Dog Health Questions: Dog Training Help Please?

We have a new dog. She is 5 months old and her breed is an Alaskan Malamute and Australian Sheep Dog. She has a bad habit of biting. We said she is a puppy and she will grow out of it but it is getting to be to much. Do you know anything we can do to make her stop or ease off bitting? Anything we can buy?
Thanks

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Recommended Answer:
A little obedience training goes a long way ... I strongly recommend finding a good professional trainer in your area and signing up for their puppy or beginner's class. Trainers can see your dog's behavior and "read" exactly what is going on - I can't tell you from the information provided if the biting is "puppy exploring the world with mouth" or "playing too rough" or "dominance aggression" or "fear aggression" and each one has a different underlying cause and treatment!

For almost all puppy biting one of the two following ideas will work:

For a younger puppy or one who is sensitive/submissive, stop inappropriate play (biting) by yelling "OW!" and turning away - act much more hurt then you are, and refuse to play for a few minutes. This is how litter-mates draw the lines on rough play.

For an older puppy or one who has obstinate tendencies/is more dominant, use the ol' drag a leash method. Let the SUPERVISED puppy drag their 6' leash behind them. When the puppy bites (or engages in other inappropriate behavior), especially when excited or playing, immediately say "No, Wrong" in a firm but not loud or angry voice, stand up, and step on the leash. Pick up the loose end and command a "down" in the same firm voice - pull the leash under your foot to make the puppy lay down if they don't. Keep the puppy in the down with the leash under your foot until they are calm and quiet. Gently lean down and quietly praise and release. Repeat as needed.

In either case, the pup will learn that biting makes the fun stop and that you get to decide the rules of playing (and of everything else).

Good luck!

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• Have you considered giving your dog a full training? a trained dog would also learn to follow orders such as stop and stay - this will make it stop what it does and stay still. Try checking out http://www.antileon-ent.com/dog/ they have a detailed training methods that you can use for personally training your dog.


• Whenever she bites you, respond with a loud firm NO, and then isolate her for a few minutes. This enforces the idea that biting will not be tolerated. Never hit your dog. It would also help to enroll her in obedience school.