This is why it's vital to teach a puppy not to bite so that it doesn't become a habit, and if he is taken by surprise as an adult then he inhibits himself from biting. Therefore, for the youngster's own good, you must be prepared to play act like an Oscar winner. When the puppy's teeth contact your skin, be prepared to yelp and look hurt, indeed if you can sob and force out a few tears, so much the better. The more convincing your 'performance' the better the pup learns the lesson.
Learning not to bite should be taught from as young an age as possible, indeed, puppies playing in a litter start teaching each other from just a few weeks of age. The principle is that when a puppy bites too hard, his littermate squeals and the game stops. Thus the puppy learns to be soft and 'play bite' so that everyone is happy and the game carries on.
We can mimic this lesson by yelping whenever the Lab puppy's teeth contact skin, and by withdrawing from the game if the pup doesn't immediately calm down.
Instead, it's best to yelp and let your hand go limp, so the puppy understands he hurt you and then the game stopped.
It's also helpful to have:
Trying to teach my puppy not to bite isn't going well.
I have tried all types of methods including treats in my fist until she backs off and rewarding for it.
I have tried yelping and being hurt but she actually just carries on biting even if you seem hurt.
I also tried firm no! or stop! or leave!.
I tried replacing hands with toys.
I'm not sure why but no matter how much and often i try with her it doesn't seem to do anything.
I have taught her numerous things but she just won't stop.
I'm all out of ideas please help me i'm worried she might seriously harm someone when she gets adult teeth.
Hello Daniel, Check out the article linked below. Work on teaching Leave It from the Leave It method. Once pup knows Leave It, use that command to tell pup not to bite before a bite or during mouthing to stop - if pup doesn't stop when you say leave it, use the Pressure method as a gentle discipline for disobedience. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Second, I suggest enrolling pup into a puppy kindergarten or play class where there is time for off leash puppy-to-puppy play. Through moderated puppy play, pups can learn how to control the pressure of their bites. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/puppy-classes-when-to-start/ Finally, Know that mouthing is normal up to 5 monthd. It is important to work on teaching pup how to conteol their mouths, but it generally takes a couple of months to teach that even with consistent training. Try not to worry too much if pup is still under 5 months of age - stay consistent and continue working on. Retrievers can be especially mouthy as puppies - its actually one of the ways they learn how to have a soft mouth later in life for retrieval work - lots of mouthing practice and hopefully getting feedback on what is too much pressure, to learn to be gentler - other puppies are ideal for helping pup learn that lesson while young. Finally, teach pup and Out command. Enforce Out when pup is too wound up to listen. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ When pup is really crazy, he also probably needs some quiet time with a dog food chew toy in his crate. Puppies can get really wound up when overtired and mouthing can actually be worse when pup really just needs a nap. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
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