23/01/2021
HOW TO STOP YOUR DOG NIPPING/BITING
If you’re a dog owner or been around dogs for a while, you have, at some point, been touched by a dog’s teeth. While most of these encounters were probably harmless — an overexcited puppy mouthing your arm or a friendly pooch gnawing on your hand — the potential for bodily harm is real whenever canine teeth meet human skin.
Nipping is an annoying and potentially dangerous habit in dogs. While most dogs nip as part of the play, some do it to send a loud message. Whether your dog is nipping out of playfulness or aggression, you shouldn’t ignore this unpleasant habit.
Before you can figure out how to stop your dog from nipping, you need to understand why he’s doing it. If your dog is a puppy, it’s likely he’s nipping because he wants to engage you in a game (puppies nip each other for fun), or because he’s teething. Either way, this is the time to teach your pup that his teeth should never make contact with human skin, no matter what the reason.
Start by letting your puppy know that nipping is NOT appreciated. The minute he starts to bite you, say “NO BITE!” in a loud voice and end the play session immediately. Do this consistently until your puppy gets the message that when he bites you, you react unpleasantly and then ignore him. And, in the meantime, give him objects he can safely gnaw on to satisfy his need to chew.
However, if your dog is already grown and still has a tendency to nip when he wants to play, use the same method for teaching him that biting is unacceptable. Tell him “NO BITE!” and walk away. Do this each and every time. If you are consistent with this method, he’ll get the message soon enough.
A dog who nips when he objects to what you want him to do has not accepted your authority. And that is NOT okay. To change your dog’s attitude, you need to change his perception of you. He MUST follow your commands — not the other way around. It’s imperative your dog knows who’s in charge.
If your efforts to get your dog to obey you are not working as you wish, it might be time to look at professional help. In the time of COVID 19, the best way is to learn how to do this from the safety of your home from a certified and much-praised instructor. Brain Training for Dogs is a program you should try out if your dog needs to be taught to be obedient and more intelligent in his (or her) interaction with you. Click on the link to find out more on how to get your dog to tidy up his toys – and other tricks in a game format. Now that should bring a smile to your face.