For puppies, biting is a natural behavior that may subside by the time they are four months old. However, this problem is not guaranteed to go away on its own, so it is recommended that biting be discouraged from the start. Many owners view this behavior as play, but the pup may also be testing what the pack leader (you) will tolerate.
What are the best ways to stop a snappy pup? Do what other dogs would do! Pups first learn from their mother or littermates that biting is inappropriate. When one puppy bites, the other dog may respond with a whoop! short and sharp, withdrawing, growling or biting. We all know that biting is No the way to follow! But there is much merit in the other strategies. Let’s see what you can do when your puppy bites you:
The short sharp cry
A short, sharp ‘ouch!’ or ‘scream!’ it will scare the dog to stop biting. Make sure the howl is high pitched but not too loud; the goal is to scare, not scare, the pup. All dogs instinctively recognize that this sound means they have caused another pain and will stop immediately.
The grunt or correction
A verbal correction such as ‘no!’ or a low guttural growl will give your pup a clear message that he doesn’t tolerate biting.
Withdrawal
Just stop and remove the part of you that has been bitten. A competitor’s growl or howl will help reinforce the message.
There are also a few other things you can do to prevent the puppy from turning into a snappy dog. They are:
reinforce safe play
When the puppy plays well, reward him with love and treats.
Correct your puppy without using your hands
Some dogs grow up having bad experiences with human hands because they were spanked as puppies; they may bite their hands as a way of protecting themselves. Therefore, it is important that when you are raising your puppy you never hit him, otherwise he may become a “scary biter”. Use verbal corrections as discussed above.
Socialize your puppy
Introduce your pup to visitors, people at dog parks, and regular passersby (like postal workers and meter readers) so they have lots of positive people experiences. Let these people gently pet your pup or give it a small treat. This way, your dog doesn’t become afraid of people’s hands (and resorts to biting to protect himself from being patted). Before you take your pup out to socialize, make sure he’s had all the appropriate vaccinations.
By using these tips regularly and consistently, your puppy will find that playing and socializing without biting is more fun and will stop biting as a way to test his mettle or get attention.