for new Brier members-biting

[Gina Heitz <brier@oregonsbest.com>]

Hi All,

Some of you may want to read this just for a trip down memory lane but I
am directing this to our new members who will soon be dealing with such
issues as puppy  biting and counter surfing...  I was searching
the archives this morning and this is about as far as I got.  

The original topic was how do I control my puppy from biting me all the
time.  A side topic was counter surfing: IE: stealing food and items
off of your kitchen counters...  BTW, Ember does bite and she is an
aspiring counter surfer ( my fault) so when you read do as I say not as I
do take it to heart! <smile> 

Gina 


 From IIene Cook: 
Ok, I have the perfect solution. Pick him up!! Yes, just pick him up,and
that's stops the biting. They outgrow this in a few weeks. This is just
the biting time, and Rocket almost really took off for the moon when he
bit my leg while I was cooking dinner tonight. It does hurt, and when it
is a surprise, you got to really control that reaction!!! P.S. Don't pick
him up and then put your hand near his mouth. Just hold them for awhile,
and it draws their attention elsewhere. Ilene


 From Deb Mc Fail: 
One thing that's always worked well for us at this age are several, like
about8, wet and then frozen wash clothes to give them when they're
teething so hard.See if that helps the biting since Monza will be
distracted with the cold frozen thing instead of living flesh
(g)Debs



Hi Guys,

On biting: As IIene says picking them up is a good way to curtail
this.  I 
will add a bit though:  I pick them up and hold them tight and at
the same 
time I put my head over their back.  This is a dominate move on your
part 
and should get the message across.  They will squirm and might even
squeal 
but don't give in.  You know your not hurting them and this is just
a 
battle of wits.  If you can't pick them up at least gently lift
their two 
front feet off the ground by the scruff on the neck and growl NO at 
them.  Drop kicking really is not very effective IIene, I taught
them to 
ignore this behavior at a young age. <snicker>  Also taught
them to bite 
hard.

Is any one starting to make their puppies sit for their meals yet? 
If so 
as well start putting your hands in their dish as well as taking it away
a 
couple of times to teach them they are not in control.  When you
take food 
from a dog always make sure you are face to face with them.  Never
take 
food away from behind them.  This is considered an attack and can
lead to 
food aggression.

Ok onto counter surfing.  I really need to get this into the go home
instructions.  I just remembered it today as Scout and Trix tried to
counter surf as I was fixing their food.  Do as I say not as I
do...  These 
two can make the second drawer on hind legs and third if they jump. 
Before 
too long they All will be to counter top level.  To detour interest
in the 
counters never leave food on them.  Never leave any thing on
them.  Right 
now everyone of you go out to your kitchens and make sure your counter
tops 
are completely clear and clean, not even a cracker crumb.  If this
is not 
possible just have the counters removed.  Soon you won't miss
them...  Ok 
back to reality... When fixing the dogs food don't let them 
watch.  Seriously put them in their crate and take the meal to them
if your 
feeding in the crate.  If not and you feed in the kitchen don't let
them 
see where the food comes from.  The less they associate the counter
tops 
and the sink with food the better of you will be.

Ok, I am off for the night,

Gina

 From Leigh Stoller:

We found with Acer that yelling ouch and saying NO, followed by
sticking
his chicken Nylabone in his mouth, eventually worked. It took
several
months before he was finally over the biting thing, but everything
I've
read seems to indicate that this phase does continue for a while.
They
*are* just babies after all.

Lbs