There are dogs everywhere. That's why it's essential to protect yourself from bites from other dogs. While some dogs are friendlier than others, any dog can bite, regardless of size or breed. Even the best dog can bite if traumatized or scared.
Children and adults should learn to stay in the safest possible environment with dogs. However, it's crucial to recognize that the pet owner is responsible for their pet's behavior. Preventing a dog from biting someone isn't difficult by taking the right steps. Ensuring that biting behavior stops as soon as you notice it is essential for teaching your dog not to bite. Here are some tips you can try to help them learn to stop biting.
Slowing down the biting
The first step in stopping your puppy from biting is to limit the behavior. It's typical for puppies to talk to themselves during play. However, this meowing can quickly escalate into biting. People can exploit this behavior to stop puppy biting and teach your puppy what is acceptable biting.
If a puppy grabs your finger or hand excessively, gently release your hand and imitate the cry. When the puppy lets go, hold her back for about 10-20 seconds before resuming play. It's crucial that you don't avoid the bite. This could trigger your puppy's desire to chase it and make the situation worse. If the cry doesn't work or you prefer not to make the cry, you can substitute an exaggerated "Ow!" or a different cry. Don't cry more than three times in 15 minutes.
When you reach this point, you're ready for a mature time-out for your puppy. The goal is to teach the puppy that calm play continues and rough play ends. Once you've stopped the aggressive bites, you can repeat the process with less aggressive bites. You'll be able to show her that chewing with her mouth and not chewing is okay. Anything else, however, isn't.
Divert
If you want to teach your puppy that touching human skin is unacceptable, you'll likely use the redirection method. To use this method, keep your hand away from the contact whenever your puppy tries to bite you. Then, you can offer them treats or an object to chew on.
You can also help your puppy's urge to bite by playing non-contact games like tug-of-war or fetch. Just be careful not to let the tug-of-war become too violent. You need to teach your dog to follow the "leave it" or "leave it" commands to ensure you can retrieve something from their mouth without the consequences of a puppy biting aggressively.
Distraction
Besides mouthing other people, puppies also talk to objects in their environment. This is usually to encourage curiosity. There are several ways to teach your dog not to chew on furniture in the house. In addition to puppy-proofing your home, provide exciting and safe chew toys that your puppy can enjoy. The choice of toys should be based on your puppy's chewing and destructiveness. For example, if your puppy can chew a plush toy to pieces within two minutes, you might prefer toys made of rubber or plastic.
Hide-and-seek toys are ideal for distracting puppies from eating other things. These toys not only keep your puppy occupied but also provide mental stimulation as they figure out the best way to get the treat. Another way to distract your puppy is to arrange play dates with other puppies or vaccinated adult dogs. This isn't just a way to let your dog play in a dog-friendly environment; these dogs will also help your puppy learn that a bite isn't too strong.
End playtime
If your puppy bites during play, make sure they understand that this is a sign that playtime is over, without exception. Punishing or yelling at your dog for biting may seem like a way to get your message across; however, it produces the opposite result. Instead of showing your dog that your behavior is unacceptable, they learn that biting attracts attention, and they'll continue biting.
Instead, put your puppy down and then leave. Place your hands under your armpits to appear less pushy and to make it clear to the puppy that you shouldn't be paying attention to them. This will help them realize that their actions can affect your attention and will make them aware of behaviors that cause you to leave.
Ankle biters
Puppy biting doesn't always happen during playtime. Dogs are often fascinated by people's feet or ankles while walking. This is especially true for herding breeds. Train your puppy not to bite your heels by keeping a toy you love in your pockets. If she starts biting your heels, stop moving and bounce the toy around until she grabs it. Another approach is to have her stop moving as soon as she bites. When she then lets go of her own accord, give her a toy or a treat. Be sure to praise your dog when she stops biting your heels. The goal is to show your puppy that positive things can happen when bad behavior stops.
Biting and nipping are normal behavior for puppies, but they're unacceptable for adult dogs. Be aware that most dogs surrendered to shelters and rescued from their owners are between 18 months and two years old. This is when "cute" puppy behavior becomes annoying for the owner. By taking a few simple steps now, you can prevent this bad behavior in the future and enjoy a peaceful and happy relationship once your puppy's coat grows out.
Conclusion
Puppy training requires persistence and dedication. Your puppy may not immediately understand what you're trying to teach them. However, it's best to keep your puppy calm and focused no matter what. Yelling or yelling at them can frighten them or cause unnecessary stress, which can result in the very behavior you're trying to prevent. If you suspect your dog is struggling to master the art of not biting, consider consulting a qualified trainer. Dogs that bite pose a risk to you and others—and ultimately, it's up to you to ensure your dog is safe around you. With a little patience and consistent training, you'll be able to help your dog stop nibbling and biting before it becomes a problem.
