Most likely it is due to him teething. Another possibility could be that he hasn't learned bite inhibition. How old was he when you brought him home?
Give him a bone and teach him that it's never appropriate to bite Mommy. If you don't teach him now it will be 10 times more difficult to do so later. Puppies are like sponges. They want to learn. Also don't forget that he may be small but he is still a dog.
BTW what is a Shorkie besides cute? Is it a new designer breed or something?
We brought him home when he was about 8 weeks old.
He has atlest 4-5 toys to chew on, including a kong that he seems to have no interest it. if we put the liquid/foam stuff in there, he'll lick that out, but if its a cookie he wants nothing to do with it.
my boyfriend can easily pet him without the biting, it seems to be me that gets all of it.
8 weeks is a little on the young side, so he may not have learned as much from his littermates and mother as would be ideal. It means more training for you but done right he'll be just fine. :)
As for chews, try something different. All dogs have different preferences, so if one thing doesn't interest him try something else. Squeakers, soft toys, rubbery toys, scented toys, toys with flavors infused in them. Consider trying all-natural chews like ears or bully sticks. Ice cubes made with a little low-sodium broth or boullion always excited my pup when he was wee (and now he loves plain old ice cubes -- cheapest treat ever!)
Have you tried giving him actual bones (natural or rawhide)? Try different things until you find something he will engage in. My husband started our Peanut on flavored rawhide bones and 3+ years later she chews one everyday still. I am also proud to say that doing so has resulted in us NEVER having inappropriate chewing issues.
As for bite inhibition: They learn a lot of that in the whelping box from their liter mates and mother. You can try conveying the message that it hurts when he nips you or you can start corrections/punishments if you feel the need for it.
Give him a bone and teach him that it's never appropriate to bite Mommy. If you don't teach him now it will be 10 times more difficult to do so later. Puppies are like sponges. They want to learn. Also don't forget that he may be small but he is still a dog.
BTW what is a Shorkie besides cute? Is it a new designer breed or something?
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He has atlest 4-5 toys to chew on, including a kong that he seems to have no interest it. if we put the liquid/foam stuff in there, he'll lick that out, but if its a cookie he wants nothing to do with it.
my boyfriend can easily pet him without the biting, it seems to be me that gets all of it.
a shorkie is a shihtzu and yorkshire terrier mix
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As for chews, try something different. All dogs have different preferences, so if one thing doesn't interest him try something else. Squeakers, soft toys, rubbery toys, scented toys, toys with flavors infused in them. Consider trying all-natural chews like ears or bully sticks. Ice cubes made with a little low-sodium broth or boullion always excited my pup when he was wee (and now he loves plain old ice cubes -- cheapest treat ever!)
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As for bite inhibition: They learn a lot of that in the whelping box from their liter mates and mother. You can try conveying the message that it hurts when he nips you or you can start corrections/punishments if you feel the need for it.
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BTW what is a Shorkie besides cute? Is it a new designer breed or something?
A mutt.
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