Biting

Question
QUESTION: My 19 week old Basset pup wont stop biting - hands, legs, feet anything. We have tried lots to stop her but they only work a few times then shes back to biting again.  Today she got a paper wrapper from a muffin and wouldnt drop it so I had to take it from her mouth - she growled and when I took it from her she got quite aggressive, it was a big shock as she is such a loving pup other that the biting and this.  Im worried we wont be able to stop this behaviour but also know she is a puppy and we have to teach her.

Please help!

Honey's worried owners

ANSWER: Hi Rebecca,

Can you give me a better idea of when she's biting?  Is it when she's relaxing, playing, excited?  This is probably normal puppy biting, however, I don't want to give you the wrong instruction if it isn't.

And how did you correct the growling behavior?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The biting is mainly in play, but she will just come upto us and chew on hands, feet etc.  When she growled and snapped my husband put her in her crate as it was quite bad we wanted her to calm down which she did straight away. We want to know the correct way to be able to take things from her with out her doing this.  You can give her a doggie treat and she lets you take that from her and same with her food bowl, its as if she knows when she has some thing she shouldnt.  Hope this is more detailed.

Thank you for any suggestions you might be able to give.

Answer
The crate should never be used as punishment.  If you want to remove her from a situation, place her in another room with the door shut.  The crate should ONLY be used as a safe place (for her, not you).  

When she bites during play, play stops.  Stand up, cross your arms and turn your back...stand still.  When she calms down, you can resume attention but not play.  All play starts and stops with you, not her.

As far as approaching you just to chew, she's teething, this is normal.  When this is the case, distract her with a toy.  Tell her 'eh-eh', wait about 5 seconds and give her a toy.  When she accepts it, praise her and let her be.  You can wet washcloths and freeze them, or rope toys, to use on these occasions.  When one thaws, pull out another.

With the taking garbage, tissues, papers, etc.  Teach her a 'leave it' command and/or a 'drop it' command.  I suggest both.  She doesn't know she has something she shouldn't or she wouldn't have it.  Make sense?  Dogs don't do things to get revenge, make us mad, tick us off, etc.  If she KNOWS she shouldn't have something, she won't take it.  What she's doing is protecting a special possession.  

If she's growling at you this early in the game, you're not doing your job as her leader.  Puppies challenge those they see as weak.  What I would suggest for you is to study up on the NILF method of training.  (Google NILF dog training).  It quickly establishes your role as leader of the house and will put her in her place in a kind way.

If you need more help with the commands or NILF, please let me know.  I don't want to explain something to you you're already familiar with.  :)