Boxer puppie biting kids

Jim J · #1 08-22-2009, 03:55 PM

I have heard all kind of advice and have tried them with out success. So I will try here. My 3 month old male boxer is mouthing my 9 and 7 year old kids. I understand the concept of mouthing and have read a lot of articles about it. The problem is when I am around it dosen't happen and when he is with the kids it does. Having a dog that can't be alone at times with the kids won't work for me, I got to be able to trust him. It seems to be a dominate thing but he dosen't seem to want to hurt them just not respect them. Victoria Spelbing recomends the stand up and fold arms and yell outch! He then proceeds to attack the back. Hey we tried squirt guns, and with the 10% vinagur but no luck. I know smacking on the nose makes it worse they tried that too, so that is definatly out. Boxers are supose to be good with kids thats why we got one, but this guy is tough. I am mostly woried when he is no longer 20 pounds and is 70 pounds. Would like some usefull help please.

NJBoxermom · #2 08-22-2009, 07:45 PM

and that's what I would suggest when he is getting out of control. Better yet, don't leave them unattended.

I have a 4 month old boxerboy and he is in the mouthy teething stage too.

Jim J · #3 08-23-2009, 07:40 AM

Yea they are doing that as well. I have a leash on him whenever they are together and if he is biting he is to go in his pen or crate whichever is closer. But like I said not leaving them together alone is really tough in the sunner when the kids are not in school. This would leave the dog in the crate or pen all day. And at 20 pounds he is not a safty threat just a nusence. But at 70 pounds that would be a different story. I am really looking for a tip to stop this undesired behaviour. Has anybody had success in this situation?

Linda/NJ · #4 08-23-2009, 11:55 AM

I am no expert but I would strongly advise NOT to strike your dog, not even on the nose. Have YOU used a very strong "NO", when the pup tries to do this to the kids? Every time he tries to bite? If he listens, give him a treat immediately, so he knows he did a good thing by listening. You have to work with him constantly. He has to know that biting is not acceptable behavior. If he does this successfully with you, have the kids try, I know they won't have a strong voice like you but they can do it. They are old enough. I DON"T agree to just put him in a crate, like it is a punishment. You have to let him know he just can't do it. If you still have no luck, I would look into a dog trainer, it would not hurt. Good luck.

kayboxer · #5 08-23-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJBoxermom

and that's what I would suggest when he is getting out of control. Better yet, don't leave them unattended.

I have a 4 month old boxerboy and he is in the mouthy teething stage too.

A crate should NOT be used as punishment. If you want a dog to learn to hate the crate, then put them in there for punishment. I guarantee it will backfire. Like a toddler with a baby bed, you want them to hate going to bed, use the bed for punishment. They will HATE going to bed.
What I would do is if he starts this is find a command. We use "no bite". If he starts this behavior tell your kids to say "NO BITE" get up and walk away. End play time, leave the room. Your pup will learn that if he continues this behavior, nobody will play with him. He is also a puppy, and they do mouth as you have read. It is something that they do, you cannot stop it and shouldn't. That is how they learn how to play nicely, and not bite down hard. Your kids are like his siblings. When his behavior becomes unacceptable, they end playtime. Period. Make sure you use a command so he learns to relate what they are talking about. Both mine know what "no bite" is and will stop when I give the command. Make sure they play with toys with your pup. Have them play ball or something such as that so the pup is focused on the toy, not their body parts to nip on. Your pup is like a child, it takes a while to train them. They do not understand english or what you are trying to tell them. I would enroll your pup in a puppy class. It is also a great way to learn how to train your dog properly (as long as you find a teacher who knows what they are doing) and they get a chance to interact with other dogs. Don't give up yet, you can do it!

Jim J · #6 08-23-2009, 02:09 PM

First, thanks for all the advice. I have tried all of them. But as we can see what one person says to do for example: put in crate, hit on nose(from a so called dog expert?) use squirt bottle, others say don't do that. Conflicting and confusing. We also tried the "no bite" command, treats, ignor him, just the kids feed him, and so far it seems hopeless. Look I will try anything within reason if it works. Just today the dog cornered my daughter and was biting at her skirt right in front of me. She could not just fold her arms and walk away. I interviend of course. it's like I brought home pack-man.

kayboxer · #7 08-23-2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim J

First, thanks for all the advice. I have tried all of them. But as we can see what one person says to do for example: put in crate, hit on nose(from a so called dog expert?) use squirt bottle, others say don't do that. Conflicting and confusing. We also tried the "no bite" command, treats, ignor him, just the kids feed him, and so far it seems hopeless. Look I will try anything within reason if it works. Just today the dog cornered my daughter and was biting at her skirt right in front of me. She could not just fold her arms and walk away. I interviend of course. it's like I brought home pack-man.

