Puppies Bite

Puppies are babies, and like children everything goes in the mouth. They also not having hands use their mouths to play. Playing with other puppies in mock fights is how they learn and develop. They learn a lot from being with their family for 8 to 10 weeks. They learn how to be dogs and how to read social behaviors and that Biting Hurts!


Asking a puppy not to bite is a little like asking a 2 year old not to throw temper tantrums. They will out grow this and until then it is our job to teach them that biting is not allowed.

Now again if your puppy has been with mother and siblings until at least 8 weeks and preferably at least 10 weeks they learn that biting hurts. The other puppies bite them back or knock then on their rear ends and walk away. Mother will put her mouth over their muzzles and press down till they Yip. or Grab them by the back of their neck and restrain them for a bit. She does not throw them to the ground and stand on them. 

When you have puppies and children you must teach your kids to stand their ground with the puppy. Running away screaming will only make it worse. A good rule of thumb is never leave pups and kids unsupervised. Someone and it could be the pup will possibly get hurt. 


Teaching Kids to YELP loud and say OUCH and then turn and walk away calmly teaches the pup that if they bite they will be ignored. Now some pups will just follow and continue the rough play. In that case have a time out area and without saying anything pick up the pup and put them in the quite area. They will learn that rough play will not be tolerated. 


Sometime you get a tough little pup. Trooper can be a pill. In which case sometime I just grab his cheeks firmly and stare him in they eye and say KNOCK IT OFF in  a firm voice and then walk away. I sometime need to be firm with him.  He get rewarded for good behavior and is learning listen to the STOP It command I use for biting. 


Normally by 16 weeks a lot of the biting is over and they still have their moments but they do grow out of this phase. I know it is distressing to people with small children but it your job to protect both your children and teach your puppy good manners.

Oh No Bad Puppy go Outside to Potty.

Did you puppy pee or poo on the floor? Well it is your fault. Puppies are just doing what they need to do. And it is our responsibility not theirs to work at helping them be clean in the house.

Trooper waiting to come home.

I have raised litters now for 10 years and I can tell you dogs want to be clean. I have seen a 2 week old puppy with it's eye just open a few days move to the far side of the whelping box to toilet  so as to not soil the area where they sleep. This show a high desire to be clean and not to foul their personal space.

When my puppies leave home at 10 week or more they are well on  their way to being housebroken  if their new families follow the simple rules I have established the deed is accomplished in a matter of days not weeks.

First I use the words "Go Outside" to teach them to go to the door I want them to use.  Then when I say that they run to the door.  You can also add bells if you like and teach them to bump them in case they go to the door on their own.

Next I take them out and do not nag them. I wait until they are going then put a command to it.  Go Potty for peeing, Better Hurry go Poo for  Pooing. And I praise and reward them for going on command this helps to insure they get their business done in a  timely manner.

I do not self feed, puppies are fed on a schedule and not given access to water all day long either. They are given the chance to drink often. And take out if not immediately after eating within 5 minute or they will find a place to go.

No water 2 hours before bed time to help them make it through the night. I find my German Shepherd puppies can sleep all night by 12 week it may take smaller breeds longer since they have much smaller bladders.

No access to the entire house if you cannot watch them at all times. Or use a tether if you want to keep them out so you can watch for signs.  If not put them in their crates when you need a break and cannot watch them. My new pup Trooper gets regular nap times during the day to give me a couple hours to work on things

Follow a few simple guideline and your pup will be housebroken quickly.

Do not yell at  the pup for going potty inside it is your fault not theirs.

If you catch them going say STOP and get them to stop and get them outdoors quickly so you can reward them.

Do not rub their nose in mistakes, maybe rub your nose in it since it was your fault. Ok just kidding but don't do it.
And again remember it is not their fault it is yours if mistakes happen.

No No No No No No NO

NO is the most over used words in the English language  

Is it any wonder that our Toddlers and Puppies soon become immune it's effects? 

Choose your commands carefully, If you want to use NO then use it for certain things but not everything as this will just confuse your puppy. NO Bite if they get nippy.   Not No this and NO that. 

Common commands that will mean more is Leave It this is used when you want your puppy to move away from something it is done.  To Stop chewing on something, stop pestering another dog. 

Stop this can be used for biting or jumping up. If jumping up you also need to teach the puppy they only get attention when all 4 feet are on the floor. 

