Biting and nipping is a common behavior of puppies, but this behavior can get into serious issues if not taken care of at an early stage. Even if your dog is playfully nipping or showing aggressive tendencies, proper dog training will help you change this behavior. Teaching a dog his limits and boundaries is important for the safety of your dog and the people around it. Let’s understand the reason for biting and nipping through this blog and effective techniques to stop this unwanted behavior.
Why do dogs bite or nip?
Understanding the cause of biting and nipping is the first step in stopping it. Dogs may bite for several reasons, including teething (in puppies). Just like human babies, puppies go through a teething phase where they chew and nip to relieve discomfort. Dogs often explore the world with their mouths; nipping is their way of playing. A stressed or scared dog may bite to defend themselves. Some dogs who are not socialized learn that biting is not proper behavior.
Dog training techniques to stop biting and nipping:
Teaching bite inhibition: Bite inhibition means teaching your dog to control the force of their bite. When your dog bites too hard, use a high-pitched “ouch” sound to communicate that biting is not acceptable.
Immediately stop playing: when biting or nipping happens in between the playing time, immediately stop the play and withdraw the attention to show that biting leads to the end of fun.
Divert to chew toys: offer your dog appropriate toys to chew instead of giving your hands, clothes, or furniture to chew. This will help them to satisfy their urge to chew and give them instant relief while protecting them from biting and nipping. Try keeping a variety of squishy, hard, and soft toys. If your dog tries to bite, immediately replace your hand with a toy. Reward them when they chew on their toys instead of biting you.
Socialize and exposure: take out your dog from the comfort zone, Expose your dog to different environments, people, and other dogs so they learn proper social cues. Play with well-behaved dogs to make your dog learn how to play without biting and nipping. Fearful dogs are more likely to bite; help by introducing them gradually to a new environment to build confidence.
Consistent command: Using consistent commands like “No Bite” or “Leave It” can reinforce positive behavior. Keep a fixed command and use the same command every time your dog bites or nips. Reward them with praise or treats when they stop biting. You need to have patience during the whole process, as it may take a long time.
Professional help: If your dog’s biting and nipping becomes aggressive during training, it may be a sign for you to take help from a professional dog training expert. They can direct the behavior in the correct direction by providing the right guidance and solutions.
Stopping biting and nipping requires patience, consistency, and proper dog training techniques. With time and effort, your dog will learn to interact safely and respectfully with people and other animals.