Dog Training Community

Hello,

We purchased a Beagle puppy and he was just mouthing the first few days, then he started light biting.  We have had him for 2 weeks and he is biting very hard and does not back down with several attemps to stop him.  I have a 7 year old that runs from couch to couch to avoid getting bit and my 13 year old gets fustrated with the hard biting when all he wants to do is play with the puppy.  Today I went to get him out of my room which he is not allowed in because there are eletrical cords for tv, phone lines, etc.  I called him but he would not move, I went toward him and he tried to run under the bed so that I could not remove him, finally I went to pick him up and he started to growl, show his teeth and try to bite me.  I grabbed him by the back of the soft part of his neck, that did not work, I put him on his side to try to calm him down, but he became more aggresive, lunging at me, his eyes were bugging out, and he kept on trying to bite me.  I kept saying no bite, and I had to pick up while he continued to bite me and I put him in his crate.  I have never had a dog and he is really starting to scare me and my kids.  I have been reading alot about how to stop the biting but nothing seems to be helping.  He is getting worse by the day.   What should I do?  I want to be a responsible dog owner and try to work with him because my kids really want to have a dog, but we cannot keep him confined in a crate and I am scared for my childrens safey.

Hi Karen,

You need to work with a skilled positive reinforcement trainer to come into your home and get your puppy back on track. There are certain topics that lend themselves to help on the Forums, but aggression often needs the assistance of someone in your home to help. You don't want to waste time and make the wrong decisions. Your dog is young and you also have children in the home. This needs attention ASAP. Keep in mind, however, that aggression doesn't just quickly get resolved, however. It might take some time before he is completely comfortable. As long as you are making progress and there are no more incidents, you will eventually reach your goal.

Also, do not do any more scruff shakes or alpha rolls. Read this post.

Also, why did you say you can't put him in the crate? Puppies should be in the crate when their people can't watch them and in cases of management, housetraining and to prevent separation anxiety. Read this post.

Listen to my radio show about aggression.

You can also purchase my Puppy Biting video.

Look for a trainer in your area. Check references, watch classes, stay away from choke chains, prong collars, shock collars, "dominance" trainers, trainers that say, "you have to show him whose boss".

http://www.sfspca.org/academy/referral.shtml
http://www.apdt.com/po/ts/us.asp
http://www.clickerteachers.net/

Let me know if you have more questions, and good luck.

Jeff