Q: How can I get my Norwegian Elkhound to stop biting me when I come home?
I have a six-months-old Norwegian Elkhound puppy, and she's the most loveable, affectionate dog but whenever I come home, she's so excited to see me that she always ends up biting me.
She doesn't break the skin, but she bites hard enough to hurt.
I tell her NO very loudly, and I've grabbed her snout, but it doesn't seem to help.
Any suggestions?
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Answers and Views:
Answer by Tiger Flowers
Before Norwegian Elkhound, I had Akitas for about 6 years. So when I got my Elkhound I figured I'd train her the way I trained them. I even had a rescue which I had to train out the mistakes of past owners.
Think like a mother dog, if the puppy bites another pup it yelps, cries, and whimpers. This works well and is something they understand naturally.
The only difference I've seen so far in training is our Akitas didn't bark. So you would have to be aware of their attitude when I give you this look you will get bit! Elkhounds don't have that. Mostly they are wanting attention and they need to know who the leader is. If you raise your voice or smack at them they will just make a game of it or shy away hurt.
I wish I had a lot of room for her to run but since I don't I cleared the way and I tell her when its time to play rough or when she needs to be gentle. The gentle she is still working on but I have two cockatoos that I allow to fly when they want. So far she is doing quite well at giving them their space. But like the Akitas they take cues from their owner, if you are nervous then the dog will be..you need to establish that you are the leader. My dog does not come into the kitchen to eat her food until I say its ok.
Believe me, when you have a 120 lb dog bowling you over you learn real quick to teach them whos in control
Answer by Dog Expert 101
completely ignore her like she is not there until she calms down. eventually, she will, and when she does give her a treat and get on the floor to her level and praise her for being calm. good luck!
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Answer by Craig W
I have a purebred Norwegian elkhound. This is the best, most loyal, and affectionate dog on the planet. Do NOT listen to the dog expert 101. This is common advice that may work for many breeds but the comments from the owner of the part elkhound are much better advice. The elkhound is emotionally needy and very smart.
It is fine and a good idea to yelp like a puppy when hurt or whimper and turn your back to show the biting hurts – even if it doesn't hurt that much. Now my dog when bored would lunge and bark at me and bite my arm – never hard enuff to hurt nut a bystander would swear I was being attacked.
I had a lot of difficulties controlling this. Then one day I turned it into a game where I actually encouraged the jumping and biting and tugging and then stopped the game demanding a sit-stay. Then restarted the game again repeatedly. This allowed me to establish control over this behavior and let my dog know when it was okay to play like this and when not to.
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If you are leaving your dog alone it is prob boiling over with excitement to see you. I would suggest you really get a good command of the sit-stay command and then when you enter the house, demand a sit-stay. When our dog succeeds – be sure to greet all the other humans first and then give your dog lots and lots of praise and hugs.
Also perhaps be ready for a great bit of playtime. I used to tie the leash onto a stuffed toy and let my pup chase and pounce and maul it – you have an excellent dog but it does need stimulation every day. For the record my dog even as a pup never chewed or cause unwanted damage once – but the first two years were a LOT of work.
Answer by Pam
You just need to get a small spray Binaca, the breath freshener. When she goes to bite you, spray a small amount in her mouth. It does not hurt the dog and sends a clear message that this behavior is not acceptable. Worked like a charm for my stubborn shepherd!
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Tiger Flowers says
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Mike says
IN REPLY TO: CRAIG W
Thank you so much for understanding that the Elkhound does not act like other dogs. It is so hard to find any training, behavior or other info anywhere on this dog. Ours is 8 months old and has gotten alot better but he still bites constantly to play and has never ending energy. I knew I was getting into alot of patience and work but this exceeded my expectation. I know he will be a good dog, but man he can be so frustrating sometimes. If there is anything else that you think is beneficial to know please feel free to email me. I know that your post was like three years ago, but no one understands you can’t train or treat this dog like a german shepherd or lab, so upsetting trying to figure out to correct behaviors and work on him becoming a good dog. Thanks for your time.
On the Radio Uh Oh says
Elkhound puppies are VERY playful. VERY! More playful than most other puppies, actually (believe it or not).
However, they're very smart. They have a good biting gauge… they know how to bite just enough but not enough to do damage.
Likewise… they're very smart. They aren't easy to train. No… rather, they're REALLY easy to teach new things (they pick them up immediately)… it's just tough getting them to actually bother with the training or the things you teach them. They're very strong-willed and stubborn.
Anyway… my dog is mostly Elkhound. He's 13 now. He playfully bit until he was around 1 year old… then he stopped biting everywhere and just stuck with biting me feet (a game we still have… we play tug of war with my foot)… but he only does it when I have a shoe on (which is good, tbh). However, he'd only bite when I allowed it… once I trained him out of it (which was quick), I'd have to literally shove my hand in his mouth when I wanted him to know it was OK to play-bite.
One thing that helps though (I use with mine when he accidentally hurts me) is pretending to cry. They're very loyal, affectionate, and sensitive dogs, so when they see you in pain, they tend to freeze in place and try to comfort you by lots of nuzzling. Whenever she gets out of hand, just pretend to cry (don't get angry, just act very hurt)… she'll stop. After a few times of realising that biting makes you cry/hurts you, she'll most likely stop.
Elkhounds don't learn very well by didactic means or disciplinary measures (in fact, they rebel), but they DO respond to emotional methods, and won't do something if they know it hurts you.
DO NOT ignore an Elkhound. It will backfire. They're loyal, affectionate, and sensitive, and thus very needy. If you ignore her, it will crush her… and as a puppy, she'll do ANYTHING to get your attention.
sunmoonandstars14 says
grabbing her snout to her is an invitation to play. we have many dogs like this at the dog daycare where i work (something my dogs at home didnt do). ive found that the best way of dealing is to ignore them. turn your back when she jumps on you, and just keep walking away. eventually shes going to settle, then you can greet her calmly (otherwise they get worked up again). if she jumps up, say nothing, turn your back, walk away. its hard to stay consistent, but it works. ive yet to meet a dog who doesnt get it, and most figure it out very quickly. they know the only ones who get attention are those with 4 paws on the floor :D. just stay consistent.
♥Griselda&hea says
give her some toy,like a rubber bone.she is anxios.
luvmaxee says
Its harder to train the dog when its not a puppy but…
try substuting your hand for a toy
say "ouch" and grab her by the sruff of the neck
also try using clicker training