Dog Biting Needs To Be Nipped Early With Puppy Training
Puppy training can be divided into several different stages and for each of these stages, there is an ideal time for when it should be accomplished. For instance, the problem of nipping or dog biting should ideally have been completely eliminated by the time a puppy is 15 weeks old. There are some cases where this deadline would have been missed, like if you adopt a puppy that is a little bit older and had not yet undergone any kind of puppy training with its previous owner. In this case, it may be a little bit late but there are still steps you can take to solve the nipping issue.
When Does Biting Become Bad Behavior?
The first step is to limit your puppy’s roughhousing activities as these are the times when he is most likely to nip or bite. Many owners let such bad dog behavior pass, thinking that it’s not that bad since the puppy is only doing it in play.You must realize though that if you allow it continually it will develop into bad behavior.
By not addressing the problem early, the habit of dog biting and nipping can stick to your dog until he grows up and by then it won’t be just annoying but it can also be dangerous to those that come in contact with your pet.
A pup’s mother will gently bite to discipline and to play. You have to remember the rules.
It’s alright for your dog to display love by mouthing you gently, they just should not be allowed to bite.
Being Tolerant In Your Puppy Training
With very young puppies, however, a little bit of nipping can be forgivable. After all, it is one of the natural things that dogs do to show their affection and playfulness. Once your puppy reaches 15 weeks, all kinds of nipping and dog biting should not longer be tolerated and you should get serious in your puppy training and in commanding him to stop this unpleasant habit.
Some dogs can be quite stubborn and won’t succumb to regular puppy training techniques when it comes to nipping. In this case, you may want to consider applying a punishment to reinforce the lesson much more strongly. Of course, we are not referring to animal cruelty in any way. Using a water gun or simply ignoring the dog whenever he nips or bites is usually enough to deliver the message across. It must be done immediately upon biting! Don’t wait even 30 seconds…it is already too late. Reprimand immediately.
Dogs seek attention and approval from their owner; therefore, showing that you don’t approve of biting or nipping is enough to stop them. But be serious about this, if you show leniency to your dog, he/she might think that the two of you are just playing around and might cause more cases of biting and nipping.
Finally, it is essential that you stick to your guns no matter how cute and adorable your puppy may look at you. He should learn that no means no.
However, you should also know how to say no in a determined tone without sounding angry or threatening because this will probably scare your puppy. Also, you should not stare him down because he will see this as a threat and consequently, he will be considerably less cooperative in the puppy training process.
How to Handle A Dog Biting Problem
How to Solve the Problem of Persistent Dog Barking
I have a small dog, Malti-poo, that I adopted a few months ago.. when I have her out on a leash out back, she will pace back and forth, go about 6-10 feet one direction, then reverse and go to left and back to the o right, then left, then right, then left and right to left and go back and forth, zig zag, over and over and over again! This drives me nuts, as she will do this 50-60 times before she “goes”, if it suits her !!! It’s like she has to get into gear before she lets “go”. And, sometimes, after all this walking back and forth, over and over and over… she stops and stares at me, freezes to the spot .. and does NOTHING !! What can I do to have her just go outside, sniff a little and squat !!???? sHE WILL eventually “go” if I walk her, but, I don’t always have time, and I have a large back yard !!! I’ve tried crate training her, if she doesn’t “go” in 5-10 minutes, and that does no good. She hasn’t urinated in the crate, but just holds it in !!! She is very prissy, and will not go near any poo on the ground.. like a prima donna ! She is five years old and I am her 4th owner ! I will not give up on her, I train dogs, but I just can’t get her to stop this annoying habit. I’ve tried word use, “go pee-pee”, small area use, special area designated as “toilet area”, yummy rewards, frequently taking her out and if not results, back in the crate…. etc., etc., etc. Back and forth she goes over and over and over, to the extend of a flexi-leash, out 6-10 feet, so she has a total area of about a 10′ x 10′ patch of grass to sniff and use.. and she won’t ! unless, she REALLY HAS TO “GO”!!!!!! Help ! Thanks!
Hi Rachel,
A few things stand out to me, the main one being you are the fourth owner. Unfortunately you don’t know what possibly the first owner did in your dog’s early training.
It sounds like your dog is afraid to ‘go potty’. Although you allow it something in her head says no…not allowed yet…and so he is pacing….until allowed.
I think you are facing with an anxiety issue. This is something you may never train out of her as mental disorders are no different to our own…unless you have the time to put in her ‘therapy’.
I was asked to help a dog once that had a ritual about eating its dinner. It would not eat unless it ran around the yard…ran to you and then gently licked your hand…ran around again…and then would gently, very gently, chew a biscuit at a time.
Needless to say I couldn’t fix this particular dog problem either.