I’ve just adopted a 3-month-old puppy, a crossbreed (a Bichon and Yorkie cross). He’s been with us for less than a week.
My biggest issue is that he bites my feet when I'm walking, which is quite a pain. The most annoying part is that he thinks it's a game; obviously, things moving around all over the place get him excited and he finds it fun. I’m worried that as he grows up, this behaviour will become a real problem. I've tried ignoring him when he does it by just carrying on, but when I keep moving, he just keeps biting. I've also tried stopping still and looking up with my arms crossed, waiting for him to stop, but it's hard not to react when he's actually hurting me. I eventually have to move my feet and then he just starts again. Even ignoring him for five minutes doesn't work; he never stops, so it's all a bit tricky.
I'm trying a firm "NO", without raising my voice too much so I don't get him even more worked up. It hasn't really worked so far, and today I had to give him a five-minute time-out to let him calm down because he was really hurting me.
I'm not quite sure what to do and I don't want to get it wrong. I know he hasn't been with us long, but I'd like to nip this behaviour in the bud as soon as possible so it doesn't get any worse.
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Hi there, I’ve got a 2-month-old German Shepherd puppy. Just like I did with my previous pup, instead of us both having a hard time (those little milk teeth really do nip!), and rather than trying to force him to understand "NO" or constantly pushing him away when he’s all hyper and playing, here’s my little trick:
I put a drop of perfume on my feet—or on my socks if I’m not barefoot. He stays calm and happily turns his attention to one of his toys instead... it’s a gentle, pleasant method, and you end up smelling lovely as a bonus!! There you go, I hope it works for you too!
I’ve had a Chihuahua for three weeks now, and he’ll be three months old tomorrow.
When I’m walking, he bites my toes and it really hurts.
I’ve tried saying no, nudging him away with my other foot, pushing him back, stopping still, wagging my finger at him, and so on. I feel like I’ve tried everything and nothing is working.
His teeth are like needles and it’s incredibly painful. Plus, because he’s so tiny, I’m terrified of accidentally treading on him.
I’m at my wits’ end, I just don’t know what to do anymore.
I should also mention that when he’s on my lap, he bites my fingers, but that’s getting a bit better because I offer him a piece of carrot, and luckily he prefers the carrot to my finger.
Blimey @nala, if your Lab has proper fangs already at 2 months, you've certainly got your work cut out! I had a female Lab when she was 2 months old too, and it was actually her teeth that helped the vet work out her age, as she only had tiny little teeth and just small canines like ours instead of big fangs. She never nipped at feet! Best, @gigi397
Lol, hi everyone. When my Bichon first started with my feet he used to tickle me; he was only 4 months old then. Later on he started nibbling—it doesn’t really hurt that much but puppy teeth are so sharp, and that’s the problem. Errrr, sorry to say, but mine is 20 months old now and still nibbles my feet then licks them afterwards. I’m not complaining though—if it makes him happy, it’s definitely a sign of affection, and he’s got plenty of that! But in the lift when I take him out, if there’s a girl wearing sandals or open-toed shoes, that’s when I tell him he can't. He loves mini skirts and summer shoes. So, for the one that's a Bichon cross, it’s probably just their thing. Best wishes and good luck, and definitely don't hit him—with mine, I just show him my index finger and then he knows it's something he shouldn't be doing.
Smacking doesn't actually achieve anything in itself, and more importantly, it can cause real issues because dogs struggle to process mixed signals from a hand that both strokes and smacks them, depending on the moment.
If you're pushing the dog just to get his attention, it's the same thing. Using the palm of your hand, nudge him back at the chest, then stand up tall, puff out your chest, raise a finger, and give a firm command to stop.
Quickly redirect him to another activity with a toy—a rope toy is a good shout... But don't go thinking it's a smack on the thigh that's doing the trick, and please don't pass that idea on to others because it's simply not true.
I’ve tried every trick in the book. A little tap on the thigh with one or two fingers – without actually hurting her, obviously – is the only thing that’s worked so far, unfortunately...
Of course, I don’t believe in being rough with them or anything like that, but I’ve noticed my pup gets so "in the zone" when she’s nipping at feet or trousers that it’s almost impossible to get her attention. Plus, it really hurts... she managed to put a hole in my dad’s sock with just one nip. Trying to ignore her or yelping "ouch" just doesn't work... she doesn't take a blind bit of notice.
Mind you, I don't know what your puppy’s temperament is like, so I think you just have to adapt your approach to the individual dog...
A smack on the thigh? No. It’s either too hard and you could hurt them, or it’s not hard enough and they’ll just think it’s a game.
(If a puppy really deserves a telling-off because they’re doing something truly unacceptable: give a quick, sharp tap with your fingertips roughly between the shoulder and the ear; the message will be clear.)
With a very young puppy, the best thing to do if they’re nipping while following you is to turn into a statue. Stay completely still for as long as it takes. Only start moving again once they’re calmly at heel. If they start again? Stop again.
I’d recommend playing games at home where they follow your legs, but without ever letting them mouth you: they need to understand that their job is to follow you, not to play-fight (which is a game for other times, when you’re down on the floor rather than standing up).
I’m having the same issue with my 2-month-old Lab. I’ve seen a bit of an improvement using a firm “no” and a little tap on the thigh.
I totally get it, it’s really frustrating... even if he only wants to play... but I’m hoping there’ll be some more advice because I’m looking for tips too!!
