[Beth]

From what I have researched, puppy bite inhibition training has to be done before the time window of 18 weeks closes. This is when the puppy learns what is too hard and to back off or stop. We found this information at 16.5 weeks and were able to get it done and Gibson is great with his mouth. Sit down on floor with puppy and have treats with you. When puppy bites or mouths whether it is your skin or your clothes (they don’t really know the difference at that age for sure), say ow, but say it in a monotone voice, do not try to sound like a hurt dog, this doesn’t work. Say it firmly enough to get a reaction, but don’t over do it to the point of scaring the pup. As soon as the pup releases it’s mouth give praise and treat. Do this a number of times in succession, but if the pup gets too excited and can’t get out of bite mode, calmly get up and walk away from the pup into a different room and close the door for about 30 seconds to a minute. This removes the good, interesting treat filled play person from the pup and the pup will begin to understand that the excessive play removes their fun from them. when you come back out, you can work on it a little bit more so that you end the session on success and then put the pup away in the crate or an x pen for a while.

[David]

Excellent! Thank you so much for the reply. We’ve been saying “no” or “no bite”. Do you think that’s okay instead of ow. Or is the ow what really gets to him. Thank you!

[Beth]

I don’t think it really matters what is actually said. Ow is shorter than no bite and to me a more natural human reaction, so I found it easier to say. It’s totally up to you. I don’t think the pup knows the difference. However, if the pup has already heard the no or no bite and it hasn’t worked properly, maybe a change in wording would help. Have you been doing it in sessions with treats like a training session?

[David]

Okay! No i haven’t. When he plays he just keeps his mouth open. I’ll have to keep some kibble with me when I play with him later 🙂

[Beth]

One important point that I forgot to write. When the pup bites hold still, do not jerk away. Wait for the pup to release the bite then praise and treat. Pulling away will amp up the play/prey drive and make the biting worse.

[Riggan]

Have you watched the “Puppies Don’t Bite” podcast by Robert? It is a great resource.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaoJA1Rq1FU&t=408s

[Dee1313]

I have the same issue, will try your advice. My puppy is 5.mths though

[Nicolay]

I have a belgian malinois puppy, hes 9 weeks now. I attained him when he was 5,5 weeks old due to a complicated situation. I was going to the puppy seller to scout but turned out already all his litter mates was sold and he did not spend time with his mother, and ill mention the owners were high on drugs and there was sales of drugs going on as i was there. So i paid and took the puppy home with me.

He is a crazy crazy biter. I mean.. more times than not he lunges at me and goes 500%, rips my skin. I wear thick protection gloves made of leather, climbing pants, another pair of pants and outside of that i wear a thick full on working dress, and still it hurts like hell. He growls and REALLY goes at it. This can happen in the middle of obedience, especially when i do the “come” obedience Robert teaches. Sometimes i manage to give the treat before he starts biting and then he doesnt bite. When i leash walk outside, on the beach forexample he usually goes at it again. Its so frustrating, if i am in a bad mood i become an idiot and push him away, say a-a, hold his mouth, or worst cases slap him over the face and i feel horrible after. But he really doesnt care. Ive tried bite inhibition, but he doesnt react when i say ow. Goes on like hes deaf, which he is not. I dont know what to do. And if i would to introduce him to people or children, hes at first not biting (up until now) but after about 30 seconds when he starts to feel more comfortable he starts biting them as well.

If i play with him, with a flirt pole (only way without getting bit) he gets turned on and start going at me instead of the flirtpole about 30 seconds later and he ends up in the crate. Sometimes i play for 20 seconds and put him in his crate so it doesnt become punishment.

We go on walks, i take him to the city and usually there will be a scene with crying and frustrating rampage biting. (Maybe hes trying to tell me its to much)

But at the sametime i feel pressure to socialise him.

I was leash training outside of our compound two days ago and a small dog without leash came and attacked him, bit and held on to his neck and my dog was screaming stiff and was in total shock for about 20 seconds until i managed to calm him and walked home. However he got quickly over it and started playing soon after. And as i was walking today we met two new dogs and he was eager to walk up to them with no signs of trauma, luckily. Ive also arranged meeting a dog trainer for structured socialising with her dogs to have a proper look at his body language and hopefully give good experiences.

I must admit im afraid how he will become when grown up because i feel as if im not doing a good job at all. And i might be pushing him to far by taking to long walks outside and meeting dogs.

Our obedience, diet and behavior except for biting is going good atleast.

just had to let this out ane write it down!😫

[Merelda]

Hi Nicolay, I see this post is a little old. My Mal puppy is 11 weeks now and although not as bad as yours, we are also struggling with the biting. His favorite is to suddenly start biting my arm and hump me when I try to get a down. But it can happen any time and for no reason! I would love to hear if you managed to find help and what eventually worked for you and your pup. We are starting socialization class soon and I try to take him out often. When they go into drive its just so hard to stay calm because they draw blood and it really hurts. I have also added another layer of clothing today. What helps us a bit is if I said no a few times and get ignored i stick my finger all the way into his throat, far enough to make him gag. Trying to show him my hands are not something he wants in his mouth like that. Robert teaches to push into something to get the dog to stop so that seems to help. It has not had a bad influence on hand feeding and taking treats, Im just trying to establish some boundaries. Looking for a good trainer but all the trainers in my area are only about positive training and I know my boy needs balance and a firm hand. So would love to hear what solutions you came up with please!

[Ed]

Hi @merelda pardon for interjecting… humping is dominance. Even between dogs it could break the spirit of the dog being humped. It can be done male to female or female to male, or any other combination. Maybe he is only trying to engage in some play behavior, testing the limits, or perhaps it is a signal that he sees you as a playmate. If so it could be an indication that the pup needs a bit more structure. Regardless, I would stop it.

[Ed]

I tried to edited the above and I do not see it, so I’ll type it again :)… in several ama/chats Robert said that mouthing is just what puppy’s do, mals in particular. That it will continue perhaps for the next 6-8 months. If it gets particularly bad he suggested gardening gloves.

[Colleen]

Nicolay, this is typical Mal puppy behavior. You need a trainer who specializes in Mals (other trainers may view his behavior as aberrant, which it is not). Mals are intense and need a strong, confident owner.