453. Time Out - Mouthing and nipping at ankles of female owners

Toilet Training Your First Puppy in Singapore

Recently, 3 owners complained in sequence --- corgi, silkie terrier and jack russell puppies persist in biting their ankles and fingers. Usually they are male puppies.

The puppy avoid the male (husband or father) who scolds or maybe spank its backside.

It is possible that the puppy is play biting to learn about its hiearchy in the pack. Its natureal instinct is to chase after running prey. In this case the ladies and girls run away and excite the puppies. The puppy is learning to hunt.

Growl back, hold its muzzle with a firm hand and say "no biting". But girls and mum seldom are firm with the naughty puppy. So, the painful bites go on.

I advise "time out" for the female owners. Whenever the puppy bites, put him back inside the playpen. Reward him if he does not bite.

Some tug of war rope toys also encourage aggressiveness in male puppies. Teething in puppies encourage chewing but not biting.

Encouraging mouthing may lead to real painful bites when the bigger breeds like German Shepherds grow up.