A biting dog is one of dog owners’ worst nightmares. When it comes to dog training, bite problems are among the most serious. Not only is it possible for a dog to insult its owner or a family member, but if a dog bites a neighbor or stranger, there could be serious legal and financial problems. A dog that bites is simply not fun to have as a pet. However, before you think about getting rid of your dog, you should know that most behavior problems, including biting, can be successfully resolved.
puppies that bite
A puppy that bites is not as serious a problem as an adult dog. Many biting pups were separated from their mother too soon. The mother dog actually teaches her puppies not to bite too hard. If this lesson was not learned, you will have to do the teaching. Purchase chew toys for the puppy. This will give them something to chew on in addition to family members. When the pup bites a person, he yells, almost like an angry dog would. Don’t hit the puppy, he just screams. If this doesn’t stop him, he leaves the room. Puppies do not like to be left alone and will learn what type of behavior this situation creates.
young dogs that bite
If you acquired your pup at a later age, or just didn’t get over the biting problem early, you need to start thinking a little differently. As a dog ages, he seeks his natural place in the pack. A dog approaching maturity will bite others in the pack (and this may include you!) who he sees as subservient. In other words, you haven’t established yourself as the alpha dog. One thing you should pay attention to is how you feed your dog. If you always feed him first, this will contribute to his sense of dominance. So let the dog wait until you finish eating before feeding him. As with the younger pup, be sure to show the dog that biting is not tolerated: let him yell a firm “no” and leave him alone when he bites.
mature dogs that bite
A mature dog that bites presents the most challenging problem of all. There are a few steps you can take that may resolve the issue. You can still keep the above suggestions in mind, as well as these:
For one, pay attention to when the dog bites. Owners sometimes unknowingly trigger a fear reaction in dogs. Standing next to a dog when greeting it, then waiting for it to turn around, then scratching its tummy, for example, may seem like bonding behavior, but it’s also creating a very submissive dog. This can also be a fearful dog, biting when he is scared. Leashing a dog on a chain or rope all day can also encourage aggressive behavior. If possible, move the dog’s location to a fenced area.