With Kahless we used positive reinforcement and praise to train him. In emergencies, "No!" (NOT shouted, just a firm "no!" in a normal voice) and substitution (gave him a frozen carrot or similar) as a training technique. We would substitute frozen carrots (etc) in place of our fingers. His aunt was a great teacher too. She was the picture of patience and love - she NEVER hurt him, or bit him. The most she would do early on is get up and walk away. A few months later she might bark and fake snap the air but never has she used any corporal punishment - nor have we.
Thankfully Kahless got through this period and learned what is acceptable and not acceptable to chew on. Plus, we have a collection of his baby teeth probably numbering about 10. He exchanged his baby teeth with the tooth fairy and got a new plush toy for each one we found.
Supervise your puppy while outdoors! Kahless tried to chew and eat rocks he would find laying around - these can cause vomiting and intestinal blockages - even death. You would be amazed at the size of objects they can swallow. In an emergency cover the nose with one hand, hold the top jaw firmly, use the other hand to hold the lower jaw and they will usually release the object in their mouth.
Puppy proof your home and any area he has access to. NO HARD PLASTIC CHEW TOYS OR ANYTHING HE CAN SWALLOW - these can cause intestinal blockages which may be fatal.
The humping is completely normal not to worry.
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Here are some tips:
Biting is most common in young puppies and new dogs
Especially in play and while teething. It's up to you to teach your puppy or dog what is acceptable and what is not. Most dogs and puppies are generally loving, sweet, adorable, affectionate and wonderful 99% of the time. Only 1% of the time does something specific happen that makes the dog bite. This article will discuss the causes of biting and what you can do to prevent your dog from biting.
Dogs and Puppies Must Learn to Inhibit Biting
First of all, dogs must learn to inhibit their bite before they are 4 months old. Normally, they would learn this from their mother, their littermates and other members of the pack. But, because we take them away from this environment before this learning is completed, we must take over the training.
Socialization Prevents Biting
By allowing your puppy to socialize with other puppies and socialized dogs they can pick up where they left off. Puppies need to roll, tumble and play with each other. When they play, they bite each other everywhere and anywhere. This is where they learn to inhibit their biting. This is where they learn to control themselves.
If they are too rough or rambunctious, they will find out because of how the other dogs and puppies react and interact with them. This is something that happens naturally and it is something we cannot accomplish. It can only be learned from trial and error. There is nothing you can say or do to educate them in this realm. They must learn from their own experience.
Quote:Yes, it is true. There is a part of every puppy's life that I could gladly live without. That maddening, frustrating, "must chew everything that isn't stapled to the ceiling", teething age.
When Kari first joined our household, I learned very quickly why some Beauceron folk referred to Beauceron puppies as "Alligator Pups". He ate everything. The entire bottom shelf, books included of my wooden bookcase, Barbies were constantly sacrificed to the puppy god, the wooden stair railing, my bent-wood rocking chair, a cell phone (snicker), two twenty dollar bills (although we stopped him before he ate the rest of the wallet), the inside of our sofa (??) and the bottom pieces of my rocker/recliner; apparently while he was supposedly dozing under my feet.
Limit His Freedom
The first thing to do with a teething puppy is look into crate training. Crating your puppy will keep him away from the deadly things he'd love to chew to pieces when you aren't looking (like electrical cords of appliances that are still plugged in. Ozzy - 3, Vacuum Cleaner - 0).
Show Him What to Chew
Chew toys, Bully Stix, and other gnaw-ables are going to be your best friends. I know it may be tempting to just let your pup chew on an old pair of socks, or old leather shoe, but try to resist. At this stage of your puppy's life, allowing one shoe or sock is tantamount to allowing ALL shoes and socks in his mind.
Positive Reinforcement
Positively reinforce chewing on things he is allowed to have with praise, and petting, and try to identify each item: "Is that your stick? Good boy!"
Negative Reinforcement
Negatively reinforce his chewing on inappropriate items by removing the item and saying "No, that is mine." and exchanging it with a proper chew toy: "Here is your ball, good boy!"
Frozen rubber teething rings will help ease the pain of cutting teeth when your pup has to be crated for safe-keeping while you are either busy or out.
There's no cure for the teething stage (unless you adopt an older dog), and it can last from age five months to over one year (or longer), but you can minimize the damage done. Be vigilant, remember my favorite mantra "This too, shall pass", and start collecting chew toys.
Good luck!
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The problem is that there are no dental "toys" that will survive a Mastiff's powerful jaws. If they swallow the chewed up dental toy they can die. Gingivitus will cause heart disease, this is a known fact. Brushing the teeth is very quick and easy and creates a bond with your little girl. We have 3 Mastiffs to brush daily it's not too much work believe me.
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