Help: my puppy thinks I am her chew toy!

Question
My puppy Molly is only 8 weeks old so it is natural that she wants to chew and gnaw on everything. We try to supply her with plenty of toys for which she can do this, but still she often resorts to gnawing on me. For some reason she doesn't do this to my husband who uses the same sort of discipline as I, and I do not understand it.
Every article I have read says that one of the best things to do is to make sure your puppy gets adequate 'play time.' What I am wondering is what are some sort of play time activities that will help her release her energy, but not lead to agressive biting behavior (my pant legs, arms, hands, whatever comes in contact with her mouth). I try to give her other toys to chew on instead, but I guess maybe they don't give her as much excersize and play time as she needs... I have gotten her a Kong ball, rawhide mini bones, a rope w/ a pigs ear on it, tennis balls, and my cat also has many other toys that sometimes distract her for a moment or two. How can I teach her to chew on those ALL the time and not me? I have recently tried using the mother's technique by yelping when she bites me and if she does it again leaving her and closing a door between us. But when I let her out most of the time it is like just before.
What type of games will give her the play time that she needs that won't encourage biting and grabing?
Chrysanne


Answer
Hi Chrysanne;
Well, sooooo?  LOL
Maybe the reason she chews on you and not your husband is, she recognizes him as the alpha in the pack (family) and considers you one of the pups.
When a baby wants to chew when it plays, I pick it up, and say, "NO! Be a nice baby, don't bite!"
If it keeps up, a light tap on the nose, not enough to case any pain, but just enough to reinforce a stern "NO!, DON'T BITE!"
It takes time. some catch on right away, and some just seem to take forever to get the message.The stopping the play and puting her in time out is good, but reinforce it with some "No, don't bite"s.
Toss a ball for her to chase, and teach her to bring it back, and todss it ahain.
A lot of people say don't play with tug toys with them, but I have always played tug with my dogs. I let them win sometimes too, or they will lose interest i it. I think it teaches them what they can and cannot bite.
I disagree that it makes them vicious. I have done it with all my dogs, and i have never raised a vicious dog.
They growl and tug, i tug with my hand, and don't put it in my teeth, but I growl too, and laugh.They know it's a fun game, not a fight.
When they get the toy, I say"I'm gonna get it, and sneak at them and let them run, and then chase. They like to play keep away.I don't chase much anymore, because I am old and can't.LOL
As soon as a grandkid comes in the house, after the greeting and being petted, they run and grab a toy to play chase. Then the romp is on.
You have to establish that you are the Beta, if old dad is the alpha.
Dogs are pack animals, just like people are. they need a family group to be happy, and they need companionship.
Wolves have a pack, with an alpha (leader) and Beta ( second in command) They learn to obey . It is necessary for order, just like it is in a human family.I raise my animals just like i raised my children. They are family members, and must assume their duties of putting away their toys, not chewing shoes etc, and behaving like mom teaches them to.
When she bites, tell her "No, don't bite" and when she does it about 3 times, put her in time out. Stick with it, and eventually she will learn to listen to mom.
The need to chew is because she is teething, and it is the same as when a human baby is teething, those little gums are uncomfortable, and even hurt, so they chew. she just has to learn what is proper to chew on.
She wants to tug, so get a little tug toy, and teach her to tug on that and not a pants leg. Be sure not to pull hard when you are playing tug with her. she could get a tooth caught, and a hard tug from you could pull it out. Lt her do the tugging, just provide resistance, and play keep away.
When I was young and nimble enough to run with mine, I would let them chase, and then fall down, cover my head and say "Help,I'm being atacked by a beastie" They would jump on me for the attack. Some say this will teach them to be aggressive. Well, it never has with mine. the grandkids do this too, and my dogs are rougher with the older ones, and more gentle with the little ones. They know which ones have to be treated more gently.
This does not keep them from being good protection. I have had large dogs and small, I have four now, and they are stair steps if they stand side by side.
We love them and they love us. If anyone attempted to harm us or the grandchildren, they would have four dogs on them, and not to play!
My little Lhasa loves his grandkids, and if someone raised a hand to one of them, he would turn into a little tiger.
This is what you want.
People who teach their dog to be mean, have an animal that will get them sued when it bites someone it isn't supposed to.You are right to train with talking and showing, and not hiting.
Sounds to me like you are a good mom and dad, you just have to train that little shin kickin brat.LOl
When she learns she isn't supposed to bite mom, she will be a really good baby.She just has to be shown, so that she knows.
Good luck, and have a happy life with this little cutie.
Charlotte