Hi, this my first post. I am not only new to beagles, but very new to owning Dogs.. For must of my life I have been a cat person, but that has changed. My beagle Linus is 11 weeks old and we've had him for 3 weeks now. I love my new dog, but it seems at times he plays rather rough and uses his teeth. I've read a few things on the web on how to deal with this, but like most info on dogs on the internet, there are 50 zillion opinions. What is the best way to help him understand that biting people is not acceptable, yet allow him the ability to have his fun?
Beagle puppy plays rough!
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oh brother, don't get me started on this one. There are a number of posts from the past on this issue, I have commented a lot in them. if you have time to do a search, that might be good.
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LOL.. I think there are just as many posts on here on this subject.. as I have scratches on chairs, table legs, baseboards, hands, feet, shoes... (I could go on.. lol). Bernie's bored when he's chewy, so it's out with the volleyball, and a good game of chase.. soon gets the teeth off me, and doing something constructive.. lol
Hi Diesel, I have also been a cat person most of my life. I have worked in cat rescue for 20 years, fostered and taken in multiple strays. Maggie was my first puppy.(She is almost 2 now) She played rough too, as I guess most puppies do. She just gradually learned to be gentle. We said ouch, quit playing or substituted a chew toy. When she was through the teething stage the biting on hands and other things got much better. There was one incident about 9 months ago when we were clipping Maggie's nails. She hates nail clipping and she turned around and got the skin on the back on my hand in her mouth. She didn't break the skin but she did put a lot of pressure on it and turned the back of my hand black and blue. It hurt enough that it brought tears to my eyes. At the time, Maggie didn't seem remorseful but now if I say ouch about anything she is very distressed, runs over to me or follows me around looking worried. This afternoon she stole a paper towel off the table and stuffed the whole thing in her mouth so I couldn't get it. I put my hand in and took it and although there was a little growling in protest she never put the least pressure on my fingers. So they do learn, it just takes time. Try a few of the methods you have read about and when you find one that seems to help a little make sure everyone in your house is consistent every time. The biting will improve. Enjoy your baby. Its a lot of work now but well worth the end result. ( I still get a lot of teasing because I have handled feral cats, medicated them, treated for ear mites, clipped nails but I take my sweet beagle to a groomer for nail clips.)
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First - /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/help.gif to BW. As for Linus & his puppy biting - it is only natural for a puppy to WANT to do this. Ok - a quik note here - have raised two Beagle pups and numerous mixed breed pups. However, you are the one in charge here so you need to let the puppy know what is and is not acceptable. The most effective way I have learned is that when the puppy bites then you YELL in the shrillest voice you can - OUCH! The puppy should stop almost immediately - he should be so shocked at hearing this sound. As soon as he stops chewing or biting on you or whatever else you don't want him shewing on, then that is the time to give him something he CAN chew on - a toy or some doggy chew.
Ok, beddy bye time for us - hopefully there will be others who respond.
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Ok, beddy bye time for us - hopefully there will be others who respond.
I actually followed Cesar Milan's advice on this one - do what the pack leader would do and shake them by the scruff of the neck and growl. I didn't growl because I felt dumb, but I did say a loud NO! I have a little guy at home that was really bothered by the nipping so I had to stop it asap. It worked very well!
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Yelp as though he just hurt you, really loud like a dog would, they will often stop and start licking you.
When Duke was young, I used the method of yelling Ouch and it worked very well. He's grown out of the biting for the most part, but there are still times. Now that he's more mature, when he starts biting me too hard, I tell him "easy", which is a command we taught him when he was young and I use it when he takes treats, or if I think he's getting too rough with Phoebe. He knows that easy means to mellow it out some and be gentle and he is.
Thank you for all the advise, I know i am not alone with this, but being that I'm use to cats, he's obviously much more of a challenge. I do love him to death but want him to grow up correctly. I'll post some pictures soon of him, and yes I know this subject could be beat to death, but it was also a good opening too and you all seem very friendly.
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We went through this with Jersey when she was a puppy. We tried yelping "ouch" whenever she did it but that always seemed to make her even more exicted. We'd turn our backs to her and she'd just run around to the front of us. She was a handful. This is what ultimately worked for us. Mike taught her to fetch her toys. Everytime she'd start playing too rough and biting us we'd tell her to go fetch. It only took a week or two before she learned that when she would get that excited she was supposed to go get her toy. She grew out of the biting stage but still now, whenever she gets excited she goes and grabs a toy. I spent a small fortune on dog toys, but it was worth saving my flesh. LOL!
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Welcome!
All puppies go throught that phase of biting and chewing. They are just like babies, discovering their hands, legs and mouth. You need to either scream as Kim suggested or use a can with coins/spray bottle to get the pup to stop. Once he does, say "good boy" and treat. Give him another toy he CAN chew on. He will get the message eventually. Unfortunatly, this "phase" takes more than a few weeks. They start teething at about 3.5-4 months until they are 8 months old. This is the period of time where they chew everything that get in their way. You need to have lots of chew toys ready, even some that you can freeze to ease the pain on his gums. Any cables and items you feel are of value to you - ELEVATE!!!
Good luck.
Now to the important stuff - WHERE ARE THE PICTURES? /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/sick.gif
All puppies go throught that phase of biting and chewing. They are just like babies, discovering their hands, legs and mouth. You need to either scream as Kim suggested or use a can with coins/spray bottle to get the pup to stop. Once he does, say "good boy" and treat. Give him another toy he CAN chew on. He will get the message eventually. Unfortunatly, this "phase" takes more than a few weeks. They start teething at about 3.5-4 months until they are 8 months old. This is the period of time where they chew everything that get in their way. You need to have lots of chew toys ready, even some that you can freeze to ease the pain on his gums. Any cables and items you feel are of value to you - ELEVATE!!!
Good luck.
Now to the important stuff - WHERE ARE THE PICTURES? /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/sick.gif
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