Teaching Bite Inhibition - 9 Week Puppy

bigapplefrenchie · Jun 3, 2015

Hi All

I have been reading about teaching bite inhibition to 8-10 week pups. I have been trying to yelp our scream ouch when he bites too hard, but he doesn't seem to get it. My hands are starting to get quite sore.

Is it possible to teach bite inhibition to such a young pup?

Thanks

davidh · Jun 3, 2015

They are still babies and that's what they do, bite and put everything in their mouths. They want to chew on everything. Try not to let your pup chew on your hand, and if he does, tell him "no bite" and give him a chew bone. You are also doing the right thing when he does bite too hard, by saying OUCH!! He will eventually learn, just be patient.

Tgirl · Jun 4, 2015

I agree with David. Just tell him no bite in a firm manner and then give him a toy or something that is acceptable for him to bite and chew on. You may have to try different things to find out what works for Frank as far as training. He is just a baby, so there will be some biting. It's just how they play and explore. He just has to learn that it's not ok to bite you. He will get there.

He's adorable, by the way.

2bullymama · Jun 4, 2015

davidh said:
They are still babies and that's what they do, bite and put everything in their mouths. They want to chew on everything. Try not to let your pup chew on your hand, and if he does, tell him "no bite" and give him a chew bone. You are also doing the right thing when he does bite too hard, by saying OUCH!! He will eventually learn, just be patient.

^^^ agreed! ouch! and redirect to a toy

smyers70 · Jun 4, 2015

Kevin Margaret started a puppy play group to work on her puppy manners.

eeturk · Jun 4, 2015

The "ouch" thing never worked with Hudson. We would redirect him with a toy. We got him at 11 weeks and it took probably a month before he calmed down even a little. It's just something they have to grow out of for the most part, but the guidance certainly helps.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

shortstuff · Jun 5, 2015

I agree with everyone so far, and just want to add be consistent! Redirect with a proper chew toy, say OUCH, walk away so she learns she loses play time if she's too rough... just be consistent. Just when we thought Bisou's biting was getting better, we'd stop redirecting and walking away and she'd start doing it again. It took her several months for it to really curtail enough to say she didn't do it anymore. She's still pretty mouthy when she plays but she doesn't bite anymore, just likes fingers in her mouth.

bigapplefrenchie · Jun 7, 2015

Thanks guys. We have been persisting with the "ouch" method and it is working well. We can see it is making a difference.

Julie Stevenson · Jun 9, 2015

eeturk said:
The "ouch" thing never worked with Hudson. We would redirect him with a toy. We got him at 11 weeks and it took probably a month before he calmed down even a little. It's just something they have to grow out of for the most part, but the guidance certainly helps.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As a trainer, I agree with Erika on this one. Saying OUCH never has worked in my experience. However, Saying NO in a firm voice and using my other hand to roll the lips over the teeth and gently pushing down on the jaw will help teach them to open their mouth and let go of your hand. Then I quickly place a toy in their mouth and reaffirm that this is an acceptable chew item. It will take time, but YES you can teach a young pup acceptable manners.

hannah · Jun 10, 2015

Yup as everyone is saying re direct to a toy, something they are allowed to chew on. Just saying ouch or no bite isn't enough, have to not only tell them what is not okay but follow it up with what is okay