jonmichael Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Hi there . . . I'm new to this forum and this is my first post, so apologies if I am not posting in the correct location. I have a 9-week old pup who is great. He's peeing or pooping or both pretty much every 1.5 hours right now, so I'm pretty worn down, but he's precious and I know that all the work I'm putting in now will pay off in spades later on. The one thing that he's doing that I don't know what to do about (and can't find discussion of in any of my books) is nipping and biting my jeans (and if I'm not wearing jeans, he might go for sox, or even legs). He has his hyper moments, and when he gets really hyper, he'll latch on to my jeans and not let go, wanting to play tug. It's very playful behavior, not aggressive at all. Obviously, the correction for this is to ignore him, but he keeps biting and his teeth go into my leg and it REALLY hurts, so it is hard to ignore and not pull back. I realize that every time I pull back he is thinking that it is part of the game. So what to do about this one? What is a good correction? I've tried asking him to sit and offering him a treat, which he does, but then after he takes the treat he just latches onto my leg again. I welcome all wisdom from this list! Thanks, Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lvzbel Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 I have the same problem it started two days ago however it mostly happens when i play with her. Hopefully i can get some help too Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Ouch puppy teeth really hurt! I wouldn't give a treat as you're in effect rewarding this behaviour. I would give a small (not hard) tap on the nose and say NO move the pup back walk away and don't give any attention. When he comes back and DOESNT tug your jeans etc, THEN give fuss and attention. I always found ignoring the bad and praising the good worked the quickest and the best Oh and welcome to the pack We need pics as well pwease :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazz Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Take what Sarah has posted (added to rep), and just remember, to apply this frequently and consistently. Your pups will continue to push the envelope but eventually will get the message. This is all part of establishing the pack order. You have to be the alpha. Once they understand that, it will be much easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val (Zebedee) Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Hiya, Jon, welcome on board ... I too agree with Sarah, a loud yelp (as their siblings would do) or stern NO! will startle the pup & stop him from what he's doing, then ignore him until he approaches & doesn't nip. Then you can praise & reward that behaviour. Keep repeating this & it won't take a husky long to get on to what is acceptable & what isn't. He's still very young & needs to be shown proper manners in the pack order. Same for you, Rodrigo, start as you mean to go on & show who's boss or you'll be inviting trouble! Good luck with this & please post up a pick or 3!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonmichael Posted December 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Hi . . . thanks everyone for the advice. It does make sense, but the big question is, how to get the pup OFF the jeans. If you tap his nose and say no, he just continues to pull. He basically locks his teeth on the jeans and does not let go, and just keeps tugging. If I pull him or tug back, aren't I "playing" with him, and thus rewarding the behavior? So yes, to the correction and ignoring, but how do I get him to let go of my jeans so that I can ignore him? Thanks! Oh . . . and here is a pic of the little bugger: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lvzbel Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Thank you all for the help too at this very moment Mishka is being ignore for nipping lol Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siberian_wolf Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Hi there . . . I'm new to this forum and this is my first post, so apologies if I am not posting in the correct location. I have a 9-week old pup who is great. He's peeing or pooping or both pretty much every 1.5 hours right now, so I'm pretty worn down, but he's precious and I know that all the work I'm putting in now will pay off in spades later on. The one thing that he's doing that I don't know what to do about (and can't find discussion of in any of my books) is nipping and biting my jeans (and if I'm not wearing jeans, he might go for sox, or even legs). He has his hyper moments, and when he gets really hyper, he'll latch on to my jeans and not let go, wanting to play tug. It's very playful behavior, not aggressive at all. Obviously, the correction for this is to ignore him, but he keeps biting and his teeth go into my leg and it REALLY hurts, so it is hard to ignore and not pull back. I realize that every time I pull back he is thinking that it is part of the game. So what to do about this one? What is a good correction? I've tried asking him to sit and offering him a treat, which he does, but then after he takes the treat he just latches onto my leg again. I welcome all wisdom from this list! Thanks, Jon First of all welcome to the pack Your little boys is gorgeous Here is a site with some information about puppy biting which you may find of use: http://www.doggonesafe.com/stop%20puppy%20from%20biting.htm best of luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bec Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 I would try redirecting him to something he can bite, like a tug. I find it helps to give them an outlet. I would use something smaller and softer than the tug in the pic you posted, as it's way too big for him to grip properly and safely (if you want to teach him to tug with it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonmichael Posted January 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 Well actually, I kept at the nose-hitting business. One light but forceful stroke straight down. I wasn't doing it right before. When I did it this new way, the one firm stroke shocked him into letting go. I turned my back on him and he went NUTS! Growling and throwing a tantrum behind me. I completely ignored him. He calmed down and I praised him. We went through this rigamarole about 3 times. Then, would you believe it? Next play session -- NO PANTS BITING! It's incredible -- how fast it worked. He's still rambunctious, obviously, but he is not grabbing at my pants. I can't thank everyone enough! On to the next challenge . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bec Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 Glad you found something to work for you, Jonmichael. Just be very careful he doesn't become handshy. I'm not a fan of hitting or smacking a dog, especially a pup, so just make sure that he doesn't show any signs of becoming or being hand shy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimpo Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 For Puppys, you can use the head shake, you must have a collor on the dog, get hold of the collor from the back of the head and give it a little shake (side to side), and say NO at the same time. This is what the mother would do to tell off a puppy in the litter, if you have a tag on the collor, and it rattles this is even better. This only works up to about while they are puppys. Shrimpo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benno_bro Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 Glad you got the problem solved and Welcome to the Forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 Glad it's eased off - by tapping on the nose, I meant, and should have put was posted rather hastily, use a finger and tap Paws crossed lesson learnt and he won't keep doing it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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