SP: How can i get my puppy to stop teething and showing aggressive behavior?
I just got my 3-month-old Morkie, Cody. He is 3 pounds, really small. He is teething like CRAZY. It hurts so much and I even drew blood. Whenever he sees my hands he tries to nip them and when I try to replace my hand with a chew toy, he will not accept the toy!
Every time he bites me I look him sharp in the eye and firmly say "No!" but he continues to keep biting and refuses the toy. He even follows me around the house, nipping at my toes and ankles!
Photo Credit: efleming/Flickr CC
Cody can be cuddly when he is tired but when he's awake, he is extremely hyper and hard to control. Although he is very smart, I have taught him 4 commands in 2 days (sit, shake, beg, and lie down) but will not ever listen to "no."
I hear this is very normal for puppies his age but when he tries to nip me, he seems angry and sometimes shows his teeth and growls at me violently. Im very scared that he will begin to develop this mean and unpleasant behavior by snapping at people. How can I train my Morkie to stop?
Answers and Views:
Answer by Savannah
It is very normal. My puppy is the exact same way. In order to get him to stop I have to clap or snap in his face and say "SHHHT , NO!" very sternly. Then I offer the new toy, and if he continues I stand up and leave the room. He may give chase but if I ignore him and keep pushing him off my feet nonchalantly he will stop. Play with your puppy often so you can wear him out so he will sleep. Try different toys too. My puppy had everything but a stuffed toy, so I went to the store and got him a little-stuffed giraffe and he Loves it. He will play with it over anything else.
Answer by alienmurphy
You have a small dog that has been taught no boundaries and he is now a litter terror. The behavior you describe is not just teething. It is aggressive and dominating biting. This is a common problem with small dogs because they are coddled instead of trained. You have to view him as you would a large dog and train him instead of coddling him. Do not pick him up and carry him around and do not let anyone else do so either. If he was a Great Dane no one would be lugging him around.
No matter what anyone says puppies do not magically stop biting when they stop teething.
Put up gates across the doorways to the entrance into the room where you spend the most time with the dog, Walmart carries them in the pet section at a good price and they have a door so you don't have to climb over. EVERY time the dog bites and nips: OUCH and immediately put it on the other side of the gate with a chew toy, no talking and no eye contact. While the puppy is on the other side of the gate, do not talk to it and make no eye contact; keep your backs to the puppy. When the puppy stops whining let it back in the room with you. Do not immediately pick him up or talk to him. He will think he has just been rewarded for his inappropriate behavior. EVERY time it nips or bites start all over. It may take a few days but the puppy will learn that biting means lockout and no biting mean freedom.
The training does not stop when you have company. Be consistent no matter what.
NEVER play with your puppy with hands or feet. Use dog toys. Do not use rope or tug-a-war toys. This encourages the puppy to jump on people and bite them. Don't close a puppy in a room where it cannot see what it is missing. Never put the puppy in the crate for punishment.
- How do I get my pug dog to stop biting?
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In the meantime, there are chew toys designed for teething puppies. My puppies loved chewing up broken ice cubes. You have to be consistent.
I have a 3 pound 4-year-old Yorkshire Terrier and a 3-year-old Maltese/Poodle mix so I do know something about small dogs. I have also owned Shih Tzu and a Lhasa Apso (all now deceased). I am in my 60s and most of the people I have known that had a small dog; had an untrained, possessive, aggressive, yapping, biting terror that used the home for its toilet and no one wanted to be around it.
Treat him like a dog at all times, outside for potty, consistent training, daily walks and regular vet visits and you will have a great pet. The Yorkshire Terrier makes an awesome pet if it is trained and I'm certain your mix will be just as awesome with training. Good luck.
Know better? Give your own answer to this question!
Victoria Charlton says
I have a 3 year old Morkie we got him when he was 6 months old. We had no problem training him to go potty outside to sit, stay, laydown, jump give a paw. The last 4 to 6 weeks he has become very aggressive to anybody coming near me after suppertime. Would love to know how to stop this behaviour. I am afraid that he may bite someone. Looking for some help with this problem 🙏
Ella says
Morkies can be very jealous. He probably doesn’t want to share you with anyone. Try to calm him. Be strict if he doesn’t stop. Show him that you are the boss.
Patricia Bare says
At what age does this behavior stop. The biting and the behavior of being very hyper at times. I knowshe is teething and I feel so bad for her
Mark says
It depends on the dog. Normally, after she grows up.
PATRICIA Bare says
I am having the same problem with my Morkey she is 11 weeks old and a handful when it comes to biting I have tried almost everything. Any help would be accepted and I appreciate anyone who can help.
Doris says
When a puppy bites she is usually playing. The thing I do is I join the game. I don’t shout or slap her. The moment she bites I thrust my fingers deep into her mouth. Soon she understands that it’s not the best game to play. It always helped me with my dogs.
karen a arias says
will my Morkey is 8 weeks old and he is a biter i have tried everything not one thing you said has work .
Wendy says
I should mention that we’ve tried everything that I’ve read online and Caesar’s suggestions. Just was wondering how Cody made out.
Wendy says
This is in reply to the Morkie “ Cody” at the time a 3 month old. I too have a 3 month old Morkie, got him from a reputable breeder and was assured he was playful, not hyper. We love him to bits, but like Cody he play bites to the extreme. He just comes back for more and won’t let it up. We’ve had Shih Tzus and Collies and we’ve never experienced this type of play biting. We have grandchildren around often (4 and 6) and they’ve been taught to be gentle with animals. However when Milo first sees them, he’s ready to nip and won’t let up. It’s difficult when the can’t even enter the kitchen area where he stays at the moment.
However, when he is calm he is a treasure, and a quick study except in this area.
I’m wondering how Cody’s owner made out with his boy.
Thank you!
Lorraine says
I am just off to work and haven’t time to answer this fully… but… the dog is MOUTHING and not TEETHING. I’ve just answered on another question this same thing, and how this question drives me nuts as it seems that no breeder seems to forwarn new puppy owners anymore of this normal puppy behavior and how to solve it. So sad.
Look up … Puppies mouthing..or … Bite inhibition in puppies and you will find lots on it all.
The reason Cody does all this with you is that he sees you as his litter sibling. The fact that he wants to interact with you is good, but you have to turn it around to get him to respect you.
Learn obedience work with dogs and use it to bring him round.
Kathy says
I have a 3 mo. old Morkey and I’m having the same problems with her. She’s a sweetheart when she’s tired or just waking up. I take her for walks and play with her a lot. Sometimes she growls and gets aggressive or bites at my feet. I’ve had puppies before and never had this problem. My little Morkie turns into a little monster at times!!