How to Stop Puppy Nipping
Puppies nip and bite for a variety of reasons and for the most part, this is normal behavior. Puppies use their mouths a lot when playing with one another, it's a way for them to understand and explore their world. It's important to discourage nipping when your puppy is still young because if you don't, you may have a biting dog on your hands and that's not nearly as cute as a nipping puppy. Also, their needle-sharp teeth can be painful.
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Instructions
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Puppy teeth are sharp and needle-like. They are painful on soft, human skin. Discourage nipping whenever it happens. Nipping can occur because your puppy wants to play, is looking for attention, or is re-directing another need, such as hunger or needing to eliminate. If you tolerate nipping sometimes, and discourage it at other times, you will only succeed in confusing your puppy.
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Give a sharp "no" when puppy nips. Cry out in mock pain when your puppy nips at you. This makes your puppy think that he is hurting you. If puppies were playing together and one puppy has bitten the other puppy too hard, the injured puppy will give a sharp yelp. Simulate this behavior by giving a sharp yelp or "no" in a very high, falsetto voice.
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Put butter on your hands to encourage "kisses" instead of nipping. Slather your hands with butter to encourage licking instead of nipping. Give the behavior a name such as "kisses" so that you are teaching your dog a command (to give kisses) at the same time. This is not a fail-safe method, however, because your puppy may still nip at you when he detects no butter. So use this step in combination with the other steps.
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Do not play tug-of-war with your puppy. It will only encourage aggression. Hold your hand still when puppy nips, give a high "yelp" and then slowly withdraw your hand and turn away. Withholding attention when your dog is nipping will teach him that nipping does not cause him to interact with you, it will cause you to turn away. If you pull your hand away too quickly, it will seem like a game and he will only want to play more.
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Tips & Warnings
Re-direct your puppy's attention when he is nipping. Pet him with one hand while holding a chew toy in the other. This way, he is nipping the toy instead of you.
Never slap or hit your dog when he nips at you. You could make your puppy "hand shy"- he will cower whenever you try to pet him. Or, he could become more aggressive in his play, thinking that the slap is an invitation to play more. He could learn to refuse to come when called, afraid he will get hit if he does. You are going for a friendly bond with your puppy, not a fear-based relationship.
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