Play Biting And Jumping Up

[Kisses4Phoebe]

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Hi - just wondered if any of you have any advice please? Phoebe is 12 weeks old now and is a real sweetie. :wub: But we're having trouble stopping her play biting - even though we've tried the saying 'ow!' loudly and walking away and she also jumps up at the kids - I have a 2 and a half year old and a 5 year old. My daughter (the 5 year old) is good at folding her arms and turning away when she jumps up, and distracting her with a chewtoy when she nibbles, but my son is too little to understand what to do and shrieks and squeals which makes Phoebe even more jumpy and nippy! :blink: I never leave her alone with the kids, so I can step in and stop the jumpy/nippy behaviour when it occurs, it's just a shame that I'm constantly saying no to Phoebe and telling my son not to squeal at her or pull her ears etc! (w00t)

There are times when I think I've made a mistake getting a puppy when the kids are so young :unsure: I know it's not her fault though - I guess I just need to keep being consistent and try not to get frustrated by it :wacko:

Any advice gratefully received :thumbsup:

 

[sarah jane]

HI, I had, and still have to to a degree the same problem with my 4 month old Jay. He is a lot better and reacts and stops when 'OW' or 'that hurts' is said loudly. He kinda gives the nibbled hurt area a lick and a shove with his nose.

As you say, its just consistancy. She will get it eventually as will your son. My nephew was the sam age as your son when we got Jack, our 1st whippet. My nephew soon knew to turn is back or tell Jack 'No' himself.

No mistakes getting a pup with young un's. They will be best pals growing up and become dog savvy. So many children I see nowadays when i'm out walking that run away from mine when they seem them. The dogs then think its a cool game and go chase. I always tell the kids not to run, the dogs will just sniff and move on if they act normal!

 

[jinnyfizz]

Keep on supervising the situation, it will get better.

Pheobe is still very young but by the time she gets to 4 months she will naturally start to grow out of it.

I know it's difficult to ignore the behaviour, but if she gets no result she will stop it all the sooner, so it would be better if any jumping is met with complete indifference and walking away from her.

Good luck ........... it will also help when her puppy teeth are gone as they are soooooo sharp!!! (w00t)

 

[Kisses4Phoebe]

Thanks for the replies. :thumbsup: It is hard, the kids love her to bits, it's just we're all new to having a dog so it's a bit of a learning curve for us!

 

[whippetmad]

Hi Emma.............I agree whats already been said Jack's been quite good,once you said a firm "no" he stops, and he gets a treat for being good !!

 

[owengirl]

Hi Emma,

I know exactly what you mean and do not think you have made a mistake. I have upgraded to two whippets now and my children are 5 and just over 3.

When I got Connie my daughter was nearly four and my son just over two. Connie was also a lovely sweet puppy but as soon as the kids started running in the garden Connie thought her role was to join in and bite and jump all over both of them.

It was a difficult situation but I had broadly two ways of dealing with it. If I was right there when there was any jumping up or biting I used a water spay (an old bottle with a spray top) together with a firm 'no' (no extra words used that Connie wouldn't understand). If the jumping up and biting was in progress or had stopped by the time I got on the scene I would just take Connie out of the situation and probably give her a bit of time in her cage while the kids got rid of their own energy. Once the kids were calm Connie was allowed out.

I was also adamant that the children were always kind and gentle with Connie as well irrespective of what she was doing to them. It is critical that the children repect the dog, but it sounds as if your daughter already does and although your son is quite young they do learn from the actions of the rest of the family.

Now Connie is bomb proof with the children. She is super tolerant and they love her to bits. Just the little puppy stage is a bit of hard work (a bit like little children ... lol).

I hope this helps, it sounds like you are all doing really well.

Claire