Thread: Puppy question

wow, if any kind of dog bit my 2 year old, it would find its way to the nearest shelter post haste.

Originally Posted by Kelsey1224

I think the question should not be as much how to keep the puppy from snapping when your toddler picks him up as how to keep your toddler FROM picking him up.

Your child needs to learn that it's not OK to pick up the puppy w/o your help, they are obviously hurting/scaring the puppy and that is why puppy is snapping at them. I have three dogs and if I have kids they will learn to leave puppy alone until they can carefully interact with them. It's sad to see that so many are unwilling to deal and try to correct the issue before the puppy is out of the house. You would never throw away a child if it bit another creature, you would teach it that it's NOT OK and take steps to ensure it wouldn't happen again.

Like everyone else has said toddlers and puppies don't really mix well. Both our dogs have been trained by professionals. They are great with adults but I would never leave the room with a child unattended with our pets. All it takes is one time for something drastic to happen.

The children I watch are allowed to pet, feed, look, let out the dogs in backyard (only). Children aren't allowed to tease, squeeze, pick up any of our pets. Jamie our Westie is over 12 years old-I'm still not sure what he would do if a child held him. Toddie our Toy Pom (8) is very yappy, hyper. Doesn't really like to be held by anyone, not even me. If Toddie or Jamie come lay down by you that's fine. If at anytime you feel intimidated, uncomfortable with pets laying beside you either move or come get an adult to move the dogs.

I watch 3 children weekly. They are all very clear on what/what not to do with our pets. Parents are also told about the "rules with pets".

Until children and pets can learn to "get along"....stay away from each other.

Good luck and please be careful.

why have a puppy around a toddler anyway? a think a child around 10 would enjoy a dog much more.

Originally Posted by Shann

Your child needs to learn that it's not OK to pick up the puppy w/o your help, they are obviously hurting/scaring the puppy and that is why puppy is snapping at them. I have three dogs and if I have kids they will learn to leave puppy alone until they can carefully interact with them. It's sad to see that so many are unwilling to deal and try to correct the issue before the puppy is out of the house. You would never throw away a child if it bit another creature, you would teach it that it's NOT OK and take steps to ensure it wouldn't happen again.

But if you have ever seen a childs face scarred from a dog bite then it might be different? As much as I love animals, my human child has to come first. Thats just the way it is once you have kids. And it truly is easier said then done when trying to teach a 2 year old (with a mind of their own). Its not as simple as saying 'Johnny leave Toto alone he will bite you." And I must say comparing a child and a dog are really no comparison.

Originally Posted by cathych

wow, if any kind of dog bit my 2 year old, it would find its way to the nearest shelter post haste.

He's a puppy. He doesn't know any better. They have to be taught...much like children.




To answer the original question....when did you get the puppy? I heard sometimes when you separate them from their siblings too young they have a tendency to bite people because they haven't been able to play long enough and realize that biting HURTS.

I have two boston terrior/chihuahua mixes and so you can only IMAGINE how hyper they are. They tend to generally just chew on each other. The only time they "snap" is when they are mad. They have never snapped at us but they do to each other. The biggest problem is probably that you have a toddler and puppy together. Honestly the puppy can see how much attention you give the toddler and is jealous so that's why he "snaps."

well, they would not be "taught" on my 2 year old.

It's sad these days how so many people don't realize the amount of work it takes to take care of a pet. It's sad how they think animals are disposable.

I love how people are so easy to blame their ignorance on a pet.

I'm so sorry our answers offended or hurt your feelings. I know I was responding to the post which gave me the impression that you excused your 2-year old for his behavior in obviously hurting the dog, but blamed the puppy for his reaction to it. Obviously, that wasn't the case.

Again, I searched the internet and found the following:

Prevent or stop biting. Dogs bite because they're teething, they feel threatened, they're injured, they've been abused or, sometimes, if the dog is in heat. Provide dogs plenty of chew toys. If a puppy nips or bites, use a can or bottle filled with coins or rocks as a shaker, and shake it at them while saying "no" firmly. The shake can will startle them. Dogs that are injured should be muzzled until they've healed to prevent biting.


