[MyGabyGirl]

I am so excited to have found this board.

I have so many questions I don't even know where to start. But I did post one big concern on another thread.

We got Gabby just over a week ago(she is 5 months), and so far so great! we love her. She is amazing and very loveable, BUT with one HUGE bad habit.

Can anyone tell me if this is normal for Beagles.
When Gabby gets in a VERY playfull mood she starts to jump and bite and it hurts!
I should of called her J.H. short for Jeckel and Hide. She goes from being this extremly loveable happy go lucky puppy to a puppy no one wants to be around.
My only major concern is because I have two small children 2 & 4 years old. They get very upset when she is like this and it has come down to me having to remove her from us and either put her outside if we are inside or tie her up in the front yard so we can play peacefully in the back yard.

Please tell me this is all normal and she will grow out of it. I love her to bits but I can't have a biting dog, even if it is out of love and curiosity. The biting has to stop.

 

[Gingergoose]

Hi,

I have no real puppy experience to share with you but this has been addressed on BW before.

Gabby, at 5 months, is the same age as a toddler at 2 or 3 years of age. She is pushing her limits, just like kids do, and just like some kids do, Gabby is going through a biting phase.

There have been several suggestions that I remember;

First...and foremost...do not hit or spank her. Beagles, especially, are more responsive to positive praise than yelling or physical punishment.

People have discussed placing the pup on his/her back which is a submissive position when she bites. This shows her who is boss. Incorporate the work NO when she bites and you correct her.

Another suggestion has been to turn your back to her and ignore her until she calms down. This method would probably work better when the kids are not in the room to distract her.

Somebody here at BW (Bob?) likes the method of taking the lower jaw and placing your thumb firmly to the floor of their mouth when they bite. Use your NO word and hold her like that until she stops. If she starts again, repeat. Important here would be not to do it if you are very angry...you only want to use firm pressure to get her attention. Not pain.

Anyway...that's all I can remember and I hope I've gotten it right. Please be patient. This is a puppy phase...don't let it ruin your relationship with her.

Good luck.

 

[Murphys Dad]

and welcome!

It's normal and she will grow out of it! There, now that I've told you what you want to hear, I can tell you she really will grow out of it. 5 months is just the age when the teeth changing is in full gear. Also, she is testing your limits. Be firm with her but DON'T hit her. There are many ways to get them to learn. One good one is time out. Just like you would do with your kids when they misbehave. After a few times, a dog learns to associate his behavior with the result. It takes time, but it happens.
Another thing that is immediate: spray bottle - fill up one with water and a squeeze of lemon juice. Everytime she nips at you, spray her nose (have it around you!!), after 2-3 times she will see the bottle and stop. If she'll get used to it, try the mint spray (the ones for the breathe). You can use a metal can with some coins in it (some say 10 pennies is just the right noise

) and shake it everytime she nips.

Most important thing is to be consistant. That's the only way they learn.

Now to the important things: PICTURES PLEASE

 

[jassy]

I think the can is a great idea but I would use a coin other than a penny. You don't want to take a chance on a pup getting a penny. My vet told me that they have lost several pups at their clinic due to swallowed pennies. I think he said it causes zinc poisioning. I would love to see pictures also.

 

[catrina]

Hi Bridy,
I have a 10 week old, nearly 11 week old and he is exactly the same as what your little pup is.
Gets over excited and jumps and bites.
What I do when he does this is I shut him in the kitchen for 30 seconds or when he starts to cry and bring him back in. He is completely fine then and comes to me for lovable attention.

 

[Murphys Dad]

Welcome to the BW pack!

Congrats on the new pup. And yes, they do grow out of it, but training does help. The shaker and spray bottle do work. I would also suggest obedience training. It helps you bond and teachs the pup commands that can be very helpful.

 

[MyGabyGirl]

Thank you, Thank you, thank you!!

I don't know what I would do if I didn't find this board.

I am going to try the water with her when she does it today.
I did try the money in the can but she is rather shy and timmid so it actualy just scared her a lot and I don't want to do that, plus I found that I had to have cans all over the house as she would do something naughty in one room but the can was no where in site.

We are starting puppy classes tomorrow night, so I am excited to get started with that.
We also let her sleep in our bed for the first time lastnight and I am not sure if that helped but this morning she didn't act all nuts as she usualy did.
I also felt that maybe if we let her sleep with us it would let us bond quicker then having her sleep in the kennel.
We do have the kennel in our room so she wouldn't feel so alone, but lastnight went well.

I appreciate all the advice, it is worth so much to me.
I love Gabby dearly. She is pretty much the perfect dog with this 1 bad habit. She honestly doesn't do anything else naughty. Okay, trying to eat the cat food is extremly annoying, but I can live with that.

I will try to post pictures....

 

[Gingergoose]

Lots of good advice.

Eleanor...re: the lemon juice and water in the bottle. People who use anything other than water in the bottle should be sure to avoid spraying in the eyes. Lemon juice could sting.

 

[Rich.8419]

Hi Bridy. I also just got my pup also and I tried a method a co worker suggested. He mouthed me toes, which isn't bad, but then bit down hard after a while. However, I was prepared. I yelped like a hurt dog LOUD and then walked away and ignored him for 10 min. He calmed down really quick when he realized I didn't like that. So far he hasn't done anymore biting, just mouthing, but then again its only been 2 days since that happened.

 

[Murphys Dad]

Howdy - Welcome to Beagle World and a big ole welcome arroooo to Gabby. She needs to learn that biting when it hurts isn't proper behavior. The loud OUCH and then ignoring is one way. bite inhibition is another way but that works with older dogs somewhat set in their ways. Gabby is in intense teething because she is losing those extra sharp puppy teeth so yes it will get better in about 6 weeks. Puppy class and patience will work wonders.

