Biting and Nipping

[melmck]

I need your help!
I have a 10 week old doberman, lab, boxer mix. Half doberman. We've had him for almost 3 weeks and we are having lots of issues with nipping. My husband and I are covered in scratches and welts from his sharp puppy teeth.

We've tried several different strategies to get him to stop biting. We've done the whole be a tree thing, but he just keeps coming back for more. We've yelped and said ouch, he doesn't care. I've tried to distract him with chew toys, but he just won't stop. I've also tried hiding from him. The last few days we've tried to gently grab his mouth and say "no biting" but half the time I can't get close enough to him when he's nipping like crazy.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Those teeth are sharp and can do a lot of damage.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Welcome!

As you probably know, this is typical behavior. Some dogs are worse about it than others, of course. That's life.

Yours sounds like a determined one!

All of your methods are fine, except maybe the hiding from him thing. Not so sure about that curbing nipping, but it might be good for training him to find you and come to you!

Well, I am trying to think what was the main method we used with our current boy. With my previous boy, we did not discourage puppy biting, as we did not want to dampen his biting ability for sport or protection. With my first boy, it is too long ago for me to remember.

I instituted a "do not put your teeth on me" command. How did I enforce it? Perhaps a grabbing of the loose skin of the neck and uttering the command. I am certain he kept on biting some of the times I did that, but knowing me, I persisted with my grip and when he stopped I'd release and calmly praise then redirect him to something he is allowed to chew on or bite.

Best of luck, and keep us posted! This shall pass!

 

[Evowolf]

Hello,

How old is your boy, does he like water? The reason I ask is because dobies are part cats. Most hate water, I had this same issue with my boy and I have learned that what works best is to get a spray bottle with water and when ever he nips or bites I say a firm no biting and spray him. It's just a mist but he hates water and will stop what ever he is doing if he sees me grab for the bottle.

 

[melmck]

Hello,

How old is your boy, does he like water? The reason I ask is because dobies are part cats. Most hate water, I had this same issue with my boy and I have learned that what works best is to get a spray bottle with water and when ever he nips or bites I say a firm no biting and spray him. It's just a mist but he hates water and will stop what ever he is doing if he sees me grab for the bottle.

He's 11 weeks old. Hates bath time, but doesn't mind the rain. I don't want to get him turned off water though because he is part lab and I would like him to learn to swim. I'll keep the spray bottle as a last resort.

We actually started keeping him leashed around us and when he goes to bite we give a short tug and say no biting. It seems to be getting better.

 

[Viemarangelrock]

First off, welcome to DCF from the United Kingdom.

The nipping stage can be a testing time but it's so important to have patience but most importantly be persistent. Some pups just take longer to pick up the hint that it's unacceptable to nip/bite human skin. Remember, play-biting is the means by which they learn to develop bite inhibition, which is absolutely essential later in life.

With Kobi we would reward desirable behaviour and ignore misbehaviour. With the help of the 'OFF' command with a gentle push to make him back away after time he clicked that he wasn't going to get his way.

Having a leash attached at all times during interactions and play can be an excellent means of preventing undesirable behavior, as well as prompting and teaching desirable behavior.

 

[melmck]

First off, welcome to DCF from the United Kingdom.

The nipping stage can be a testing time but it's so important to have patience but most importantly be persistent. Some pups just take longer to pick up the hint that it's unacceptable to nip/bite human skin. Remember, play-biting is the means by which they learn to develop bite inhibition, which is absolutely essential later in life.

With Kobi we would reward desirable behaviour and ignore misbehaviour. With the help of the 'OFF' command with a gentle push to make him back away after time he clicked that he wasn't going to get his way.

Having a leash attached at all times during interactions and play can be an excellent means of preventing undesirable behavior, as well as prompting and teaching desirable behavior.

Yes we do let him mouth on our hand occasionally when he's calm, and he's really gentle. It's when he's excited and nipping that he does the real damage. At what age should we stop letting him mouth at all?

 

[My2Girls]

Yes we do let him mouth on our hand occasionally when he's calm, and he's really gentle. It's when he's excited and nipping that he does the real damage. At what age should we stop letting him mouth at all?

Are you planning on training for protection? I have two children and mouthing on us was not an option- we always redirected. And when necessary we would grab the snout and curl the top lip in so she was nipping herself. With our first dobie we did the squeal/and ouch thing and that just got her more excited kinda like a squeaky toy and she thought it was a game so for us that didn't work. The good thing is they're smart and will figure it out soon.

 

[melmck]

Are you planning on training for protection? I have two children and mouthing on us was not an option- we always redirected. And when necessary we would grab the snout and curl the top lip in so she was nipping herself. With our first dobie we did the squeal/and ouch thing and that just got her more excited kinda like a squeaky toy and she thought it was a game so for us that didn't work. The good thing is they're smart and will figure it out soon.

No, not for protection. Just a family dog. I had read that we should let him mouth so that he can learn how to be gentle in the future if he were ever to bite accidentally. I also read that once you teach them that (bite inhibition) then you work on no biting at all. It's all very confusing for first time dog owners!

