I am frequently contacted about a puppy usually 10-14 weeks that is nipping. Families are frustrated as it is not what they pictured in cuddling and playing with their little puppy only to find that they have fangs with furr! Puppy Nipping is 100% developmental and ALL breeds go through this stage. Your puppy is developmentally a human toddler up until 6 months of age. I remember my deep embarrassment when one of my children was kicked out of my church’s VBS as a toddler for biting. I asked myself, what had I done wrong? I had done nothing wrong, he was learning boundaries. I am pleased to announce that he never was kicked out of a group again and is a successful adult! What I did was nipped his mouthiness in the bud. Consistency is key. Just as you are consistent with your kids, you must be consistent with your puppy.
First, puppy nipping is 100% age appropriate. Just very exhausting to us as dog owners. Puppies nip because they are mouthy, teething, and bored.
I first try to never let the puppy near enough to my hands to nip as they sense the game is on! My feet and ankles can handle any nipping but our hands are more sensitive. I might even wear winter gloves as puppies hate to nip at these! If puppy nips, I tether him to a door or table leg using the loop of a flat leash and then offer an array of chew toys (never, never rawhide). I like Baby Kongs, TUX brand chew toys, and Kongs filled with peanut butter.
As this is a stage, one day it will also stop but I do not want it to become a game, too. If it persists, When I play with puppy and she nips, I offer a sharp “ouch!” Sometimes this shocks them to stop nipping. I have also had success with shaking a bottle or can with rocks or large uncooked peas in it. They hate the noise.
Additionally, I do not want puppy to be hand shy so I will then smear a bit of peanut butter on my hand to initiate licking rather than nipping. I say “Good Kisses.” A puppy that likes Peanut Butter will enjoy licking the peanut butter and will realize quickly that they only receive their special treat if they are licking rather than licking.
With little children, it is harder as puppy always will try to establish dominance over the children. I would have them wear gloves. Remind them that this is not biting. If she was biting, she would be trying to hurt them and drawing blood (sometimes blood is drawn but it is because those little teeth are razor sharp!). I always only refer to it as
nipping as there is such a negative connotation with biting that puts fear in children’s minds. Tether puppy to where you are in the home… in the kitchen: tether them to a chair leg, in the family room: to a side table, etc. That way puppy is with you and has a chew toy and is not banished during this time.
Puppy teeth fall out at 6 months. With consistency and firm commands, you can redirect puppy from nipping and when their new teeth come in, they will not be as sharp when they mouth you. I also encourage you to start puppy school ASAP as once she learns commands, it is even easier to redirect her! A firm, “Leave” or “Off” can do wonders.
I am attaching the following article by my favorite dog trainer Tamar Gellar. She wrote the excellent book of Thirty Days to a Loved Dog and The Loved Dog. There are many videos of her on line talking about nipping nipping in the bud. I hope you can find some to watch, too!
www.ehow.com/how_18746_stop-puppy-biting.html
Blessings, Mindi