Biting and Nipping

[sly85]

Thanks for the reply Lynners. Maya usually gets a short walk in the morning (just around the block), and a longer one in the evening (about 1 mile, maybe a little more), but we miss the evening walk if I get home from work late and it's already dark or close to dark (usually happens a couple of times a week). I'll work on making sure she gets that long walk every day, maybe just get up early so we have time to do it in the morning before work.

I had to google tug-a-jug. No, she doesn't have one, but she rarely gets treats just handed to her. Her treats usually come in a kong ball or a half crushed water bottle, which creates a little "maze" she has to work the treats through before getting them out.

I'll start getting my butt out of bed early so she gets that long walk, and add some daily training time, and see how that works. Thanks again!

[christamarzan]

This is great! My dog is about a year old and she starting nipping shortly after I adopted her. Nothing too hard or painful, but still a habit I want her to break. Thanks for the tips!

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Christamarzan - It is always wonderful to hear positive feedback from a relatively new member whose first post is a Thank you! Let us know how you make out with your dog, and what works for you. We all learn from each other.

You should start a thread in the Introduction Section so we can all greet you properly.

Welcome to the Daily Puppy!

[LoboWillMeltYourHeart]

Great post and tips!

Since Lobo's been home and knows the apartment pretty good, he's come out of his shell. I NOW know he's teething and that there's got to be a line between little nibbling/nipping.

I've noticed he bites more after waking up and trying the "NO" hasn't really helped but I won't give up because it really hurts! I don't believe in discipline because he's a baby. I try to switch over by giving him toys. I'll make sure to fill everyone in in a couple of weeks. We'll keep trying and let everyone know when we get there

I still have one main question.

Lobo tends to wander off when I'm doing housework and I've noticed he's chewing on the wall! Before running into this site, I saw somewhere online that mixing AppleCider vinegar and water (50/50) in a bottle and spraying it on the things he shouldn't bite. The taste should make him not want to do it again, I did and he's still kinda doing it. I read some web reviews on an actual spray to keep puppies & Dogs from chewing on things and they all pretty much say to not buy it because it doesn't work.

Any tips? Please and Thanks!

[Phyrie]

It's called Bitter Apple Spray, and it does work, for some dogs. It seemed to work for me, but Kiba was rarely away from me, so it was easy to supervise him. If your pup is wandering away, you might want to try the tether method. Keeping him tied to you at all times will insure that you can always see what he's doing, and prevent any unwanted behaviour before any damage is done.

[LoboWillMeltYourHeart]

I'll make sure to get some this weekend and try it. Thanks Phyrie!

He tends to stay close...at times. But I wonder is it ok for him? My husband already pokes fun and calls him a "Momma's boy". I could be washing dishes and he lays close by and naps almost all the time.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

As Phyrie said, he still does wander off and cause destruction from time to time, which could ultimately be quite harmful to your wee pup. Considering his auspicious beginnings, I would use the tether, or baby gates, or some other method of containment until he is past this phase.

Spraying your entire household is an option, but not a very effective one really. Constant, 24/7 supervision is really what is required. If there is something that needs your undivided attention, perhaps a walk and then some quality crate time with an appropriate chew toy is in order. It could be something as simple as a dampened, twisted, face cloth that is frozen (provides relief on their sore gums and has the added benefit of texture), or a Kong stuffed with a few treats that he has to work at to obtain.

This is an important time for Lobo as he hasn't had the benefit of learning his boundaries from his Mum or siblings. You must provide that.

I also noticed that you changed your user name. Was there a reason for that? It makes things a titch confusing, as "Erika and Lobo" was easy to follow. I'm just curious, that's all.

Do keep in mind that it only takes a few minutes for your puppy to ingest enough carpeting or drywall to require surgery. I wouldn't play around with "well he is with me most of the time". Buy a long leash and attach it to your belt, or around your waist. Not only will it keep your puppy safe, your home less damaged, but it creates a bond between you and your pup.

Good luck as this phase seems to last forever, but it doesn't really, if you approach it properly. Otherwise, you may end up with a dog that is a constant chewer.

[Phyrie]

Ignore your husband's cracks about "momma's boy". You are instilling the first very real bonds of trust, and that is SO important.

Here's a bit of my story, just to give you some perspective:

When I brought Kiba home, I had already planned to spend every available moment with him. I made a deal with him on his adoption day: You learn from me, with enthusiasm, and I will do all I can to teach you to be the best dog you can be.

I had decided I would likely have no sleep at first (a pup should go out for potty at least every twenty minutes, even in the night!). I decided he would eat the best food, and was willing to sacrifice a bit of diarrhea in order to change his diet from the crap-in-a-bag that he was eating at the breeders. And therein was our downfall. Unbeknownst to me, Kiba was infected with coccidia, a parasite found in well and pond water, and is usually no problem for an adult dog, but can cause a great deal of illness in an unprotected puppy. By the second week of diarrhea, my boy was very ill. I kept waiting for his digestive system to "kick in" and adapt to the new feed I was giving him! The vet took samples, and sure enough, it wasn't the feed giving him the runs, it was the parasite! ARGGGHHH!! By this time, he was dehydrated, thin, and pooping every ten minutes or more. His digestive system was in an uproar!

So, Kiba and spent the next three months together. Every second. He slept on my chest in my recliner chair, so I could whisk him outside for a fast, squirty poop when he needed to go. If I HAD to stand to do something, he was on a leash wrapped around my waist. He came in to the bathroom with me, he sat on my lap when I worked on the computer. He was WITH me. Did he follow me around even after he was well? Yup. Did he look to me for reassurance and approval while he learned a new task, or tried a new toy? Yep, yep. Did he follow me to the toilet for four years? Yeah, that too.

