Sounds a little over stimulated /overwhelmed...what is going on when the biting starts- are you on the floor playing or holding her trying to pet her,or does she just walk up to you and start gnawing on you ? Look at her body language. Gentle hands are important, take a deep breath, you are smarter,and bigger than this pup and you have to show her how to use her mouth which are kinda like our hands to her. Don't let her chew on your hands. Gently place a chew toy in her mouth whenever she tries to mouth you. If she becomes a snapping machine walk away from her and do something else, no interaction. No alpha putting the pup in it's place type stuff, you are not a dog. Make sure she gets some down time. Try fetch or a big ball for her to herd to tire her out . Hang in there. Sorrry to refer to Baily as a she-I have a female so just seem to think that way...
Biting Issues
- Thread starter LaurGold
- Start date
Sounds a little over stimulated /overwhelmed...what is going on when the biting starts- are you on the floor playing or holding her trying to pet her,or does she just walk up to you and start gnawing on you ? Look at her body language. Gentle hands are important, take a deep breath, you are smarter,and bigger than this pup and you have to show her how to use her mouth which are kinda like our hands to her. Don't let her chew on your hands. Gently place a chew toy in her mouth whenever she tries to mouth you. If she becomes a snapping machine walk away from her and do something else, no interaction. No alpha putting the pup in it's place type stuff, you are not a dog. Make sure she gets some down time. Try fetch or a big ball for her to herd to tire her out . Hang in there. Sorrry to refer to Baily as a she-I have a female so just seem to think that way...
I can't offer much help when it comes to trying to train him out of his bitey behavior, but I'll put my 2 cents in as to my own experience with a very bitey puppy.
When we got Cosmo he was 8 weeks old and pretty calm, as he got used to us he got very nippy/bitey, my boyfriend even had scratches on his arm from where he grabbed him and wouldn't let go. We started to worry about him and if he would calm as he got older, but he was still acting the same at 3 months old.
We ended up buying Jet (Cosmo's brother), the last of his litter from the breeder. Having a second puppy has changed Cosmo completely, he's a much friendlier dog now though he does get a little mouthy, but it doesn't hurt like it used to.
You mightn't be in the position to get a second puppy, but we found that Jet wore Cosmo out and helped set boundaries when it came to how to behave, he had an outlet to play with when no-one else wanted to instead of trying to play-fight with us. Cosmo was also able to observe Jet's good behavior and how he got rewarded for it, in turn Cosmo desired the same sort of rewards.
When we got Cosmo he was 8 weeks old and pretty calm, as he got used to us he got very nippy/bitey, my boyfriend even had scratches on his arm from where he grabbed him and wouldn't let go. We started to worry about him and if he would calm as he got older, but he was still acting the same at 3 months old.
We ended up buying Jet (Cosmo's brother), the last of his litter from the breeder. Having a second puppy has changed Cosmo completely, he's a much friendlier dog now though he does get a little mouthy, but it doesn't hurt like it used to.
You mightn't be in the position to get a second puppy, but we found that Jet wore Cosmo out and helped set boundaries when it came to how to behave, he had an outlet to play with when no-one else wanted to instead of trying to play-fight with us. Cosmo was also able to observe Jet's good behavior and how he got rewarded for it, in turn Cosmo desired the same sort of rewards.
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It seems like he's doing it to play, or get our attention mostly - he will bit at our ankles & legs when we walk around the kitchen, but if we're holding him & he's antsy, he'll go for hands, clothes, hair & faces. We (my parents & I), have tried a yelp, a stern voice, and giving him a toy, but it hasn't seemed to have an effect yet. I don't think he understands that we aren't like puppies & it hurts us. The only thing that has really gotten his attention is when we whistle. He's very gentle & loving when he's calm, but when he comes in for a walk or is playing, he's very feisty. I'm definitely going to look into a trainer who can at least help us figure out the best way to proceed.
It seems like he's doing it to play, or get our attention mostly - he will bit at our ankles & legs when we walk around the kitchen, but if we're holding him & he's antsy, he'll go for hands, clothes, hair & faces. We (my parents & I), have tried a yelp, a stern voice, and giving him a toy, but it hasn't seemed to have an effect yet. I don't think he understands that we aren't like puppies & it hurts us. The only thing that has really gotten his attention is when we whistle. He's very gentle & loving when he's calm, but when he comes in for a walk or is playing, he's very feisty. I'm definitely going to look into a trainer who can at least help us figure out the best way to proceed.
photos!
