My Pug loves to chew on me!

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My husband and I just got our first puppy ever, a pug named Pandora. We LOVE her so much and she is awesome, except that she likes to chew and bite on us. She is 6 months old and just spayed. She will chew our clothing, shoes and will nip and bite our hands, toes, basically whatever she can get to. We have tried all of the standard no biting training, i.e., telling her no bite, giving her a chew toy, even a time out in her crate. She still bites. Does anyone have any advice on how to break her of this habit?

Thanks!

[clara4457]

6 months old - sounds like teething to me. A couple of things you could try - take an old dishcloth, wet it and tie a knot in it then freeze it. See if he will chew on that. I have heard of people using chicken broth instead of water to make it even more appealing.

It sounds like you are doing all the right things - No Bite commands, time outs, etc. Have you tried the ouch method. If he starts biting you say ouch in a high pitched voice and walk away. There are differing opinions about this approach, however, some trainers say it trains bite inhabition and others say it will cause the pup to think "oh they are excited too - they must like this". It is kind of up to you to find out what works best for your pup.

When Leo was younger - the ouch method worked not at all. What worked for me (and it took several months) was to remove myself and time outs in the crate. Plus of course - lots of chew toys.:D

Welcome to pet talk by the way! It is always nice to see new people stopping by. Hope you visit often and we would love to see pictures of your pup.

[lovemyshiba]

Welcome to Pet Talk!!

Sounds like teething to me too!! My lab pup, Riley used to do it a lot--the "ouch" was what worked with him. At first, I didn't tell my husband what I was doing, and he came running downstairs because he thought something really bad was happening, but it was just little Riley nipping at me :)

You'll probably have to try a few things before something works, just be patient, and be sure to have plenty of bandaids!!!

Riley also loooooves to chew on all of his toys--the bones that have the little bumps in them are his favorite, and he loves ice cubes too--there's also something called the chilly bone, that you can put in your freezer, and it feels good on the pups teeth.

I cannot wait to see pictures of Pandora!!!

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Thanks so much for the advice you guys! :) We were really hoping that it was teething and not a sign of permanent bad behavior. When we had her fixed my vet pulled out the last of her baby teeth, so I figured she was done teething - I know this makes absolutely no sense as her adult teeth would still be coming in - She is my first dog ever so I'm still very much learning my way.

We've tried OUCH and it just seems to excite her more, so we stopped using it. I always feel very guilty putting her in her crate for time-outs, so we try to use that punishment only as the very last resort when she seems to be overstimulated or over excited.

I have to say though, she is only chewing us and her 30 or so doggie toys so we are probably extremely lucky! I've been reading some posts where dogs have eaten/chewed all manner of things. My goodness, they are very creative critters!

[mpoier]

My Ceebers used to do that too when he was teething. He also did it b/c he is exploring with his mouth and showing affection. If he did bite too hard/use teeth, I would say, "Ouch Ceebers" really loud and he would back off. When he did I would use a sweet voice and play with a toy that he liked to distract him and teach him what he needs to do get playtime/affection from me.

Hope this helps!

P.S. Rubber toys for him to chew on are good and soothing for his gums too.

[robinh]

Our new dachshund is teething and she started the biting thing. We're working on getting her to stop by doing the OUCH! thing loud enough to get her attention.

We do, however, have other problems that are turning out to not be quite so easy. But I'll address those in another thread. :(

[PoberdeeFudgerdee]

I havent heard of the ouch method all though my grandma dachshund is teething and what worked for her was when she starts biting your fingers or toes, place a rawhide bone or something under your finger so when she goes to bite you fingers, she will bite the toy instead.

[beachbabe4ever]

Oh my gosh, my pug Quincy did that too! When he was just a puppy he would latch on to one of our slippers with his mouth and there was no getting him off! He would also tug on our pants and shrits to get out attention! Even grabbed pillows are blankets. Everytime we told him NO! in a firm voice. Look her in the eyes when you say it...pugs hate to get in trouble so when you look them in the eyes with a "no" they know its bad. Evenully my pug stopped and I think part was because he just grew out of being a puppy. I hoped I helped! :D

[denver83tet]

A lot of good advice, nothing I can really add, except good luck! :) I am in the chewing stage with my golden retriever! :(

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Thanks so much for the advice everyone! It's good to know that she's just being a "normal" puppy. I have read that pugs are very eager for lots of love and do get sad/upset when they think they have displeased and looking them in the eyes when scolding works - it's great to hear that it does work from someone who has a pug :D I have to say that she is a great puppy and so much fun. I really love being a dog owner! :D

[Christiansmommy]

Dale is teething too. And the best thing that works for us...is when he starts to bite our clothing, etc....i shake a can of coins...and say no...it startles him and he backs off...it has worked great for us!! I also offer chew toys and say no bite...and hand him the chew toy.

[Toby's Mommy]

Toby chews on me too! I just tie a dish towel at each end and dip it in water then freeze it it works VERY good. If it is not around I say no and hand him a chew toy.