| Question: How do I get my 6m old Shih Tzu to stop | | | | Tactic #2 - The Shake Can - If you cannot get your |
| biting me? When I come home from work (my | | | | puppy to respond to Tactic 1 in a reasonable period of |
| husband is with her all day) She spends the entire night | | | | time, you can turn to the shake can. To make a |
| biting my finger and toes. I've tried various form of | | | | shaker can simply take a clean soda or beer can, put |
| discipline, and none of them have worked. | | | | at least 10 pennies in it and tape over the opening. |
| Answer: Your absolutely right- you need to get this | | | | When your puppy starts to nibble, shake the can or |
| behaviour stopped, and stopped quickly. There are | | | | drop it as you say "NO!". When he stops because he |
| three techniques that I recommend to quickly stop your | | | | is startled, praise him and offer the appropriate chew |
| puppy from biting you. | | | | toy. |
| Tactic 1: "NO" and ignore - One of the reasons your | | | | Tactic #3 - physical grab - This is the "last resort" |
| puppy is nibbling on you is because she wants | | | | tactic, that I only recommend if 1 and 2 have not |
| attention. Just as humans crave social interaction, so | | | | worked. As soon as the puppy nips you say "NO!" and |
| do our dogs. We can use this to shape behaviour. As | | | | grab the skin on the back of his neck. Don't shake or |
| soon as your puppy nips you, yell "NO!" and walk | | | | lift him, but simply move your hand back and forth. |
| away - ignore the dog for a couple of minutes. Then | | | | Release the puppy and give him a toy. After a while, |
| return to the dog with a toy, and encourage him to | | | | you can stop the grabbing and simply say "NO!". |
| play with the toy. If he bites you again, simply repeat. | | | | As with any training tactic, you have to be consistent. |
| Be consistent with this technique - your husband will | | | | Over time, just like young children, your puppy will learn |
| need to be consistent as well. | | | | how to behave appropriately in your home! |