How can I make sure that our dog bites less (he is still a puppy)?

Asker: rob, age 37

Answer

Rob,

Biting is a normal behavior for a dog. Especially young dogs chew on anything and everything. So it comes down to directing the behavior rather than unlearning it. See that the puppy has enough material to chew on eg bones, dried cowhide, toys. Do not give old shoes because for the young dog it is quite difficult to distinguish with your new pair. Also, do not give squeaky toys. Now if your pup is chewing the coffee table paws again, try to distract his attention with a toy he can chew on. Reward him if he chews on his toys, scold him if he bites anything else.

Furthermore, puppies also bite other dogs or people (also dogs in their eyes) as a play behavior. In this way they learn to what extent they can bite with impunity. Now if your puppy bites your fingers (hard or soft) yell aauwww or something it will reduce the biting behavior. Do not stimulate this biting grag by putting your fingers in its mouth yourself. If young dogs bite, that might still be funny and fun, but when they get a bit older, the fun is gone.

Regards,

Kristof

Answered by

Vet Kristof Baert

Fauna Management and Invasive Species Rodent control: brown rat, muskrat and coypu Wildlife diseases

How can I make sure that our dog bites less (he is still a puppy)?

Institute for Nature and Forest Research
Kliniekstraat 25 1070 Brussels
http://www.inbo.be

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