Stop Dog Biting and Dog Chewing

It is natural for a dog to bite and chew.  Inappropriate dog chewing is the chewing of furniture, the chewing of shoes or slippers. Dog biting would be the biting of a family member, neighbor, or any other person or animals.  How to stop dog biting and stop dog chewing are similar habits requiring the same training technique.

Biting must not be allowed to continue as it will develop into an established aggressive dog biting habit.  A youthful puppy may initially snap at a person as a defensive move.  It may be play related when a child becomes too aggressive toward the dog.  It is natural for a puppy to bite or chew things.  Often her gums will hurt as her teeth come in so she will bite to relieve the pain.  This type of biting can be controlled by giving the puppy an appropriate dog toy. 

Don't Contribute to Dog Biting and Dog Chewing

Helping our young children understand how to behave around a puppy can help prevent dog biting problems.  Children must understand that movements around the new puppy should be slow, gentle and deliberate.  A puppy that feels threatened will try to protect itself.  Our children should understand that when their puppy wants to rest they should allow her some time to herself.

Puppies often chew on things because they are bored.  We don't need to completely stop dog chewing as much as we need to redirect it.  Instead of just giving a puppy a toy to chew, she also requires someone to play with.  Spend time playing with your puppy.

Techniques to Stop Dog Biting and Stop Dog Chewing

Consistent reprimand reinforcement is important.  Reprimand reinforcement must be stern but loving, and as unemotional as possible.  Never abuse your dog.  The reprimand must occur immediately after or during the offending incident.  You must always be the alpha leader. 

When you are playing with your puppy and she begins to bite your hand or arm, immediately say "No, no," in a stern unemotional manner.  Cease play and turn your back to your puppy.  This is how dogs communicate displeasing acts to one another. 

The best training is to redirect them to an activity that fulfills the same need and does not have negative consequences.  Never allow a negative action to occur without a reprimand response, example stating "No, no" with the accompanying shunning.  Ignoring a negative act without a reprimand creates confusion.  These reprimands need to be given immediately after a negative incident.

Stop Dog Biting and Stop Dog Chewing

Inappropriate Games Confuse Your Dog

A confused dog will continue to do bite or chew.  We must not enforce a bad habit.   A bad habit is always a bad habit.  Playing games with a dog which allow a bad habit, such as biting will confuse a dog.  A bite from a puppy that doesn't hurt is still a bite.  They must be given the correcting response every time a negative action occurs.  Training your dog to stop biting and or to stop chewing requires consistency.

Inappropriate games must be avoided.  These are games that involve wrestling, tug of war, or any game where excitement is heightened and biting encouraged.  Play only physically active dog games.  Don't play rough games with your dog.  If your dog or puppy has been aroused into a state of excitement and bitten someone, reprimand immediate and back away from the dog until it has calmed down.  After the dog has calmed down you can give him affirmative praise for the act of being calm.

Remember, it is easier to train a puppy to behave correctly than it is to correct a bad habit.  The techniques to train and reinforce good responses are the same with an older dog as with a puppy.  Training a dog to stop dog biting and to stop dog chewing is harder to correct than training a dog to respond correctly.

Summary Stop Dog Biting and Stop Dog Chewing

Remember dog training inconsistency causes dog problems.  Inconsistency creates confusion in your dog.  Your training inconsitency causes households tension.  A dog can feel tension.  She will not fully understand what is wrong, but she will react to this tension in a negative aggressive fashion.  Often her reaction will be to bite someone.  Through consistent continuous training we can redirect the urge to bite to more harmonious activities.

If your actions are not under control your dog will not be under control.  In essence, we must train ourselves so we can train our dogs to be responsible family members.  Learning to teach and train our dog correctly will stop dog biting and stop dog chewing.