Is this normal for pupps

mastinson · 12-05-2004, 07:51 PM

I have 2 male lab/collie mix puppies that are 6 weeks old and the are biteing on my shoes, pants, and fingers. I have a 2 year old daugther and I want these dogs to be around her all the time. Are these types of dogs generaly well behaved dogs, and is this just normal behavior for 6 week old puppies. By looking at these pups the look just like labs, so maybe they have more of there mom in them(black lab) than they do of their dad(american collie).

losthwy · 12-05-2004, 09:46 PM

Puppies love to chew on anything esp. lab puppies. I would discourage them from chewing/biting on fingers and hands. They need to learn that is not acceptable behavior.

SWOSUMike · 12-05-2004, 10:35 PM

Totally normal, and as they start teething, it will likely get worse. You should get some toys that aren't too hard. They make special toys called "kongs" for teething puppies. Just read the label for the right type and size of "kong." You can throw them and everything. When a pup chews on anything you don't want them chewing on, tell them no and THEN hand them their toy and praise them when they chew on it. Simply revert their attention to something else. When they bite your fingers, put your thumb into their mouth and give a gentle but firm squeeze, pressing their tounge down in their mouth. They will try to "gag/spit" your thumb out and they'll quickly learn that chewing fingers isn't all that enjoyable. When you squeeze, say "no bites" or whatever command you want them to associate not biting with. Good luck.

deerdogva · 12-05-2004, 10:36 PM

they are teething, just like a baby would but nip it in the but while there young. i would say by the time they are 8 weeks old or so they can handle a swat on the nose if they do this. you swat them everytime they do they'll get it. don't hit them hard just so they get the idea and say "NO" eventually it'll get to a point that when you say no they'll stop what they are doing . good luck the dogs should be fine with kids just make sure u're with the dog when the kids is around them while the puppy is a puppy.

HikeNHunter · 12-06-2004, 08:01 AM

First of all don't swat them!! Hitting them might work but it could cause them to become hand shy, and dogs that are hand shy can become problems when you try to train them later on. What works is, when the pup bites you grab his lower jaw and push the lip firmly against his teeth and hold it as you give the command "No" or "NO Bite" While they are teething you will need to do this many times but it works. You might also want to visot your local library and see what training books are available. While they are older books, and some new methods of training have been developed by numerous trainers across the world, the two books I have always used with success in basic obedience training are"NO BAD DOGS THE WOODHOUSE WAY" and "DOG TRAINING MY WAY" both written by Barbara Woodhouse. Training starts the day you bring your dogs home and it never really stops. Above all be patient, be firm, and be consistent with your new pups and they will bring you and your a life time of fun and friendship. Good Luck

deerdogva · 12-06-2004, 08:22 AM

i don't know, i've done it that way too and had better results swatting them, just don't swat them hard. its just enough, not hard at all you don't want to hurt them just make them understand a few minutes later they'll come back over to ya . thats when you praise them for not biting . you have to do both or they will get shy , remeber its kinda like a baby.I've never had a shy dog except for one that i never swated, and didn't raise from a pup. you have to get excited when they do something right and correct them with they do something bad.

Roost em 1st · 12-06-2004, 09:09 AM

Never swatted them myself. They are going to bite they are pups. When you have them out you need to be doing something with them. Try taking them for a walk. If you are not stationary they shouldn't be able to bite you. Careful not to step on one though. In a couple of weeks I might start the NO command but as mentioned with each No find something they do to praise them. Never say no and put them up in a kennel, if they run to the kennel when you say No that is fine but never scold them when they retreat to THEIR safe spot. They'll grow out of it. I have used Kongs before with success. A chew toy is just that. Don't use it for anything else and don't substitute your old shoes for the Kong unless you want to find your hunting boots strewn about the place one morning.

mastinson · 12-06-2004, 04:23 PM

Well they cant really chew up anything important because they inside of a 10' x 10' fence. I let them out to play a hour or two every evening after work but I am having problems keeping them in my yard, the seem to want to run wild but as I already know they are just pups. For now i am going to try to leash train them and only let them out when they are on the leash. I think if I can put them on a leash and walk them around the yard a few hundred times, they will kinda figure out how far they should go. Then maybe when we let them out of their pen to play the wont run wild in the neihbors yard and in the field. Any suggestions on keeping them at bay in the back yard when their suppervised until they are old enough to go on the collars would be great.

deerdogva · 12-06-2004, 04:34 PM

thats a tough one because you have two of them. if you only had one they wouldn't venture as much . but i would suggest letting them out at night and with the porch light they should stay close to that. puppies are going to be puppies at that age. you can try the leash that will help some too . thats a hard thing to break puppies of, just my two cents. thanks Jason

losthwy · 12-09-2004, 07:39 AM

I would keep them on lease until they learn the "here" command when they aren't in a fenced or open field area to keep them out of trouble. They need to be able to explore new areas, ex. fields, to develope themselves mentally. As for the finger chewing, say "ahhh" in a loud, sharp voice when they start to bite fingers , withdraw your hand and turn away for 10 seconds. The thing being not to reward the unwanted behavior which, takes away what they want which is play and attention. Always be teaching puppies social skills that will carry over to adulthood. Jackie Mertens video "Sound Beginnings" is a good investment.