Hello...we have an 8 week old schnoodle who is a great pup! We just aren't sure what to do with the nipping and biting she does when we play with her and sometimes when we pick her up. I am not sure if it is partly to get attention (I am sure that is is sometimes), playing or trying to be aggressive. We try to divert her attention from us to her toy and sometimes that works. Sometimes we have to pick her up, hold her to look in her eyes and say firmly NO. She can get what I call "snarly" and she starts really growling and seems to be more aggressive. I guess I don't know if we have a problem with her or not. We have been consistent with her but I am not sure if we are doing the right thing. Should we be concerned with the nipping/biting at this stage? Part of me says that we should address it now, let her know who is in control from the start. We are up for any suggestions! Thanks!

Christy
Illinois

Hey Christina welcome to the forum, yes you need to address the problem early, you need to set boundaries, basically show her that you are the new pack leader. Using the toys is perfect. What you want to show her is biting and nipping are not allowed when it involves you or your family and the toys are what she can play with because basically thats what puppies do at this stage. They play,nip,and bite because thats how they interacted with their litter mates. One main thing I will say is have patience and understanding, she will eventually catch on.

Thank you Joseph. I have been reading lots of info on this site and I think that we are going to gain LOTS of information and helpful tips. It has been a very long time since we have had such a little one that we forget how they are. I took some fleece strips and braided them and then tied the ends in a knot. She likes to bite on these. (I saw them in a store for $8!!) It seems that each day she is a little different and today has been a great day with her not biting us as much. Maybe she is getting the hang of it!

All dogs play and interact using their jaws, teeth and tongue. Mouthing and playbiting is different than aggressive biting. It is their instinctual programming to play with their littermates. Play biting serves an important purpose in a dogs life. Because dogs use their mouths to interact with their world, unlike humans who use their hands, it is crucial that they keep this sensory organ in good shape with lots of exercise. Dogs mouth and playbite throughout their lives to learn how hard or soft they should bite, known as inhibited biting. Dogs have to live with people, so it is critical for them to learn appropriate use of their mouths with humans. Because dogs can bite with great force, even in play, it is crucial to get a management plan and clearly teach your dog what is appropriate and what isn't.By starting young, you can easily teach your dog what is appropriate and what isn't.

If the toy redirect isn't effective, try the yelp and shun method. Try yelping in a loud pitched voice when she bites.As soon as she lets go, turn away from her and refuse to play any longer. This mimics the behavior her packmates would use when she gets out of line.Before long she will learn that using her mouth on people causes them to turn away.Ignore can be a very powerful tool when training puppies.

Hi Christina, Welcome to the forum! I've posted a link to one of Mr. Frawley's free ebooks on puppies and biting in cas you have not seen this yet. There is tons of free infor on this site in addition which should help you through the puppy stage.

Redirecting the pup is a huge help, but you have to make sure you are making the new item more fun and exciting than YOU! Use an excited, happy voice, shake the toy, etc... to get him excited about it as well. Keep something in your pocket or within reach at all times so that you can be prepared to ward off this normal, natural phase he is going through.

You have already found out that trying to gently discipline him by holding his muzzle, etc... only causes the behavior to escalate, and at this young age, I would try very hard to stay away from "corrections' or punishments for normal behavior. There was a recent post about this very problem and how the owner learned to deal with it - I'll try to find that post and get you the link!

Again, welcome to the site and enjoy that new pup!!

http://leerburg.com/pdf/Training%20Puppies%20Not%20to%20Bite.pdf

Link to recent discussion on similar topic...

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=134&Number=267700&Searchpage=1&Main=25570&Words=+AngeliqueShatzel&topic=0&Search=true#Post267700

Thanks Barbara for the info! We are going to try to keep that toy (fleece bone) within reach. So far so good! I plan on reading everything I can on this site. Thanks for the links. I look forward to "growing" with my little one!!

I promise he will teach you as much as you teach him... My year on Leerburg with Falcon has opened my eyes to all the opportunities in training my dog!

Christina and everybody,
My large breed mix puppy is now 13 weeks and she is less of a biter. This has been a huge issue for me since my arms and hands were badly cut up by her teeth. I tried everything suggested on the forum (redirecting; yelping; picking her up and looking in her eyes with firm 'no'; alpha rolling)with no hint of success. This dog does not seem to be biting out of prey drive at time, but because I am imposing something she does not like.
Then I watched a video on Dominant and Aggressived dogs by Ed Frawley . . . also Pack Structure and have come to believe that she is challenging me as the pack leader. I started using a prong collar on her when she persists on biting me even with firm no command. She is a hard tempered dog and I hate to correct such a young dog so hard. However, it has been the only thing that has changed her mind so that when she hears "no bite" after the first bite, she stops or mouths with no skin breaks.
I am unsure if I am doing the right things with this kind of correction. She also becomes handler aggressive after a correction and I've learded that if I use a dominent dog collor, this will be less likely to happen.
This dog is part Chow, Rottie, Shephard, and Atita. I weight 110 pounds and am 62 so I cannot let her call the shots.
Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.
Bobi

Could you find a nice home for this pup, Bobi?

I would hope this is a troll but alas, likely not.

You have no business correcting a 3 month old puppy for anything. Redirect to a toy or a rag.

Seek professional help on how to train your puppy. Less videos and more hands on. You are not being fair to this dog and are creating a far worse situation than a mouthy puppy.

Honestly since you are 62 and 110 lbs is this (or any dog) really the right dog for you?