jw
01-21-2006, 05:57 PM
This is a very common question, and one of the most important things to teach a young puppy. If you go on the internet and search "puppy biting", you will get 100 different solutions.
So let's get a couple things understood before we approach this:
1. Puppies need to chew. They are mouthy, curious, and lose their puppy teeth within their first 7 months of life.
2. Teeth on human flesh is unacceptable. Not only can it make some people uncomfortable, teeth-on-flesh in some US states is considered a dog "bite", regardless if it is friendly mouthiness that does not break skin, and you open yourself up to liability.
That said, if you search on the internet, you will find all kinds of solutions that I don't necessarily agree with.
Physical correction, such as a rap on the nose or closing their snout while saying "No Bite" is not productive. When your dog sees you lifting your hand, you want a tail-wagging anticipation of petting, not a cower in fear.
So here are the steps I would recommend:
1. Chew toys - Puppies need things to chew on. Preferably nylabones or kongs. I don't like rawhide or pig ears as they can become soggy with a dog's saliva and present a choking hazard.
2. Puppy school - Yes, there is a risk of socializing dogs under 4 months when their immunization has not yet taken full effect. But the risk of not socializing them outweighs this if you find a reputable puppy school that maintains a clean environment. The pups will teach each other the limits of what is acceptable, and your puppy will learn how to accept others.
3. Trade a toy - If this works, congrats! Saying "no" when a pup bites you and giving them a toy instead is the best way to teach them what is OK or not OK to chew on. Some puppies, however are not toy-motivated and still determined to bite you.
4. "The Yelp" - I have seen this all over the place, and it might work. The idea is the second your dog bites, make a loud "yelp!" to distract them, and ignore them for a bit.
5. Bitter Apple - Is a spray you can buy at your pet store. It is a deterrent to dogs and does not really have a strong odor on humans. You can spray it on your wrists or pant cuffs and might deter the biting.
6. "Time Out" - In my experience, this has been the only method I have had any success with. Puppies are social, and the worst punishment in the world is to be separated from people. The second my pup would bite, I would say "Time out!" and put him in the laundry room for 30 seconds on the first offense, 45 seconds on the next. It worked. But it is VERY IMPORTANT that you never, ever put your dog in his/her crate for punishment. The crate is a dog's safe place.
So let's get a couple things understood before we approach this:
1. Puppies need to chew. They are mouthy, curious, and lose their puppy teeth within their first 7 months of life.
2. Teeth on human flesh is unacceptable. Not only can it make some people uncomfortable, teeth-on-flesh in some US states is considered a dog "bite", regardless if it is friendly mouthiness that does not break skin, and you open yourself up to liability.
That said, if you search on the internet, you will find all kinds of solutions that I don't necessarily agree with.
Physical correction, such as a rap on the nose or closing their snout while saying "No Bite" is not productive. When your dog sees you lifting your hand, you want a tail-wagging anticipation of petting, not a cower in fear.
So here are the steps I would recommend:
1. Chew toys - Puppies need things to chew on. Preferably nylabones or kongs. I don't like rawhide or pig ears as they can become soggy with a dog's saliva and present a choking hazard.
2. Puppy school - Yes, there is a risk of socializing dogs under 4 months when their immunization has not yet taken full effect. But the risk of not socializing them outweighs this if you find a reputable puppy school that maintains a clean environment. The pups will teach each other the limits of what is acceptable, and your puppy will learn how to accept others.
3. Trade a toy - If this works, congrats! Saying "no" when a pup bites you and giving them a toy instead is the best way to teach them what is OK or not OK to chew on. Some puppies, however are not toy-motivated and still determined to bite you.
4. "The Yelp" - I have seen this all over the place, and it might work. The idea is the second your dog bites, make a loud "yelp!" to distract them, and ignore them for a bit.
5. Bitter Apple - Is a spray you can buy at your pet store. It is a deterrent to dogs and does not really have a strong odor on humans. You can spray it on your wrists or pant cuffs and might deter the biting.
6. "Time Out" - In my experience, this has been the only method I have had any success with. Puppies are social, and the worst punishment in the world is to be separated from people. The second my pup would bite, I would say "Time out!" and put him in the laundry room for 30 seconds on the first offense, 45 seconds on the next. It worked. But it is VERY IMPORTANT that you never, ever put your dog in his/her crate for punishment. The crate is a dog's safe place.