I need to see what you guys think about the puppies biting your hands. I am trying to get her to go for toys or other objects (which she will goto at times), but she preferrs my hand and even my face over all. I am sure I can do something about this, I just need to go about it the right way. Thanks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

btw, she is 5 weeks old.

Ah, don't ya just love puppies??? You can try blowing in her face real hard and saying No! or Stop! Watch out that she doesn't attack your face when doing this, some pups think its an even better game then hand/face biting. Best way to to keep a toy in her mouth as much as possible. Right now its worse because of sharp little baby teeth. And hang in there, they do outgrow this.

Tammy, How tall are you? I would imagine a five week old pup can't bite your face if you aren't picking her up or laying on the floor. Sometimes the simplest things are to just avoid the situations that cause this. About the hand biting... keep toys everywhere. When the pup is gnawing on your knuckles grab a toy with the free hand and watch the pup latch on to that. Pair that with a high pitched loud "ow" and it doesn't take too long to stop them.

Also I have to ask, they didn't already seperate this pup from the litter did they?

Mouthing, chewing and biting objects is natural and a part of your puppy’s natural exploration of his environment.

I like Deanna’s answer.

Since he is chewing your face… probably other thing also so here is a way to deal with it.

This exploratory behavior can however, result in the damage of household items and possibly result in injury to your pet. It is inappropriate to punish your puppy for destroying items unless you “catch them in the act.”

It is inappropriate because punishment after the fact to diminish bad behavior is ineffective. Your dog cannot make the connection between your reprimand and its chewing behavior unless punishment is given during or immediately after chewing. Yelling and hitting the pup with a rolled-up newspaper is not only a unkind assault against your puppy, it actually teaches him under stress you are a person to avoid.

If you come home to find your $200 shoes a pile of scrap leather the only thing you should immediately do is clean it up. Ignore the puppy and consider what you must do before your home is reduced to rubble.

Now lets suppose you see the rascal chewing the shoe or your favorite chair corner right in front of you! Get ready....Your goal is to startle your pet and distract him from his destruction. It is OK to say a snappy “NO!” So do it! Say it snappy like 3-4 times. No..No.Nooooooo!. NO! This will focus him on your displeasure and suddenly your displeasure is his too.

So the procedure of correcting your puppy in the act is

1) With a firm and sharp command say, “NO!” “NO!” “NO!” – it should be unpleasant enough he would not wish to experience it again. Don’t worry it is not harmful to say NO to your dog when he is appropriate.

2) Take the item away from the puppy.

3) Move the puppy to a new location.

4) Immediately following relocation.

5) Give the puppy an acceptable toy or bone.

6) Now offer immediate and enthusiastic praise and a pat.

I always move the puppy to a new but SUPERVISED location even if it is but a few meters away from the area of the digressed behavior. The main reasons for relocating the curious pup are to emphasize the area and objectionable behavior and to prevent an immediate reoccurrence of it by making it more inaccessible. The act of removing a dog from an interesting situation can be considered aversive to the curious puppy, so is important you offer him a new toy or he may redirect his anxiety and find other forms of reinforcement. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Remember the easiest way to train a dog is to not allow the mistake to happen to begin with.

Have fun <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Correction.

I wrote: Don’t worry it is not harmful to say NO to your dog when he is appropriate.

Opps...

Should read: Don’t worry it is not harmful to say NO to your dog when he is INappropriate.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Sorry it took me so long to reply to you all. Soon after posting, my back went out and I am just now able to sit. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I appreciate the responces. My pup is apart of a litter I bred and she is still with the litter, but I do one on one time with them all. The pup I am keeping is the only one that wants to bite absolutely everything! ((since she was 3 1/2 weeks old!!)) I like her since she has the confidence of a BULL! She will play with people until all her energy is exerted. I will apply the common sense tactics you have wonderfully given me. Thanks, I will keep you updated.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

If your going to do SchH with her be carful how you stem the biting.
Ron

I doubt it if we have the money for Sch training. I would love to do it though. What I have been considering doing is to train her in simple tracking. We have many acres around us and I would love for her to locate my children amonst the field and trees.