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How to Stop a Puppy Biting - Puppy Training Help

Written by Ryan Gliozzo

Index:

Discover effective strategies to stop a puppy biting and promote positive behaviour. Learn gentle training techniques and redirection methods for your pup.
Puppy playing with owner and trying to stop the puppy biting

Introduction

Getting a puppy is a happy and joyous time for any family. Your little bundle of cuteness will surely provide many hours of innocent entertainment, as well as some challenges.

We are all aware of these challenges, from puppy toilet training , teaching a dog to roll over, to all the biting and chewing, it's almost a full-time job.

The inevitable physical contact with other dogs or people during the early years of puppyhood will result in your puppy biting at one point or another.

So whether they are around people or other pets, puppies will bite pretty much anything, especially if they are teething. From hands, feet, chair legs, tables, and even walls. (Hands up if you've seen a pup try to chew the corner of a wall.)

This results in an important question: How do I stop my puppy from biting?

Well, read below and Waggel will give you our typically sage advice in the hopes that you can train that pup in no time and keep those feet intact!

Why does my puppy keep biting?

Puppy biting the finger of its owner

The one thing that all puppies have in common is that they are small, curious creatures that love to chew on things. In fact, puppies chew during play because it helps them develop motor skills.

Unfortunately, puppies are known for playing too rough and biting or chewing on things that they should stay away from.

One of the reasons a puppy will bite is that they need to chew on things to help develop their teeth and jaw muscles but they do need to learn from their mistakes.

Try following some tips to reduce the frequency of biting.

Remember, puppies bite. It's natural and it doesn't mean they're trying to hurt you but it does become a problem when the biting gets out of control.



When do puppies stop biting?

Many puppies calm down with excessive biting once they have developed their adult teeth, however, this will vary b y breed and training.

The question of exactly how to stop puppies from biting is a common one but again, this is one of a puppy's natural behaviours.

Once they have developed enough teeth for chewing on things other than human fingers, these toothy habits generally subside.

It is important to know, however, that young puppies around 6 months of age or lower, shouldn't be blamed too much for nipping and biting because this is their way of exploring the world.

However, there are steps that you can take to help stop your puppy's bad habit before it worsens.

How to stop my puppy from biting

Dog biting leg

Puppies are a lot of fun, but they can quickly become a nuisance if they get too rowdy. They might jump all over you, lick you non-stop and bite your fingers every time you reach for them.

These adorable little pups can be a handful to handle, but there are some simple steps that can be taken to stop them from biting or at least help with bite inhibition.

How to stop a puppy from biting your feet

When a puppy still has its baby teeth, biting will occur.

Puppies have a natural instinct to bite anything that is new or unknown, and being as small as they are, your feet are generally the first thing they come into contact with.

Apart from wearing steel-toe boots wherever you go, what should you do when your puppy bites your feet?

First, always speak in a calm, soothing voice and try to draw the pup's attention away from whatever they were biting. If it is biting your poor feet again, try to give another toy of equal interest nearby, or place a chew in their mouth.

This is to give them the same amount of mental stimulation and lots of opportunities to play gentle games.

Once they release and move on to the other object to chew, praise them in an elated manner so that they learn the behaviour has pleased you. Doing this often will help them to move to other items to chew instead of your feet.

Keep this up for long enough, and the pup will learn what is acceptable and what isn't.

How to stop a puppy from biting when excited

puppy nibbling child

Puppies can be a little overwhelming when they get too excited. They will use their mouths to explore the world around them, including picking up most anything that might cross their path.

How can you stop a puppy from biting when excited? Here is our number one tip that will help you teach the little fluff ball to not bite.

The best thing to do is to remove yourself from the situation. If you're playing with the pup and they bite excitedly, you should immediately stand still and wait for them to calm down.

The pup should learn that if they bite, they will lose their playmate (you).

Another way to stop a puppy from biting you when excited is to reward the puppy with a treat. Praise them when they stop biting and don't give them a treat just for playing.

Earn your dog's respect

Puppies are notorious for their sharp teeth and biting habits. It is very difficult to stop a puppy from doing what comes naturally to them, but there are ways to discourage their biting behaviour.

It is important to make sure the puppy knows that you are the "leader" and not him/her. As dogs are pack animals, they need an "Alpha" whom they can respect dutifully. You can be that Alpha, so there is no need to fear. A few gentle, kindly and firm commands will suffice. Your pup will soon learn that biting you is unacceptable.

If your puppy bites your hand, try presenting them an alternative toy and enticing them with food. When they start taking treats from your hand without biting, give them small rewards like praise or playtime.

Once you become the "Alpha", your praise will mean the world to them, as they become more accepted to the 'pack'/family.

Use up some energy

dog biting their toy

To stop your puppy from biting one idea is to use up some energy.

Puppies can get frustrated when they cannot play with other dogs, just like little children get frustrated when they cannot play with their friends. This is a natural behaviour.

With a bit of preparation and some simple strategies to redirect your pup's energy, you'll be able to stop your puppy from biting in no time.

One of these strategies is to give your puppy something else to think about:

Provide your puppy with something appropriate to chew and invest in a product that makes the chewing sound of a bone or squeaky toy.

Try to play a game of tug with a rope, a game of fetch outside, or another physical exercise your pet enjoys.

Another way to mitigate biting is when you are trying to use up some energy by playing with your pup, be sure to train them with commands like "leave it" and "drop it."

Dogs understand simple commands, so short words and phrases repeated over and over will help you to get them to stop bad behaviour, especially if they are biting.

Try not to pet or play with your puppy when they bite you. When they stop biting you, praise and reward them.

Conclusion

We've looked at the reasons for biting, and some ways to help stop the behaviour. In a nutshell, The number one rule in stopping a puppy from biting you is to avoid interactions with them when they are in a playful, but biting mood.

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