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BPO Puppy Forum => FAQs about puppies => : Leolady April 12, 2008, 07:06:18 AM

: New Leo owner - need help with biting please
: Leolady April 12, 2008, 07:06:18 AM
I have a lovely new Leonberger pup. We got her at 8 weeks old, shes now 11 weeks and had her final injection this week so will be allowed out for walks to the park next week (at last) She is a very clever little dog and doing VERY well at toilet training and other simple commands. The only trouble we are having is with biting. She has a very sharp bite which draws blood, and she seems to constantly want to bite people. We have kids which is proving difficult as she chases them jumps up and bites. She has lots of chew toys but much prefers to bite at ankles when anyone moves. Ive tried ignoring it but she continues to bite even when you turn your back on her. I tried putting her in another room but now she has realised this will happen and the moment I get up to put her in the other room she goes wild barking and biting even more. Also if she falls asleep in front of the door and I try to move her she snaps at the slightest touch. When I say the word No, even quietly she either barks or does this little growl and starts to bite the air. Possibly Ive made her sound like a maniac now which shes not, but I cant understand how she is learning so quick at everything else but just won't calm down with biting. I'm hoping shes just frustrated at being confined to our house and garden just now and this will cool down soon, or maybe shes just trying to show shes the boss. Any advice greatly appreciated.
: Re: New Leo owner - need help with biting please
: Binky April 12, 2008, 08:58:28 AM
Hi, we just got a Leo pup too!  She'll be 12 weeks tomorrow.  Sophie is a biter too but that's to be expected with any puppy.  I have had some success with a spray bottle of water.  My husband pinches her cheek (gently) when she bites him and this works too.  With either method I growl and say loudly "NO BITE."  She usually only bites now when she's over excited, so I crate herif that happens.  Also, a lot of outside time and playing has improved the biting.  Hope this helps!
: Re: New Leo owner - need help with biting please
: mao332 April 12, 2008, 10:16:42 AM
the best advice i was ever given i heard on TV; when pups are little and play with their littermates and bite them, the pup will yelp, teaching the puppy that biting hurts. as an owner if you "yelp" or make a sharp unexpecting niose, squeel etc. and then turn your body away, they eventually get the idea of "if i bite, they won't play"
: Re: New Leo owner - need help with biting please
: Mojo1269 April 12, 2008, 10:32:30 AM
I am a big proponent of the word off. Also if your pup is biting the wrong thing tell them off and give them an appropriate item (to raw hide etc..) to bite.  Off works better than "no" (IMHO)and it can have universal applications.  As stated by others, the behavior is fairly normal and with some consitent canine feedback your pup will be just fine. 
: Re: New Leo owner - need help with biting please
: Leolady April 12, 2008, 09:30:35 PM
Thanks everyone for your replies. I've got some more ideas now about how to work with this ie more toys and replacing biting with them. Im just so relieved to hear its a phase which will pass without someone being hospitalised lol. I had a German Shepherd in the past but never had any trouble with biting people as a pup, just furniture and lots of it. With this little girl she never touches furniture or her own toys but will attack anyone moving and prefers my sons toys to her own. I was getting a bit worried but after reading the replies Im so relieved. Hopefully I have attached a pic to this which will prove she is an adorable little monster