Biting fingers and toes

BellesMom says:
"My 13 week old mini doxie Anna Belle has a problem with biting fingers and toes. And its not just during playtime when we have our hands close to her toys.. she does it all the time. Sometimes she just nips at us, and sometimes she really tries to chew on my fingers. I have read a few ways to deal with it but none have really worked. I tried the yelp and shun method where you yelp like a littermate when she bites and then refuse to play with her for a little while afterwards. This didnt work because she follows me around and barks at me when I ignore her. I also tried the method where you turn your hand around and hold their mouth shut for a few seconds when she bites your fingers. I was consistent for a few days and I didnt see any improvement. It didnt seem to bother her, and she would go back to trying to bite me immediately afterwards, like she thought it was a game. Does anyone have any suggestions to break this habit?"

Comments

[Retrievers]

The "Yelp and Shun" method works on most dogs, but not all. Often, if the dog thinks that they're dominant, it doesn't work. In this case, what I've found works is pinning them on their back for a few seconds. When she starts to bite you, just pick her up and put her on the ground on her back. Hold her down gently until she stops struggling. Once she stops, lift your hand and praise her gently. If she tries again, put her on her back again. Keep doing this until she calms down.

The difference is, this is more similar to what her mother would do. The first method, that you described is what her littermates would do.

Another thing you can do is try to always have a toy in your hand when you are playing with her. If she tries to go after your hands, shove the toy in her mouth and praise her while you play with her. If she persists in going after your hands, put her on her back.

You can also try spraying your hands with bitter apple spray. This won't necessarily work on its own, but in conjunction with training, it should help since she won't only be getting the reprimand from you, it will also not be pleasant to bite your hands because they'll taste bad. Just make sure you don't accidentally get your hand in your mouth!!

Remember that Dashchunds were bred to chase small game, so it's a natural instinct for them to go after anything that moves and nip at it. Plus, all puppies go through a stage where they try chewing on everything and everyone, so it will take some patience and consistency, but she'll get through it.

Melissa
(and Jasmine, Kona & Bogart too!)

[Audra]

Be better with the yelp and ignor routine. Ignore her, flat out. I know that's hard. You might take a look at Nothing In Life Is Free or Earn to Learn system for her. It's going to take consistency and determination on your part but in the long run it is the best method. Bill Campbell in the New Better Behavior For Dogs explains it pretty well. He also has some interesting case studies on his website that you might find helpful. www.webtrail.com/petbehavior

I disagree 100% with Melissa's alpha roll. (pinning the dog on it's back) You might really get nailed if you try that. It also sets you up for a power based relationship with your dog. This training method came into vogue with the Monk's of New Skete's books of the 1980s. It's no longer considered the best way to train. (Been there, done that, changed my tune.)

[soulless99]

i've done both with all my dogs and had about the same results...some dogs show improvement with one and others with the other. dogs are like kids...not everyone's kid responds to time out...

[Sheena J.]

I have a mini doxie myself, and she did the same thing. My dog is now 6 months old and the biting has subsided. Like you, I also tried the yelp approach, but that didn't seem to work. Holding her mouth closed didn't seem to work either, it only make her really upset and then she wouldn't stop barking at me. Spanking doesn't work either. Nothing seeemed to work. Doxies tend not to listen. Ignoring a Doxie will only make them more angry, you might find a suprise in your shoe or on the floor. They are needy dogs. My doxie would become angry at me when I would repremand her for biting on my fingers and toes. My advice is to be patient and just deal with it until it goes away. A puppy is a puppy, but a doxie puppy is a little more. Big package in a little dog. Doxies love for the owner to be nice to them. But when biting, be firm, and don't give up. A doxie can take away all patience, as I well know. Try not to get frusterated, because the dog can sense that. Also you need to remember that dogs do teeth. Buy some of those chew bones. My doxie loves them. Good luck with yours.

[Stephanie]

This is not a simple one answer question. EVERY interaction you have with your dog all day long is teaching her how to treat you. Your hands and her mouth are the same to her, so as you found using your hands doesn't work. You need an experienced positive in home trainer (I suggest a Clicker Trainer) In the meantime try this. Step one: Slowly and smoothly move your hands out of sight. If she stops, continue play using a toy (no tugging) If Not Step two: If you are on the floor or sitting in a chair, Stand Up, some times just becoming taller is enough. If she stops sit back down. In both cases Break ALL eye contact,(chin up) even a glance and she will assume you are still interested. Last but not least ONLY if you she is use to it you can CALMLY pop her in her crate for ONE MINUTE you can even give her a treat to go in. IT IS NOT A PUNISHMENT she is out of controll and needs to chill. If she thinks of her crate as a place of peace she will go in and settle down. Then let her out and try again. If she starts up go back to step one. This advice is general and incomplete but it is the best anyone can do in this fourm. Please get a good, positive i.e. NO choke or other type collars, trainer. You have a sweet but bossy little dog and she may not grow out of it but into it, and more!

[Brieana Turner]

I have a little shih tzu puppy named Sadie Mae. She's white with black over her eyes and butt, with two spotts on her side. The first two days we had her she was a sweet heart. By the 4th day she started to show her colors and by the 7th day, she was the run of the house! She has the sweetest face, but her personality is spunky. I HAVE TROUBLE WITH HER BITEING TOO! I cant even pet her once, without her swinging around and chewing on my fingers, or walk without her biteing on me fet and toes. Its very a VERY BAD habit but nomatter what I do, I just cant break her. I JUST WISH SHE WAS AS SWEET AS SHE LOOKED! PLEASE I'm begging can someone pleae help me, and my spunky pup