[bauer2012]

He's 8 1/2 weeks, trying to teach him bite inhibition with the tips from this site.


However, if I choose to ignore him because he's biting when we are playing, he will start biting the heels of whoever is around. This can only be solved by removing him from the room and putting him in his crate, the people leaving the room isn't really practical in my living situation.


So, is there anything I could be doing for this behavior? I've read keep a spray bottle near by?

 

[NozOnyCalAur]

Time outs but not in the crate. Use the bathroom. Play and pet with him in the bathroom when he nips, ignore him. When he goes after your heels, leave the bathroom and close the door. Wait outside for only a couple of minutes, open the door, rinse and repeat.

I got my puppy at 10 weeks and she was a shark, you'll most likely have to survive the nipping for a couple of weeks. It does get better, be consistent, wear boots.

 

[bauer2012]

Thanks. I am slightly worried because I know all dogs do this, but it's notorious with the breed since they nip at the heels of cattle to move them.


I have a book on the breed, and it states that the behavior "must be corrected" before they become adults. However, the method it suggests is to grab him by the ruff and give a stern "No!". I've tried this, and he usually struggles and gets more aggressive when I do it.

 

[xxxxdogdragoness]

i hate to say it but the yelping ignoring method which was tried & true for every one of the pups & some adult dogs i had does not work with heelers esp very drivey ones like my Izze, some it may but most are too hard headed & persistent, ignoring will only make them more deturmaned, instead i had luck with teaching mine 'get your toy' when she would bite or nip any part of me or my clothing i would wave her fave toy in her face & say (not too excitedly tho) get your toy then when she did i praised her. she was very smart & didfnt take long to get it, soon she was bringing her toy to me on her own LOL LOL.

only 8 wks? oh boy, you have some 'fun' times ahead, lol, just wait until he turns about 4 mos or so til hes about 2 yrs, just try not to pull too much orf your hair out LOL

 

[bauer2012]

Nice, an experienced ACD owner. You may become my best friend =P



So, what should I do then? Will he naturally get better with it as you seemed implied (assuming no toys are around or whatever)? Rather, should I even try at all?