Tilly's biting problem

**okiwa** · 11-14-2011, 05:12 AM

hi again! I think I am going to take over this thread at this rate!

We are still struggling with Tilly's biting getting worse. When I try to stop her she goes nuts thinking its a game. She thinks everything is a game. She bites and barks and she wont stop.

My parents keep telling me to "tap her nose" but I refuse. They think it is the only way she will learn but I am desperate to prove them wrong!

Her barking is a bit troublesome too cause she doesnt stop until she gets what she wants. I tend to get a treat to destract her and get her to sit before I give it her.

She is also snapping at our other 2 dogs if they go near her food.

Sorry if there are typing errors I am typing this on my phone.

**Sophiesmama** · 11-14-2011, 05:57 AM

The biting issue takes time. I recommend what we did with Sophie. We put our hand snuggly around her muzzle and issued a stern "Dont bite!" We did it every time she did it. Dont let her slide even once. Sophie finally figured it out when she was about 3 1/2 months. The snapping at the other dogs around food issue: Remember YOU are the big dog in the house. Tell her Dont Bite firmly and move her away from the food and the other dogs for a few minutes. Then place her back at her dish. If she snaps again, command her and remove her again. Repeating the same command and being consistant is the key. Similarly: Sophie loves my son's dog Skye. They play and play together. Sophie would constantly bite Skyes back leg tendons during play, and Skye would cry but never retaliate against Sophie. We began separating her from Skye after commanding Don't bite and holding her muzzle. It took awhile, but she finally stopped for the most part. Once in awhile she will bite Skye, and we say Sophie Don't Bite! Sometimes we have to get her attention, but she will stop. It seems like the same thing with Tilly and the other dogs when she is eating. She is young, keep at her and don't let her slide. It will get better.

**felicity62** · 11-14-2011, 03:37 PM

Hi guys, I have been lurking and digesting all of your brilliant advice for a few weeks now and felt it was time to post. Tilly sounds JUST like my Rosie! I have tried the stern "no bite" method and it worked initially, now it just makes her worse!!?

She will actually now get worse, and it will ignite a lunging barking snapping outburst where i could not even get near her mouth or face for being bitten (playfully but it often makes me cry), so i am finding it hard to be consistent as she runs away and around me so the reach appears to be a game to her. i have hidden my hands so she cant bite and she goes for my arms and legs ripping clothes. I walk away and she jumps onto my clothes!

I am finding it really difficult to cope with and deal with so look forward to hreading the replies

**Sophiesmama** · 11-14-2011, 03:47 PM

Hold her by the collar and then put your hand around her muzzle and say Don't Bite! Also a loud EHHHH!!! helps.....How old is your pup, Felicity?

**felicity62** · 11-14-2011, 04:05 PM

the owwwwwwwwwwwwww seems to also get her excitable (I initially tried the wounded option and had to stop doing this as it made things worse-she seemed to think it was a game). it also made her jump/ bark/ run around and lunge at me which is what she is doing now! she is 14 weeks (approaching 15 weeks on Friday). grabbing her collar is almost a challenge as the reach for the collar is a battle of speed and precision....otherwise I am bitten again

**Beerfish** · 11-14-2011, 04:33 PM

If my pup is getting bitey I get a hold of a favored toy and use that to distract him.

**SharonaZamboni** · 11-14-2011, 09:56 PM

I got Bean at 14 weeks, and he was quite a handful. Biting seems to be a common thing at that age. Don't chase the puppy, keep a leash on her so you can grab it. I think Tilly is testing your authority. By barking, she gets you to do something, and is beginning to boss you around. I realized that I had been too soft, not wanting to hurt my dog's feelings. But they need a leader to tell them what to do. I learned about NILF (Nothing In Life Is Free) here, and it has helped immensely. Practice the basics of sit, stay, down, etc. a few minutes every day. Have her sit and wait for her meals. This will help her understand that you make the rules, and she will begin to look at you for cues as to what she should be doing. Good luck, this is a difficult age! Soon you will have a great dog!