Update on Jaws (9 weeks old)

stephbeau444

The first week was good in general. Jaws got used to his new home, did really well going to the bathroom outside. The only issue we had is the biting and walking on a leash. But the biting is the main issue. My husband and I heard mixed reviews on pinning , and it seemed to egg him on even more. This past weekend he progressively got worse with the biting. I decided to sign him up with puppy obedience school. Maybe get a head start with a trainer. Yesterday he did not "nap" ( which he usually does, on his own -- every 3 hours). He was a BEAST. Running around, jumping on and off the couch, biting as hard as he can, peeing inside the house. He was a terror. After 5 hours, we put him in the crate and he fell right asleep. Today he is 10x's better. Yes, still biting. But instead of feeding him in his bowl, I carry around the food in a ziplock. I've been petting him. And when he doesn't bite, I give him 1 kibble. I keep doing this, going a bit longer each time. I make him follow me, and when I face him, he sits. He gets 1 kibble. I kick his feet (to see if he will bite), I continue to do this ( no biting = 1 kibble). It works pretty well, until he realizes I ran out of food in my pocket. And he challenges me Again and tries to bite. I stuff the KONG in his mouth. Or I say "Aye!" And leave the room. But the little guy follows me and then tries to bite. He's only 9 weeks. But a little progress is better than none. My husband is fed up since last night. He didn't even want to pet him today. He just wants a nice puppy. I feel bad. Jaws just needs a lot of training and love.

philsergeant

Your last sentence says it all... But you must be totally firm and take no nonsense... Use the pin method... It will pass.. Typical Bullie growing up.. ( and out of control if you don't get him to understand who is boss)

fullofbull

I feel your pain!!!..........literally..........Hannah was a real biter too as a young pup.  She was constantly nipping my hands, arms and whenever I walked she grabbed my pant leg.  I was bruised up and down my arms for 6 mos.  And my husband too, got really fed up with her!  He also, would ignore her and I felt so bad for her.  But it was Me she always bit, hardly ever him.  We tried everything (although I didn't know about this forum back then, which would have been helpful!).  Stuffing toys into her mouth instead of my hand, telling her No Biting, just kisses.  If I went to pet her and she didn't want to be petted, she would grab my hand.  It was very frustrating.  We got her into puppy classes as soon as possible.  I really don't know what eventually worked, she just out grew it I guess and we just tried to be consistent.  By 6 mos she had almost stopped.  Shes almost 11 mos now and will still put my hand in her mouth but not bite, just kinda hold it, then I tell her NO and she starts kissing it.  What a Monkey!!  

We definitely noticed her being Waayyyy worse when over tired.  When she was real little, I had her on a napping schedule just like my kids.  She went into her crate every couple hours throughout the day for a nap and I would lock her in there.  Even now when shes too tired she gets real crabby.  We tell her Time for bed, and away she goes.  She loves her crate!  Its her safe place, her den.  They truly are like having a toddler again.  And we just love her to death, she has brought so much joy and laughter into our lives.  We are even considering another one!!!!  Must be NUTS............

I don't know if this was all that helpful, but I wanted you to know you aren't alone.  Try putting him in his crate when hes biting too much, even if its for 5 min, then let him out, if he bits again, back in.  Kinda like a time out with a kid.  They eventually get the message.  Its kinda like Survivor........Outwit, Outlast, Outplay!

How can such a sweet puppy be such a Demon!!!!  Hahahaha