Ouch! Why Does My Puppy Attack Me, Learn how to avoid it?

Okay, so my little furball, Max, has been a bit of a land shark lately. It's not all the time, but sometimes, out of nowhere, he just starts attacking my hands and feet. Not in a mean way, you know, but still... it hurts! So, I decided to figure out what's going on.

First, I Watched Him Like a Hawk

I mean, really watched him. I wanted to see when this was happening. Was it when he was super excited? Tired? Hungry? Bored?

• I noticed he did it more when we were playing rough.
• He also seemed to do it when he was overtired, almost like a toddler throwing a tantrum.
• And sometimes, it felt like he was just bored and looking for something to do.

Then, I Tried Some Stuff

I mean i do some changes with him

1. Redirection is Key:

Whenever he started nipping, I immediately grabbed one of his toys. Stuffed animals, rope toys, whatever. I'd shove it in his mouth and say "Get your toy!" in a happy voice. The idea is to teach him that teeth go on toys, not on human skin.

2. The "Ouch!" Technique:

If he did get my hand, I'd say "Ouch!" really loud (not yelling, just loud enough to startle him). Then, I'd stop playing for a minute. I'd literally turn my back and ignore him. This is supposed to mimic how puppies play with each other – if one bites too hard, the other yelps and stops playing.

3. Time-Outs (Sort Of):

If he got really wound up and wouldn't stop, I'd put him in his playpen for a few minutes. It's not a punishment, just a way to help him calm down. I'd put a chew toy in there with him, so he had something to do.

4. Avoiding Rough Play (For Now):

I love wrestling with Max, but I realized it was getting him too excited and leading to the biting. So, for now, we're sticking to gentler games like fetch and tug-of-war (with rules!).

5. Tired Puppy = Bitey Puppy:

I started making sure he was getting enough naps. Puppies need a TON of sleep. I'd put him in his crate for a nap when he started getting that crazy, bitey look in his eyes.

It's Getting Better (Slowly!)

It's not perfect, but I've definitely seen an improvement. He's biting less, and when he does, it's usually not as hard. I'm also getting better at reading his signals, so I can redirect him before he gets too bitey.

It's all about being consistent and patient. Puppyhood is a phase, and this too shall pass (hopefully sooner rather than later!). I'll keep working with him, and I'm sure we'll get there. Gotta love that little monster, even when he's being a little shark!