 

[Genie]

Hi Bridy and welcome to you and Gabby. Sounds like you've gotten some good advice. The biting is normal due to Gabby's teething, and she will grow out of it. I know it is upsetting to your kids when she nips though--those baby teeth are sharp! Like Eleanor said, please don't hit her, but a light tap on the nose, accompanied by a sharp No, wouldn't hurt her. Also if you say No! and immediately fold your arms and turn your back to her, she'll begin to get the idea that nipping is not allowed. Give her plenty of acceptable stuff to chew on. The old coins in the can trick didn't work for me, although it has for some. Good luck, and please post some pictures when you have time.

 

[MyGabyGirl]

Hi

I called the HS today just to let them know what was going on and they suggested ignoring her and doing they loud ouch!
I am going to try this for a few days to see how she does.
Gabby gets into these over stimulated moods, which cause the jumping and bitting so they also suggested to give her a time out when she does this. Either outside or even in her kennel. But to only put her in a time out in the kennel when I am nto angry with her and not to say bad dog or anything of that nature.
I have tried to avoid kenneling her for time outs, but I have put her in there for afternoon naps. One day she even went int here willingly to be left alone as my son wouldn't stop hugging her. it was too cute, but she was desperate for some sleep and couldn't wait to be left alone in.

I am also intrested to see what the trainers say tomorrow night at class. I kind of hope she acts all nuts so they can see how she acts.

My husband just got back from a walk with her and she is now chewing her bone.

Did anyone have cats prior to getting a puppy? Gabby will NOT back down to our male cat Reggie. She wants to play with him so badly but he has no intrest in her, but she isn't giving up, its too funny.

I hope the picture worked.

 

[catrina]

Lovely picture.
I have 2 cats and Oscar is always wanting to play with them. The female is fine with Oscar and plays back, if she is fed up with him she just moves out of his reach.
The male on the other hand wants nothing to do with Oscar and he has warned him by lightly tapping him on the nose with his paw. But Oscar still tries. But I think its just because they seem to be something to play with for Oscar and I'm sure that he will settle down with them more once he gets used to them being around as they are both in and out all the time and don't stay indoors for very long.

 

[Murphys Dad]

to BW! Gabby is quite handsome. Looking forward to lots more pics and hearing how your first training session goes.

 

[Gingergoose]

She's cute. Her name fits her!

 

[MyGabyGirl]

thanx!
Wish us luck, the first class is tonight.

 

[Murphys Dad]

Hi and welcome to BW! Gabby is adorable, and what a great Beagley name too! I can totally relate to the jumping and biting thing. Jersey did that a LOT as a puppy. We did something totally different than anyone had ever heard of but it worked. Teach her to fetch. When she gets so excited that she wants to start biting have her go fetch a toy to redirect her attention to. Eventually Jersey caught on (it didn't take long) and when she'd get that excited she'd go and get a toy on her own. Of course, I went through a ton of toys as a result...Jersey would get so excited sometimes that she'd just shred them, but hey, it saved our hands and brought Jersey no stress or fear.

 

[Murphys Dad]

Originally Posted By: jen-n-jerseyTeach her to fetch. When she gets so excited that she wants to start biting have her go fetch a toy to redirect her attention to. Eventually Jersey caught on (it didn't take long) and when she'd get that excited she'd go and get a toy on her own. Of course, I went through a ton of toys as a result...Jersey would get so excited sometimes that she'd just shred them, but hey, it saved our hands and brought Jersey no stress or fear.

That's an excellent idea!! Wish I had tried that with Chloe.....

 

[MyGabyGirl]

Originally Posted By: jen-n-jerseyHi and welcome to BW! Gabby is adorable, and what a great Beagley name too! I can totally relate to the jumping and biting thing. Jersey did that a LOT as a puppy. We did something totally different than anyone had ever heard of but it worked. Teach her to fetch. When she gets so excited that she wants to start biting have her go fetch a toy to redirect her attention to. Eventually Jersey caught on (it didn't take long) and when she'd get that excited she'd go and get a toy on her own. Of course, I went through a ton of toys as a result...Jersey would get so excited sometimes that she'd just shred them, but hey, it saved our hands and brought Jersey no stress or fear.

I have tought her how to fetch and she does play this for a short period of time and then goes bizzonkers runny like a mad dog around the yard wich in turn, turns into her jumping and bitting me and the kids and anyone else who happens to be in the yard.

Puppy classes went well today. She was a really good puppy.
She wouldn't lie down though, so that is something I have to work with her on.
And she is SUCH a Beagle. When it was free play time, what did Gabby do? she walked around the perimiter of the room smelling, it was so funny. All the other little puppies were going nuts playing and she had one agenda.
She did decide to get into the play close to the end, but she seem to be very timid and would run and hid under the chairs most of the time.

I did talk to the trainer after the class and she gave me a good suggestion that we are going to work with on her.
If she doesn't improve fo the next couple of days my husband and I are going to intentionaly make her go nuts one night(which wont be hard) and I will work with her on this for 1 hour straight while my husband watches the kids and I am alone with Gabby.
I am hoping she will get it in the next few days cause it HAS to stop.

tonight before I left for classes we were all outside and my baby girl (who is 2) was wearing a wide brimmed hat. My baby was sitting on the ground and Gabby went up to her, grabed the brim of her hat and started shaking the hat very hard. My daughter was of course screaming, it wasn't a pretty sight.

 

[geckogirl]

I also did the OUCH!!! and turn away from mine (and ignore completely for 5 minutes) when they bit too hard... they catch on pretty quickly...

The golden rule i believe, is BE CONSISTENT! don't try one method today, and another tomorrow and so on... stick to one method, and try it for a week or so to see if it works...

Good luck!

Gorgeous pup