Here is another:

Refuse Puppy playtime if he bites you

First, teach pup that it's mouth has strength and they can control it. Let puppy at first apply a bit of pressure when he puts mouth on you. He needs to learn he has jaw control and how hard is too hard. This is in case puppy forgets manners and accidentally gets his mouth on you he will have learned that humans need gentle. Then he needs to learn that if his mouth gets on you, all play stops and he gets nothing. Puppies are very social creatures and refusing to engage in play can be an effective training technique. As soon as puppy starts to bite or nip, give a loud, yelping "OUCH!!!" Follow with a low, growling "No Bite." Glare at the pup, get up and move away. After a minute or so, get a toy and return to puppy. Encourage the puppy to play with the toy. If he goes for you with a nip, repeat yelping and walking away. If the pup persists in this behavior (nipping), he may need a time out!

If you have yelped and walked away a couple times and pup keeps coming back for more, CALMLY place him in his crate or behind a baby gate where he cannot get to you. NEVER punish as you confine pup, as this will make the confinement area a negative place. Basically, as soon as that next nip comes, tell pup it is time out time and confine him. Puppies and dogs may become nippier as they get tired, over-stimulated, etc and a bit of quiet time and even a nap may help.

Teach your puppy good manners from the beginning

Never play games that teach pup it is cute to put his mouth on humans. It is far easier to teach good manners from the beginning than it is to retrain an adult dog that thinks it is good to put him mouth on people in play, for attention, etc., and has for months or years. However, the same concept applies to adult dogs. Again, play nipping and attention nipping can be worked with a good NILIF program as well.

Should your dog continue to bite and not respond or if the biting is accompanied with aggression, growling or anything you do not like, contact a behaviorist. Also, have your dog examined by a vet. There could be an underlying factor for the biting. A dog that is sore or not feeling well may bite. It is his way of saying something is not right. Also, a poorly socialized or scared dog is more prone to bite, as is a startled one.


And another:

It is completely normal for a new puppy owner to experience the needle sharp nip and bite of the new family member, this is usually the number one issue that a new owner will need to overcome. Although for the puppy this is completely normal behaviour, it can prove annoying and embarrassing to the owner as well as the potential for danger as the dog grows. Fortunately there are various simple solutions to stop puppy biting behaviour and a sensible approach will have this potentially troublesome problem solved in a matter of days or for some puppies even a matter of hours. Puppies bite for a reason, so realising why they do it is the first step to overcoming the problem.

**Understand Why Your Puppy Bites**
There are a number of very good reasons why your new puppy is biting you, if you can realise why it is happening you can tackle the problem easily.

Puppy fun and games.
Learning.
To be leader of the pack.
Overstimulation.
Your Puppy is scared.
The hunting instinct.
Growing pains.
Hunger.

Different puppies bite for different reasons and this article is not long enough to advise on them all, here we are concentrating on an overview of puppy biting remedies and specifically the most universal. Play biting is the top behaviour to explain puppy biting.

**Dealing With Puppy Biting**
The advice and tips that follow are all positive ways to stop your puppy biting|The super tips below are recognised as successful ways to control your puppies biting behaviour|Coming up are the surefire ways to stop a new puppy from making a meal of you and the family**, however, without a consistent approach they will work no better than doing nothing, in fact it may be worse. All the family need to be aware of the approach being taken to control the puppy nipping, kids especially, and all should apply the rules without exception. A bright dog will learn to stop after only a few lessons but some may take a little longer.

The natural technique.
Follow the way puppies play in the pack, when your puppy bites, let out a yelp and immediately stop playing and avoid eye contact for a while, usually after a short time your puppy will approach you to make up. Do not hold a grudge, after a short time when puppy has realised you should make up by continuing play, but repeat it every time, do this with everyone who gets bitten and puppy will stop almost immediately to every ones benefit.


I found the above by doing a quick search. I'm sure there is lots of other information you can find about raising a puppy into a great dog as well.

I have also read in a lot of sites that boston terrier pups are prone to this.