Biting taken to a whole new level

[zd262]

I've already cried a few times (usually when I get fed up and feel like nothing I do is working). He'll comfort me by sinking his teeth into my leg as I'm letting out sobs.

I'm sorry, but this was an amazing quote. Bubba spent most of his puppy hood in a pen because of his constant biting. And when I really just couldn't deal, in his crate. It will get better!

[ZoeysMommy]

You asked in an earlier post when did Zoey stop the biting, it was about 4 months old or so, right about the time when those little razor teeth fell out. Zoey continued to be mouthy and she still is today but she knows what gentle and no bite means. When she is feeling real snarky she pinches me with her front teeth.

Hang in there, it does get better. And dont be afraid to be a little stern with him. I dont believe in the whole alpha theory thing but some dogs are just more hard headed than others. Zoey is a wonderful dog, but even at 6, I still have to remind her how to behave at times, she has a wild streak

[PinkDragon14]

I'm sorry, but this was an amazing quote. Bubba spent most of his puppy hood in a pen because of his constant biting. And when I really just couldn't deal, in his crate. It will get better!

His time outs in his crate aren't working anymore - he uses it as his personal nap time (yes, this dog falls asleep within 3mins of being on his bed. He's a nut!)

You asked in an earlier post when did Zoey stop the biting, it was about 4 months old or so, right about the time when those little razor teeth fell out. Zoey continued to be mouthy and she still is today but she knows what gentle and no bite means. When she is feeling real snarky she pinches me with her front teeth.

Hang in there, it does get better. And dont be afraid to be a little stern with him. I dont believe in the whole alpha theory thing but some dogs are just more hard headed than others. Zoey is a wonderful dog, but even at 6, I still have to remind her how to behave at times, she has a wild streak

We like to call him coconut head because he knows what a command (no bite) means, but he just doesn't listen. He has many other names as well, but they're reserved for his "bad" moments

I'm looking forward to him losing these razor teeth. I wish I could fast forward to a few months from now when his teeth are gone!

[windycanyon]

So what part of the crate isnt working w/ the biting in your opinion? Have you stopped to think that maybe he's just tired (ie why he's using it for his "personal nap time"?)

[Meeps83]

So what part of the crate isnt working w/ the biting in your opinion? Have you stopped to think that maybe he's just tired (ie why he's using it for his "personal nap time"?)

^this

maverick was the worst when he was really tired or really excited. Our first reaction was just to get up and walk away from him. If he kept biting and jumping we would put him in his crate. If he fell asleep we would leave him in there. If not, we'd keep him in there until he had been laying down calmly, like 15 mins or so. He usually fell asleep.

[PinkDragon14]

So what part of the crate isnt working w/ the biting in your opinion? Have you stopped to think that maybe he's just tired (ie why he's using it for his "personal nap time"?)

He's definitely not tired. He usually sleeps for 2hrs or so, wakes up, goes outside, comes back in, and begins his rampage. Then he ends up back in there and falls asleep again. He does it when he wakes up in the morning too (even after sleeping all night).

Personally, I think he thinks it's a game. Whenever I tell him NO BITE, he comes back with more force. I give him 3 warnings and into the crate he goes.

Yesterday, he bit my foot (like he took my foot and bit the entire thing), I yelled at him, he walked away, and peed in front of the tv. I don't know if that was a coincidence or vengeance, but I was furious and disappointed. He made it 3 weeks without an accident until yesterday. Oh the joys of puppyhood :P

I will admit though - sometimes he is tired or hungry, but most of the time he isn't.

[Laura]

^this maverick was the worst when he was really tired or really excited. Our first reaction was just to get up and walk away from him. If he kept biting and jumping we would put him in his crate. If he fell asleep we would leave him in there. If not, we'd keep him in there until he had been laying down calmly, like 15 mins or so. He usually fell asleep.

^ this

Theo is one of those puppies that would get overstimulated or tired and turn into a holy terror. He has never has the ability to just go lie down and sleep somewhere in the house. He needs to be in his crate.
We went through a stage where he could barely make it even one hour out of his crate at a time before being sent back in for some settle down time. He would nip and run for attention. It was not the most fun time for either of us.

[rochie427]

Our Rosie who recently turned one was a land shark, spawn of satan, you name it when she was young. We found that when she got into her crazy moments a short time in her crate calmed her down. I can't tell you how many holes I have in my jeans, shirts, my favorite denim jacket, not to mention the battle scars I have LOL. It wasn't until we had a trainer come to the house that things started to settle down. Turns out what we thought was right was wrong and we were sending mixed messages to Rosie.

What everyone said is right concerning when the nipping usually stops. She'll still put her mouth on us but is more gentle. Another thing that is a must is exercise. I found that a 40 - 45 minute walk first thing in the morning knocks her out for most of the day. I'll also play with her inside as well.

Getting her into her crate was a struggle but over time she came to accept it as her get away place. She now readily goes in whenever she is tired.

All dogs are different but just remember patience and consistency is key.

[Snowshoe]

He's definitely not tired. He usually sleeps for 2hrs or so, wakes up, goes outside, comes back in, and begins his rampage. Then he ends up back in there and falls asleep again. He does it when he wakes up in the morning too (even after sleeping all night).

Personally, I think he thinks it's a game. Whenever I tell him NO BITE, he comes back with more force. I give him 3 warnings and into the crate he goes.

Yesterday, he bit my foot (like he took my foot and bit the entire thing), I yelled at him, he walked away, and peed in front of the tv. I don't know if that was a coincidence or vengeance, but I was furious and disappointed. He made it 3 weeks without an accident until yesterday. Oh the joys of puppyhood :P

I will admit though - sometimes he is tired or hungry, but most of the time he isn't.

IMO this is part of the problem. Only say it once and make the consequences immediate. You wouldn't ask for a SIT and say it more than once. Well you shouldn't. Even more important for biting, I think, that you only tell him once, no second chances and certainly not three.

[Labradorks]

If you know he's going to be crazy at certain times, why not use those times to play games (fetch, hide and seek, etc.) and do a little training after playing? You can play a game as simple as when he makes the choice to bite a toy instead of you, mark it and give him a treat. There's all kinds of positive things you can do with your pup right now. He's probably bright and wanting to learn. Are you doing any training at the moment?

While crating a naughty puppy is great when they need a nap or if you have hit your boiling point and need a break yourself, it really does not teach them what you want from them. Especially when that behavior is just them being a puppy. I mean, you can't train being a puppy out of a puppy. The puppy will grow out of the biting. He sounds like a tough one, though, so I get your frustration. But, what are you doing to help him alleviate that need, to blow off steam and to learn what you do what from him?

Are you training him?
Are you exercising him?
Are you getting him out and socializing him?
Are you allowing him to play with other, appropriate dogs or puppies?
Are you being consistent?
Are you creating a structured home?
Are you trying to teach him the behaviors you want from him or are you fighting about all of the behaviors you do not want?
Are you setting him up for success?