I totally understand what you are saying with receiving conflicting advice. What works for one may not work for another. I still suggest starting training. Puppies are very smart and learn quickly. Can you find a class around your area?
I know a lot of people may disagree with this, but what if when he corners your daughter you stomp your foot loudly on the floor (to startle him and get his attention) and VERY loudly (almost a yell) say "no bite!" and physically remove him from the area. I'm not saying abuse him by hitting or such, just pick him up and remove him from the area, then just ignore him and leave. Maybe he will get the message that if he continues to do that he is removed from the family unit. They generally don't like to be by themselves if the family is around. I'm just throwing out ideas because I know how frustrating it is when nothing seems to be working. Hang in there.

Caney Creek · #8 08-23-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim J

Having a dog that can't be alone at times with the kids won't work for me, I got to be able to trust him. It seems to be a dominate thing but he dosen't seem to want to hurt them just not respect them.

It is not a dominant thing; it is a puppy thing. He is playing. True, this is not appropriate behavior with humans, but dogs are not born with this knowledge. He needs to be taught that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim J

Boxers are supose to be good with kids thats why we got one, but this guy is tough. I am mostly woried when he is no longer 20 pounds and is 70 pounds.

ALL PUPPIES BITE, regardless of the breed. Teach your pup bite inhibition and monitor him around the kids until he's learned some manners. Right now he is just a baby, you really can't expect him to be perfect without any guidance. You have to think, he has only been alive for three months and nearly 2 of those months he was with his mom and littermates, eliminating wherever he pleased, competing for food, and rough-housing with the other puppies. He doesn't know that those things are no longer acceptable, and he shouldn't be left unsupervised at all until he's completely house broken and can be trusted not to chew things or play too rough with the kids. The more you work with him the sooner you'll see results. Contrarily, the more he gets away with bad behavior, the harder it will be to break him of bad habits. And by "get away with" I mean that the behavior must be prevented, not punished.

Have the kids participate in training. This will help build his respect for them so he sees them as leaders instead of playmates. VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure he gets plenty of daily exercise, mental stimulation (several small training sessions, a new interactive toy, a new activity, visiting a new person/place, etc.), and that he has plenty of safe bones and chew-toys to keep his mouth occupied. You will still need to supervise him around your children for the next few months. Once he gets his adult teeth in around 6 months old, his teeth won't be so sharp and painful (woohoo!

). But it is VERY important that he learns bite inhibition before this happens, because once the puppy teeth are gone it is near impossible to make any progress with bite inhibition training. However he is with biting/mouthing at that age is likely how he will always be.

An article on bite inhibition training:
Bite Inhibition Training | Karen Pryor Clickertraining

Overview on puppy training:
ClickerSolutions Training Articles -- Puppy Training

More on dog training, leadership and the "dominance myth"
ClickerSolutions Training Articles -- The History and Misconceptions of Dominance Theory

Another tip -- I think that it is important for every dog (ESPECIALLY dogs that are going to be around children) to be accustomed to being handled, or "manhandled", if you will. You have to start doing this when your puppy is young, and you need to do it often. When you're relaxing with the pup and he is calm, give him a massage. Rub his ears, belly, legs, paws, etc. Touch his face and his tail, take a look inside his mouth, examine his toes and in between his paws, etc. Don't try to do these things when he's in a playful mood -- he'll be more reactive then -- but as long as he's being calm you can try a little bit more with him each day. If you do this he will be more comfortable and cooperative in the future during routine inspections, ear cleanings, nail trimming, brushing teeth, vet visits, bathing, grooming, etc. He will also be less reactive to pokes and prods from young children. While you're touching him you can talk to him softly, keeping him in that calm state and giving him praise for cooperating.

OscarLolamom · #9 09-01-2009, 07:39 PM

Also, what worked for Oscar, when he was a little pup (30lbs), we always had pressed bones handy as soon as he started to bite on us or kids they would growl "ouch" and stick the bone in his mouth. If this would not stop him, we would take him to the nearest door knob and tied his leash, saying "oops, time out", so he would be able to sit or stay. Then we would walk away for couple minutes and he could not see or hear us. Then we would go back when he calm down and release him. Sometimes it took us couple "time outs" to redirect him from biting. Gradually he started doing that less and less. Playbiting is normal for puppies, you just need to work on it constantly. I would never leave the puppy unattended with 9 and 7 years old. My daughter is 7 and I never leave her unattended with 4.5yo, now well mannered Oscar or 2month old Lola. Different story with my 14yo. He can manage 75lbs Oscar on his own. They both trusted now, but gave them trust only about 2 years ago. You puppy will grow out of it, and kids will bigger too, but not yet. I am sure your puppy is just regular mouthy boxer pup. Keep him busy with pressed bones, ropes, squeeky toys. Good luck!