Puppy question

So we recently got a puppy. The Mrs. and I always had dogs in our youth, but haven't had one in the 20 years we've been married. Always wanted one, but had to wait until our life resembled something that could be shared with a furry friend. And the kids are old enough to help with daily pet chores now too.

So...we got a beautiful English Springer Spaniel. She's approaching 4 months old and she's already solidly part of our pack.

Potty training was no issue. Basic commands (sit, stay, come, lay down, shake hands, etc), no problem. She's a very quick learner and eager to please.

However, she nips. When she gets excited (she's a 4 month spaniel, she's quite often revved up)she nips and play bites. Harder than I would like. Her teeth are like fricken needles. We've tried a few different things, and overall she is improving but is there anything you've found that works for this? Or this this just a puppy thing that she'll grow out of as long as we are consistent?

doc_speeder wrote: Or this this just a puppy thing that she'll grow out of as long as we are consistent?

Bingo! It also helps to redirect that behavior towards a puppy chew toy.

This is a Springer Spaniel Puppy. Just try to stay mad at that face!

Get lots of varied different chew toys, bones, treats, etc. And like mentioned, refocus them to the chew toys when she starts to nip.

Also understand she's a pup.

In reply to pinchvalve: Haha yep, but they sure don't stay that size for long! I can't believe how fast she converts food to growth. You can almost watch her grow by the day. Not quite 4 months and she's approaching 20 lbs! If I can figure out how to get pics off my phone I'll put some up.

I haven't had a puppy but one thing that friends who have gotten them have told me is to not play and rough house with your hands when they're little. So that they don't get in the habit of associating hands with playthings they can bite.

yeah … puppy teeth are sharp as needles

When the puppy hurts you, do what the puppy does when it's hurt. Let out a yip. They learn thresholds for rough play with other dogs the same way.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: When the puppy hurts you, do what the puppy does when it's hurt. Let out a yip. They learn thresholds for rough play with other dogs the same way.

This. It's called 'bite inhibition' vs training 'bite prohibition.' quick overview of the theory - they learn that humans are soft and easily injured, and that they can hurt you. The result is that if a dog gets cornered they are less likely TO bite, and IF they bite it's likely to be less severe because they know the threshold and only go far enough beyond it to elicit a pain response. Verses ripping an arm off like they might to another dog, which would really injure a human and have much more dire legal implications.

We did this type of training with out shepherd mix pup and he's great about it. It's a common training idea in the German Shepherd world and other mouthy breeds. Now that he's almost two we can roughhouse to the point that I'm afraid I'm hurting him, with him snarling and snapping at me - but he never contacts me with his teeth. It's kind of scary to watch, but he's happy and I'm absolutely safe.

more info - http://talentedanimals.com/blog/teaching-bite-inhibition/

Yup, GPS and ultraclyde are right on the money. Wife did the same thing with our dog when she got him as a puppy- he's never bitten down with anything near enough force to injure even when roughhousing with him, and he's an 80 lb boxer/pit mix- he COULD do massive damage were he so inclined. Now if only we could convince him he's not a 10 lb lap dog and to not walk all over us on the couch...

but what did you name it

I had some small success with a gentle squeeze of the muzzle immediately following the nip, with a look in the eyes and a "No". Not to hurt, just to get attention.

Seems to work with kittens and claws, too. Gentle squeeze of the toes and a "No".

In reply to drummerfromdefleopard:

Casey

Thanks all for the replies, it sounds like we're on the right track. She has backed off to the point that if her teeth weren't so bloody sharp it wouldn't hurt. She's actually quite gentle most of the time, so when her puppy teeth are gone it will likely automatically improve.

All in all, having a puppy is not nearly the hell that everyone told us it would be. She's quite easy to have around. Crate training is wonderful. It still doesn't make sense to my human brain, but she loves being in there.

In reply to Streetwiseguy:

I found that works with a wide variety of retrievers and GSPs, but not herding dogs, where the bite inhibition method was needed.

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Riley feels guilty after biting...

drummerfromdefleopard wrote: but what did you name it

Yeah! Inquiring minds who have received treatment want to know your new darling's name!