Me again you lot are a god send for me plaese help me once again my pup is now 5 months old and is still biting hands snapping at faces and not doing as told is it a normal pup thing is it teething trouble HELP ME PLEASE

Hi Feddie,
Sorry to hear about your problems. I know its hard, but do not worry too much, five months is still fairly young, but I also realise that you have to nip it in the bud!

What do you do when she goes to bite you or snaps at your face?

Its seems a long while ago now, but me CKCS bitch used to do exactly the same (that was when she wasn't eating the entire kitchen lino, but thats another story entirely! :).

I am sure you have tried some of these things, but everytime she tries to snap, point her to something that she is allowed to have, a favourite toy, chewy bone etc, and give lots of praise. You will need patience, but I personally found that it really did help to direct them towards something "good", that they were then praised for. Also, our little bitch hated to be ignored, so you could also try letting her new how unhappy you are with a little bit of exclusion! A few people have recently posted threads where they have said that they have very gently flicked repeated offenders on the nose! (not of course so that it hurts), but apparantly they get the message (I have to confess to not ever doing this myself!).

Best of luck. I have to say, for all their little faults as pups, they are the most loving little dogs, you will get over this little hiccup! :)

Our lab drove us CRAZY with his biting, and he didn't stop completely until he was around 7 months old. Try:
1. Pulling your hand away really fast, saying "OUCH!" very loudly, and walk away.
2. Say "NO BITE" very firmly, and praise like crazy if he licks you
3. Put bitter apple on your hands, so that he won't like the taste when he bites you, and this may discourage him.

Hope this helps.

Hi ive tried everything ignoring pretending to cry as if he hurt me putting him out in the hall away from us but no nothing works sometimes my boy will be playing happily on the computer and the pup will run over to him and bite for no reason it is really upseting the family as we think he may be like this when he is older so thanks anyway for your help

No one can say for sure, but I doubt he will do this when older, as it really is a puppy thing, getting attention, working out his relationship with you, etc.

Just be consistent and calm, and buy "The Perfect Puppy" by Gwen bailey which is very helpful and will probably make you feel better!

Some pups do get excited by the "Ouch" approach, others respond really well. My puppy was nicknamed the Mad Bitey Puppy and we just kept putting her out, but calmlyu and quickly, no fuss as it distracts from the reason. If you scold etc whilst doing this, the pup will get distracted from learning the lesson.

Only put out for a maximum of 2-5 minutes, then back in, and if necessary keep on.

Very few if any adult dogs nip and bite like puppies, :), and theones that do tend to be those that have been played with in a playfighting, roughhousing way.

Many pups will get worse before they get better. I agree distraction can work very well too :)

Lindsay