Training your Dog Not to Bite

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Thursday, November 15th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

A dog that instinctively bites can be dangerous – not only to those living within your home, but visitors and those who pass by your yard while your dog is outside. It is very important to train your dog not to bite as a part of the responsibility of dog ownership. The good news is that there are some basic steps that you can take as soon as your dog enters your home that will lessen the odds that your pet will ever bite someone.

Socialization is Key

Most dogs learn in the first four months of life that aggressive biting is not appropriate behavior. They will find this out through their social interactions with other dogs. For example, if a puppy chews too hard on a littermate during a play session, the other pup will let him know that his behavior is not acceptable by growling or barking. If a dog is taken from his litter prior to this four-month mark (and most are), you will need to provide socialization with your puppy to help him to learn this important lesson.

It is easiest to train your dog not to bite through interactions with other dogs, but it is equally important to socialize your pet with the human members of your household as well. The more used to people that your dog becomes, the less likely he will be to exhibit behaviors of fear or intimidation that lead to biting. When you bring your puppy home, incorporate him into your family, and let him get used to being around all of the family members.

It is a good idea to stay away from playtime activities that include nipping or chewing of any kind, such as wrestling or playing tug-of-war with your pet. Never allow your puppy to bite or chew on your hand, even if it is in a playful way. Teach your children how to properly handle your dog, by instructing them to leave the pet alone when eating, sleeping or chewing on a toy.

If your dog is exhibiting behavior that you think might be a biting danger, consult your veterinarian or animal shelter for resources in training classes and guidance. Obedience courses are a great first step in training your dog in all aspects of appropriate behavior, including training your dog not to bite. Community centers, pet shops and veterinarian offices are all good places to find out about the obedience training courses in your area.

Your dog’s parents - are they friendly and well-behaved?

When you’re buying a puppy, see the parents.

You can do a lot with training, but if a pup’s parents are aggressive, the chances are that he will be aggressive too.

Don’t buy a puppy whose parents are not friendly and calm after you’ve been introduced to them.