My Mini Schnauzer is 1 year, 3 months old. She still has what others call "puppy bites" but I'm worried that she won't grow out of it... and she's starting to hurt
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If the high pitch noise makes her worse then skip that part. But, continue to withdrawl all your attention the very instant her teeth touch your skin. She wants to interact with you. If that stops every single time she goes to play bite then she *will* stop. Get up and actually walk away from her or put her in another room. Don't talk to her or even look at her.
Personally, I don't agree with the holding the mouth closed method, but as you already saw there is always conflicting advice out there. The reason I don't like it is because it could escalate the situation and cause the dog to really bite back. It's a method that could cause someone to get hurt, at least more likely then just walking away. And with some shy dogs it can make them hand shy.
During play sessions keep things low key. When she starts to get all riled up, calm things down. Take a break. Don't let her get overly excited. Grab a cookie and get her attention. Have her do a sit, or stay or whatever obedience command she knows.
Ok thanks, I'll try that. She does a very good sit and stay. I think her main problem is she's JUST SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!! And that's where the biting comes in. Like when I come home, to keep her from a.) peeing and b.) jumping, I make her sit and she just sits and shakes uncontrollably ... like it takes ALL her willpower to remain in that sit. Which is really cute, so then I get down to praise her and the biting.
I'm also hoping that we're still in puppy stages, even though she's getting older.
We have a foster dog who only bites/mouths softly when he's really excited during play, before getting his food, etc.
He too had access to tons of balls/tugs/toys, etc. but he was never interested in them. We're actually now doing heavy training with him to get him to want to play with a tug (made out of 4 socks knotted together).
We reward him for any interaction he has with the tug. Just looking at it, seeming slightly interested in it. Started to chase after it, etc. Then eventually we would get him in the situations where he was mouthing and get him riled up and as soon as he seemed like he was nipping/mouthing/biting/whatever you want to call it, then we'd have the tug for him RIGHT there and encourage him to play with it. I do this about 5 times a day with the tug and after about 10 days of doing this with him he's starting to show interest in it. So to be able to find something for him to redirect his behavior towards would work well.
If he's doing this thing One thing I've noticed is when she wants to play, or wants
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Seems like the high pitched noises are just exciting her more! Try just saying "NO" in a firm voice... Then I'd withdraw all excitement and play. Get up (immediately) turn your back and walk away. Ignore her!
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Personally, I don't agree with the holding the mouth closed method, but as you already saw there is always conflicting advice out there. The reason I don't like it is because it could escalate the situation and cause the dog to really bite back. It's a method that could cause someone to get hurt, at least more likely then just walking away. And with some shy dogs it can make them hand shy.
During play sessions keep things low key. When she starts to get all riled up, calm things down. Take a break. Don't let her get overly excited. Grab a cookie and get her attention. Have her do a sit, or stay or whatever obedience command she knows.
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I'm also hoping that we're still in puppy stages, even though she's getting older.
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Good luck!
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He too had access to tons of balls/tugs/toys, etc. but he was never interested in them. We're actually now doing heavy training with him to get him to want to play with a tug (made out of 4 socks knotted together).
We reward him for any interaction he has with the tug. Just looking at it, seeming slightly interested in it. Started to chase after it, etc. Then eventually we would get him in the situations where he was mouthing and get him riled up and as soon as he seemed like he was nipping/mouthing/biting/whatever you want to call it, then we'd have the tug for him RIGHT there and encourage him to play with it. I do this about 5 times a day with the tug and after about 10 days of doing this with him he's starting to show interest in it. So to be able to find something for him to redirect his behavior towards would work well.
If he's doing this thing One thing I've noticed is when she wants to play, or wants ( ... )
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