AboutBeth Adams Expertise I have 10+ yrs rescuing Cairn terriers. Ask me about rescue work and re-homing rescued terriers. I am also proudly owned by a Jack Russell Terrier rescue. I am also keenly aware that terriers are significantly different from other kinds of dogs, and often not the best choice for some owners.
Experience 10+ yrs owning and rescuing cairn terriers. Proudly owned by a Jack Russell Terrier rescue. My JRT is active in being a foster brother, and earthdog and agility events and we're having a blast
Expert: Beth Adams Date: 6/5/2008 Subject: biting and ripping clothes
Question We have a 5 month old wire fox. her name is Foxi. We have had dogs all our married life and this is our 2nd fox terrier. about 1 or 2 times a day, she wants to nip at our clothes, and bites at us. I am home with her all day, and do lots of yard work. I usually have to put her on a tieout to keep her from biting at me when I want to work. I would love to know what to do when she starts this behavior. She is coming along nicely on potty training. We don't put her in the crate much anymore.It seems when we try to correct her she thinks we're playing.
Answer Marilynne -
This is almost the exact same question the last person asked me (only the breed and gender is different). Please understand that this is normal puppy behavior, but that it is something you need to resolve right now so she doesn't remain nippy into adulthood.
Here's the answer I gave to the last person:
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I might suggest using the phrase "no bite" instead of a plain "no" so it doesn't get confused with other times you tell him no...
You may end up saying "no" when you mean for him not to steal your sock, and he thinks "but I'm not biting her." See what I mean ?
He is trying to play with you as he would his littermates and his mother. But at about this age his mother would also get sick of it and start to correct him.
I recommend grasping his muzzle shut, look him in the eye, firmly say "no bite" and then wait 5 seconds or so before releasing him. You may have to do this a bunch of times in a row the first few times, but he will soon learn what you mean.
You should make a point of also offering him something else to chew on when you release him. So it would be release him and then immediately hand him a chewy toy instead.
The other thing that is important to prevent this kind of behavior is to **not** play tug of war games with him. Many folks end up with accidental bites from adult dogs who have played this game since puppyhood. They are just not bite inhibited because it's always been OK to bite things when in close proximity to people.
I'm thrilled you are planning ahead for your little fella. You should also seriously consider some puppy classes followed by at least beginning obedience.
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Please let me know if this didn't cover some part of your question.
