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Blitzing Biting Bichon!

Posted June 22nd, 2009 by dave_and_linus
in

Hi,

I've been reading your site and I'm hoping you can help. We have a 13 week old Bichon Frise and he's got a combo problem of barking and biting. We are trying your bite, ouch in a neutral voice and in a room for 30 seconds but we aren't sure if it is working. When I do that he goes crazy, chasing me and biting at my pants, barking in a high insistent tone. I wait 30 seconds and then we go back to playing, which really he can't do without biting for more than a few seconds.

What should I do?? Thanks for the help.

Comments

biting, blitzing bichon

On June 23rd, 2009 Vonne123 says:

Hi,
I just read your blog about you bbb. I posted a similar blog on a site months ago when my( F )bichon, was about the same age as yours. Aiden also helped me with this as well as, read my blog here grooming and biting. We have has similar behaviors.

Hedy, would bite/nip and mouth constantly if you were near her. She would also blitz (wild dog) too. She did this from 12 weeks until now (9 months). She still "mouths" when playing, but the constant puppy nipping has decreased... almost to none. She will still grip my pant leg at times. She does love to go for my hands when she is playing,preferably to the toy, if she can. I did find that removing myself from her helped her desire to control the mouthing. The other thing I found that was interesting was a term called FRAP/ or Frapping. It stands for frequent random activity periods (it could be frenzied random activity periods). They do describe what she did, and still does about twice a day. But now I see her doing it with joy, rather than lack of control.

Just hang in there and keep reserching.... she is getting better by the day. Aiden has been a wonderful and responsive source of help and support.

Christy

re: Blitzing Biting Bichon!

Aidan's picture
On June 23rd, 2009 Aidan says:

Hi Dave, the only way we can tell for sure if something is working is to measure changes in behaviour over a period of time, but my guess is that this isn't working. If he can bite your pants between the marker "ouch" and the time-out, then it's almost certainly not going to be an effective time-out.

Get him into a puppy class as soon as you are able, the instructors will be able to show you how to deal with this (it's pretty standard fare for pups). Having someone demonstrate, or present you with alternatives that better suit your particular situation will be very helpful. The socialisation with the other pups and people will also be invaluable.

You may be better off tucking your pants into your socks and just standing up, arms folded, and completely ignoring him until he settles down. The idea is that the fun stops when he bites too hard, if he is playing tug with your pants then the fun hasn't stopped. By tucking your pants into your socks you are setting the environment up in your favour, so that when you stand up, fold your arms and don't look at him, you are as boring as possible.

Make sure you play controlled tug games with him, too. That way he gets what he wants through an acceptable and appropriate channel. If he barks, stop playing. Put the toy in your pocket for 10 seconds, or until he calms down a bit.

Regards,
Aidan
http://www.positivepetzine.com

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