Teaching Your Puppy Bite Inhibition and Good Manners
Puppy biting and rough play are normal behaviors as they learn
about the world. But you can curb biting and teach good manners by redirecting
your puppy's energy into positive outlets. With patience and consistency, your
pup will learn to play gently and mind their manners.
Table of Contents
·
Using Redirection
·
Letting Out Energy
·
Setting Rules and Limits
·
Rewarding Good Behavior
·
Managing Interactions
with Children
·
Knowing When to Get Help
·
Frequently Asked Questions
Using Redirection
Redirect your puppy's biting onto acceptable teething toys:
·
Have a variety of chew
toys on hand
·
Offer a toy when biting
starts
·
Praise for taking the toy
instead
·
Rotate toys to prevent
boredom
This teaches what is appropriate to bite down on. Be consistent
in substituting toys.
Letting Out Energy
Ensure your puppy gets sufficient active play:
·
Take them on daily walks
and runs
·
Play energetic games like
fetch together
·
Give access to large chew
bones
·
Provide opportunities to
socialize and wrestle with other puppies
A tired puppy is less likely to be destructive. Learning bite
inhibition requires energy outlet.
Setting Rules and Limits
Use these techniques to curb inappropriate biting:
·
Firmly say "No
bite" when it occurs
·
End play and walk away
for a brief time out
·
Put away toys and
withdraw attention for 1-2 minutes
·
Avoid physical punishment
or discipline
Be consistent so your puppy understands the rules. Praise them
when playing nicely.
Rewarding Good Behavior
Positive reinforcement establishes polite habits:
·
Give treats for gentle
play or toy chewing
·
Verbally praise good
manners like sitting patiently
·
Pet and give affection
for calm interactions
Look for opportunities to reward behaviors you want repeated.
Your puppy will catch on quickly.
Managing Interactions
with Children
Take steps to set up safe puppy/child play:
·
Closely supervise all
interactions
·
Show children how to play
gently
·
Separate if puppy seems
overstimulated
·
Avoid situations that
make the puppy overly excited
Well-managed exposure helps the puppy learn good play skills.
Knowing When to Get Help
Seek assistance from a trainer or vet if:
·
Biting continues after
the teething period
·
Your puppy is growling or
snarling
·
Biting escalates in
frequency or intensity over time
Aggressive biting could indicate an underlying issue needing
professional attention.
Frequently Asked
Questions
At what
age do puppies start teething?
Puppies usually begin teething around 12-16 weeks of age.
Symptoms last until around 6-8 months old.
Why
does my puppy nip at me on walks?
Leash biting often occurs from frustration or seeking attention.
Bring toys to redirect and use training techniques to curb.
Will my
puppy outgrow their biting phase?
Yes, with age puppies naturally migrate to gentle play. But
training helps the process significantly.
How can
I stop puppy nipping ankles when I walk?
Keep a leash on them to
control ankle access. Also provide adequate exercise outlets so they are not
seeking attention.
Conclusion
With redirection, energy outlets, rules and rewards your puppy
can learn to play appropriately. Manage interactions with children carefully.
Seek professional help if biting seems aggressive. Stay the course and you'll
end up with a polite pup.
