the hand biting hasn't really stopped.

[jaupro]

OK. So the yelping seemed to stop hazel at first...but its hasn't truly stopped. She continues to put our hands in her mouth and gnaw on them, I don't think she tries so much to hurt us but it really hurts. I have come to the colclusion that thiis is some attempts at dominance..becaude if I sit on the couch which she claims as hers often or on the bed with her that's when she does it most.and I noticed if I continusously push her off the couch over like a good 20 minute period she gives up...so maybe I'm iwnning the dominance battle. Also if new people come in she bites them more than normal like as if she's seeing where they rank in the pack to her... I know she knows I'm in charge though..because if he really get out of hand all I gotta do is sand up puff out my chest give her a stern look and she sits immeadiatley and chills. Sometimes with a slight pay swat rebellion..but for the most part she submits.. Sometimes tho she doesn't and she just continues..I have even tried to pin her by her neck thing. Not hurting her..but showing her her place in the pack...and that just seems to make her nibble more like she thinks I'm playing...its getting to a point where we can't have someone over w/o me having to get up and make her chill ever 5 minutes. Any Ideas????


OH btw along the same lines she still chases the cat...and I try to stop her ...like if she's just kinda looking like she wants to chase her..I'll just divert her attention...but if she runs at her in over excitement I'll generally grab her call her to stop her and try to pin her down..again not hurt her..but show her her place. I figure that's how they do it in packs..so that's the best way to make her understand...


any ideas???

 

[Mongo]

From what you describe it does not sound like dominance but just play. Puppies look at hands as interactive toys... toys that play back. You can try by stuffing a toy in her mouth every time she starts to bite you and just continue to do that. Consistency is the MOST important training tool! If that does not work, then just walk and way. She will start to realize that if the bites play time is over.

Puppies don’t have hands so when new people come to visit she plays with her mouth and "taste" them to see what they are like.

""If I continuously push her off the couch over like a good 20 minute period she gives up...so maybe I'm winning the dominance battle.""

Ok you’re not showing her dominance and you’re not "winning" the battle. She’s just giving up because she doesn’t feel that it’s worth the fight. Not because you told her to get down. She is a puppy so of course she is learning and doesn’t "know" any better yet. If she is not allowed on the couch then any time she tries, correct her in the act! Don’t let her be on the couch one day and then off the next... it’s one or the other. There is no in between - that just confuses the dog.

You should really start thinking about puppy training classes... those are very important. Its not just for the dog but also the owner.

 

[jaupro]

she is allowed on the couch. I just oush her down trying to stop her from biting my hands. I know cosistancy is the key. And I do understand she is just a puppy. I'm just trying o teach her these donts before she becomes an adult.

 

[Moniqua]

How old is your dog! She seems a lot like my Pandora! Pandora is 8 months old and 110lbs.

We are in the process of trying to get her to stop the biting too. I take my attention away from her and this drives her nuts. I cross my arms, turn away from her and won't look at her for 2 or 3 minutes. When I go back to her she licks me. I am teaching her that the only acceptable way to touch a human with her mouth is with her tongue!

 

[RERM]

When she begins mouthing, let out a loud yelp or scream, stand up and turn your back to her...ignore her attempts at getting your attention. This way she'll understand this is unwanted contact and that it hurts. You MUST BE CONSISTENT, that means when friends come over and she acts up, ask them to do the same. Also, watch out for friends or visitors, sometimes people think it's cute to have a mouthing dog and they put their hands in the dogs mouth...dont let them...

Later