BUT! He loves my husband, even more than he loves me, and he had no problem making the transference. Dog's hearts are large enough to have lots of people in them, and although their families have a special place, your husband need not worry that he will become so enamoured of you that he won't make room in his heart for your husband!

To the immediate situation, your pup needs to be contained. He shouldn't have the chance to chew the wall, or anything else you don't want him to. There is no need for discipline, you just need to keep him safe. Whether that's with a line between you and him (I recommend that one) or an X-pen, baby gates or whatever. Remember though, he WILL get into stuff. That's his job. I mean that literally. IT'S HIS JOB TO GET INTO STUFF!! It's how he learns about the world. It's YOUR job to make sure all of his explorations are safe, for him and you and your belongings!

So, pick up your socks, hide the electrical cords, and fill your lap with dozens of toys, so you can stuff one after the other into his mouth when all he wants to do is EAT YOU!! The frozen wash cloth is BRILLIANT, and you'll want to keep a couple in the freezer all the time.

That give you something to think about, anyway. Good luck!

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

BUT! He loves my husband, even more than he loves me, and he had no problem making the transference. Dog's hearts are large enough to have lots of people in them, and although their families have a special place, your husband need not worry that he will become so enamoured of you that he won't make room in his heart for your husband!

I am simply going to say that the only thing on which Phyrie was incorrect was in her statement above. Kiba does NOT LOVE HER HUSBAND MORE, he loves him AS MUCH!!! ♥

Everything else she said is spot on, and I can attest to the fact that dogs will have as much love for all of their humans, equally, as long as they are loved by all of the humans, equally.

[LoboWillMeltYourHeart]

Hello everyone!
Sorry we haven't been able to long on and read for a while, feels good to be back.

Oliver & Henry's Mum:

It isn't the entire household I'm worried about, just the things I've seen him chewing on. We did get the BitterApple spray this past weekend and it seems to work, he hasn't bitten the wall or bottom of the furniture.

We went to the Vet's for his second round of booster shots and the Vet told us that we should't let him outside on walks at all UNTIL he's completed his shots. (The risk for parvo is still there) We also bought him his Kong and some ChickenLiver filling, he LOVES it and keeps him busy while Mommy cleans the house

...I don't recall changing anything, it has been the same when I opened the account with DP

Phyrie:

Thanks again for letting me know about BitterApple!

It is REALLY important for me to instill that bond with him I love him dearly as it is

I'm sorry about the crap-in-a-bag they gave him got him sick but glad to read he got better with lots of TLC! It's just Lobo and I most of the time due to work for the husband. He's home with us for the weekend (if we're lucky) and even then Lobo drops EVERYTHING with me and runs to him with his tail wagging and barks of joy.

We will most definitely have a line between us from here on out. I'll make sure to inform you guys on our progress.

Thanks a lot for the wise words

[kian]

Have you considered getting a puppy pen, I would never be without one. It works great when you can't tether the puppy to you or watch him constantly. Glad the Bitter Apple is working, some dogs actually like it!

I love the Kong, have you tried freezing it? I like to plug up the small hole with some peanut butter or the filling you are using. Then add some chicken broth, maybe a dog biscuit or baby carrot, top off with a ice cube & freeze. Doesn't take long to freeze & it serves two purposes. The rubber helps with the chewing & the cold soothes the gums.

Parvo must be bad where you live, better be safe than sorry!

[LoboWillMeltYourHeart]

Kian:

No, we honestly didn't consider the puppy pen only because he's getting bigger by the day! Yeah, I had read reviews online on other deterrent's where they ended up liking it.

I haven't tried freezing the Kong itself, I freeze either the apple slices or carrot chunks and stick them in the Kong and some filling inside of it (it keeps him happy and busy).

We're a couple of months new to Texas but I lost a pink-nose pitbull puppy named Yayo to Parvo years ago. Since then, it's been my biggest fear.

[kian]

Parvo is bad on the Reservation west of us, It's a scary thing. I do take my pups out and find safe areas to expose them to the world, of course common sense has to be used, so good for you. Sorry to hear your lost your Pit to it. Try freezing the Kong with the treats in it and little broth or water, works great. I love the pen, it can configure in many ways and can be used as a gate to block off areas. I go have the large one, it's a lifesaver when mine were young.

Lobo is adorable!!

[Nileska]

Definitelely get an X pen (aka puppy pen) they are a nessecary tool at dog shows....They are used for puppies and adults, often in lieu of the crate.

The pens come in various heights,I use 42 inch for Huskies of all ages by way of example.. You wil always find the pen useful for the life of the dog...I have several of the chrome models,they are attatractive and much more durable,,(worth a few extra bucks) .

Bitter apple is good if it works for your pup and of course all dogs need to chew.especially when they are teething...Don't let your puppy chew anything you don't want them to have as an adult,there are some great tips above on how to redirect the behavior.

As a final thought,NEVER set up your X pen on a carpet without something under it,the dog may eat the carpet if he has a chance...And always take a new pup straight to the Vet for evaluation,take a fecal sample with shot records....no matter what the breeders tell you...Pet stores will tell you anything to sell their overpriced,poor quality puppies.

[Phyrie]

X-pens also make excellent instant fences across ungated walkways, etc. when visiting folks without fenced yards! Right now we have one across our yard from the shop to the house, so we can just pull it back to let the car close to the house when unloading groceries! Cheaper than a fence/gate, and portable so we can take it with us if we need to! LOL!