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Wed 11 Jul 2007 01:14PM PDT

KitsuandSuki 127 post(s)

Hi I would love an answer to this! Our puppy is 4 months old and we adopted him exactly a week ago today. Now that he is all settled in with us permanently (after bouncing for a bit from home to home) we need help in training him not to bite. It is ALL play biting and no aggression whatsoever. My husband can take it no problem. To me it hurts like heck, but I can handle it too. My children are due home from an out of state vacation with their father on Sunday. Ideally I would have liked the children with me when we got him but that was not possible. They are 10 and 12 and have been around friendly dogs but may still be skittish (as I was at that age). So my 10 and 12 year old have not met the dog. When they do come home to Kitsu, I don't want them panicked or harmed. I have Bitter Apple which seems to be working, but what if he plays too rough with them and starts overdoing it and biting them? By the way I am home full time now so I could supervise everything. ANY advice would be helpful. I can foresee this scenario happening. I know with their cats they had a water spray bottle that gave them a feeling of safety and control. I don't want them terrified, PLEASE HELP!! Thanks! Sharon (Kitsu's Mom)

Wed 11 Jul 2007 01:20PM PDT

goofy_choir_... 5 post(s)

I would tell them if this happens to tell the dog 'no' firmly and walk away so that he learns that if he bites he doesn't get to play.

Wed 11 Jul 2007 01:26PM PDT

KitsuandSuki 127 post(s)

Hey thanks for the reply :) The problem is, when I say "no" firmly and walk away, he comes chasing right behind me and bites my ankles legs. I have read that I should howl ouch loud and withdraw from him for awhile, much like if he had bitten another dog. I also have Bitter Apple. (Any comments on Bitter Apple would be helpful too!) Again thanks for taking the time to reply, anyone else?

Wed 11 Jul 2007 01:31PM PDT

goofy_choir_... 5 post(s)

I know some disagree with this, and I wouldn't let your children do this because sometimes they don't see the difference between a disciplinary smack and hitting a dog, but sometime popping the dog on the nose when they do this works. Grace liked to nip and wouldn't stop. So I popped her on the nose. Not hard, just enough to startle her and realize that that was not a response she liked. Some say dogs don't understand being disciplined like that, but I say they do. My girls always seem to know when they've done something naughty.

Wed 11 Jul 2007 02:57PM PDT

crazydoglady 186 post(s)

this is gonna take alot of time and patience but be very very consistant and it wouldn't hurt to play devils advocate and put the bitter apple on your ankles too as your walking away may be giving him the signal that you want him to chase you and he thinks it's a game. But remember to be right on time with the reprimand and if it does continue to immediately put him in a time out for a couple of minutes (any longer and he'll just forget) and be just as quick with the praise when he does the desired behavior ....i.e. make him do a kiss or if he licks say something like "good kisses!" or have a few puppy nylabones around and immediately put that in his mouth and praise him...I use to carry them around like pacifiers ....so he'll learn that if he needs to bite on something the bone is good, the person is bad..... He'll get it......Good Luck....

Wed 11 Jul 2007 03:30PM PDT

Bailey-n-Dojo 1 post(s)

When we first adopted Dojo he did alot of nipping with my husband and I. There was no line drawn between playing and fighting. What worked for us was the loud "ouch". When I say loud, I mean LOUD. Loud enough to startle and get the point across. Within a few days he stopped completly. And like everyone else says it's about consistancy and timing. Good luck!!

Wed 11 Jul 2007 03:44PM PDT

KitsuandSuki 127 post(s)

Hey thanks you guys! All of you! I really appreciate your input. I'm talking it all over with the hubby, you guys are all great for taking the time to help me with my problem. I love this site. :) ~Sharon & Kitsu

Wed 11 Jul 2007 06:26PM PDT

TinaValant 845 post(s)

Remember, a dog's mouth is also like our hands.... When my cockatoo screeches, it is for attention. If I get up & tell him to stop; he is getting what he wants (me). If Kitsu is chompin on you, it's is for attention or out of boredom. If you do not react, he will not do, it, as he is not getting what he wants. When he is being calm and nice, reward and recognize that behavior. When the kids first meet Kitsu, have them tuck their thumb into their palm, wrap fingers around and toward ground; present fist under his nose. THEN pet him on side or back. They MUST stay calm, not shout/make loud noises. Have them ask him to sit and give a treat. Let the kids feed him--so Kitsu knows> OH THEY are the food source (not equal in rank to him). They will be great pals, I know it! tina

Wed 11 Jul 2007 07:19PM PDT

TinaValant 845 post(s)

With no disrespect to Goofy, NEVER hit/pop a dog. You will instill fear and possible aggression, and may injure the dog. Consistency, calm patience, and knowledge of dog behavior will get you your desired result: a well-behaved member of the family to be cherished.

