This post is going to be more brief than I'd like. But I am VERY tired and have had way too much caffeine at the same time. The result is not pretty. Ask Staci how many typos I am making on AIM, hehe.
I really really really really really greatly discourage any sort of physical punishment. Swatting and scruffing are just going to lead to so many problems for you. Your dog will learn that human touch can be a bad thing and you don't want that!
You need to teach your dog bite inhibition. It is normal puppy behavior to bite and grab with their mouths, but you need to show your puppy that is not acceptable to us humans. Many people think it is cute when puppies mouth while they are small, but if they don't teach bite inhibition, they could have an 80 lb dog munching on their arm!! Since the dog was never taught otherwise, he will think what he is doing is just play and very acceptable.
Sometimes adult dogs will bite from reflex. They might do this at a vet or if a child falls on them. It is just out of reflex, but if taught how to properly bite, they won't hurt the vet or child. If not taught, things could get ugly.
Every time your pup mouths you, say "OUCH!!!!" in a high pitched tone of voice. The puppy *should* back off realizing they hurt you (really dominant ones won't back off). When they come back again, it should be a softer bite. After a little while, your puppy will learn that he needs to be careful with humans. You can keep up the OUCH routine until the mouthing is as soft as you desire.
You can also teach a command like 'Off', 'Leave it', or 'Ah-Ah!'. Do this if you notice the puppy is about to bite but hasn't made contact yet.
Along with bite inhibition, you should do some basic dominance exercises with Finny. Pulling on your pant leg may be just puppy play but it also might be a very dominant move. Make sure he knows you're top dog. You eat before Finny does. Even if its just a cracker, it will help. Also go through doorways first and be sure to sleep at a higher level than him. If he's laying in a doorway, don't walk around him. Have him get up and move out of your way. I could be totally wrong and he's not dominant though.
Okay, was going to say something else too. Totally forgot.
Sorry if I'm telling you stuff you already know. And I don't mean to say that you *should* do this, but I just mean its what I would do. I'm not trying to force my methods on anyone.
(Oh yeah, was going to add redirecting with a toy as previously mentioned)
[ November 15, 2001: Message edited by: aly ]
Alyson
Shiloh, Reece, Lolly, Skylar
and fosters Snickers, Missy, Magic, Merlin, Maya
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