I Bit My Dog

[BabaGhannooj]

So Bajor is a big biter. Play biting, not mean kind. So the other day I saw an article in the paper about what to do about the biting. I tried 4 out of 5 things on the list, and they didn't work. The last one was Bite Back. When your dog bites, grab his tail and bite back. The others were Switch (give him a toy instead of your arm), Yelp (yelp and get away from the dog--they learn if they bite they won't get attention), Muzzle (when they bite, muzzle them with your hands and tell then 'no'), and I think there was another, but can't remember what it was....

So last night I was on the couch and Bajor was biting, then he bit me in the face. So I get mad and go to take him outside. When I bent over, he bit my boob. I ended up having to bring him back in a few minutes later because he was barking at a cat in the yard.

So we're back on the couch. He bit me again. So I took his tail and bit back. I tried to be gentle, but do it hard enough that he felt it. He yelped and jumped off the couch. So I felt like crap for making him yelp. And he seemed a little bit sad. But I didn't get bit anymore that night. Was I bad to do this? People bite their kids. The article said this was the most effective way. I feel so bad for doing it.

[Phoenix]

Hopefully Bajor understands now and won't bite you again. :no:

I understand why you feel bad, but it was obviously a last resort. Don't beat yourself up over it. :comfort:

[Caprita]

Hmm. I understand why you had to do it. I wonder how he'll understand why you did that, though. He did not bite anymore that night, but if he does bite again, what then? :confused:

The reason I do disapprove of this method is that, if we're talking about a large dog, he can turn around and bite your ear or something.

[Delicious]

Was I bad to do this? People bite their kids. The article said this was the most effective way. I feel so bad for doing it.
I am VERY against this kind of behavior with children. It is not an accpted practice in Child Development circles.

[BabaGhannooj]

So far I haven't got bit today either. Maybe it worked....? He's been so good today. This morning I was on the couch (where he likes to jump up with me and bite), and he just cuddled with me. He did try to bite my buttons, but not ME.

[Bowwowmeow]

Don't feel bad Baba. You have to think of how his own mother would teach him to to get along with his pack. She wouldn't be able to use words, would she? All a mother dog has are her mouth and paws to teach her puppies what they need to know, and they do learn better from their mothers than they do from us. That's what is behind the yelping and biting ideas. They work on dogs because that's all dogs can do, and dogs in the wild do learn very complex social behavior within their packs, just from being taught by other dogs. As long as you are not using excessive force, a little yelp from Bajor shouldn't make you feel bad. He needs to learn not to bite in play, and you acting more like a dog than a human being can be very effective. :agree:

[Bubbles]

Sometimes male dogs need to be shown who's the leader of the pack. I tend to wrestle them onto their back, hold them firmly (but not painfully) by their jowls and give them a good talking to, which sounds like growling to them.
I think they like knowing their place in the pecking order and can relax when they do.

[veggiesosage]

Does that one work with Rottweilers Bubbles?:D

[Bowwowmeow]

Actually, Veggie, it works quite well on Rotties, who are very misunderstood. I would not try this on a Jack Russel, though. ;)

[Bubbles]

Does that one work with Rottweilers Bubbles?:D
I'll take on any dog.

[BabaGhannooj]

Don't feel bad Baba. You have to think of how his own mother would teach him to to get along with his pack. She wouldn't be able to use words, would she? All a mother dog has are her mouth and paws to teach her puppies what they need to know, and they do learn better from their mothers than they do from us. That's what is behind the yelping and biting ideas. They work on dogs because that's all dogs can do, and dogs in the wild do learn very complex social behavior within their packs, just from being taught by other dogs. As long as you are not using excessive force, a little yelp from Bajor shouldn't make you feel bad. He needs to learn not to bite in play, and you acting more like a dog than a human being can be very effective. :agree:

I guess you're right. His dog mom would've done the same thing.