Biting

[jennifer]

Any time you try to touch Mickey's feet, especially his front feet, or brush him near his back end or tail, he attacks and bites. Its looks worse than it is since his biting does hurt but I'm not sure how to stop this behavior.

He also attacks the cats if he is sitting on the couch and they jump up on it or he'll purposely take a piece of his food put it in the middle of the room and sit back and wait for a cat to walk by so he can attack them.

HELP. Telling him no sternly doesn't work.

[Romans Mom]

:idea: Mickey just needs a couple of behavioral lessons from you: conditioning (for touching feet and use of the brush ) and socializing skills (for the cats) These can work or help if they are used consistantly and ongoing.

To be conditioned for the the touching, you will have to "play" with his feet constantly. Touch them quickly and then pet him on the back or elsewhere.

Touch his paws all the time whenever you are holding him. Play with his toe nails and between his pads. Rub up his legs; they love massage, then back down to the feet for a while. You can give him treats if you need to while you do this, so he won't notice you are touching him as much. I always work on the ears at this time too.
Have the brush around him as much as possible. Walk up to him while he least expects it, say hi Mickey, hold him steady with one hand, and place the BACK of the brush on him in various spots. Make these touches brief, and let him see it, and take it away immediately before he has time to react too much, and act like nothing happened. Don't brush at this time. Then give him "good boy" praises and a small treat. You can also use this method with scissors or clippers. With the scissors, firmly hold the sharp end in your hand and place the handle on the leg you are holding. After a few bites at the implements, Mickey will soon see that he will not die. LOL


Touch him with it and turn the brush around, so the back of the brush is touching him. He will see that the brush will not pull his hair and if he attacks it, he will feel the bristles and not want to go for your hand (eventually). While doing this conditioning, do this in a place that he is unfamiliar with, for example, on top of the washer, dryer, or a special table. I use my ironing board. Don't do it where he plays with you such as the floor or couch. Then he will know that this is the "special" place where he will just have to do it, like it or not. Soon her will know what's up and will just want to get it over with. Remember, if it's a high place, always have at least on hand on him at all time and never leave him for just an instant. He will fall or try to jump off and get injury. Two people are even better...one to hold and give treats to keep his mind off of it a little and one to do the conditioning. Again, keep sessions very short.

You will have to keep up all of this and also with the NO! NO! NO! when he bites probably "forever". Also, NEVER make this play time or love time and don't praise him for being a good boy until you are done. He must know you mean business only. You will have all the time in the world to praise and pet him after the training and grooming session.

For Roman biting, I use the TONGUE PRESS METHOD. When he bites, immediately say NO BITE!!! or what ever you want. I say "tongue presses!." But whatever you choose, be consistant with the command. At the same time, do the tongue press. If you take your hand and make a pinch-type movement with your thumb and pointer, open and close them fast. As soon as he bites, put your pointer finger on the top on his tongue and your thumb under his "chin" the underside of his mouth. Firmly press down on his tongue and say no bite!!! He can't bite you while you are doing this. **Not to say he won't nab you on the way out!! OUCH! LOL** They don't like this because it's uncomfortable, and it won't hurt him. He will be surprised you are doing this and eventually you will be able to see him thinking about it. It will take a while and you will always continue to do this. You may still get bit for a while too. If he clamps down on you press more firmly and he will open up to spit your finger out. Repeat as necessary until he gives up.


Attacking the cats sounds like he's doesn't want them in his space, and he's claimed the couch as his own. He may always do that. Perhaps more cat beds or pillows for all of them in that area might help, but the cats are the ones that will have to leave the sofa. Chihuahuas rule the comphy spots. LOL http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/lachen/laughing-smiley-001.gif



Setting up the cats with food is hilarious!. LOL Smart little dog. LOL To me, it sounds like he wants to make that a play time with the cats in his own special way. Obedience classes for socializing with other dogs may help with this as well, but I'm not sure. I hope this works for you like it has for Roman.