Puppy Dog Nipping

It is natural for puppies to nip. Puppy nipping is playful biting. It is one of the tools they use to explore their new world. Some older dogs that have not been taught to inhibit their tendency to bite also nip. Dog nipping is a form of communication. It is their way of interacting with one another. A puppy from birth will nip and mouth his mother, den area and the other pups in his den

Playful Puppy Nipping

Playful puppy nipping is how a puppy learns his initial life lessons. When two pups are playfully wrestling and one nips the other too hard the recipient of the bite yelps and the play time ceases. The offending puppy has learned not to bite or nip at his fellow pups. The pup receiving the nip has learned that a bite can hurt. Sibling play is how pups learn.

Mother and Siblings Teach to Inhibit Nibling

Puppies that are removed from their mother before the end of their eighth week have missed out on life's lessons. Puppies removed from their mother's too early have not learned how to socialize, or to inhibit their tendency to nip and bite along with other facets of their future social life. An older dog that has not learned these lessons as a puppy can be dangerous to be around as he can hurt others without the intention to do so. A puppy does not have strong enough jaws to seriously hurt someone. A grown dog that has not learned to inhibit his nipping and biting tendency can be dangerous as his teeth are sharp and his jaw muscles quite strong. This is why pups that are removed from their litter early are maladjusted.

Puppy Nipping Family Member

A nibble between puppies may not produce a yelp from the receiving puppy. The same nibble from a puppy to a child may cause that child to cry out because of the pain inflicted. One of the first lessons the puppy must learn upon entering your home is to further control and inhibit his nipping and biting.

Technique to Teach Nipping Bite Inhibition

The best way to teach a puppy or dog is to emulate the actions and techniques used by his mother and siblings. When the puppy, in the den with his siblings, nips too hard the recipient sibling yelps in pain and refuses to continue playing. When you are playing with your puppy and he nips you, you need to respond the same way. Say "that hurts!" loudly and stop playing with the pup. This should cause your pup to stop his nipping or biting. As soon as the biting has stopped praise him for stopping. Give your puppy something appropriate to chew. Praise him when he starts chewing the appropriate dog toy or chew you have given him. Your puppy wants to please you. He will do whatever is needed as soon as he understands what he is to do.

Never Physically Strike a Dog

Never physically strike your puppy for doing something inappropriate. Physical striking will confuse him causing further nipping and biting or other aggression. Turning your back to him and refusing to play after yelling in pain will get the proper message across. Remember, you are the alpha leader whom he wants to please. Always have chew toys available for him. When your dog has become overly excited ,and the thirty-second snub is not working adequately, give him a period of several minutes to calm down. Some dogs have a tendency to get extremely excited and find it difficult to regain control in a few seconds. Adjust your snubbing periods based on your dog's emotional control.