It is completely normal for a new puppy owner to experience the needle sharp nip and bite of the new family member, this is usually the number one issue that a new owner will need to overcome. Although for the puppy this is completely normal behaviour, it can prove annoying and embarrassing to the owner as well as the potential for danger as the dog grows. thankfully it is comparatively easy to stop puppy biting problems very quickly and without a lot of effort. When approaching a problem like this it is important to understand why the behaviour is there before attempting to rectify it.
**Understand Why Your Puppy Bites**
There are a number of very good reasons why your new puppy is biting you, if you can realise why it is happening you can tackle the problem easily.
The puppy is playing.
Investigation.
To dominate.
Overstimulation.
Fear.
The herding instinct.
Teething pain.
Feed me.
Some Breeds are affected more by some of the reasons than others and it is beyond the scope of this article to address them all in detail, We are concentrating on the most common reason here along with general good practice that will probably deal with any puppy biting, whatever the underlying reason. The most experienced reason for puppy biting is play biting.
**How To Stop Puppy Biting**
The advice and tips that follow are all positive ways to stop your puppy biting, of course, success will only happen if they are applied consistently. All the family need to be aware of the approach being taken to control the puppy nipping, kids especially, and the technique should be used 100% of the time. A bright dog will learn to stop after only a few lessons but some may take a little longer.
Let puppy know.
Follow the way puppies play in the pack, when your puppy bites, let out a yelp and immediately stop playing and avoid eye contact for a while, puppy instinctively knows what has happened and will be saddened and will want to gain favour again. Do not hold a grudge, after a short time when puppy has realised you should make up by continuing play, but repeat it every time, do this with everyone who gets bitten and puppy will stop almost immediately improving every ones quality of puppy playtime.
Stop Puppy Biting Advice
1. Play with other dogs.
2. Ensure puppy has appropriate chew toys.
3. do not over excite puppy
4. Boredom will not help
These and many more tips will be discussed in upcoming articles. Your puppy wants to please you, just as soon as they know what it is you want, it is your responsibility to let them know what is acceptable or not, the sooner you start the sooner you get the benefit.
The puppy years – they are what YOU make them.
