| If you've ever been nipped by a puppy, you | | | | Now, how about an older dog? What sort of dog |
| know it's no fun, even when it's playful. | | | | bite training is appropriate in this |
| Those teeth can be as sharp as needles. So | | | | instance? |
| how do you put a stop to your dog's biting? | | | | |
| With some earnest dog bite training. | | | | Well, you're beyond the effectiveness of a |
| | | | chew toy, so you'll want to take a more |
| But first, it helps to understand that he's | | | | traditional training approach. In this case, |
| not biting maliciously. Biting and mouthing | | | | you might want to try using a pinch collar. |
| are natural activities for puppies and young | | | | Just as it sounds, a pinch collar pinches the |
| dogs. They instinctively nip when playing | | | | skin around your dog's neck. When he bites, |
| with their siblings. This is the way they | | | | you give the leash a quick pop, then release |
| interact with the world around them. Left | | | | the tension. The goal here is given an |
| with his family, a puppy would soon be taught | | | | immediate, sharp correction to get your dog's |
| by his mother and siblings to control his | | | | attention and make him realize he's done |
| bite. Even with you, your puppy will most | | | | something unacceptable. |
| likely learn to outgrow the behavior. | | | | |
| | | | To be effective, there should normally be |
| But who wants to wait? | | | | slack in the leash. If there's always |
| | | | tension, then your dog won't be aware that |
| In the case of a puppy biting, the solution | | | | there's a correction taking place. When he |
| is relatively easy. If your puppy is only a | | | | bites, you immediately tighten and release |
| few weeks old, your first efforts should be | | | | the tension on the chain, followed by "No." |
| to redirect his biting from you to a toy. Get | | | | Then your offer hand again to see if he has |
| a chew toy into the mix and let him | | | | understood your correction. |
| harmlessly exhaust his biting behavior. This | | | | |
| won't always work, however, because sometimes | | | | Don't over correct. Try this process a couple |
| a puppy is just brimming with too much | | | | of times and if he continues to bite, end the |
| energy. In these cases, put in his crate, | | | | session and return to it again at a later |
| along with his chew toy, and let him settle | | | | time. As with any form of dog training, you |
| down on his own. | | | | want the training sessions to be fun and |
| | | | motivational for your dog. Don't over do them |
| You can also try a hand around his snout, | | | | to the point where your dog loses all |
| followed by a firm, "No." This can be a quick | | | | interest or withdraws. |
| and effective correction, though you have to | | | | |
| be careful that your puppy doesn't turn it | | | | Whether you're dog bite training your puppy |
| into a game. | | | | or and older dog, always treat him with |
| | | | respect. This means no hitting or slapping, |
| Additionally, involving your puppy with older | | | | even in situations where you're trying to |
| dogs will often take care of a biting | | | | correct inappropriate behavior. Physical |
| problem. If your puppy becomes a bit too | | | | punishment will not only destroy the trust |
| rough in the company of other dogs, the rest | | | | and respect, it'll make him afraid of you. |
| of the group will quickly correct his | | | | More important, it's often ineffective. Using |
| inappropriate behavior. As simple as it is, | | | | positive reinforcement, which generally means |
| this socialization with other dogs is easily | | | | treats and plenty of praise, will teach him |
| the most effective way for him to learn to | | | | to play without biting much faster and more |
| control himself when he's tempted to nip. | | | | effectively. |
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