Tips for Stopping Puppy Biting

Most puppies think it is an exciting game stalking, nipping, or biting your fingers, or ankle. But this is not helping the dog at all to become a mature and responsible pet overtime. Indeed, you at least as dog owner have one reason why the puppy needs to be dissuaded from getting accustomed to play biting. The big reason is that biting says, "I'm more dominant than you," or I want to challenge your authority."

In fact, chomping on your hand is the puppy's way of checking what is your position in the pack, and what is their own position. Moreover, if the dog's line of reasoning turns up the idea that nobody at home is in charge, it will want to assume that responsibility. And a dog preoccupied with such a duty is a tense, unhappy and unpredictable house pet.

But back to the first idea of this article: you are the dog's Alpha, which means that from this point on you must teach or train the puppy not to nip or bite at your hands (or feet). Stopping puppy biting is actually doing the dog a big favor.

To get a puppy to stop this behavior, make an abrupt, loud, high-pitched voice the next time the puppy bites. Then when the dog lets go of your hand, turn away from him, and cut short the activity you and the puppy were doing prior to the incident (but be aware that some activities may indeed cause the dog to get excited and to play a mock-fight, e.g. a tug of war). After a few moments of not paying attention to him, go back to him, but this time carry along a chewie toy to distract him from making an attempt at your hand.

This sort of behavior is actually the exact reaction that the dog's littermates would also make if the puppy started playing rough with them too. Within a few days, your puppy will understand that using his teeth on his human alpha leaders make the people turn away from him.

The key to ultimately stopping puppy biting is consistency. From this point forward, never allow your puppy to get away with laying his teeth on peoples' hands or nip at any other person without the result of people moving away from the dog.

How is appropriate play behavior reinforced in a dog? The answer is in the method just elaborated upon. This is best done between two and four months of age. But the only sort of biting that should not worry you is soft biting on bare hands. Should the dog do so, refrain from sudden movements. Remain still and then redirect the puppy's attention to a more suitable chew toy.

Puppy Training

A fun and enjoyable experience is on the way. To become a team, you and your puppy will have to learn a few of the basic skills. You have to carefully mold your dog into the kind of dog you can be proud of. A trained puppy causes much less friction in the home.

Tips for Training Your Puppy

Training with the Reward System

The reward system is the most positive method of training. Food and treats will be the main reward in the beginning. Little cut up pieces of hot dogs treats are used most. The other reward is an awful lot pf praise and love. Staying up beat and positive is very important to remember for keeping your puppy happy.

The Training

The basic heel, sit and down commands will be taught to your puppy. Once your puppy learns these commands you will have much better control over him. When you have a well trained puppy, socializing him to different situations will become much easier. Ten to 15 minutes sessions at the beginning will be enough because they are just puppies. As the puppy learns and grows, the training sessions can get a little longer.

Puppy Training Advice

Leash Training

Leash training your puppy will begin by holding your treats in your left hand and the leash in your right, just hold the treat in front of your puppy’s nose. Using your happy voice, say the puppy’s name, then say heel. The best way to keep the puppy walking beside you is with lots of encouragement and treats. If the puppy should stop, just continue to hold the treat in front of him and gently tug the leash. It won’t be long and the leash and collar won’t bother the pup at all.

Teaching The Sit

The best way to get a puppy to sit is to hold the treat in front of his nose and then gently lift it over his head. Every time you practice this, use the word sit. The sit can be taught anytime, just take one or two minutes and practice it during a commercial.

The Down

To begin teaching the puppy the down, he should first be sitting, then while holding the treat by his nose, bring your hand all the way down then forward. Say down every time you start to lower the food.

If you stay consistent and patient, training your puppy should move along rather smoothly. Don’t worry if it seems like it is taking a little longer for your pup to get the hang of it, he will. What we’re after is for the puppy to do these things with all verbal commands. Just stick with it and the results will show up. A happy puppy is a well trained puppy.