Oh, in case you would like to place a face with the name, here is the beautiful sable merle boy in question.
I created this Tumblr page when we rescued him: http://baileyblu.tumblr.com/
Oh, in case you would like to place a face with the name, here is the beautiful sable merle boy in question.
I created this Tumblr page when we rescued him: http://baileyblu.tumblr.com/
Shelby's mom
Forums Enthusiast
Shelby was a biter too. What worked for us was yeliing ouch very loudly like we were really hurt. Then walk away from her and ignor her until she stopped. Would not even look at her. She eventually figured it out and the biting stopped. You must be consistent but they figure it out.
Shelby still likes to play bite some times but she does know to be gentle, unless my husband tells her they are playing rough then she knows she can get him good.
Shelby still likes to play bite some times but she does know to be gentle, unless my husband tells her they are playing rough then she knows she can get him good.
So many good suggestions here. I agree that consulting a trainer is a good idea at this time. Having someone with knowledge and experience who is able to observe your puppy directly may give you some suggestions that you haven't tried.
As mentioned by others...coming from a puppy mill there is a good chance that your puppy was taken from his mama and litter mates before learning the important "rules" around bite and play boundaries. Our kids have a year old lab cross who was removed from her mama at 6 weeks. They have had to put LOTS of work on the bite inhibition and also in the "over enthusiastic play" as we like to refer to it
She is not an aggressive dog but her "biting" did transfer into stealing (unfortunately she became obessed with stealing hats from small children 
) She is just over a year now and much more settled thanks to good training advice and lots of work our kids have a wonderful companion.
It sounds like your family are off to a great start by learning and trying out many suggestions. I am sure that your puppy's life could have had a very different outcome had he not come into your home. Good luck and keep us posted
As mentioned by others...coming from a puppy mill there is a good chance that your puppy was taken from his mama and litter mates before learning the important "rules" around bite and play boundaries. Our kids have a year old lab cross who was removed from her mama at 6 weeks. They have had to put LOTS of work on the bite inhibition and also in the "over enthusiastic play" as we like to refer to it
She is not an aggressive dog but her "biting" did transfer into stealing (unfortunately she became obessed with stealing hats from small children ) She is just over a year now and much more settled thanks to good training advice and lots of work our kids have a wonderful companion. It sounds like your family are off to a great start by learning and trying out many suggestions. I am sure that your puppy's life could have had a very different outcome had he not come into your home. Good luck and keep us posted
Bandit didn't nip to play at all the first couple days...now that we are approaching a week home he has started and we have been ignoring him when he doesn't (to the point of turning our backs) or saying "NO BITE" in a stern voice and turning our backs, etc. I find that like your Bailey, when he wants to be a snuggle bug he is the most sweetest boy....I don't know his history at all..I do know he came from a BYB and the first 3 weeks away from that environment were with folks that are not very sheltie savvy...not a big thing but big when it comes to herding dogs. We redirect ALOT....I do the whole roll a ball to get him to realize that is a chew toy, humans are not. I am hoping catching this early...well early here....we can get it remedied quickly. It's frustrating because our first Sheltie, Bear didn't go through this phase at all...but that is the difference between BYB and a reputable breeder....
Good luck and I hope your Bailey gets out of this phase quickly and without any incidents...we are working steadfastly with Bandit and he is about the same age. DOB 5/15/2012.
Good luck and I hope your Bailey gets out of this phase quickly and without any incidents...we are working steadfastly with Bandit and he is about the same age. DOB 5/15/2012.
Updates
Just wanted to give a biting Bailey update - He is doing much better with the biting! (phew). He still nips a bit when he's excited to see us & can't quite help himself, but he doesn't chase us around with his sharp fangs, or gnaw at our ankles at the dinner table.
We're still waiting for him to figure out that he needs to go to the bathroom outdoors all the time, and not just part-time, but it's a work in progress. He may have been confused because he came from the rescue fully paper-trained. Need to break that habit!
Just wanted to give a biting Bailey update - He is doing much better with the biting! (phew). He still nips a bit when he's excited to see us & can't quite help himself, but he doesn't chase us around with his sharp fangs, or gnaw at our ankles at the dinner table.
We're still waiting for him to figure out that he needs to go to the bathroom outdoors all the time, and not just part-time, but it's a work in progress. He may have been confused because he came from the rescue fully paper-trained. Need to break that habit!