Hi I'm new to the site and and not yet ordered the DVD for new puppies (but plan on doing so). But I am so desperate to find an answer ASAP. I just got our 11 week old Beagle to settle down. It's gotten to the point that my children don't even want to be bother with him. As soon as they enter the room he goes right for their feet and pants. He has torn half dozen of my little one's pants. And as you all know he hurts. Today he started doing it to me and biting my toes. The other thing he does is when he gets a sock or the throw pillow from the sofa or something he's not supposed to have... he just won't let go. Some tactic worked for a day, but then he doesn't seem to be bother. I know now from reading Ed's articles that hitting them on the nose is not the right thing to do. But, I was told to try the newspaper rolled up or the tube from the paper towel. I did this as well as shaking a can of coins, sticking another toy, nylabone, tried to distact him with something else and nothing is working. I'm very upset as I write this because his just bit the sock off my daughters' foot. I use the NO! Command, and distracting with his toys, but he just would not let go. He locks his jaw on the sock and growls at me. I just lifted him off his feet with the sock still in his mouth and he wouldn't let go. I finally got it out, and put him in his crate. I was told not to punish him, by putting him in his crate, but when he gets in that mode we can't calm him down. My girls are held hostage on the sofa in fear of him "getting them". I'm very frustrated. We love our "Buddy", but we just aren't having fun.
What to do?
Teresa

Have you tried offering him a treat when you are trying to take something from him and tell him (whatever command you choose) we say YUK! Our cody keeps his jaws locked when he gets a rock. We tell him no, yuk and then offer him a treat, and when he takes it, of course the rock falls from his mouth and we say good dog!
We want him to learn the "Yuk" command.
I was wondering if your buddy does this with the kids even before they play with him. Puppies, as I have found out, can get really reved (excited) up and sometimes like little kids, not know when to stop.
I would limit any play with the kids until you have time to train him. Or have structured play. DO not play tug of war with him because he will not know the difference from tugging on your sock or pants or shirt from tugging on a toy.
Maybe give him a chance to play outside under your supervision at certain times during the day, and limit rough housing in the house.
With cody I have a very structured day. I do not leave toys for him to play with, all rowdy play is done outside with me, running and chasing things.
Just some suggestions. I am not a trainer but these things have helped me. cody is a jack russel mix and is very hyper so we have to really monitor him, it has helped. When my granddaughter is over she helps me by learning the commands I give Cody and her interaction is reinforcing what Cody is learning. He just gets too rowdy if she tries to play with him.
We do not pet him until he calms down either. Cody jumps up and down in the air like Tigger and is never still, so we have to really be deligent. Sounds like Buddy has quite a prey drive.
He is little and is learning what is acceptable in your house, so you just have to be consistent.
Hope this helps.

Have you read these?

http://leerburg.com/bitingpuppies.htm

http://www.leerburg.com/qabiting.htm

Do you have a light drag line for the puppy?

Also, are the kids running around the puppy and escalating the excitement level?


Have you ordered this yet?

http://www.leerburg.com/120.htm

You NEED to read eBook "The Ground Work On Becoming Your Puppies Pack Leader". I Love'd it!!! I't Works. It saved my life, and my babie's.

Hi, thanks for responding. I guess I have to do more readig... I'm not sure what a "light drag line" is? And to answer your other question. The children are definitely not provoking him. The need just walk in the room and he goes running toward them and goes right for the ankels.

Sharon, yes helpful, thanks. I'm not sure how the treat thing would work with the little guy. Oh YES, he will let go for a treat, but he will just keep going back. And then what? Do I just keep giving him treats if he doesn't stop? His behavior has been excess. The girls don't play with him at all anymore. Once in a while when he's relaxing he'll let them sit on the floor and pet him. That usually lasts 5 minutes and then he decides it's time to start nipping on this sweet Baby meat. They are not provoking him at all. They just walk in the room and he goes for their ankles. I'll try the snack and some of your other tips. We'll see what happens.

thanks,
teresa

Teresa, a drag line is a light weight lead (preferably without the hand loop...you can cut it off if need be) that you keep on your puppy when not in his crate. It's much easier to grab the leash and get control of him, especially when he's being 'bitey'.

Most people here will tell you to redirect when your puppy bites and grabs onto skin and clothing. I found that rolled up hand towels worked well. Have one handy and pop it in his mouth when he's nipping. Right now, he finds it a lot of fun to pull the socks off your daughter. You have to show him that toys or towels are much more fun to chew on than clothes and skin!

Also there was just a conversation about this and here's what another member did that worked for her:

http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=31&Number=178490&Searchpage=1&Main=18062&Words=+Mel+Lane&topic=0&Search=true#Post178490

It's easiest to walk away from the pup if you have him in a gated area where he can't follow you if you leave. Have your kids do the same (walk away when he gets too rough), and don't let them play w/ the puppy unless you are there to supervise...(ps some pups get very excited when petted, so make sure that they are being very gently w/ him, and limit it to just a few minutes at a time)

Also, it's not too early to be working on obedience like 'sit', 'down' and 'touch'. Obediance is a good way to redirect and turn a mouthing session into something positive. It focus's the puppy's attention and calms him down.

Keep reading and order those videos! They are great...especially the puppy video and the pack structure video...

 Quote: Teresa Fiero

Sharon, yes helpful, thanks. I'm not sure how the treat thing would work with the little guy. Oh YES, he will let go for a treat, but he will just keep going back. And then what? Do I just keep giving him treats if he doesn't stop? His behavior has been excess. The girls don't play with him at all anymore. Once in a while when he's relaxing he'll let them sit on the floor and pet him. That usually lasts 5 minutes and then he decides it's time to start nipping on this sweet Baby meat. They are not provoking him at all. They just walk in the room and he goes for their ankles. I'll try the snack and some of your other tips. We'll see what happens.

thanks,
teresa

If he has an object like a pillow and won't let go, trade him for a treat. Once he drops the item, pick it up and put it away. Sharon didn't mean to give him a treat when he's biting your kids...

He sounds very pent up. Does he get any exercise? The energy has to go somewhere. Teach him things. When mine gets to excited we start doing basic obedience commands. Puts him immediately into a different state.

He kind of sounds like a normal puppy with no outlet for his energy.

To the O.P.

These are great suggestions you have received for dealing with your normal bitey puppy.

I thought you might like to listen, as well as read:

http://leerburg.com/dogtrainingpodcasts.htm

Scroll to "Training Your Puppy Not to Bite."

Lynn, I agree about a drag line whenever I'm in the process of some ongoing training (house-training, for example), so that I have much easier control of the dog.