Did you know that a dog bite can get you infected?
Because of this statistic, you must learn how to train a puppy to stop biting. You might be surprised to know that puppies start learning bite inhibition at around four weeks old. Fortunately, this is something that you can correct with a few simple steps.
Keep reading for our must-know tips on how to train a puppy to stop biting.
Establish Ground Rules
Establishing ground rules is an essential first step when training a puppy to stop biting. Ground rules help create a structure and should be consistent and fair.
These rules could include no biting, jumping on people, eating people’s food, running away, or going into some regions of the house. The rules should be explained to the puppy and reinforced when it follows them.
Utilize Positive Reinforcement Techniques
Owners must react with a gentle “no” or “uh-uh” when the pup bites rather than raising their voice or becoming angry. Instead of punishing, it’s more effective to reward good behavior. Offer lavish praise and provide treats when the puppy responds positively.
This can also help minimize biting behavior. With guidance from a fully qualified puppy training school and consistent reinforcement from you, your pup will soon be dissuaded from its bad biting habits.
Redirect Biting Into Chewing Toys
Puppies are naturally curious and need to learn boundaries. Redirecting biting into acceptable activities, such as chewing toys, is an effective way to train a puppy to stop biting.
Identify what toys and materials your puppy finds most exciting and enjoyable. Be sure to have plenty of those toys available to your puppy.
Whenever the puppy bites, offer a substitute activity. For example, if the puppy bites your hand, say “No,” take your hand away and offer a toy to chew on instead. Praise the puppy when they take the toy.
Consistency is essential — every time the puppy bites, replace it with a toy. This process should occur frequently and often enough until the puppy learns to substitute the toy for the biting.
Provide Proper Exercise and Stimulation
To train a puppy to stop biting, providing proper exercise and stimulation is essential, especially during the puppy’s early months. Take your pup for walks and introduce them to outdoor activities.
Participate in interactive play, such as tug-of-war and hide-and-seek. Monitor the puppy’s interactions with other animals and take steps to prevent aggressive behavior.
Establishing an exercise routine can also help to reduce biting. For instance, give the puppy a few minutes of playtime when he wakes up and again before his evening nap.
Regularly running, playing, or engaging in other activities with your pup can help to keep him stimulated and active. Finally, supervised regular socialization with people, other dogs, and new environments are highly recommended for puppies.
Learn How to Train a Puppy to Stop Biting
After following these steps on how to train a puppy to stop biting and spending some time with them, your pup should be well on its way to being a welcomed member of your household. Remember to be patient.
With enough patience and consistency, your pup will soon learn that biting is unacceptable. Get started on training your puppy today!
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