Barking Up The Wrong Tree

How To Teach Your Puppy Not To Bite

A very common question that prospective dog owners ask a breeder is “Will he bite?”  The answer to that question is “If you let him, then yes he will!”

If you think about it, when puppies are in the litter, they learn by mouthing and biting.  They play-bite with each other and when they find something new, then to discover what it’s for, they try biting it.  They bite it to see if they can eat it, bite it and try to move it to see if it’s a plaything or to see if it squeaks.

As they get older, they should learn to control their bite, otherwise called ‘bite inhibition’ and it’s a skill they need to learn as early as possible if you want to stop all that chewing and play-biting you and your visitors!

In the litter, they start to learn this skill with their mother and their littermates.  When their littermates yelp or their mother bares her teeth, they understand they’ve gone too far.  This process is learned from about the age of five weeks through to eight weeks, which is another good reason why pups should stay with their mothers until eight weeks old.  The mother uses various techniques, including baring her teeth, snarling at them and pinning them down when they’re misbehaving, not letting them up until they lie calm and quiet.

When you play with your puppy, they will bite you and you need to teach them that it’s not an acceptable behaviour.  There are several methods available, but the best method is using the method they’re already used to.  You need to use the mother’s actions for yourself, but you don’t have to do the whole ‘pinning down’ bit because they’ve learnt that from their mother – and you’re a lot bigger and scarier than their mother.

Next time your puppy bites you, whether it’s during play or otherwise, you must yelp as though you’re in pain – exaggerate.  The puppy will most likely be surprised by your reaction, look a little unsure and will then try again.  When he tries again, yelp even louder, bare your teeth at him (yes, you will feel and look silly whilst doing this but stick with it…) and then turn away from him and ignore him for at least ten minutes.  Your puppy will quickly get the message, but you will have to persevere, especially if you’ve let him get away with it for some time.

Make sure the rest of the family and any visitors know to yelp if he tries to nip them during play.  After two tries, he must be ignored.

You should never play-fight or play tug-of-war with your puppy.  This allows him to use his teeth and it will confuse him and he won’t know when it’s ok to use his teeth and when it’s not.

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Feb 14, 2008 | 0 | Care & Training