Get Off I use this for furniture, and jumping up at cupboards.  

Each command has a specific reason and pups will learn quickly if you not changing the rule and causing confusion in training. 

 Do not use more then one command for a behavior, No, and Don't should not be used for biting for example.

Dogs here no hundreds of time just like kids and they will soon learn to tune it out. 

Thats My Name Don't Wear It Out.

Does your pup ignore you when you call it's name?  Maybe you have taught your dog that is name does not matter? Because I can promise you the puppy does hear you.

One of the most common Mistakes owner make is nagging their dogs to the point they just do not listen.
The simple rule is don't say your dogs name unless your sure they will come to you.

I recommend a Play name to use when your not serious about your pup coming to you. A Nickname if your will that says your just having fun and not serious. This way you can keep your pups name significant for training.

If the pup is in the year and sniffing around about 20 ft away from you do not call them by name and expect them to come right now. Wait until you have their attention call their name and walk or run the other way or back up. The fastest way to get a puppy moving to you is to move away from them.

Once they get to you give a treat and make a HUGE fuss over them. It is party time and the more you pup enjoys coming to you the quicker they will do so.

Do not nag them and nag them try to keep their true name important and rewarding.

A puppy is a puppy is a puppy. Or maybe not.

Many folks adore all dogs, and some love purebred dogs and many love the good old Mixed breeds. 

There really is no right or wrong answer here. All dogs are wonderful and special in their own right. 

The only  things we need to make sure we pick the right dog for our family. So looking at size, temperament of a breed or mix, energy levels are all important. 


If you don't like to run, have a lot of room for the dogs to run, and are looking for a couch potato a Husky will not be a great dog for you.

If you are out and about hiking and running and have a busy outdoor life a doxi may not be able to keep up with you. 

All this matters, make the wrong choice and life will be frustrating not just for you but the dogs as well.


So Ask questions from other owners, read the history of a breed or mixed breeds, find out what the dogs where developed for because some things you just cannot hardwire out of the dog.

Now I am not going to suggest you go to dog shows and ask all your questions most of those dogs lead a pretty pampered life and do not do all the  things a normal dogs would do. Ask local people you see in a pet store what is good about their dogs what is frustrating :) many will be happy to share. Ask Vets or go visit a training class or talk to a trainer. Some might have biases about breeds so between the reading and the talking you can develop a sense if a breed or type of cross might be for you.

Hello and Welcome I saw a need for this Blog.

Puppies cute and adorable creatures.

They are also huge pain in the patues for the first 5 months of they little lives. God most of made them adorable so their mother would not eat them and we as dog lovers would find it in our hearts to forgive and forget all the terror they put us through.

   

Naughty Trooper 

The truth is  most of our puppies mistakes and errors are our own faults.  Some things are not of course, and some things puppies just have to outgrow.  Like a  toddler throwing a tantrum it is up to us to guide our puppies to success. 

A few words or caution here If I may for those considering getting a puppy. 

First do your research, how much time do you have, what is the energy level of the dog breed or mixe your bringing into your home for example.  Some breeds to not make good apartment dwellers no matter what. 

Expense... puppies need 3 sets of vaccination and most vets today like to give a 4th this will help guard against very infection and deadly diseases puppies get.  Parvo being the most prevalent in most areas of the country. Do not take your puppy out in public until at least 3 shots have been given.

What is the right age to get a puppy? Many people trying to get rid of puppies on Craigslist and backyard breeder will offer puppies before 8 weeks old and as early as 5 or  6 weeks. Never ever get a puppy this young no matter what. Puppies do not really get weaned until around 8 weeks if left up to the mother dogs.  Puppies also miss out on important dog social skills and will have many behavior issues if taken away that early. They will have trouble with other dogs in most cases and not knowing how to read other dogs signals to them, and they will have trouble with bite inhibition . Many will become aggressive. In almost every state it is illegal to get rid of puppies before 8 weeks old and no responsible party would do it. 

My advice get a puppy no sooner then 8 weeks and preferable 10 or 12 weeks. You will have a better dog in the long run.

I will strive to keep up this blog weekly and to answer the question put to me and give advice to help you have a better puppy. 

And I will try to keep it simple I will post picture of Trooper and his progress and go over simple training tips with you. 

 Nanc Johnson the puppy Wrangler.