Your puppies little love bites may seem cute now, but if it’s not curbed it will become worse as they get older. The last thing you want is an incident because your dog accidentally bit you or someone else too forcefully. We also don’t want to come home to all of our things chewed up. So, how do you stop your puppy from biting? Before we get into it’s important to learn the reasons why puppies bite.
Why Do Puppies Bites?
Just like human babies, dogs use their bodies to explore the world around them. Babies put anything they can find in their mouth, and dogs do the same! Puppies bite or “mouth” to learn more about their environment. Normally, puppies learn not to bite from their mother and other siblings, who will growl or snap when a bite is too hard. It’s our responsibility as dog parents to curb this behavior as well.
How To Stop Your Puppy From Biting
What You’ll Need
Some things you will need before you begin are:
- Dog Treats
- Dog Toys
Choose A Command & Stick With It
When training your puppy you’ll want to stick to using the same word every time you correct bad behavior. Use words like “stop” and “no” for corrections. Whichever word you choose, make sure to say it firmly. The goal in this is to distract your dog enough to redirect their attention, while also teaching them that this behavior is not welcomed.
Redirect Attention
Here’s where the toys and treats come into play. Another way to curb your puppy’s biting is to redirect their attention. Whenever your dog tries to bite you, put their toy in place of your hand and let them sink their teeth into that instead. Turn it into a game for them. If your dog continues to bite your hand instead of their toy walk away from them, leaving them penned or in a separate room for a short amount of time. Try this step again if you feel you need to.
Praise Good Behavior
Reinforce good behavior by giving your pup a treat every time that they bite the toy instead of your hand. Positive reinforcement will make your dog associate treats with playing with their toys.
Try Bitter Spray
If your dog chews on objects in your home, you might want to try a bitter spray like Grannick’s Bitter Apple. As its name implies, bitter spray works as a deterrent since most puppies find the taste of it unpleasant. Bitter sprays can be use on furniture, shoes, clothing, and more. Spray directly onto objects, NEVER into your dog’s mouth. This can cause your dog to be fearful of you.
What If My Dog Doesn’t Stop Biting?
If your dog continues biting despite your best efforts to curb them, consult with a professional dog trainer to find the best solution for you and your pup.
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