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As a pet parent, navigating the early days of puppyhood can be challenging, especially when your puppy won’t stop biting you and your clothes. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Biting and nipping are natural, but inconvenient behaviors in young puppies. In this article, we’ll provide you with effective and empathetic techniques to reduce and eliminate these frustrating behaviors, ensuring that your puppy learns the importance of gentle play and fostering a harmonious bond between you and your furry friend.
Understanding Why Puppies Bite and Nip
When puppies play with other puppies or explore their environment, they do so with their mouths. It is common for puppies to bite or "mouth" hands and clothes during play or when looking for attention and is a natural part of the puppy teething process. As annoying and sometimes painful as this behavior may be, it is normal and an important developmental behavior.
Teaching Bite Inhibition: The Key to Preventing Puppy Biting
When a dog bites another dog or a human, the amount of damage that is inflicted is determined by the amount of pressure the dog exudes with his mouth. As a puppy owner, you want to teach your puppy to inhibit his bite, so when he put his teeth on humans he exudes very soft or no pressure. Most of the work of bite inhibition should have been taught in the litter, however, you may have some training to do as well. The first place to begin is by teaching your puppy how to take treats gently.
Start Getting Biting Under Control by Teaching Your Puppy to Take Treats Gently
Begin by offering your dog a treat in a closed fist. If he attempts to take the treat and you can feel pressure from his teeth or if he puts your whole hand in his mouth, remove your hand – not allowing him to have the treat. Wait 5 seconds and try again. When your dog stops biting and mouthing and offers a lick or stops adding pressure so that you can barely feel his teeth, reward his behavior and offer him the treat. Repeat these steps several times per day. These steps should be taken anytime your puppy is given food from your hand.
Treats are only given when the dog takes them nicely. If you have a family member such as a young child who cannot gauge how much pressure is too much, always have them offer food from an open palm. The more times your dog gets to take treats inappropriately the longer it will take for your dog to learn and take treats gently. Consistency is crucial in teaching your puppy not to bite hands or clothes.
Discourage Unacceptable Behavior like Puppy Jumping and Biting Clothes
You must also teach your puppy to be gentle with hands, and that nipping results in unpleasant consequences for her. Teach your puppy that nipping "turns off" any attention and social interaction with you. When your puppy nips you, say “OUCH” loudly, as though you’ve been mortally wounded, then get up and leave the room for 30 seconds. It may take many repetitions for him to understand what’s expected. Do not return to playing if the puppy has not settled down. If your puppy is grabbing and nipping clothes, stop! Don’t look at him or talk to him, just completely freeze. Wait for him to let go of your pants, and then continue on your way. If you continue to walk, your puppy gets to play tug with your pant leg - a very fun game! If your puppy has not yet learned that pants won’t play back or if children are involved, interrupt the behavior with a verbal reprimand like “Hey” and have your puppy sit. After he sits, count to three and offer him an alternative reward such as a favorite toy.
Encourage Acceptable Behavior to Curb Your Puppy’s Biting
Redirect your puppy’s chewing onto acceptable objects by offering her a small rawhide chew bone or other type of chew toy whenever you pet her. This technique can be especially effective when children want to pet her. As you or the child reach out to scratch her behind the ears (not over the head) with one hand, offer the chew bone with the other. This will not only help your puppy learn that people and petting are wonderful but will also keep her mouth busy while she’s being petted. Alternate which hand does the petting, and which one has the chew bone. At first, you may need to pet or scratch your puppy for short periods of time, since the longer she’s petted, the more likely she is to get excited and start to nip.
What Not to Do with a Nipping Puppy
Attempts to tap, slap or hit your puppy in the face for nipping are almost guaranteed to backfire. Several things may happen, depending on your puppy's temperament and the severity of the correction:
He could become "hand-shy" and cringe or cower whenever a hand comes toward his face.
He could become afraid of you and refuse to come to you or approach you at all.
He could respond in a defensive manner and attempt to bite you to defend himself.
He could interpret a mild slap as an invitation to play, causing him to become more excited and even more likely to nip.
Limit "tug-of-war" or wrestling games with your puppy if you’re having a nipping problem. These types of games encourage out-of-control behavior, grabbing, lunging and competition with you. These aren’t behaviors you want him to learn.
Family Involvement: A Key to Consistent Training
Getting the whole family on board with your puppy’s training is important for promoting consistent teaching methods. By working together to address your puppy’s biting habits, you’ll create a cohesive approach that encourages your furry friend to learn faster.
Engaging Family Members in Stopping Puppy Biting
Start by having a casual family discussion about the importance of addressing your puppy’s nipping behavior. Share the techniques mentioned in this article with each family member to make sure everyone is on the same page. Encourage the whole family, even children, to participate in responding consistently whenever the puppy bites. This collaborative effort will help your puppy quickly understand that biting isn’t acceptable behavior, ultimately leading to a more harmonious household.
Training Tip for When Your Puppy Won’t Stop Biting
If your puppy is ripping clothes or leaving wounds on your hands, consider seeking professional help. You can find a trainer near you by asking your vet or friends for recommendations, or find one yourself online, from somewhere like the Certification Council for Professional Trainers.
Potential Medical Concerns Related to Puppy Nipping
Although puppy nipping and biting are typically normal behaviors linked to a puppy’s growth and development, there are some rare instances where medical concerns could be contributing factors. These concerns might warrant a visit to the veterinarian to ensure your puppy’s overall health and well-being.
In particular, puppies may experience discomfort or pain due to issues like tooth eruption, gum inflammation, or oral infections, causing them to exhibit increased biting or nipping behaviors. A veterinarian can assess your puppy’s dental health and suggest appropriate interventions to alleviate any discomfort.
In cases where medical concerns are suspected to be contributing factors to puppy nipping behavior, having puppy insurance can provide financial support for veterinary consultations, diagnostic tests, and treatments. Embrace Pet Insurance offers comprehensive coverage options, ensuring that you can provide the best care for your puppy while safeguarding them against potential health issues in the future.
In some cases, a puppy’s nipping behavior might be resistant to regular training techniques and require more specialized training through a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. Pet wellness plans that include coverage for behavioral training can help offset the costs of these specialized services, making it more financially feasible for pet parents to provide their puppies with the best guidance. If your puppy is struggling with persistent nipping issues, the Wellness Rewards plan can assist in covering the costs of professional training, ensuring your puppy receives the guidance needed to curb this behavior. With Embrace’s combination of comprehensive pet insurance and wellness plans, you’ll be well-equipped to handle any concerns or challenges that arise as your beloved pet grows.
Puppy nipping can be frustrating, but it's important to remember that it's not your puppy's fault. They're just trying to learn how to interact with the world around them. By being patient and consistent, you can enjoy a happy and nip-free relationship with your new furry friend.