Hi
We have a 9 week old shitzu, and have had her for 2 weeks. She was doing the biting thing from day 1 though she seems to be getting worse latley. It was only when i took her for her fist jab and the vet said it was normal but i was to stop her doing it that i realised just how much she does it.She will bite anything, she clings to shoes, trousers, ears, hair ( if you lay down ). We are all walking around really slowly in case we hurt her.My 6 yr old is scared to move as she pounces and her teeth really are quite sharp.
Sometimes you can just stroke her and she will not bite ( very rare) and we always praise her for this. She gets lots of attention, has lots of toys and has free run of the garden. She has a crate she goes in if we are all out or she will go in there on her own when she wants to sleep.
Ive read about telling her no , ignoring her ect when she does bite but i feel we will be constantly doing this.And also i feel like we are being nasty by doing this. I have noticed though she never bites wen we are just carrying her around in our arms,though the minute we sit down she starts again.
Sorry to have gone on alot but though she is only 9 wks i feel we need to start sorting this out now before it gets out of hand.
thanks
joy:

DON'T PANIC!!!!!!!!!!

Firstly i would suggest you plough through some of the other threads on this particular issue.

You will quickly see it is very common and will probably get a wealth of advice from them. There is some good links on "bite inhibition" that i can't remember off the top of my head

Oscar was a nipping nightmare, trousers first thing in the morning a speciality.

1) There is no quick fix
2) It is normal (although very annoying) behaviour an it is how they learn NOT to bite when they are bigger
3) If it is on skin Yelp loudly and walk away for half a minute then try again
4) Treat/reward good behaviour ALL the time
5) Check the food you are giving. I had Oscar on Purina and switched him recently and he has been much better, although he was having the max daily amount i do believe he was hungry
6) They sometimes get very nippy when they need a wee or are overtired.
7) If they are persistent say a firm "NO" pop them out of the room for a minute and try again (repeat if necessary)
8) Be patient, the only way to beat this is with a calm, persistent approach
9) Welcome to puppyhood, it will get easier

Thank you.
We have her on Butchers tinned puppy food which the breeder said she was having. I was also giving her puppy milk but she was badly constipated and when i mentioned it to the vet she said she felt bloated as though she was eating to much, and to stop the milk. I have done this though must say she does eat her full amount each day but im sure she would eat more if i gave it.
Is there a more filling puppy food i can give her? And also are there any treats we could give us a reward? All the treats i see are for 4 mths +.
Thank you

Bless her, have you ever had a puppy before? I'm not a dog expert but I have had three puppies over the years and its completely normal.

Just be patient and telling her no, she will get the message eventually. Mine is 18 months old and if he gets a little too rough when hes playing I just say OUch and he just licks me all over! (Mind you, he is 7 stone nearly!!)

They are hard work for the first few weeks I'm affraid but it will be well worth it, I promise.

X

Don't know about Butchers. Any change in diet must be done gradually.

If she is used to a wet you could try naturediet instead you can get a few packs from good pet superstores to see if she likes it and then get it in larger quantities from here

Berriewood Wholesale - Pet Food and Pet Accessories

It is HALF the price !!!!!!!

I suggest buying a puppy kong and putting small amounts (1 tablespoon) in it to start (this will also help her teething and give you some peace).

Just slowly increase the amount in the kong (remember to reduce her daily food amount by the same) then slowly inc the nature diet and decrease the butchers.

I believe N diet is good for sensitive tums too.

As far as treats go i would buy a small bag of good quality puppy kibble (James wellbeloved, burns, arden grange) and use those for treats until her tummy settles.

Thank you for all your helpfull replies. Think its time for another trip to 'pets at home' lol.

6660 carrie, no not had a puppy for years what with kids ect. Belive it or not my dad breed GSDs all through my childhood, but cant remember anything bout puppys at all.Sadly my dad died 2 yrs ago , which is why im pestering all of you.

Thanks to you all again

Don't worry it will come good, just be patient, firm and persevere

Oscar is 5 months now and doesn't do this sort of nipping at all now.

You're not pestering, I had forgotten how hard it was with puppies. You can't take your eyes off them for a minute! I think Max was harder work than the kids! lol