12 Week Old Puppy is Biting Hard & Doesn't Like to Stop

[Molly15]

I got a cane corso puppy a few weeks ago. I previously had a Pitt/mastiff and I don't recall him being a biter but the little girl I just got doesn't know when to stop. She bites extremely hard and if I put something else in her mouth or push her away she will get hyper continue doing it to the point I have to hold her down. She's very sweet until she gets in these moods. I was sitting outside with her and she started biting so I pushed her away and she lounged at me and bite my arm which was bleeding. I put her in her crate for time out. I will be taking her to puppy kindergarten next week. With this breed being so strong minded I want this to stop and I've tried everything from yelping, to not sitting on level with her, to stuffing toys in her mouth. It seems like she gets into attack mode and I can't tell if it's play or not. Regardless I'm reaching out for any suggestions.

 

[Smokeycat]

She bites extremely hard and if I put something else in her mouth or push her away she will get hyper continue doing it to the point I have to hold her down.

This sounds a lot like what was happening with Jiggers (Irish Setter x) when he was a puppy. I discovered that he was actually over-tired and the best thing was to put him in his crate for a nap, much like a cranky toddler he would be asleep within a couple of minutes. When he wasn't in that extreme state I worked on his biting first teaching a soft bite and then no bite but trying to train him in that state was a lost cause that only caused pain, bloodshed and frustration.

 

[musicdeb]

Normal puppy behavior, that is how they played with their siblings. Re-direct to a frozen wash cloth or hand towel, ice cubes with treats in the middle, rope, nylabones, boxes, etc.

Have you started OB training with her? Do you have other dogs in the home? Older dogs will show her the correct behavior, if they have the correct behavior that you desire.

I would not recommend holding the pup down especially when she gets bigger. That maneuver can cause some fear aggression which is a behavior you do not want to deal with.

Pics are necessary and what is her name?

 

[nerdybirdy]

Hi there. we had the same issue with our boy when he was a similar age, and we tried EVERYTHING! Finally we tried ignoring him, as soon as his teeth came into contact with our skin we would immediatly stand up and walk away, or simply stand up and put our backs towards him. And it worked, you have to be consistant and make sure even if its the slightest touch with the teeth you get up and turn away, because they crave your love and attention you'll be suprised at how it will work itself out. It took a couple of weeks but as I said before consistancy is key.

Hope it helps.

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[Molly15]

Thank you all for your responses. We begin training next Sunday and I'm looking forward to it. Tonight when I came home she's so excited to see me and I can tell her excitement turns into nipping and at times jumping on me and trying to sneak up on couch. I pulled my hands away quickly and ignored her and she pouted and laid on my feet. I will be with her all day tomorrow and remember to be consistent. I started putting treats in my pocket while walking her and it def works keeping her attention at being rewarded until she tries to jump on me for more. She's one of a kind, for sure.

Her name is Molly. My daughter named her. All the pets we have or have begin with the letter M. It's been interesting as we'll for my two cats. The Pitt/mastiff we had could've cared less about the cats but Molly def wants to play but she's too rough and I don't trust her yet.

 

[musicdeb]

Well it sounds like you've got it under control with the treats and training. The cats will let her know when she's too much for them. It would be a good idea to let Molly around the cats so they can establish their relationship.

 

[Siloh]

Are your cats declawed? I haven't met a young puppy yet that has gotten one over on a savvy adult cat. We have an outstandingly mellow and dog friendly cat, and he still put my 4-month-old pup right in his place when we brought the pup home. It didn't take more than three times of the pup running up to the cat's face and the cat hissing and batting before Hamlet learned that the proper way to approach a cat was to calmly approach with his head in a submissive, low position. About a month ago Hamlet was running up to a 16+-year-old cat and hit the brakes so hard to stop he crashed into the wall.


"Nothing is neither good nor bad, but thinking makes it so."
Hamlet Prince of Denmark

 

[rcnd82]

My BM "used to" mouth quite a bit as a greeting and when playing. He gradually got better at about 8 months of age after ignoring him, yelping (did not work), re-directing him, giving treats walking in the door (which worked really well when combined with a "sit", etc. Finally, I sprayed bitter apple on my hands and arms. It cured him after only two occasions of him putting his mouth on me when playing. I know. It is extreme but now at 11 months, he no longer greets or plays with his mouth on my hands and arms.

 

[Molly15]

I was consistent all day with turning my back or leaving the room if she put her mouth on me. She definitely didn't like being avoided. She did jump at me while we were outside today and I immediately took her inside to calm down. Any suggestions on how to stop the jumping? I am sure I will learn techniques at our first training class this Sunday too. She definitely wants to jump on family with excitement when they come visit which I keep her on a leash while company arrives. She will be big soon and I don't want her scaring or knocking anyone over. Thanks for also responding with cat advice. I have a 16 year old and a 6 month old. We let the cats come in the same room with Molly and both want to sniff but Molly at times gets rough and scares them. I've caught her big paw on the 6 mo olds belly. The only one with claws is the 6 mo old and she's the sweetest kitty but she's trying to be buds with the dog and once she feels safe with Molly it will be smooth sailing.

