Nice Little Dog Looks Threatening

W

Wagonracer

Forums Regular
Recently Jasper has developed a habit of biting everything in sight. Even sometimes walking by he will do a biting motion in your direction (looks threatening although I know it is not). Is this a normal part of teething as he is 5 months old??? Is this just a phase??? Thanks...
 
I think it is normal. My sheltie is about 10 weeks old, and he does this. I've learned not to go without socks and shoes around him. Sometimes he does a jump/bite comb. It hurts if you don't see it coming, but at least when he does that I have time to get out of the way. He almost broke skin the other day. :dead:

Does your puppy growl at you a lot? Mines does this as well.
 
lol sounds like it is time to get a BIG Kong. Fox did this when teething and still does it to an extent at age 3.
 
I asked my vet about that when I first took Smudge in. He just shrugged and said, "Well...he's still a puppy." I hurt my hand at work and had to have stitches in my right index finger. It's not fun having a puppy go at a sore spot like that even if he is playing.

I'm hoping he'll grow out of it. He's going to school in a few weeks, and I don't want him chewing on random people's shoes, purses, children, ect. :rolleyes2:
 
Edan did this as well when I brought him home at 6 months until he was nearly a year old. Better not keep shoes and other things you don't want him to chew on where he can get them and keep some bitter apple, or similar product on hand.

If he does manager to nip you, actually make contact you can feel, yell "OUCH!" and stop paying any attention to him for a few minutes. This will help re-train him that it is not acceptable to bite people. If he chews objects, take the 'bad' object away and substitute one of his toys.
 
I tried the whole yelling "OUCH!" thing. It didn't work for me. :lol: When I ignore him then he only takes the opportunity of being ignored to bite again.
 
ARe you talking about nipping at your feet as you walk by? That is, does he get up and follow you and your feet, bounding along behind you? Or is he "lunging" at you in a semi-defensive posture?

If the first, then that is normal puppy, and particularly Sheltie behaviour. "Ouch" didn't work for me either. What worked was getting another dog! Really! But I also discovered both my dogs respond well to a growly "Ah! Ah!". I wish I knew that before.

If he's lunging at you in a less-than playful way (believe me, you can tell the difference), then yes, you have an issue to address.

Either way, you really don't want it. So another suggestion is to redirect the behaviour. I just picked up a e-letter on dog training tips where a dog would bark uncontrollably so the trainer had the dog do doggie "push-ups" instead. Still released the energy but in a safe way.
 
I've got a 2yr old that still does the nipping thing - usually when he gets excited or when I run. Because the urge to nip is so great I have to redirect his mouth, teaching him not to nip didnt work. When I get home he usually picks up a toy and squeaks away with excitement. Out of home I've taught him to pick up a stick when he gets excited. Only problem is sometimes he starts herding other dogs with the stick in his mouth, a bit dangerous but at least I dont get tripped up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top