(Commonwealth Union)_Puppies’ lips contain approximately 28 teeny-tiny blades that appear to be drawn to your fingers or toes. Dog trainers call it “play biting”, but when your adorable canine appears to be all teeth, it’s annoying and often unpleasant. This, however, is totally natural for puppy teething and required for development, and it is something that you can train away with a few simple steps.
It is vital that all canines learn how to control the force of a bite. They may put their mouth on you or another person when they are in pain or terrified. They know not to bite down too forcefully if they’ve learnt bite inhibition. Puppies automatically nibble on each other while they play. If they bite their mother or littermate too hard, the other dog will most likely scream, saying, “Hey, that hurt!”
You can also teach your dog this by saying a high-pitched “ow!”, but beware: for some puppies, this actually makes them more agitated and likely to bite. In this instance, it is preferable to turn around softly, walk away, or gently place the puppy in their kennel for a few minutes to settle down. If they do back down, make sure to give your dog a treat and some vocal praise.
If your dog bites you while you are playing, playtime is over, no exceptions. As strange as it sounds, yelling at or physically scolding your dog is a type of reward. It teaches youngsters that biting results in a reaction, also known as positive punishment. As a result, they may develop fearful of being handled. Teach them that biting gets them nowhere. AKC Family Dog columnist and dog trainer Kathy Santo suggests turning around and tucking your hands beneath your armpits. “It’s a relaxing signal and a little form of attention withdrawal,” she explained. “Also, avoid roughhousing with your young puppy in ways that will only encourage them to lose control and bite you.”
Keep a dog chew toy on available at all times so you can anticipate biting behaviour and substitute the toy for your hand or furniture. This will teach pups what is safe to bite or chew on. Offer a toy instead if they start chewing at your fingers or toes while you’re playing. If they continue to nip, the play session should be terminated immediately. If you’ve taught your puppy to sit, you can redirect them by asking them to sit and rewarding them with a toy.
If your puppy is bouncing on your legs or feet as you walk, Santo recommends keeping a high-value goodie next to your leg as you walk to teach the puppy to walk gently alongside you. When teaching a puppy to walk on a leash, the same method is employed.
