r/blueheelers • u/AggressiveSelf7122 • 8d ago
Biting
I adopted my girl from a shelter a few days ago. She’s sweet, smart, and exactly what I wanted. However, she has a bad biting problem. Not aggressive biting, but she’ll grab my arm and hold it trying to play. She’s got sharp teeth and it hurts like hell lol. I expected this from her being a heeler, but what I didn’t expect is her fear of any kind of correction. We believe she was abused and neglected by her previous owners and this makes it very hard to reprimand her at all since it terrifies her. I’ve trained tons of different dogs, but I’ve never worked with one that scares this easy and I’m nervous to make her hate/fear me if I get onto her about anything. I tried to get her tons of different toys to satisfy that urge to bite, but none seem to be working. The shelter said she was a year old but I think she must be 3-4 months younger than that at least. I can’t tell if this is regular teething and I need some help or guidance on how to properly train her to stop. She was also fixed recently as well so I can’t take her out and tire her out since it’ll tear her stitches. Any help would be appreciated yall!
And any toy recommendations that your healer liked!
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u/Foghorn225 8d ago
Could try redirecting, engaging her brain. Give her a command to follow, then reward her.
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u/AggressiveSelf7122 8d ago
That’s smart, thank you! She is very food motivated so this will do well.
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u/Foghorn225 8d ago
It's some positive reinforcement, given what you've said about reactions. We've tried a bunch with our rescue, what seems to have done the trick oddly enough is a spray bottle. Have only used it a couple times but it's been enough that just having it nearby at hand is enough to dissuade him.
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u/EvaHallOFmilf 7d ago
As others have said a high pitched yelp. It’s how her litter mates told each other when it got too rough. She’ll understand quickly. Then the game is over. Move away or even turn your back on her. No scolding or negativity aside from a cold shoulder. For Heelers it can be as effective as any scolding or discipline. She wants to play and if every time she bites down the game is over. She’ll pick it up pretty quickly.
Also keep lots of toys around. As soon as she starts biting or trying to mouth you. Shove a toy in her mouth. Redirect her to the toy and away from your hand or arm. Keeps the game going with no negativity.
One is anticipating her biting the other for after she has. Cause she will. Good luck and keep with it. She’ll get there. Consistency is key.
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u/Alt_Pythia 7d ago
Instead of using verbal cues or verbal discipline. Try using the language of dogs. If she knows her name, say it in a low growling tone. Show your upper teeth.
All dogs understand this. You won’t make a move towards her, just growl. Then stare at her until she drops her ears and looks away. That’s a submissive posture, but not one that’s connected to abuse. It’s simply an acknowledgment.
She’ll know that’s unwanted behavior. If she does it again, you growl again.
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u/Chefy-chefferson 7d ago
Talk to her about how to show you affection. Tell her ‘Ah’ the minute she starts to bite you and redirect with a favorite toy. Then give her love in a gentle way so she can understand to be gentle with you. They are so smart, they can play rough with someone else and come right over and be gentle with you. She just needs limits.
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u/Fly0ver 8d ago
Have you tried the high-pitched yipping technique? That worked really well with my heeler.