Biting Puppy - OUCH!

Bringing a new puppy into your home can be really exciting. However, along with the fun, often times brings some challenges; Needle sharp biting puppy teeth!

The challenge of a biting puppy, that nips and mouths with those needle sharp teeth can be difficult to overcome.

With the positive tips outlined below, training your puppy on proper social behavior can be a very rewarding experience for both the new puppy and its owners.

Social Interactions

Puppies are very social creatures. As young pups they learn to play, interact and socialize with other members of their family. When the puppy was with its siblings, part of these social interactions were rough and tumble play sessions.

However, during this time, the other pups would normally teach your puppy to inhibit the strength of its bite by giving a quick yelp and leaving the play session if things got too rough.

But now that the puppy has left its siblings and moved in to join your family, now your biting puppy may not have this natural feedback.

New Playmates

You are now your puppy’s new playmate, your job is to teach him the proper social skills. This includes teaching him what behaviors are acceptable and what we consider .

Although it may be cute, it’s important not to allow your new puppy to chew or mouth on any part of your body without reprimand.

If you allow it when your puppy is young, they will think this behavior is acceptable. When the pup gets older its bite will become stronger and the habit will be hard to break.

Stop Puppy Biting

Each time your biting puppy nips, or mouths on your hand, say a quick no, ouch or emit a yip sound. At the same time, immediately stop the play behavior or leave the room.

It’s important that the puppy associate the command with the nip and immediate loss of play. These actions tell the puppy that its behavior was unacceptable.

Minimize confusion for your puppy, it’s important that all family members give the same consistent feedback to the puppy.

If your biting puppy continues to play bite, it may be necessary to use other means to teach him to not bite or mouth. Some other methods use remote punishment or leashes to accomplish this task.

Remote Punishment

Remote punishment includes shaker cans, water bottles, air horns, citronella collars and other methods. These items are not associated with the punisher, yet they frighten and/or startle the puppy when he exhibits the unwanted behavior.

Once they associate the remote punishment with the play biting, the puppy will learn to play gently to avoid being sprayed by the water bottle or startled by a loud sound.

Another method to manage this behavior is to use a leash and head halter.

If the pup begins to play bite inappropriately, a firm, but gentle tug on the leash should discourage him.

It’s important to remember that physical punishment is discouraged when trying to teach your puppy to play nicely.

Typically, any attempt at physical punishment, such as pushing the puppy away, grabbing his muzzle, or swatting at him, will be seen as play and only make the problem worse.

Patience and Consistency

Remember that learning proper social skills is a very important part of your puppy’s development, and it’s your job as their new owner to train your puppy and encourage him.

All this training takes time and practice, but with patience and consistency your puppy will soon know the proper way to control his bite and play appropriately