing unfortunatly I'm losing alot of blood and this is thru pants and heavy socks. We play ball but after he brings it back I get nailed ,will try the stop playing,but he's got to get some playing time in. |
EHearn wrote: yes he is playing unfortunatly I'm losing alot of blood and this is thru pants and heavy socks. We play ball but after he brings it back I get nailed ,will try the stop playing,but he's got to get some playing time in.
only if its on your terms - i.e. he isn't nipping. SInce he goes to work with you - is he getting enough sleep and/or crate time? Its amazing how much they have to rest at that age. |
| I feel your pain. Chauncey was quite the little nipper, plus the jumping up on my legs, it's a wonder my doctor didn't report hubby as an abuser.
I did my research and I sort of expected alot of Chauncey's behavior but oh, there were days. It does get better with age. Training and consistency is the key. Also a tired dog is a good dog. |
| This is my 3rd oes I do love them and usually can get through to them,but it's not going in on this one!Wish Santa would bring me Kevlar pants if it works on sharks maybe I'd have a chance! Thanks for all your help I'll keep trying! |
| When we first brought home our rescue Lucy we tried everything to get her to stop mouthing us when we brushed her chest. She never really bit us, just put her teeth on our hands. Obviously not acceptable. What finally broke her was a loud "yelp". It only took her two times mouthing us and two loud yelps for the habit to be broken...maybe worth a shot? |
| Chauncey is 4 now and I must be crazy because I certainly didn't enjoy being bleeding and bruised, but on a rare occassion when I pull out an old sweatshirt with holes or look at an old scar....I sort of miss the puppy stage. Okay, maybe it's the puppy breath I miss. Seriously we called him our furry alligator. He is still very oral, just not nipping. He has always, from the trip home from the breeder, laid on my lap and chewed/licked on my right index knuckle...and still does. It doesn't hurt and seems to be a bonding/cuddle thing. He is also the most kissing dog I've ever had.
It will get better. |
| Tried the yelp it just made him goofier,more of a game, tried a yell them put him in his crate,Nothing! Even tried Barking at him which for some crazy reason usually gets through but no luck, just stopped for a minuite then went right back to biting |
| Maybe you could try a squirt bottle or water pistol and give him a quick squirt as he goes to bite you.
I have to admit though that I tried this with Tiggy in attempt to get her to stop barking whenever I get home and it only worked twice after that she just ran around out of range but still barking at me. Then again out of squirt range IS out of ankle range too. 
Good luck.  |
| We eliminated this behavior a different way.
When the puppies would bite/nip, we would use a stern(deep) voice to loudy say "No bite!" If the situation allowed, we would push our bodypart back into the pup's/kitten's mouth. It makes it uncomfortable for the biter and goes against the instinct to trap the escaping prey. When the pups/kitten's give kisses/lick us, we would use a soft, high pitched voice to say "Kisses." Positive attention given, even a treat if they are immediately accessible. Once they are familiar with the words and the behavior they elicit from you, then combine them - Kisses, no bite. Those nips immediatly turn into kisses. We've even been able to eliminate nipping in my son's Cattle Dog - an occassional middle of the room "Air Nip" remains, but nothing near a person. |
| Chopin was usually pretty good, but the few times he got a bit wild with his mouth as a pup I would close his mouth with my hand, make him look in my eyes and tell him no followed by a low growl. After that I move his face so eye contact was broken by him and not me. I felt really mean the first few times but it does not hurt him and I had a trainer inform me that this is alpha beavior making him realize I will not tolerate what he just did. He was just as happy when I released him and the bad behavior would stop--a few times it took me repeating the action and ignoring him altogether afterwards but he caught on. Hope that helps |
| My boy was quite the fan of nipping and biting when playing. I kind of did a combination of the above 2 comments...I did the closing of the mouth and that.
The thing that seemed to work best was instead of shoving my arm back in his mouth I'd take one of his soft toys and shove that in there. It took some time but now whenever he gets extra excited and he has the opportunity he'll grab a toy to bite into while he's excited or we're playing. When we're outside and there are no toys you'll randomly hear " Don't bite mommy" and it's almost like it spurs him to go run somewhere else or just move from me before he nips. Frustrating as it is, he'll get it. |
| We had much the same problem with Winnie when young. We carried the toy and stuffed it in her mouth when she got nippy, and also did some pack leader behavior, i.e. when she would grab the leash, which she did often, we would not satisfy her by continuing to proceed.
Perhaps try taking pup out to potty and only potty - and on a leash. Then praise and back to the house immediately. Then back out for play time, making sure you have toys to toss and plenty of exercise. Could be a reaction to the dog next door. Winnie is very social and wants to play with every dog she meets. She gets freaked when another dog won't play with her. And do know they grow out of it!!! Keep at it. We thought for a while that we might not be able to keep Winnie due to the nipping. But now that she's grown out of it, she is a wonderful, loving dog. Also consider that your pup soon will be teething, so please make sure you have plenty of "good" chews at hand! |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|