Question

Dear Penelope

We purchased a Golden Retriever puppy about a month ago. He is now about 10 weeks old and he has a terrible bitting problem. If I don't solve this problem, my husband is going to get rid of him and that would break my heart.

When ever we try to play with him or get down on the floor with him he is all over us, jumping and biting and pulling on our clothes. I've tried to correct him by slapping his nose and telling him NO, but all that does is get him more excited and he starts to bite more. Is this ever going to stop? What can I do to teach him not to bite so much?

I am desperate for help. He is so cute and friendly, but we just can't deal with the mouth.

Thanks!

Penelope's Tips

Puppies use their mouth to learn about their world. They will bite or pick up everything they see, including body parts. To make matters worse, their little teeth are razor sharp and can puncture the skin very easily.

When you get down on the floor to play with him and you yell at him and push him away for biting you, you are actually giving him exactly what he wants - ATTENTION. He doesn't care if its positive or negative attention, as long as you are interacting with him.

Here's what you will have to do. First, don't slap or hit him. This will not solve the problem and as you already have seen, it can make the problem worse. INSTEAD, the minute he begins to use his mouth to bite or pull on your clothes, just get up off the floor and walk away from him. Leave the room if necessary. You are banning him from your presence. You are isolating him from his pack - you. As soon as he settles down a little you can go back to him and try to play with him again. If he starts using his mouth again, just get up and leave him. Let him think about it. Don't yell or say anything, just leave. He will soon understand that if he wants you to stay and play with him he will not be able to use his mouth. Another thing you will want to do is play quietly with him. Try not to get him too excited. Don't play any tug games until he learns how to use him mouth properly.

Puppies usually learn how to properly use their mouths from their mother and their littermates. If he was taken away from his litter before he was seven weeks old he may not have learned about having a gentle mouth. You will have to teach him.



Penelope