How do you reprimand and stop biting?

[heightsyankee]

Our terrier, who is 3 years old and has been living with us for 2 mos, is a really sweet dog but he bites. He doesn't even bite hard, more just nips and doesn't have puppy teeth so it doesn't hurt at all BUT it freaks my kids out. He will run after them and bite their hands or the leg of their shorts. When he excited and I try to pet him, he bites my hands, alternating between licking and biting. Again, it's not even hard enough to leave a mark but it's unpleasant nonetheless.

My initial reaction is to stick him in his crate when he bites but I have just not gotten him to the point where he is ok in the crate overnight (not barking) so I kind of want the crate to be his happy place, not his time out.

Any suggestions?

[redheadbaker]

Sounds like he never learned bite inhibition as a puppy. The tips here talk about training puppies but they work for adult dogs, too.

[straymo]

Also to add, never use the crate as punishment. You want it to be a positive place no matter what.

I would start working on NILIF (Nothing in Life is Free). You can google it. It will help a lot, but everyone has to be consistent.

Teeth are never allowed to touch my skin even in play or by accident. If they do, the fun (or my attention or whatever) stop immediately. No in 2 seconds immediately. Leave the room if you have to. After a short period, rinse and repeat.

Also be sure he's getting lots of exercise. My pointer mix will get bratty if she hasn't had enough exercise.

[heightsyankee]

Jun 13, 2012 11:01:53 GMT -5 straymo said:

Also to add, never use the crate as punishment. You want it to be a positive place no matter what.

I would start working on NILIF (Nothing in Life is Free). You can google it. It will help a lot, but everyone has to be consistent.

Teeth are never allowed to touch my skin even in play or by accident. If they do, the fun (or my attention or whatever) stop immediately. No in 2 seconds immediately. Leave the room if you have to. After a short period, rinse and repeat.

Also be sure he's getting lots of exercise. My pointer mix will get bratty if she hasn't had enough exercise.

I walk him 2-3x/day plus the boys play with him a lot. However, your point is well taken because this happens primarily in the morning after we let him out of his crate.