Pup Chewing/Bite Inhibition
Photo by Lauren Trebbin
When
pups play, they spend much of their time biting and chewing each other. This is
normal puppy behaviour. Human skin is much more sensitive that of a pup, and it
really hurts when they bite us, so we must teach pups that it is unacceptable
to continue this behaviour in the human pack. Another reason for stopping this
behaviour is that pups learn to "dominate" with this behaviour as
they get older, and this causes problems in the family pet home.
Puppies’ chew or play bite for many reasons. The most common one is that they cutting new teeth. This is not only painful for the pup, but it can also be uncomfortable for the pup to have loose things hanging in his mouth! Gnawing on things helps soothe the gums around the teeth, and loosen teeth as well. Many baby teeth are chewed and swallowed along with whatever they else the puppy is chewing; so do not be alarmed when they go "missing".
Most dogs will eventually outgrow misbehaviour if it isn't allowed to develop. This includes inappropriate chewing and biting behaviours.
Anytime a puppy is biting/mouthing you, say "ouch" and immediately stop interacting with the pup. This is very important when playing with the pup, as well. This lets the puppy know that the biting is unacceptable, and attention stops when he does it. This method is called "OUCH" and every family member should learn to do it. The "OUCH" noise is meant to startle him into stopping the chew/biting, then give him something he can chew on, and when he chews on the replacement object, praise him with "YES, good puppy!"
If you anticipate a bite (see it coming) say "OFF" before the puppy can mouth you. If the pup is trying to get you to play with him, ask yourself, "Do I have time to play with the puppy now?" If you do, then do puppy push-ups first, or other positive 'lure and reward' training FIRST (for a few seconds), then play. If the answer is "No, I don't have time for the puppy, right now." Then you need to do a time out (crate the puppy), so the puppy can't continue to mouth you. Time outs are much more humane than yelling at a puppy.
It is necessary to teach a puppy NOT to mouth, and it is easy to do IF you make it FUN. Hold a handful of tiny treats, say "puppy take it" with a happy tone, and give the puppy one treat. Hide the rest of the treats in your closed fist and say, "leave it" in that same happy tone. Once the pup waits a few seconds without touching your hand, say "puppy take it" and once again treat and praise. This exercise teaches the pup the command "leave it". You should also teach the pup to "wait" for a few seconds after his food bowl is placed on the floor, in conjunction with the "leave it" command, to avoid food dish aggression in the future.
Puppies’ chew or play bite for many reasons. The most common one is that they cutting new teeth. This is not only painful for the pup, but it can also be uncomfortable for the pup to have loose things hanging in his mouth! Gnawing on things helps soothe the gums around the teeth, and loosen teeth as well. Many baby teeth are chewed and swallowed along with whatever they else the puppy is chewing; so do not be alarmed when they go "missing".
Most dogs will eventually outgrow misbehaviour if it isn't allowed to develop. This includes inappropriate chewing and biting behaviours.
Anytime a puppy is biting/mouthing you, say "ouch" and immediately stop interacting with the pup. This is very important when playing with the pup, as well. This lets the puppy know that the biting is unacceptable, and attention stops when he does it. This method is called "OUCH" and every family member should learn to do it. The "OUCH" noise is meant to startle him into stopping the chew/biting, then give him something he can chew on, and when he chews on the replacement object, praise him with "YES, good puppy!"
If you anticipate a bite (see it coming) say "OFF" before the puppy can mouth you. If the pup is trying to get you to play with him, ask yourself, "Do I have time to play with the puppy now?" If you do, then do puppy push-ups first, or other positive 'lure and reward' training FIRST (for a few seconds), then play. If the answer is "No, I don't have time for the puppy, right now." Then you need to do a time out (crate the puppy), so the puppy can't continue to mouth you. Time outs are much more humane than yelling at a puppy.
It is necessary to teach a puppy NOT to mouth, and it is easy to do IF you make it FUN. Hold a handful of tiny treats, say "puppy take it" with a happy tone, and give the puppy one treat. Hide the rest of the treats in your closed fist and say, "leave it" in that same happy tone. Once the pup waits a few seconds without touching your hand, say "puppy take it" and once again treat and praise. This exercise teaches the pup the command "leave it". You should also teach the pup to "wait" for a few seconds after his food bowl is placed on the floor, in conjunction with the "leave it" command, to avoid food dish aggression in the future.
