Akita Inu Pup thinks she is a Shark....
I've got a rather mouthy (understatement of the year) 9 week old Akita Inu pup who just never stops trying to grab your body parts in her rather sharp puppy teeth. What's a good way of teaching a little bite inhibition that you find works personally?
Comments
I always had a chew toy around, and when Rollo got mouthy I'd give him the chew instead of whatever body part he was trying to bite. He wasn't too mouthy though. She should grow out of that as she gets a little bigger.
For Katsu, we did the same as a puppy. If I didn't have a chew toy on hand, I'd make an high pitched yip/say ow, then walk away for a while. Nowadays, if we just say ow, he stops and we praise him. He can get mouthy during play (but never bites down... arm hugs with his mouth, really) or nippy when he really wants attention. I've seen him nip other dogs gently in the same way. It catches my clothes, so I usually say ow or give him a firm no. We still praise him when he stops.
He's about 44 pounds now as of his last vet visit, nice shiny coat of fur and is pretty solid. He is really strong for his size too. When he really wants to go after something like a bird or a leaf he is a handful to rein in.
I've tried the ow thing but you sure as hell have to yell to get her to notice. The distraction with her ducky definitely works best. My Shiba was mouthy too, I just can't refer how long he took to grow out of it but I do remember he was very mouthy as well.
Definitely get the dog's attention with the 'ow' as TheYeti already said. Make it almost a squeal if you have to!
She actually gave my face a lick this morning without trying to remove my nose!