Wed 11 Jul 2007 09:14PM PDT

Beverly 4 post(s)

Yes I also was taught to make a loud growl or a loud deterent to startle him and get him to back off and say no and walk away. He has to learn the difference between a play nibble and an real one. First he has to learn to stop what he is doing. When we first brought BayLee home she wasn't used to us here either. She bit me and also my son and went after my Mimi. Muffin don't take the crap from any dog because she is a protector of us. We ignored her and left her alone until she adjusted but if she went after my pups I hollared loud and growled at her and she stopped I had my son pet her under her neck and on her back not near the mouth and he was petrified. But she started coming around. I also have a can with coins in it and if Mimi barks or does something wrong I would shake it and they don't like the sound of the coins in the can and she stops what ever she is doing. Now all I say is I'm getting the can and no problem she knows what I am talking about.Even if the can is in the house and we are outside.Try anything . Something has to work.

Thu 12 Jul 2007 06:33AM PDT

goofy_choir_... 5 post(s)

Well I did say that not everyone would agree. But its kind of like the spanking issue with children. Some think its wrong, and some think people need to do it more. I did clearly state its never hard. It is also not a frequent thing. It's one of those things that's all in how it is handled. I remember when popping a dog on the nose with newspaper was the standard method of housetraining. It's interesting how that thought module has changed.

Thu 12 Jul 2007 06:52AM PDT

TinaValant 845 post(s)

You are right, Goofy. I remember my parents shoving our dog's nose in it's mess. Thank Goodness, times have changed. ;-)

Thu 12 Jul 2007 06:58AM PDT

goofy_choir_... 5 post(s)

It is an interesting thing to think about isn't it Tina? It's all in the school of thought. I was raised to know the difference between disciplining a dog and abusing it. I would never hit a dog to hit them. And I only pop them in the nose when I CATCH them in the actual act. Never after. In fact if Grace potties in the house and I don't catch her all I have to do is stand by and and look at all of them and ask, "Now who did this no-no?" and she runs and hides and the other dogs just stare at me like I've lost my mind because it wasn't them. Some say dogs don't know when they've done something wrong, I beg to differ. My dogs KNOW when they've made a big boo-boo and been naughty. And the guilty one always hides. My dogs are literally children with fur and I talk to them like they're people. My sister thinks I'm nuts for it.

Thu 12 Jul 2007 11:21AM PDT

TinaValant 845 post(s)

Well, you are in good company, Goofy! I am admittedly NUTS (esp about dogs)! ;-D

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Wed 11 Jul 2007 01:14PM PDT KitsuandSuki 127 post(s)	Hi I would love an answer to this! Our puppy is 4 months old and we adopted him exactly a week ago today. Now that he is all settled in with us permanently (after bouncing for a bit from home to home) we need help in training him not to bite. It is ALL play biting and no aggression whatsoever. My husband can take it no problem. To me it hurts like heck, but I can handle it too. My children are due home from an out of state vacation with their father on Sunday. Ideally I would have liked the children with me when we got him but that was not possible. They are 10 and 12 and have been around friendly dogs but may still be skittish (as I was at that age). So my 10 and 12 year old have not met the dog. When they do come home to Kitsu, I don't want them panicked or harmed. I have Bitter Apple which seems to be working, but what if he plays too rough with them and starts overdoing it and biting them? By the way I am home full time now so I could supervise everything. ANY advice would be helpful. I can foresee this scenario happening. I know with their cats they had a water spray bottle that gave them a feeling of safety and control. I don't want them terrified, PLEASE HELP!! Thanks! Sharon (Kitsu's Mom)

Wed 11 Jul 2007 01:20PM PDT goofy_choir_... 5 post(s)	I would tell them if this happens to tell the dog 'no' firmly and walk away so that he learns that if he bites he doesn't get to play.


Wed 11 Jul 2007 01:26PM PDT KitsuandSuki 127 post(s)	Hey thanks for the reply :) The problem is, when I say "no" firmly and walk away, he comes chasing right behind me and bites my ankles legs. I have read that I should howl ouch loud and withdraw from him for awhile, much like if he had bitten another dog. I also have Bitter Apple. (Any comments on Bitter Apple would be helpful too!) Again thanks for taking the time to reply, anyone else?

Wed 11 Jul 2007 01:31PM PDT goofy_choir_... 5 post(s)	I know some disagree with this, and I wouldn't let your children do this because sometimes they don't see the difference between a disciplinary smack and hitting a dog, but sometime popping the dog on the nose when they do this works. Grace liked to nip and wouldn't stop. So I popped her on the nose. Not hard, just enough to startle her and realize that that was not a response she liked. Some say dogs don't understand being disciplined like that, but I say they do. My girls always seem to know when they've done something naughty.

