Search This Site

Site Map

 

Articles

Arthritis - tips
Atopy - Allergic Dermatitis
Bad Breath Problems
Barking. How to control
Belly Bands for male dogs
Biting - Puppy training
Bored Dog
Breed or not to breed
Canine Distemper
Car Sickness in Dogs
Cats introduce to dogs
Chewing things
Children, worms from dogs
Clicker Training
Cold Weather & Snow Care
Control of your dog
Dangerous foods for dogs
Digging - How to stop
Disobedient Dog Training
Diarrhea in Dogs

Dogs, Babies and Kids
Dogs for Older People
Dog age - Human Years
Ear Mites
Farting prevention
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
Flea Control House & Dog
Fleas on young Puppies
Heat (coming into season)
Jumping up - Stopping
Life Expectancy big dogs
Lost Dog - Tips to find
Kennel Cough
Mange in Dogs
Pet hair removal
Poop Removal Carpets
Potty Training No Crating
Potty pads to  outside
Retracting Leads
Ring a bell to go outside
Ringworm in Dogs
Snail Bait Poisoning
Spaying and Neutering
Submissive Urination
Tapeworm in Dogs
Teach your Dog to Read
Thunder Phobia Story
Urine  removal carpets
Urine removal Mattress
Urine Marking Problems
When to call the vet
Worms. When to worm
 

 


How to housebreak your puppy in 7 days or even less.
If you need to potty train your puppy NOW - this best selling system will show you how!
 Click Here!

Puppy Biting
Teaching Puppy not to bite

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 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 than it is to retrain an older puppy or adult dog. However, this can be used for adult dogs as well.

NILIF Program. See here for more details 

A good NILIF program can also manage nipping in play and for attention as Nothing In Life Is Free is described earlier in the manual. However, it has to be done consistently and by all who play with the pup or dog. Puppies are very oral – it is how they explore and learn.

 

Refuse Puppy playtime if he bites you

First, teach pup that it's mouth has strength and they can control it. Let puppy at first apply a bit of pressure when he puts mouth on you. He needs to learn he has jaw control and how hard is too hard. This is in case puppy forgets manners and accidentally gets his mouth on you he will have learned that humans need gentle. Then he needs to learn that if his mouth gets on you, all play stops and he gets nothing. 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!!!" Follow with a low, growling "No Bite." 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. If the pup persists in this behavior (nipping), he may need a time out!

If you have yelped and walked away a couple times and pup keeps coming back for more, CALMLY place him in his crate or behind a baby gate where he cannot get to you. NEVER punish as you confine pup, as this will make the confinement area a negative place. Basically, as soon as that next nip comes, tell pup it is time out time and confine him. Puppies and dogs may become nippier as they get tired, over-stimulated, etc and a bit of quiet time and even a nap may help.

Teach your puppy good manners from the beginning

Never play games that teach pup it is cute to put his mouth on humans. It is far easier to teach good manners from the beginning than it is to retrain an adult dog that thinks it is good to put him mouth on people in play, for attention, etc., and has for months or years. However, the same concept applies to adult dogs. Again, play nipping and attention nipping can be worked with a good NILIF program as well.

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

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.

Other Articles
House Training Puppy
When to call the vet
All Articles

Karen Peak
Pet Editor, Your Life Magazine on line, West Wind Dog Training

© 2006 West Wind Dog Training, no part may be used without written permission.

For all Dog related advice and questions please go to our dog forums
Please read our Disclaimer and Privacy Policy

Copyright © Dog Chat. All rights reserved.
All Enquiries