Fearful or dominant bullying?

Question
Dear Patti,
I have problems identifying if my Coton de Tulear puppy (bitch, 12 weeks) is barking and biting because she thinks she is the leader or if it is because of apprehensiveness.
She will be very quick to bark at strangers walking by outside of the garden or coming into the house but will eventually approach them and allow them to pet her. When I play with her she will be pulling and biting at my trouser legs as well as trying to bite me. Although I have been employing the 'Ouch!' technique for 3 weeks now, it still has not changed anything. I do not play tug of war games with her, nor do I wrestle her. I do get a distinct feeling of aggressiveness from her at times when I think she shouldn't like is when I am trying to groom her. As you might know, the Coton needs grooming and even more so when it gets older, so it is crucial that I teach her to appreciate and enjoy the grooming ritual. But she will fight me to the end and bite, not just nip, which renders the whole long and doesn't leave her in a perfectly groomed state.
Please also tell me when to feed a puppy. Do you feed them 3 times a day or do you just leave the food out all day?
Thank you in advance for your kind help.

Answer
Hi Helen,

You are right about  needing to gain control of this situation.

At 12 weeks old, your puppy is in her "Socialization Period". What puppies learn during this phase will have a lasting impact. It is during this critical period that your puppy has begun to test you to see who the pack leader is going to be. She bites you, in play or as a real challenge to your authority. Such behavior is natural, but totally undesirable!

It is important, at this stage, that you establish your position as pack leader, and not just another sibling.

Make sure that EVERYONE who interacts with your dog follows the rules, and is not confusing the dog by playing aggressive games with her.

Not playing tug of war games, and working with the "Ouch!" technique are good. Time outs are great, they really teach the puppy that if she can't play nicely, they she can't play at all!
Refuse to play with her or pay any attention to her (no eye contact either) for a few minutes. Take her & very matter-of-factly put her in her crate. Unless you get nasty about it (which I am not advising) she shouldn't begin to resent her crate over this. Leave her there for a few minutes  to think about why she was just excluded from the pack. Of course, she's really likely to whine, cry, & bark. Be sure NOT to let her out while she is doing any of that... unless you want to encourage that behavior! Just wait for a brief pause in the noise, then walk back in quickly, praise her for being quiet & let her out to rejoin her "pack." All is forgiven, after all... she is just a baby!
After a minute or so, get a toy and return to puppy.  Encourage the puppy to play with the toy. If she goes for you with a nip, repeat yelping "OUCH!" and put her back in her crate for another time out.  

Other technques you can try:

Start with a loud yelping "OUCH!", if the biting continues Put your hand OVER her muzzle and push her lips into her teeth. If she exerts pressure downward, she will only end up biting herself. This does two things: it gives her a correction, and simulates another dog putting its mouth over her muzzle. This mimics a common sign of dominance among canines, allowing you to reemphasize your dominance over her! Give a verbal correction "No bite" and when she stops, give her praise.

Another good way of showing your dominance it to roll the pup over, so she's on her back, and hold the her down dispite her struggling to get free. Only let her go when she has stopped struggling,and she's quiet. Then tell her what a good girl she is!

If puppy does not respond to a verbal command only, try a shake can. Get an empty and clean soda can and place about 10 pennies in it. Tape the mouth shut. When your pup starts to nip, give the verbal command and at the same time give the can a good shake or drop it next to puppy (not on her!). This will help reinforce the verbal command. As soon as she stops, praise and give her a proper toy.

Should your dog continue to bite and not respond or if the biting is accompanied with aggression, growling or anything you do not like, contact a behaviorist.  Also, have your dog examined by a vet. There could be an underlying factor for the biting. A dog that is sore or not feeling well may bite. It is her way of saying something is not right.  


I hope I've been a help.

Best of luck,
Patti