Does this puppy thing get any easier?? Sheesh I am about at my wit's end!!!
She is a chewing-biting machine-what can I do???? The kids are about half afraid of her because she tries to "play" with them but she is just to darn ruff. We have been tying her out 75 percent of the time lately because when she is in the house she acts like no one ever pays attention to her. Well we try but is is hard when her mouth is all over you biting anything that is in her way (even my boob--that is where I drew the line!)

Any hints-suggestions-advice????

Miss D
PS-we do have a variety of chew toys and rawhide-pigs ear(which she loves) so she can get her chewing done on something besides us!

What kind of puppy is she? It's been a while since mine were pups, but a couple important things jump to my mind from my early days with Miss Emily (my yellow lab.) First, understand that all puppies try to bite things, they're just like kids (gosh, my kids were putting things in thier mouth up until last month) everything to the mouth.

I made a commitment that my dog was NOT going to use my skin (or anyone else's) to use as a chew toy. Any time her teeth touched my skin, I grabbed her snout, held her still, looked in her eyes and used "NO!" in a firm, decisive tone. I NEVER let her play "tug-of war" games EVER with me or anyone else. This seems weird, but it delineats that no biting, chomping, pulling is ever allowed with the humans in your household. Your family has to be ON BOARD with all puppy-rearing decisions and that's probably where it's the hardest. If you have kids and they let the puppy bite them sometimes, but then they get upset when the puppy goes too far, you need to explain to them that NO biting is allowed and they have to discipline her in a consistent manner as you. They need to be sure the pup understands that she (the pup) is the LAST on the food chain after all the humans in your household. I even went so far as to sit by her when she ate and I'd stick my hand into her food bowl - I'd grab her snout and say "NO!" if she ever went to bite my hand. Now that I have little ones, I'm really glad I took the time to do this.

I didn't trust my dog around items of importance (shoes, carpet, cd's etc) until she was well over a year old. She was crated (for her own safety and the safety of everything I owned) while I was either gone or unable to look after her.

The hardest part about puppies is getting everyone in the house onboard for the difficult task of being consistent. Good Luck!

Wow, Adrienne! You said everything I would have said!

How old is this crittter, Miss D.? No matter what the age, she will respond to the above suggestions. They do outgrow the "mouthy" stage eventually! Hang in there!

and one more point... make sure she has enough chew toys... they really do need this stuff... teething, ya know.

and remember, the only way she's gonna become easier to live with is by interacting with the family. it's next to impossible to keep her tied out most of the time and then expect her to behave. she needs all the guidance that adrienne suggested, and then time to practice.

Miss Rosie is 8 months old and she uses old towels an old pair of ugly curtains--anything to chew. I don't mind if she rips them up as long as it isn't dh's underwear!! :blush: Amen to the caging and also NEVER leave pup alone in the room with your children since nips can happen and the jumping with sharp claws. Miree can attest to this. Most of al plenty of love and walks to burn off that energy!

The best thing I taught Lucy was "Off" followed immediately by "YES! Good off!" I use YES to re-inforce every command that is obeyed. I do agree that the pup should be with you most of the time. My dogs are outside on their own just for potty and the odd wild playtime. Most of the time they are within two feet of me! (Actually they worship me - somebody has to give me unconditional love!)

Thanks Guys for all the input--I know she is only like 3-4 months old PATIENCE--right?!
I'm gonna start trying your advice Today!


Miss D