Play biting-how to prevent it
As you might have already read, we have adopted an Akita Inu puppy called Taro recently.He is almost 4 months old. He is very playful around the house, but he has one habit we do not particularly approve of--that is playbiting. When he is in the mood, or when you are petting him and he enjoys it, he has a habit of mouthing our hands etc. He doesn't use his teeth but still, we really want to get rid of this habit asap. Any suggestions?
His obedience training starts next week.
His obedience training starts next week.
Comments
From what you describe, Taro mouths you when he's getting attention. To stop it from happening, as soon as he puts his mouth on you stop giving him attention. Get up, walk away, and ignore him for a minute or so. If everyone is consistent with this, he'll quickly learn (within a few weeks) that putting his mouth on somebody means he stops getting attention. So he'll stop doing it.
Good luck!
IMHO, A time out would work great too as long as you have good timing (and patience lol).
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I have never compromised so much with a dog before as I have my Kai dog.
Jesse
I remember my Golden used to do it too! Probably not as much but I still have punctured clothing from when he was a puppy-11 years ago!
I'd only do that if other stuff doesn't work, because that stuff is super strong and he really, really, really hated it, so while I certainly don't think it was painful, it was very unpleasant. A nicer tactic is better if it works. Although, I did only have to do it once, so it's not so bad.
Also, anyone who might read this--I have a question regarding one of my cats. He insists on lying in Taro's bed to maybe show dominance or maybe he enjoys making Taro mad, but his trick works and Taro always barks at him when he sees the cat lying in his bed. It is incredibly hard to teach this particular cat anything because he is really stubborn and deaf. So what should be done about him? He is really tough and unfriendly towards Taro and is the only cat Taro barks at. I don't know what to do!
Your best bet would be to offer the cat a similar bed, as well as other resting/hiding spots, some place out of reach of Taro. A place that I find my cat loves to sleep is on a pillow by the window sill, especially when the sun is shining on it. We hope to install a few window shelves to give a more comfortable place for her to sleep on that hopefully the dogs can't get to.
Question: Isn't there ingredients in breath fresheners that are harmful to dogs?
http://www.robstestdomain.co.uk/images/products/orthopedic-kitty-sill-window-perch.jpg
There are many different styles of perches sold, as well as instructions to build your own. We are also planning on building a cat tree, something similar to this:
http://leisureguy.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/cat-trees.jpg
We're going to make it where the litter box and the food have their own enclosed area that the dogs can't get into ( the boys two favorite things; cat food and cat poop). You don't have to go as extreme as this. You could do something basic, like having a pillow on top of a dresser.
In the beginning, you may also want to try using an electronic bed warmer to help lure the cat to sleep where you want it to. Only have it on when you are around (as these things aren't meant to be on continuously) and set it to the lowest setting. Cats love a pre-warmed spot, which could also explain why your cat takes over Taro's bed especially if it's right after he leaves it.
My poor cat.....