How to Stop a Puppy from Biting Everything
Left undirected, puppies that bite and chew will quickly destroy shoes, upholstery pillows, clothing and rugs. Additionally, nipping humans and other pets is a nuisance puppy habit that can lead to more serious problems (such as aggression) as the dog matures. Biting is a natural canine response that can be remedied through positive, repetitious exercises. Training should begin as soon as the puppy arrives in the home to eliminate biting habits and promote desirable, obedient behaviors.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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Educate your puppy that biting humans is not allowed. In the wild, a canine pack would teach a puppy about proper pack behavior. In the home, a domesticated puppy looks to its pack leader to teach it appropriate behaviors. When the puppy bites you, tell it firmly "No bite!" and make a yelping sound. Through dual verbal responses, your puppy will soon learn that biting is painful. Never physically harm your puppy or yell at it, as both responses are negative and can lead to fear, aggression, anxiety and other disorders.
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2
Ignore negative behaviors and redirect the puppy's biting energies. Should a puppy continue to bite, tell it "No bite!" and ignore it. Do not continue playtime. If the puppy continues to nip in order to get your attention, repeat the verbal responses and remove it from the "pack" (such as putting it in a dog crate or confined area) for 5 minutes. When the puppy is quiet and calm, allow her to return to the common area. Do not allow a whiny puppy to manipulate family members, as this can lead to a dominant, pushy mature dog.
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3
Redirect biting behaviors by using safe toys. Puppies have natural instincts to chew. Provide safe toys that, while supervised, your puppy can chew to her heart's content. Should you catch your puppy nibbling the carpet, tell her "No bite." When she stops, reward her with a toy (such as a Kong).
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Spray biting deterrants on commonly-chewed fabrics. Should your puppy frequently nibble on an area of a carpet or a favorite shoe, consider spraying a safe product on the items to put a foul taste in her mouth. Plentiful options are available at respected pet stores (such as Petco or PetSmart). When used correctly, these products can help deter biting habits.
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Do not encourage rough play. Owners should never engage in tug-of-war or rigorous playtime with their puppies; Instead, promote safe play behaviors such as throwing a ball or Frisbee outside. Additionally, pack leaders should never lay on the ground beneath their standing puppy, as this suggests submission in canine language. Coupled with biting issues, dog dominance over a human can develop into serious problem behaviors.
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Reward appropriate behaviors. As your puppy listens to your commands (such as "No Biting"), give him praise, affection and a treat. When he plays well with family members and other pets, tell him frequently "Good dog." Soon he will learn the actions that reap encouraging responses from his beloved pack leader.
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Familiarize your puppy with people and animals. Socialization is an important part of redirecting biting behaviors. Take her to the dog park and on frequent neighborhood walks. Rigorous exercise is important for maintaining your puppy's mental and physical stimulation and to prevent boredom. Consequently, nuisance behaviors (such as biting) often disappear when a dog is happy and healthy.
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Tips & Warnings
Puppies often bite and chew due to boredom. Help reduce this problem behavior by taking him on frequent, brisk walks.
Hide and eliminate dangerous things that your puppy may chew on during the training process, such as electrical cords, plants or chemicals.
