How to Stop Your Puppy From Biting

Puppies are so cute that it's easy to let them get away with detrimental behavior that seems harmless. Puppies often expend energy by engaging in play that involves biting. It may not seem like a big deal when they chew on hands and feet, but the first time a child comes to you crying because of sharp puppy teeth, you'll know that it's time to stop that puppy biting.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Ignore him. Nothing speaks to puppies more than not getting the attention they crave. When he starts to nip at your fingers, simply stop play and leave the room. Repeat this method until your puppy gets the message. He'll quickly learn that when he bites you, his playmate goes away.

2. Bark back. Puppies are pack animals and when they're with their pack mates, they communicate by yelps and barks. When you're playing with your puppy and she bites you, immediately withdraw your hand and let out a high-pitched yelp just as she would if she were bitten. This method should startle the pup into stopping her action. Repeat this every time she bites and she'll learn that biting is wrong.

3. Replace your hand with a toy. If play gets rough and he's showing his sassiness, have an abundance of toys around you so that you can offer a toy when he finds your hand. This will teach your puppy that biting skin is inappropriate and that toys are the only acceptable things to chew.

4. Forbid certain games for puppy. All family members need to be instructed that games of tug-of-war, chasing, tackling and wrestling are never permitted with puppy. These games just provoke the puppy to bite and she'll be confused later when you punish her for nipping.

5. Practice consistency. Training methods that family members use should always be the same. Reinforcing the no-bite rule sometimes and not others will encourage puppy to push his limits to see just how much he can do. Be consistent with training. It's hard work, but worth it as he grows bigger.

6. Train your children. Just as a puppy needs to be trained, children need to be trained in how to treat a puppy. You're working hard to teach your puppy not to bite, so you need to be just as vigilant in teaching your children to avoid behaviors that encourage biting.

Tips & Warnings

• Never hold treats above puppy's head to encourage her to jump for them. Inevitably, she'll nip your fingers doing this and thus will think nothing of nipping fingers when you offer her treats at her level.

[bmi57]

on 6/19/2008 Thank you so much for your information.