[Crayola]

I have a 15 month old, female golden retriever named Lucy. She is a great dog, 90% of the time, but she has a huge biting problem. It's not like nibbling, she'll like chop on your arm, and scrap your skin. Like it's bad. When we were away on a trip, she bite our doggie sitter, and actually punctured her skin, and she drew blood. I don't know why she does it either. I can't give her away, i love her too much, but it looks like we're going to have to. I'm crying just thinking about it, so I can't imagine what I'll be like if we really have to give her away.

Anyone have any idea of what we can do to help her, or someone to help her, or anything.

Please help me. You have no idea how grateful I'd be

[Anubis]

I can readily say to you that you must SHOUT out loud with PAIN everytime she starts doing that!!!
Scream and shout when She bites you and she'll understant that it is causing you pain. Because she loves you she will stop.
I think she doesn't fully see how much harm and discomfort her biting is bringing to You!
Show her that what she does causes you A LOT of pain. Predend theatrically if necessary.Get up and walk out of the room right after, giving her no mind, no eye contact. Return after a while. Shout and walk out on her.
Do it because you want to be with her.
Show her how much pain she causes by biting.
Dogs and humans have different thresholds of pain. Do your training act intensely.
Do so because you want to keep her, please!!!!

[ilovelucy]

Originally Posted by Crayola

I have a 15 month old, female golden retriever named Lucy. She is a great dog, 90% of the time, but she has a huge biting problem. It's not like nibbling, she'll like chop on your arm, and scrap your skin. Like it's bad. When we were away on a trip, she bite our doggie sitter, and actually punctured her skin, and she drew blood. I don't know why she does it either. I can't give her away, i love her too much, but it looks like we're going to have to. I'm crying just thinking about it, so I can't imagine what I'll be like if we really have to give her away.

Anyone have any idea of what we can do to help her, or someone to help her, or anything.

Please help me. You have no idea how grateful I'd be

Is this a new dog, or new behaviour?

Is she just biting you, or is this over zealous playing?

[epny]

I agree, we should know the context of the biting. Playful biting may possibly just be a matter of communicating your disapproval. Other cases may call for something more involved. Please try to describe in as detailed a way as possible what the situation is and how she is behaving prior to a bite.

[Sunny_Bee]

My dog has a similar (but not as severe) problem, but shouting does NOTHING. I've actually shouted in real pain before, no need to act, and she doesn't care. I think she may have been taken from her mother too early (she's a rescue dog) and never learned to control her bites.

I'm interested in the advice you get to see what else I can try.

[max69]

My puppy did the same thing as well for a little while. There are three techniques I was shown:

1). Grab the dog with both of your hands around the mouth and with a firm voice say "NO"! You are supposed to do this everytime they displayed this behavior.

2). Is to firmly push your palm into their nose without hurting them. The dog usually does not like this sensation and is supposed to associate this as a negative experience.

3). Use a water spray bottle and squirt your dog in the face if they nip at you.

I have tried all three and the third one using the spray bottle was the most effective for my dog. Although my dog still nips once in a while I would say he has improved 99%. It took about 2 weeks to understand that biting or nipping was not acceptable. This includes biting the furniture, electical cords or people. You also have to make sure the other members of your family or friends are consistent with the discipline. I often discuss with my wife to make sure we both use the same technique consistently otherwise the dog will get confused if one member is consistent while the other is not. Therefore if you have other family members in the household you need to make sure all on board when it comes to disciplining the dog to ensure they have boundaries and limitations.

The Dogs Obedience Training Blog

[jv17]

try to let him bite a squeeze ball all the time so that your dog gets tired of biting..

[rayter]

Get a muzzle for him, doesn't need to wear it all the time, but he will get the idea to not bite. Or a spry bottle of water in the face will make him stop.

[sarahb]

When does you dog bite? is it randomly or whilst in play?

Our german shephard (now 2yrs) used to be bad when he was a pup. i believe its a GSD trait & we managed to get rid of it quiet quickly.

You need to either - do the same as his brothers or sisters would have done - squeak (like a puppy in pain) cross your arms & either turn away or stand & walk away, giving no attention for 5minutes.
Do what his mum would have done - yelp in pain grab the scruff of his neck & shake him lifting slightly, then stop & ignore him for 5 mins - this is how his mum would have told him off - it is not cruel as they understand this more than anything else!
The other thing is to remove your pup from the room for 5 mins - jump up lead him outside or into another room with collar & leave for 5mins.

These things show him that he is in the wrong - You can do all 3 intermitently untill you find what that works well for you.
Good luck & let me know how you get on
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