How to Teach Your Puppy Not to Bite

German Shepherd

Dogs bite for a variety of reasons. As puppies, they may simply not know any better and view your hand as another chew toy. Other times, it’s because they’re feeling defensive or teething. In some cases, the dog bites because he is fearful or anxious around you — and this can be especially true if you have adopted him from a shelter or rescue organization that has been working with him to get him out of “pup panic” mode. Regardless of the reason why your dog is biting, putting an end to it must be one of your top priorities as a pet parent. After all, this behavior isn’t just unpleasant: It can also pose serious risks to both you and your pooch.

What To Do If Your Dog Bites

Even if your pup has never bitten anyone before, this is a situation you should know how to handle. If your dog bites you, don’t ask him to “use his words” or try to comfort him as if he is a toddler with a tantrum. Instead, put him in time out right away, put him on leash if he is not in a cage, and do not let him out until he is calm. Give him no attention during this time. Dogs bite because they feel threatened and need to be left alone to calm down. This is a great time to get him some training, as you can use the leash to help him focus. Do not let him out of his cage or away from you until he is completely calm. If you do, you risk that he will bite again as he might be feeling defensive.

The Puppy Biting Fix

First things first: If your dog is a puppy, you need to determine why he is biting in the first place. When it comes to puppy biting, there could be a number of underlying causes: – Your puppy might simply not know any better. This is especially true if you have adopted him from a shelter or rescue organization that has been working with him to get him out of “pup panic” mode. – Your puppy may be teething and misusing his mouth to help soothe the pain. – Your puppy might be biting to get your attention or because he is feeling defensive. Regardless of the reason why your dog is biting, putting an end to it must be one of your top priorities as a pet parent. After all, this behavior isn’t just unpleasant: It can also pose serious risks to both you and your pooch.

Teach A Dog Not To Bite Through Repetition

First and foremost: You must be consistent in your approach. If you acknowledge biting one day, but ignore it the next, your dog won’t know what to make of it, making it harder to correct the behavior. Ignore the behavior, whether it is nipping at your hand while you are holding a treat or playing with you or biting while playing with another dog. Do not give any attention if the dog bites you, other than to calmly say “no” and walk away. Calmly walk away from him and ignore him for a few minutes so he knows you are serious about the correction. If you need to stop him from biting another dog during playtime, give a firm “break” command. If he does not stop, walk away from him until he does.

Teach Your Dog That People Are Off-Limits

If your dog is biting because he is feeling defensive or scared, you need to help him understand that people are not a threat to him. Start by creating a safe space for your dog to relax in, such as a crate or a special place where he can go if he feels anxious. Then, get down on the floor next to him and slowly introduce your hand to him. If he bites, don’t pull away. Instead, freeze in place and wait until he stops biting before attempting to move again. Next, begin to offer him treats while you are near him. If he bites the treats, that’s great — you have a dog food-eating machine on your hands. If he doesn’t, hold the treats above his head and slowly move them closer to his face.

Other Steps To Take When Your Pup Bites

Finally, if your pup is biting for any reason and it is still happening after you have tried these steps, contact a professional trainer. They can help you figure out what the underlying cause of the biting is and how to address it. If you have adopted your pup from a shelter or rescue organization, don’t forget that the people who brought him to you are there to help too. They can offer you guidance on how to work with your pup and how to get him to stop biting. You can also try a number of different toys to help your pup redirect his attention. These toys should be made with durable materials, designed for canines (not just toys for kittens), and should have no pieces that your dog could choke on.

Conclusion

When it comes to puppy biting, there could be a number of underlying causes. Regardless of the reason why your dog is biting, putting an end to it must be one of your top priorities as a pet parent. Even if your pup has never bitten anyone before, this is a situation you should know how to handle. If your dog bites you, don’t ask him to “use his words” or try to comfort him as if he is a toddler with a tantrum. Instead, put him in time out right away, put him on leash if he is not in a cage, and do not let him out until he is calm. Next, begin to offer him treats while you are near him. If he bites the treats, that’s great — you have a dog food-eating machine on your hands. If he doesn’t, hold the treats above his head and slowly move them closer to his face.

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