Training our puppy - help & pics

[Equus Leather]

So Millie is 9 weeks now and has had her first jab and is now sporting a collar.

We're now thinking about gently starting the basics. She's starting to recognise her name and sometimes comes when she is called. She's already started retrieving her toy pheasant

What I guess I want to know is how to stop her from biting me and my face and clothes! I do the ignoring thing, but she hangs on for dear life and tbh her teeth are now starting to hurt alot! How do I teach her it's not acceptable??

And some photos:

 

[mik]

oh heavens how gorgeous is she! So gorgeous, you are so lucky!!!
With my dane puppy we just gently opened her mouth, fingers in at the side, pulled whatever was in it (other dogs tails, my hair, hair bands, toes or noses ..), etc, out and said, very firmly. No. She is nearly 1 now and doesnt do it at all. If she wouldnt open her mouth, witha gentle finger squeeze either side, we found pushing her nose very gently backwards, made her let go. Best of luck, heres mine when she was a baby,

shes not that small now.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

In no particular order
Method 1: Yelp! If she doesn't listen to that Growl.
Method 2: Avoid/don't give opportunity to bite f. ex. when holding her, hold your hands so she can't reach them. Bite = no attention.
Method 3: Open her mouth and put a gnaw bone or toy in instead. If/when she grabs it, praise.
Method 4: say No! Praise with calm but happy voice when she stops.

Personally I use the first three ones the most. But just like some babies puts everything in their mouth, some/most puppies explores the world with their teeth. I also seem to have provided my last puppies with so many gnaw bones that they simply haven't bothered trying to bite me much. But when they want to play really wildly and don't accept that they can't play with me like that, I leave them/retreat out of their reach.

But surely you can't be talking about the angel on your photos?

She really grows fast, but those legs still looks like x numbers to big.

 

[Equus Leather]

Thanks for that Fin. I've been doing the replacing with a toy thing. She has a thing for my pink velour dressing gown

 

[Ravenwood]

She really is gorgeous and I am looking forward to seeing her progress - I do love Spinones but have never had one myself.

Excellent advice already above - but their teeth are like little needles!!!

PS:: Should you really have admitted to having a pink velour dressing gown!

 

[Paddockornament]

I use FL's first method. And like FL Said surely that adorable wee thing is never naughty.

 

[Thistle]

Speak to her in 'dog language'

Dogs know they are causing pain when another dog yelps. So if you can yelp every time she bites then she will understand, otherwise like FLH said follow it up with a growl.

Then try the other things as back up.

 

[Equus Leather]

Thank you all for your help. I have been yelping and it has been working so far.

I am not ashamed of my dressing gown.



(Well, maybe a bit....but I do have matching sock/boots too!)

 

[Hels_Bels]

Shes lovely

 

[sloulou]

[ QUOTE ]
In no particular order
Method 1: Yelp! If she doesn't listen to that Growl.
Method 2: Avoid/don't give opportunity to bite f. ex. when holding her, hold your hands so she can't reach them. Bite = no attention.
Method 3: Open her mouth and put a gnaw bone or toy in instead. If/when she grabs it, praise.
Method 4: say No! Praise with calm but happy voice when she stops.



[/ QUOTE ]

What a gorgeous puppy

I agree with almost all of the above, very good advice - but would make one tiny ammendment if it was me

Instead of saying 'No!' say 'ah ah' is a slightly stern, but not loud or too harsh way (if that makes sense?)

Ah ah - always worked for Loki and still does if I need to tell him not to touch something (rare, but he was very interested in a weasel toy we got for xmas!)

I was told by a behaviourist that 'No' is too commonly a used word in english - so you say it all the time - even when not talking to the puppy - which can confuse them or desentise them to the word - so is better to choose something else for telling them no.

Hope have made sense