Personally, I like the various approaches in the sticky thread that Jean posted. Lots of good articles with effective methods, but you have to realize that it will take time and patience for ANY of them to work. Some will work better for some puppies than others, and sometimes a combination approach works best, so you often have to experiment.
If you've tried some of them already and they aren't effective yet, it's because your puppy is only 8 weeks old! It can take weeks or months for them to finally get it, and often it's a slow, gradual process. It's possible that a very harsh aversive method will scare or hurt your puppy enough to make him stop RIGHT NOW, but that will risk your relationship with him, which should be based on trust and respect.
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For me, the puppy shriek, which must be LOUD and SHARP enough to startle the puppy worked very well for Keefer, but not so much for Dena. Redirecting them to a toy worked well for both. I had to always be armed with something else for them to bite instead of me, but that's easily done. And last but definitely not least, is the removal of attention, as someone else mentioned. Play nice or playtime stops and mom/dad goes away. After a couple of tries if they didn't stop, they got a brief time out in the crate. They learn very quickly what is and is not acceptable in order to keep your attention.
If you've tried some of them already and they aren't effective yet, it's because your puppy is only 8 weeks old! It can take weeks or months for them to finally get it, and often it's a slow, gradual process. It's possible that a very harsh aversive method will scare or hurt your puppy enough to make him stop RIGHT NOW, but that will risk your relationship with him, which should be based on trust and respect.
I can't even imagine trying to hold onto a squirming puppy's muzzle for 15 seconds. And if I DID, the first thing I'd expect to happen the second I let go would be to get bit again.
This is only an aversive for puppies that don't love water. I've tried spraying Keefer when he gets barky and demanding at meal time, and he has a terrific time biting at the water. Not exactly what I had in mind.
See response to #1.
See response to #1.
Good for you! But she won't be seeking revenge on you when she's older, what will likely happen is that her biting will escalate NOW.Quote:A part of me is hesitant to utilize any of these techniques because I don't want her to become a mean dog...seeking revenge on me when she's older...![]()
For me, the puppy shriek, which must be LOUD and SHARP enough to startle the puppy worked very well for Keefer, but not so much for Dena. Redirecting them to a toy worked well for both. I had to always be armed with something else for them to bite instead of me, but that's easily done. And last but definitely not least, is the removal of attention, as someone else mentioned. Play nice or playtime stops and mom/dad goes away. After a couple of tries if they didn't stop, they got a brief time out in the crate. They learn very quickly what is and is not acceptable in order to keep your attention.