The squeal thing definitely gets him excited too! Grabbing his snout seems to be working for now, so we'll see how it goes

 

[Kaiser2016]

I agree with @My2Girls and think there is never any reason to have nipping on people. Always redirect to a toy or something that is ideal sized for them to relieve their teething pain. They can also learn bite inhibition on other dogs, so maybe a play date is in order. It doesn't take a lot of exposure to other dogs to get this either and other dogs, especially older females will set them straight very quickly!

 

[Doberman Gang]

Give no command then Grab scruff of the neck give a little shake. Then redirect to a toy or tug and play. There must be a short timeout between correction and play.
NEVER scream ouch or squeal and never turn your back to your dog. These are signs of weakness, you need to project yourself as a strong confident leader.

 

[Kaiser2016]

NEVER scream ouch or squeal and never turn your back to your dog. These are signs of weakness, you need to project yourself as a strong confident leader.

This is such good info. We kept a lot of toys for redirection close by so thankfully we did not have much issue with this, but saying ouch and turning your back is, unfortunately, the most widely given advice out there. These Dobes really are NOT ordinary dogs and positive-only type of correction or training does not work on them.

 

[Kaiser2016]

Give no command then Grab scruff of the neck give a little shake.

I'm used to scruff corrections for cats, although I haven't had to correct the cat in years, but I've never used this for Dobes. All I know is that Kaiser has enough scruff to grab as I grabbed him there last week while he was collarless. He did stop moving when I did it. Is there an age limit to using the scruff? He's now 14 months old.

 

[Doberman Gang]

I'm used to scruff corrections for cats, although I haven't had to correct the cat in years, but I've never used this for Dobes. All I know is that Kaiser has enough scruff to grab as I grabbed him there last week while he was collarless. He did stop moving when I did it. Is there an age limit to using the scruff? He's now 14 months old.

I actually grab them on each side of the face under there ears when they are older. Less chance of them twisting there head around and trying to bite me. I Only do this if the e-collar and prong collar are not on. But I have some crazy dogs. lmao

 

[Doberman Gang]

This is such good info. We kept a lot of toys for redirection close by so thankfully we did not have much issue with this, but saying ouch and turning your back is, unfortunately, the most widely given advice out there. These Dobes really are NOT ordinary dogs and positive-only type of correction or training does not work on them.

I teach the same to all the breeds that train with me. Dogs are pack animals and we need to establish ourselves as the leader, no matter what dog you have, even toy dogs.

 

[Kaiser2016]

I actually grab them on each side of the face under there ears when they are older. Less chance of them twisting there head around and trying to bite me. I Only do this if the e-collar and prong collar are not on. But I have some crazy dogs. lmao

I will give this a try. I usually only handle his head if I'm going to pet his face and head as a reward for listening. And when I wipe his mouth after eating. Or if he's getting into trouble and I grab his muzzle as I tell him off. Ok so maybe I am already handling his head enough, lol, but I'll introduce this one anyway - I'm sure he'll do something to "earn it".

 

[Kaiser2016]

we need to establish ourselves as the leader, no matter what dog you have, even toy dogs.

Those little critters need it the most! I stood next to a lady with a toy dog strapped to her chest like a swaddling baby. He was totally cute but someone reached forward to pet him and he growled. Then they both laughed at how the dog was acting tough. I was thinking no way, when the little ones bite they really mean it!

 

[Pudding]

Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Those teeth are sharp and can do a lot of damage.

Spray bottle directly to the face in a solid stream.

 

[Waters]

My puppy learned to not bite in about two days but just saying "ouch" and picking her up and putting her into a bathroonm with a gate. I would leave her there for a couple of minutes and calmly bring her back out. The second her teeth touch skin or clothes, she would go back in there.

 

[Mikepltn]

I need your help!
I have a 10 week old doberman, lab, boxer mix. Half doberman. We've had him for almost 3 weeks and we are having lots of issues with nipping. My husband and I are covered in scratches and welts from his sharp puppy teeth.

We've tried several different strategies to get him to stop biting. We've done the whole be a tree thing, but he just keeps coming back for more. We've yelped and said ouch, he doesn't care. I've tried to distract him with chew toys, but he just won't stop. I've also tried hiding from him. The last few days we've tried to gently grab his mouth and say "no biting" but half the time I can't get close enough to him when he's nipping like crazy.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Those teeth are sharp and can do a lot of damage.

We are having the same issue with our 14-week old Dobe. She goes crazy for about a two-hour span each day and loves to nip/bite. We keep telling her no, and try to redirect. She is slowwwwwwwly starting to improve, but it's a challenge.

 

[Pudding]

We are having the same issue with our 14-week old Dobe.

Ruger is almost 5 months now. He no longer nips or bites. Read my post above. It works! And carry a mini-spray bottle hooked on your pants pocket whenever you're around your dog. It will cure your Dobe of this!