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What to do about a biting dog?
Well I have a 10 month old lab terrier mix & he's a biter. Basically if you try to pick him up...Well first let me say when he bites it doesn't really hurt it feels like a really intense pinch but he likes to nibble at your hands if you try to pick him up & unless you yell "NO!" He'll kind of open his mouth to bite if you try to pet him. Again he's not biting in defense it's just that when he was a small puppy instead of buying him chew toys (he had a few) I would let him teeth on my fingers & maybe he's gotten use to it. If I would hold him he would just mouth on my fingers but it wouldn't hurt. He basically would use my hands as teething toys or whatever. But now I'm wondering if it's a behavioral problem because he bites too much. Is it too late to train him not to bite so much? I realize his biting is a defense mechanism, but I've had him since March 2012...There's no reason for him to feel an urge to defend himself against me anymore...What can I do to rectify this behavior?
2 Answers
- 8 years agoFavorite Answer
I don't think it's defensive biting, more just bad habit since you haven't disciplined him and you have made exceptions/allowances. If he bites you when playing, push him away and ignore him so he understands you don't want to interact unless he stops biting. If he pushes towards you and bites spray water at him if he gets over the top. If you don't like that method, when he bites touch his side firmly to snap him out of it and say 'no' sternly. Do not yelp, this is probably the worst thing you can do in this situation - it will show your weak, making him dominant and therefore allowing you to have no control over him. A neighbour did this yelping when their dog bit her and at three years old the dog is still biting as a game. And definitely don't offer him chew toys when he bites you - he will think you are rewarding him. Be patient and consistent and you will get there eventually.
- 8 years ago
It isn't a defensive thing, it's just a learned behaviour that you allowed before so in his mind it's still ok.
Yes you can teach him to stop but you need to be consistent, so No more biting from now on!!. If he goes for your skin then make a yelping sound, or a loud cry and stand up, turn around and ignore him for a few seconds then offer a chew toy, when he has it in his mouth give much praise. You will take a lot longer to teach now than when he was a pup but it can be done, just be patient, I would allow up to 2 maybe 3 weeks of consistently doing this for the message to get through and stick in his brain. (this is how I teach any new puppy I get)
