Help... How do I get Tucker to stop biting?

[p3robbins]

Hello all;

This is my first message and I haven't figured out how to make it look cute yet - but I need help !!!

A couple of weeks ago we adopted a 5 month old newfie (actually, he has some shepard in him too.) Tucker is the sweetest puppy I've ever seen and we are all in love. (I have 2 daughters, ages 12 and 6.)

Now the problem... Tucker won't stop biting and jumping up on me. He never jumps on anyone else, and rarely nips at others... but he is really starting to hurt me. This doesn't seem to be agression - just rough play but I actually have bruises! During a visit to the vet today she also mentioned that his habit of barking back at people issuing commands could also be a problem as he grows older - since it could signal dominance.

I understand that I need to enroll him in training asap, but I don't think I can wait for it to start.

Have any of you lived through this problem? How have you solved it? I've tried a stern "no bite", replacing my arm (or leg etc) with a chewy, holding his mouth closed while saying "no bite" and bopping him with a pillow. None of this has helped - it seems to have made it worse, since I think he thinks I'm playing. I was thinking of putting some pennies in a can, but he is afraid of the vacuum cleaner, and I don't want the noise of the correction to increase his anxiety.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

 

[macgirl13ca]

I had a problem with Bubba's 'love bites' too. My obedience trainer said to use the correction like you are 'no bites' and turn your back on him and ignore him for a minute or so to let him know you will not pay attention to him when he hurts you. Also and this was gross, but worked . . . if he bites at your hand, shove it further into his mouth, to the point he gags, repeat no bites, and ignore him. I went one step further and then turn back to him and asked for kisses and held out my closed hand which he now dutifully licks. He still 'mouths' me, but it's more to lead me somewhere, no actual biting.

 

[IrishMist428]

Hi I was told to say OUCH in a squeeky but loud voice, and not pull away as they think its playing. Kind of like how when puppies yelp to let their littermates know the bites too hard. As with the jumping, just simply turn your back every time. When you can face the dog without them jumping reward them with a treat. Repeating this they will get the message. In class we actually tried to get the other owners dogs to jump so we could turn our back to teach them lesson. So that when company comes they will not jump on them. It really worked good luck
Patty

 

[Greg L]

It sounds like you have a problem with him realizing that you are the alpha around there (you are I hope ). If he's barking/talking back to you along with the other things it sounds like he needs to be reminded just who is boss. If he's not doing it to the others and only you it sounds like he is equating you with a litter mate (are you the one who plays with him the most?) rather than the benevolent dictator that you should be. If that is the case I wouldn't say OUCH in a squeaky voice as it would only reinforce that impression. Holding his mouth closed usually only works if you fold his lips up under his teeth so that he is biting himself. Sticking your hand down their throat works also but I usually grab their tongue also and hang on. By the time that they've freed themselves they usually have forgotten why they were biting you in the first place (you'll need to go wash up after this one ). If he's still jumping on you when your back is turned then it is a dominance issue and needs to be settled immediately while he is still (relatively) small.
Do a search on dominance and you'll find plenty of ways to show him who's boss.

Oh and welcome

Greg

 

[IrishMist428]

Hey I'm no trainer but OUCh worked for me. ! ! !
I also tried it with Kodiak 4 yr old Am Esk. OUCH worked for me

 

[ChestersNewfyMom]

When all my dogs were young and wanted to bite "play" i would sternly say NO ! and then with my thumb..stick it under their tongue and like press down on the bottom of their snout holding my thumb in there for pressure.. and hold it a bit while they riggled cause they cant get away .geesh i hope that makes sense...lol 'cause it sure did stop them.... When other peoples dogs have done that to me i do the same thing...and then they walk away...I hope you make sense of all that ..Good Luck

 

[NewfsAlaska]

Eja was just the dickens when I first got him at 8 weeks. He did Everything with his mouth to get your attention. When I turned my back as others have stated he would just jump and bite the back of my legs. I had holes and tears and bruises everywhere..I was at a loss..I called in a behaviourist (this I must state was after the trainer in class was at a loss) He came and saw him and we went back to the closing his mouth gently and saying No Bite...we started him off with a two time chance...after two times ...without saying a word if he did it again I just took him gently outside and made a big fuss of closing the door so he couldn't see in. a few minutes later I went and got him and we kept doing this for about a day. It was explained to me that with Eja in particular he had some dominance and was testing me as the alpha..he was trying to MAKE me play with him when he wanted...once he realized that if he continued I would take the play away and just leave he didn't do it agian...now granted he is now almost 8 months old and will place teeth on me once in a while but no pressure and just lets go...I still continue with the No Bite and somedays in his adolescence are worse than others..but the bite inhibition being learned has made him much more of a joy to have around.!!!! Hope this helps a bit

 

[Kodiak]

My favorite subject When "Jaws" aka Kodi was a puppy, I was the only one that bore the scars of puppy biting. I tried everything from "no" to "ouch, smearing myself with Bitter Apple, smacking him on the nose and nothing stopped the biting Thank goodness for NewfNet. It was suggested I put my fist down his throat every time he tried to bite and what a reaction I got! It worked!! The day that Ko realized I was the "alpha" was the day the biting stopped!

Brenda and Kodi

 

[p3robbins]

Thanks to you all!!!! It was so good to hear from other newfie parents who have made it through this.
Unfortunately, I'm too squimish to do some of the mouth corrections you all have suggested, but I took bits from each of you and I'm starting to see some progress.
I totally agree with you, Greg, he is trying to assert himself as alpha. Since I'm the head of this household, he is targeting his challenges towards me. Now that I've realized this, I've been working with him to be sure he knows that I'm in charge. Turning my back doesn't help - he just bites me from behind... so I have been giving him timeouts. I've finally reached the point where I can see when he is "ashamed" by his biting when I say "out" and he stops biting pretty quickly so he can stay with us. Yeah!!!!!
NewfsAlaska - it sounds to me like Tucker is alot like Eja w/the dominance issues... Can't wait til I get to the point that you're at now.
Thanks again. I'll keep in touch.
Pam.