Mouthing and play/attention nipping

[MotherofMercies]

Marlee is a toy/mini poodle hes about 7 months, he's really smart and full of enery. A few things bug me, play /attention nipping and mouthing. I have done a few things to deter him from doing it like ignoring him. Any other suggestions I would appreciate.

[bkitchen0406]

I mean this in the nice way, but you have a puppy. All puppies do this. Your dog is teething like a baby. If he is biting to heard, say ouch kind of medium loud. Many of my dogs have learned what ouch ment and stoped biting so hard. There are other ways of punishing your dog, but you dont want to punish him to much for biting. Give him a toy or a bone to chew on. Just not raw hide. That is the best thing to do. You can always use a news paper. Don't hit him hard with it. They hate newspaper and you barely have to tap them with it. Some people buy the bitter apple stuff and squirt it in their mouth when they do bad things, but I don't like that idea. To be honest the news paper works as well as any $300.00 shock collar. If I just pick up the newspaper and my dog sees it he will stop. Let me stress your dog has to have something to chew on at this age. He may forget where his toy is and need you to find it for him.

[MotherofMercies]

Lol he has heaps of chew toys. Problem is my dad spoils him, I have to admit he doesnt mouth or play nip with me much, its mainly my parents. I'm just starting to say ouch more consistantly instead of confusing with different tecniques now,its working much.

[zefi]

Puppies love to chew and put things in their mouths. Bonnard is just beginning to really appreciate the fun to be had from biting things and for a long time our toes will not be safe from him. LOL

They do all grow out of it but the advice you were given is the way to go. Have everyone he plays with do the same thing: when he bites (even gently) squeal like it hurts and then turn your back on him or simply walk away. When puppies play together and one bites too hard the other will squeal and if its bitten again it will stop playing… that's how they learn bite inhibition. So withdrawing yourself is the best cure.

I tried sticking my finger down their throat to make them gag and other stuff but simply refusing to play is the best.

Oh and giving them a toy to bite helps!

[bkitchen0406]

Have your parents hold a bone or something so the dog doesn't bite them.