dog play biting

Question
HI patti

my 11 year old silky x terrier is play-biting the legs of our newly acquired (2 months ago) 6 year old foxy x terrier when he plays but it is making the foxy's legs very red and sore - what can I put on his legs to stop the older dog biting him like this?

thanks

Christine

Answer

Hi Christine,

Treating the bites on your puppy's legs are only part of this, you need to show your older dog that biting is undesirable behavior, and you want it to stop. This can be done very simply: the instant your older dog tries to bite, use a squirt bottle or water pistol to give him a spritz in the face while telling him firmly "NO BITE!". Alternatively, you can put several coins in an empty tin can and shake it loudly while giving the no bite command. Stopping the behavior before it begins is better than letting him get a bite in, and then making him stop. So you've got to be alert during the training process. The instant your older dog stops the undesirable behavior, praise him lavishly, and give him a small treat. Be consistent in this training, and he will learn.

As far as the bites themselves, clean the areas with an alcohol-free antiseptic wipe, and apply an antiseptic ointment (the kind a person would use for first aid). I don't know what brands you have in Australia, in the USA I'd suggest Bacitracin, Betadine or Neosporin.

You can apply the ointment 2 or 3 times a day, as needed. If your puppy goes to lick off the ointment, try applying it just before you go out for a leashed walk, so that it has a chance to sink in and do some good. If the bites begin to look inflamed or feel hot to the touch, your puppy will need a vet exam.

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti

PS. Congratulations on being my 5000th answered question!