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I have a 4 Month old Doxie. She has plenty of chew toys to chew around the house. She prefers for some reason to chew our fingers or toes, Especially when we have socks on. When I try to correct her by giving her one of her toys to chew on she tries to get my fingers holding the toy. I have bitter spray but do not think spraying my fingers and toes are such a good idea, obviously. When she was a younger pup my wife let her chew on her fingers, which I know is bad but I could not correct the problem until it was to late. Any idea on how to reverse this and keep the puppy from gnawing on my fingers? Her teeth are getting quite sharp now.

-Brian.

>>I have a 4 Month old Doxie. She has plenty of chew toys to chew around the house. She prefers for some reason to chew our fingers or toes, Especially when we have socks on. When I try to correct her by giving her one of her toys to chew on she tries to get my fingers holding the toy. I have bitter spray but do not think spraying my fingers and toes are such a good idea, obviously. When she was a younger pup my wife let her chew on her fingers, which I know is bad but I could not correct the problem until it was to late. Any idea on how to reverse this and keep the puppy from gnawing on my fingers? Her teeth are getting quite sharp now.
>>
>>-Brian.

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There's nothing wrong with spraying Bitter Apple on your fingers and toes. Here's more about dealing with puppy mouthing:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1128&S=1&SourceID=47
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

A puppy training book I have actually recommends spraying bitter apple or apple cider vinegar on children's arms and legs to prevent a puppy from biting too hard, I would imagine this is the same idea..

Shame on your wife for letting her do that Good luck..

I have a 5 yr old male and he likes to chew on my hands only. He has done it since he was a pup and I think it is how we have bonded. When he is looking for attention that is how he gets it from me. I look at it as playing since he only does it with me. He has never tried it with the wife or daughter. However his thing with our daughter is to get her socks off her feet. As for the wife, he loves sitting on her lap.

When he does chew on my hands I know it is just playful. While he does get carried away he doesn't bite hard.

Totally Pissed Off