Wed 11 Jul 2007 02:57PM PDT crazydoglady 186 post(s)	this is gonna take alot of time and patience but be very very consistant and it wouldn't hurt to play devils advocate and put the bitter apple on your ankles too as your walking away may be giving him the signal that you want him to chase you and he thinks it's a game. But remember to be right on time with the reprimand and if it does continue to immediately put him in a time out for a couple of minutes (any longer and he'll just forget) and be just as quick with the praise when he does the desired behavior ....i.e. make him do a kiss or if he licks say something like "good kisses!" or have a few puppy nylabones around and immediately put that in his mouth and praise him...I use to carry them around like pacifiers ....so he'll learn that if he needs to bite on something the bone is good, the person is bad..... He'll get it......Good Luck....


Wed 11 Jul 2007 03:30PM PDT Bailey-n-Dojo 1 post(s)	When we first adopted Dojo he did alot of nipping with my husband and I. There was no line drawn between playing and fighting. What worked for us was the loud "ouch". When I say loud, I mean LOUD. Loud enough to startle and get the point across. Within a few days he stopped completly. And like everyone else says it's about consistancy and timing. Good luck!!

Wed 11 Jul 2007 03:44PM PDT KitsuandSuki 127 post(s)	Hey thanks you guys! All of you! I really appreciate your input. I'm talking it all over with the hubby, you guys are all great for taking the time to help me with my problem. I love this site. :) ~Sharon & Kitsu

Wed 11 Jul 2007 06:26PM PDT TinaValant 845 post(s)	Remember, a dog's mouth is also like our hands.... When my cockatoo screeches, it is for attention. If I get up & tell him to stop; he is getting what he wants (me). If Kitsu is chompin on you, it's is for attention or out of boredom. If you do not react, he will not do, it, as he is not getting what he wants. When he is being calm and nice, reward and recognize that behavior. When the kids first meet Kitsu, have them tuck their thumb into their palm, wrap fingers around and toward ground; present fist under his nose. THEN pet him on side or back. They MUST stay calm, not shout/make loud noises. Have them ask him to sit and give a treat. Let the kids feed him--so Kitsu knows> OH THEY are the food source (not equal in rank to him). They will be great pals, I know it! tina

Wed 11 Jul 2007 07:19PM PDT TinaValant 845 post(s)	With no disrespect to Goofy, NEVER hit/pop a dog. You will instill fear and possible aggression, and may injure the dog. Consistency, calm patience, and knowledge of dog behavior will get you your desired result: a well-behaved member of the family to be cherished.

Wed 11 Jul 2007 09:14PM PDT Beverly 4 post(s)	Yes I also was taught to make a loud growl or a loud deterent to startle him and get him to back off and say no and walk away. He has to learn the difference between a play nibble and an real one. First he has to learn to stop what he is doing. When we first brought BayLee home she wasn't used to us here either. She bit me and also my son and went after my Mimi. Muffin don't take the crap from any dog because she is a protector of us. We ignored her and left her alone until she adjusted but if she went after my pups I hollared loud and growled at her and she stopped I had my son pet her under her neck and on her back not near the mouth and he was petrified. But she started coming around. I also have a can with coins in it and if Mimi barks or does something wrong I would shake it and they don't like the sound of the coins in the can and she stops what ever she is doing. Now all I say is I'm getting the can and no problem she knows what I am talking about.Even if the can is in the house and we are outside.Try anything . Something has to work.

Thu 12 Jul 2007 06:33AM PDT goofy_choir_... 5 post(s)	Well I did say that not everyone would agree. But its kind of like the spanking issue with children. Some think its wrong, and some think people need to do it more. I did clearly state its never hard. It is also not a frequent thing. It's one of those things that's all in how it is handled. I remember when popping a dog on the nose with newspaper was the standard method of housetraining. It's interesting how that thought module has changed.

Thu 12 Jul 2007 06:52AM PDT TinaValant 845 post(s)	You are right, Goofy. I remember my parents shoving our dog's nose in it's mess. Thank Goodness, times have changed. ;-)

Thu 12 Jul 2007 06:58AM PDT goofy_choir_... 5 post(s)	It is an interesting thing to think about isn't it Tina? It's all in the school of thought. I was raised to know the difference between disciplining a dog and abusing it. I would never hit a dog to hit them. And I only pop them in the nose when I CATCH them in the actual act. Never after. In fact if Grace potties in the house and I don't catch her all I have to do is stand by and and look at all of them and ask, "Now who did this no-no?" and she runs and hides and the other dogs just stare at me like I've lost my mind because it wasn't them. Some say dogs don't know when they've done something wrong, I beg to differ. My dogs KNOW when they've made a big boo-boo and been naughty. And the guilty one always hides. My dogs are literally children with fur and I talk to them like they're people. My sister thinks I'm nuts for it.

Thu 12 Jul 2007 11:21AM PDT TinaValant 845 post(s)	Well, you are in good company, Goofy! I am admittedly NUTS (esp about dogs)! ;-D