Puppy Biting 101: How to Tame Those Tiny Teeth
- Louis Galvis
- Feb 20, 2024
- 2 min read
Understanding Puppy Biting
1. Bite Inhibition: Puppies naturally nip at each other while playing. If they bite too hard, their littermates or mother will yelp, signaling that it hurts. You can mimic this by making a "ow!" sound if your puppy bites you. However, be cautious, as some puppies may get more excited and bite harder. In such cases, calmly turn away or place the pup in their crate for a few minutes to calm down.
2. Moderating Bite Force: Teaching bite inhibition is crucial. Puppies need to learn how to control the force of their bites. There may be times when they're in pain or fearful, and they put their mouth on you. If they've learned bite inhibition, they'll understand not to bite down hard.
Effective Strategies to Stop Puppy Biting
1. Withdraw Attention: When your puppy bites, immediately withdraw attention. If they're playing and bite you, end playtime. This teaches them that biting leads to the fun stopping. Yelling or physically punishing them can backfire, as it becomes a form of reward (positive punishment). Instead, turn around and tuck your hands into your armpits.
2. Provide Alternatives: Keep puppy chew toys handy. Anticipate biting behavior and substitute the toy for your hand or furniture. Redirect their attention to an appropriate item to chew.
3. Consistency and Patience: Consistency is key. Everyone in the household should follow the same rules. Reward your puppy when they make good choices, and avoid roughhousing that encourages loss of control and biting.
Additional Tips
- Crate Calmness: Sometimes, gently placing your puppy in their crate can help calm them down.
- Bitter Spray: Some dog owners use bitter sprays to deter puppies from chewing and biting on objects. This is a temporary solution you can use but continue training .
Remember, patience, consistency and positive reinforcement go a long way in shaping your puppy's behavior. By teaching bite inhibition and providing appropriate alternatives, you'll help your puppy grow into a well-mannered adult dog. For more tips and advice contact us at Lgdogtraining.com