help! Aussie puppy fear biting, afraid it will become a problem

[farmergal]

So when I brought my 8-week-old Aussie pup (Kea) home, she was pretty much perfect -- friendly to everyone and very docile. After about 3 weeks though, she started getting nippy -- and not just mouthy, either... she would growl too.
She's now 14 weeks old. A bit over a week ago, I picked her up and she snapped at my face, puncturing my cheek. Yesterday and today she bit my mom and drew blood. (We're visiting and staying at my mom's house.) Once was unprovoked, the other time we were purposely trying to get her used to my mom touching her while she was chewing a bone. (She seems to have gotten over biting me, and I can remove her bone any time I want... but apparently nobody else can.)
She's been attending puppy classes and she knows sit, stay, down, leave it, and come. I'm afraid that I will end up with the kind of dog I can't trust with kids -- which is the last thing I want (when I'm 25 and engaged to the man I want to have kids with).
Does anyone have advice on fear biting with puppies? My next puppy class isn't for a week and a half and I know this is a really impressionable time in puppy's lives so I want to start treating this problem as soon as I can. Help!

 

[SheriM]

From what you're describing, I'm not sure this is fear biting. It sounds more like a dominance thing to me.

 

[EllyMae]

Quote:
I agree...my basset hound started doing that at a young age...mainly over food. She ended up teaching my GSD that habit and it's not pretty when a GSD jumps on a basset. I got him broke from that, but the basset is really stubborn and will still growl when you go near her when she is eating.

 

[redhen]

How are you correcting her when she does this?? i have an English Mastiff pup that i am training right now...(plus 2 adult saints and a dane)..and i never let him put his mouth on me..even in play...they have to know from the start to never,ever put their teeth on a human...from the VERY beginning...i either give him a scruff shake(like the mother dog would do to tell him no) and i tell him "NO BITE!" and stare at him hard...he flops right over in a submissive posture for me...now all i have to do if he tries to play rough is say "no" and put my hand up in a stop gesture and he stops in his tracks and sits down and looks at me...if my pup ever turned to bite me...well, first i would take a look at myself..and see what i was maybe doing wrong....what mixed messages i was sending her...then.....*and this may be wrong* but i would grab her very fast and firm by her neck..(on the side of the neck, by the jaw and ear) and put her on her back and hold firm to her neck (kinda like another dog would do to her) and also hold your hand on her chest (but not to hard) and DO NOT LET HER UP UNTIL SHE SUBMITS TO YOU...look her right in the eye..and look very serious! and AS SOON as she submits..let her up...and dont say another word to her...no prasie , no scolding...you already punished her right there by putting her down...also, VERY important..NEVER hit the dog!...never!..because you will then have a dog that has fear agression...and they are time bombs...they should never be afraid of you...just respect you...best of luck to you!..

 

[redhen]

also..she HAS to know that YOU control everything..her food ...everything...if she is eating..stick your hand in her bowl..take food out of it...feed her the food from your hand....etc....also....for all my dogs..i make them "sit" before i feed them...it just reminds them who is the boss and who is feeding whom....

 

[redhen]

also...

i would not play tug of war or other dominance type games with her..and IF you do...you had better not let her get the rope from you...lol..that just gives her more dominace over you...gives her MORE reason to challenge you... okay..i'm done now..

 

[EllyMae]

You go redhen...are you really the dog whisperer in disguise?
Great pointers.

 

[abluechipstock]

aussies have a lot of energy to deal with, she needs a job, good luck with her

 

[pokachix]

Red Hen has some very good advice. NEVER let them use their teeth or mouths on you, it just isn't a good idea. Tugging games are not good for this type of personality as they are always trying to up their status. Sounds like dominance to me too, not fear unless people are looming over her. Nothing is free, make her work for everything from everyone. Work her with your Mom, neighbors, kids, she should be lower than any humans in the pecking order or she will try to take what she feels is her rightful place in the pack,doing what dogs do which is biting, fighting & aggressive behavior. Make sure she has to sit & wait for others to go through the door 1st, have them make her leave it with food or toys or whatever. Don't coddle her, use the no nonsence attitude & keep faces away from her, this could be a real problem if not taken care of. J

 

[redhen]

Quote:

no..and i am sure i am doing everything wrong with mine.

..but so far these things have worked for me..

....i am very firm with them..they are too big for me to let them think they are the boss.. i didnt want any Cujo's coming at me one day...

i am sure when a dog trainer sees this thread ..they will say i am doing things wrong..