 

[nerdybirdy]

My BM "used to" mouth quite a bit as a greeting and when playing. He gradually got better at about 8 months of age after ignoring him, yelping (did not work), re-directing him, giving treats walking in the door (which worked really well when combined with a "sit", etc. Finally, I sprayed bitter apple on my hands and arms. It cured him after only two occasions of him putting his mouth on me when playing. I know. It is extreme but now at 11 months, he no longer greets or plays with his mouth on my hands and arms.

Its amazing what ignoring does, they crave acceptance and attention so in the middle of play when the attention suddenly stops, they are going to eventually associate their teeth on skin with no play, which will in turn make them stop using their teeth, as its not getting the desired reaction (continue of play)

from one mastiff lover to another.

 

[Rio]

Its amazing what ignoring does, they crave acceptance and attention so in the middle of play when the attention suddenly stops, they are going to eventually $#@!ociate their teeth on skin with no play, which will in turn make them stop using their teeth, as its not getting the desired reaction (continue of play)

from one mastiff lover to another.

It is a good example of effective positive training , negative punishment , take away the attention and play .

With our young Fila Abra , i like to attach a reminder to this : 'don't bite ' .
If she stops , she can get her attention and play anyway .

I have to say that she is soft in the mouth , and not at all making the impression she wants to attack .

On the other hand , TS is not sure whether it is a attack or play . Without seeing it is hard to tell . Could be just attack in a playfull way . Even then if you back away , it may just be the disired effect .


So , as with all training , i would say : dont forget to evaluate the feedback your dog gives you .

If just ignoring does not work , i would try something more clear like time out , and put a reminder to this : "TIME OUT " . e.i. if you bite or challenge me , i put you away for a while . The difference is , you are the actor , not the victim .

As i am not a professional dog trainer , i hesitate to give advice . It is just what i think , and i give up my opinion for a better one.

 

[Molly15]

What is the best way to train cane corso puppies not to jump at you? She's playing but it def catches you off guard especially is she is behind you. I am firm with her leash and will pull her down and take her to time out but I'm more worried about her jumping on my daughter. please let me know if you have any advice on the jumping. I appreciate all your feedback!!!

 

[musicdeb]

When she jumps, tell her "down" or "off" and turn your back to her and walk away. If she continues to follow you, turn around with shoulders back and with a firm, stern "no" tell her off and bring her to a sit. Once you start this training, do not allow her to jump at all, even when playing with her.

Consistency and LOTS of patience is key.

 

[Molly15]

Molly did excellent at her first puppy training class. I worked with her several times through out the day and it's amazing how smart this breed is. I'm so proud of her!!! The biting is getting much better. Though I tend to be the one that gets the playful puppy teeth the most in the household, she has learned what will make me ignore her and she's not near as rough. She has officially become my lap dog, she likes to lay on my legs while I hold her bone...my husband just laughs because one day she will probably be the size of me sitting on my legs...but that's okay with me Thanks for all of your advice with our new addition.

 

[musicdeb]

Great news! WTG, Molly! Molly is adorable!

 

[Jennifree3]

My pup did the same thing at that age, mine is an EM mix. It really concerned me because when I would stop her and correct her she would get over excited and keep getting harder. I finally started correcting then ignoring her or putting her up and I did it consistently. We just finished some puppy classes and she is a couple of months older now and the problem has almost completely stopped. Every once in a while she forgets and puts her mouth on my hand but stops with a simple "aaahh"


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[nerdybirdy]

So good to hear that youre getting results! As for the jumping what musicdeb said, and also if you catch her about to jump, stepping backwards helps, we step backwards if zeus tries to paw, jump or even jolt forward for a treat etc. Then once he was sitting/ doing the desired behaviour we would take a step towards him and reward him with praise and attention ie pats. Consistancy is key, if she tries to jump when you take a step forward, again move back and ignore. youll find a way that works well for you and your pup...shes an absolute stunner btw.

from one mastiff lover to another.

 

[lups0501]

Our 11 mo old EM is a jumper. We've been practicing "no look, no touch, no talk" when visitors come over, until he's calm and sitting. If he jumps, I have guests fold their arms and turn away. It has been working...takes him about 10 min of extreme excitement that someone's come to visit before he's like, "whatever" and goes to lie down. We also STILL have the issue of play biting. Maybe he's in his teenager phase? But he gets in this mood where he lays on the couch, paws at it and "talks" A LOT. If I try to pet him, that's usually where he snaps. I agree with SmokeyCat, that he is tired. Usually a good nap cures his mood

 

[Molly15]

Thank you all for your advice! Consistency is huge! She's funny how she knows how to push the biting and playfulness with me but when my husband walks in the room her behavior changes to the point where she looks at us all like she's a perfect angel. We are getting there with her but we def have a long way to go with her training. Molly has mastered so much in 13 weeks and she knows we are proud of her!!!

 

[musicdeb]

Good to hear Molly is doing better. Love the shot of her running with the ball!