(I'm not sure if "sensitized" is the right word). I remember Ed's Puppy DVD talks about some dogs don't mind the taste of bitter apple when it's just sprayed on something. For these dogs he recommended soaking a cotton ball in the bitter apple, and then holding the pup's mouth shut w/soaked cotton ball in it for 1 minute, twice a day, for 3 days (if I remember correctly). I'm getting ready to re-watch that part of my DVD to refresh my memory, but I was just wondering - have any of you done this? How hard was it to hold you pup down, etc during the process? One of my main concerns is that Kodee will accidentally swallow the cotton ball during the process.

The main reason that I've finally decided to do this, is because I've tried everything I can think of to stop Kodee from carrying and/or pulling on his leash with his mouth. It's a bad habit, and I've tried soaking the leash in bitter apple - didn't faze him, although bitter apple sprayed on my wood trim in the kitchen stops him from chewing the wood. I've tried saying "No!" in a stern voice, and immediately afterwards, popping the leash, but this doesn't work either, and I'm afraid I may catch a tooth or something. I've tried marking ("yes!") and treating him when he drops the leash out of his mouth - still no results.

Sorry this is so long - I'm just feeling kind of apprehensive about doing this - I know Ed's advice is excellent, but I feel like a real meanie getting ready to do this! LOL!

I never did the cotton thing. My dog didn't like the taste from the get-go. I bought a bottle of bitter apple and even though I used it a couple of times, I still have more than half the bottle left.

Kodee isn't even 5 months old, is he? I bet he'll soon stop biting the leash. It's a puppy thing and probably every pup goes through this stage. I wouldn't be too worried about it if I were you.

My dog still does this from time to time, though (11 months old). I usually don't mind since he'll stop doing it after a couple of minutes.

I did the cotton ball thing. It still didn't work. He didn't mind the taste. I'd soak the cotton ball, put it in his mouth and hold it shut. When I'd let go, he'd spit it out and look at me like "yeah, so?" On the third day, after he spit it out, he picked it up again and tried to eat both times. So, I gave up.

My ACD hated it!! One time with the cotton ball is all it took. The second time I walked over to her with the cotton ball, she ran.

Kori,
What about using two leads? Use the lead he is not biting to give him a light pop and say no, and then treat and praise when he lets go of the "dead" lead?

Carol - I never thought about trying that. I will give it a try and see if it works. If not, I guess I won't worry about it right now. It sounds like maybe at 4-1/2 mos old, it's not that big of a deal (although it irritates the cr@p out of me!!!) LOL!

He will, he is just young and looking for stuff to do....

You can also try other taste deterrents such as vinegar/water, lemon juice, lime juice, etc, to see what he does not like.

For the puppy mouthy leash bite hahaha stage (thats what I call it lol) I expecet the pup to try it, keeping my hand on the lead midway or close to the pup's collar without creating a constant tension. When the pup mouths the leash I slide my hand quickly along the leash and stick a finger in their mouth, usually touching the rough of the mouth or putting pressure on the tongue. They will generally spit out your finger and the leash. This also works fantastic if you have the taste deterrent on your finger when you do this.

This way the pup associates biting the leash with an unpleasant feeling and taste in his mouth. It has worked with all my pups though I am sure some it may not phase them, always worth a shot. Keeping in mind he will likely immediately grab the leash again, put some time aside for just working on this, without an agenda *such as a potty walk* so that when he just keeps grab grab grabbing it won't be interupting anything. Usually after the 4th-5th time the pup stops trying for a bit, but he will likely keep trying so just persevere

 Quote: Jennifer Marshal

When the pup mouths the leash I slide my hand quickly along the leash and stick a finger in their mouth,

That may work, but I personally try not to stick my fingers in my dogs mouths, since I teach them early on that my appendages are off limits.....

 Quote:

That may work, but I personally try not to stick my fingers in my dogs mouths, since I teach them early on that my appendages are off limits.....

Carol, I do too - I actually use the same method to stop mouthiness on hands/feet/clothes etc. I find that while a pup is more than willing to come over and give you a chomp, if you stick your fingers further into their mouth and put pressure on the tongue or the roof of the mouth the game loses it's appeal and they spit your fingers out.

For the leash method, the point is not to just trade the leash for your hand, you hand to get your finger in there and add some pressure to make an uncomfortable/unusual feeling that causes them to spit the leash out (and your finger with it) it works best if you have the taste deterent on your fingers, though I've only had to soak my hand in vinegar a couple of times, lol

Pups learn quick that when they bite the hand or the leg, something gets "shoved" into their mouth and starts pressing on things that feels downright funny. I never had much success with Bitter Apple, my dogs all LOVED the taste of it and the only thing that would work was white vinegar, even vanilla extract or liquid smoke (used for cooking) works on some animals but as with any of the taste deterrents you don't want them to have too much. I've used lemon juice, lime juice, vinegar, and liquid smoke on horses too for various chewing/mouthing issues. Also used to make Jalepeno paste for the fences lol.




Edited by Jennifer Marshal (11/18/2007 09:47 PM)
Edit reason: haha didn't quote correctly

My comment was more of a joke than anything else, as I am aware of what happens when we do what you explained....