Successfully stopping puppy biting

Teaching your puppy respect and manners will greatly help stop this behavior. For example: the pup should be heeling on the lead on walks and the humans should be entering all entrance and exit ways before the pup, as the leaders always go first. If your pup goes ahead of you through doorways and/or on the lead during a walk you are telling the pup it is ok for him to be the leader. If your pup is the leader than there is no reason in your pups mind why he cannot bite your hands if he pleases. Puppies and dogs who do not see the humans as the authority figures are less likely to respond to the humans corrections. The more your pup sees you as his leader the less inclined he will be to bite your hands when you tell him, "no".

A pup who has excessive built up energy will also be harder to teach. This build up of energy causes frustration making the mind reel with unhealthy excitement, so much so that the dog is not responding to your commands to stop. Working on calming his mind and draining his energy to the point where he is tired both mentally and physically will greatly improve the dog's response to your corrections. You not only have to drain the dog's energy daily, but you have to gain the dog's respect and show the dog that you are the leader and you do not wish for him to play bite on you. You do not want the dog to see you as a game, a toy, an equal and just a playmate, but rather a respectful leader.

Never let a puppy play bite on your hands even if at the moment you too think it is just a game. The pup needs to be taught from the beginning to never chew on humans. Do not play with the pups mouth or allow others to do so. Do not allow people to stick their hands into your pups mouth. This will encourage them to bite on their hands making it hard to curve the behavior.

The correction will work best if you are able to tell when the pup is about to bite and give the correction a second before they make contact, "No!". Immediately stick something the puppy is allowed to chew into their mouth. Puppies have an incredible urge to chew on things. It is not fair to the pup to tell them they can never chew on anything, but rather you must teach them what is ok to chew on and what is not. Humans are a no no, chews, dog bones and toys are a yes. Give your dog something they are allowed to chew on. Make sure to only give your pup appropriate size bones and toys to avoid choking.

Below are some additional techniques to try.

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PUPPY BITING
How to stop Puppies from biting
 

By: Karen Peak
West Wind Dog Training

It is never a good idea to let Puppy play with your hands or feet – no matter how cute it seems.  This teaches Puppy it is OK to bite skin.  Even though tiny puppies playing tug-of-war with your big finger or toes or socks is cute, it is teaching a very bad habit!  Never let a puppy do something once that you do not want him to repeat.  It is far easier to prevent bad habits from developing that it is to retrain an older puppy or adult dog.    Here are two techniques to teach a puppy not to bite.  Technique #1 is less physical and I recommend it first.  It may take a few days or so for puppy to catch on.  Technique #2 involves physically stopping puppy. 

Technique #1 – yelp and walk away:

 Puppies are very social creatures and refusing to engage in play can be an effective training technique.  As soon as puppy starts to bite or nip, give a loud, yelping OUCH!!!  Glare at the pup, get up and move away.   After a minute or so, get a toy and return to puppy.  Encourage the puppy to play with the toy.  If he goes for you with a nip, repeat yelping and walking away.  

Technique #2 – shake down:

 If Technique #1 fails, then try this.  Start with a loud yelping OUCH; at the same time as you grasp the loose skin on puppy’s neck.  Give a firm but not violent shake and firmly say “NO BITE!”  Release puppy and get him involved with a good toy.   After a while, stop the shake and just use the verbal. 

Certain games encourage biting and should be avoided: tug-of-war (my dogs are not allowed to play this with humans until they are well aware of the “pack hierarchy” and will release the toy when told to.); chase and tackle games; and other games where you actively encourage the puppy to bite a person.  Dangling treats and encouraging a puppy to jump for then can encourage snapping for food as well as injure growing joints. 

Nothing in Life is Free: 

 It is also a good idea to get your puppy used to working for things – even play time.  Before you feed puppy, have him sit and then feed.  DO the same before leashing up for a walk.  If the puppy brings a toy and asks you to play, turn tables and do a bit of training then play.  Puppy learns that if he listens and obeys and does something, there will be a reward.  This also helps establish humans as higher in the pack order.

Should your dog continue to bite and not respond or if the biting is accompanied with aggression, growling or anything you do not like, contact a behaviorist.  Also, have your dog examined by a vet.  There could be an underlying factor for the biting.  A dog that is sore or not feeling well may bite.  It is his way of saying something is not right.  Also, a poorly socialized or scared dog is more prone to bite, as is a startled one.  Teach your children NEVER EVER touch a dog, even one they know, without the owner’s permission.  Teach them never to handle a stray or loose animal, even if they know it.  Children should contact a grown-up instead.  Teach children not to tease or hurt dogs.  Even the most tolerant dog can be pushed past his limit and retaliate.  Even if the children are plainly at fault, it will be the dog that suffers.  Prevention is the key.

Written by: Karen Peak
West Wind Dog Training

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