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Need some immediate advice for a Dal biter.

Filed in - puppy biting - Not Nipping

I have a 5 1/2 month old Dal who bites, not nips. I've had him since 2 months. Shortly after I brought him home, my personal life became chaotic due to personal issues and training was sporadic or none. With his behavior largely unchecked or inconsistent, his nipping became biting and he breaks flesh. The intensity of his bites and the frequency added to an already stressed Mom. Rick tends to be more aggresive with females than men. A co-worker who is a dog person, recognized I was overwhemed and offered to take him home for a few weeks and Rick would come home on weekends. Her husband is a retired police officer who used to train Shepards and would work with him.He came home from his first week much calmer, but then so was I. The biting incidents are reduced somewhat but still occurring. What they have been doing and instructed me to do, was to grab his upper snout and hold his lips under his teeth, then rub my hands over his face and say no bite. He still bit my face during a lunge at me, and broke skin on my arm. He bites less but bites harder. I'm not comfortable with this correction. I had every intention of starting puppy classes and on up,but as I say...circumstances prevented that. I've read through this site thoroughly and am using the articles to work on lesser behaviors. I've raised another Dalmatian from pup to old age and didn't have this problem. They can be testy and stubborn to train but they're wonderful dogs.

The articles addressing bite inhibition seem to apply more to nipping than out and out biting. I've tried to stay aware of what I'm doing prior to his biting but the circumstances are varied. I'm not inclined to hold his gums under his teeth and would like to know if anyone can give me some guidance in eliminating his biting.

Get help from a professional

This is serious enough that I am going to echo the previous poster - get in-person help  from an experienced positive trainer or behaviorist.

This is one of those situations that could go very bad (serious bite, dog is euthanised) or could be turned around (over a decade with a wonderful pet).  Imagine if he is doing this in a few months - you will have a dog that is a danger to you.

Any situation with biting beyond playful nipping really should be handled one-on-one, in person. 

An hour consult may seem like a lot of $$$, but weigh it against the possible rewards/consequences, it's really worth it.

Suggest consulting vet or behaviourist

Cedric, I think you should consider consulting a behaviourist or check with your vet. There may be more at work here than just lack of boundaries. I don't like the correction you mention either, my experience has been that punishments such as those make matters worse rather than better.

Positive reinforcement

I don't like that correction at all. I would be very concerned the dog would go the other way...Get help from a positive reinforcement trainer.