Dog nipping and mouthing are normal puppy behaviors that can lead to a dog that plays too rough. Here are some ways you can stop dog nipping and encourage better behavior.
Show Him Who's Boss
Dogs are pack animals and someone needs to be the leader of the pack. If you don't clearly establish yourself as the authority, your precious pup will attempt to slide into the role. It's important to nip the dog nipping early on. Show him you're in charge with firm, consistent training. This often begins with housetraining and lead-and-collar training. Once you determine the behavior you expect, don't tolerate anything less. The way to garner your pet's respect is through firm and loving guidance, not harsh reprimands and hitting. Aggression will only breed aggression.
Ouch! That Hurts!
You are your puppy's new family and family teaches good manners. Mouthing with those pointy little teeth can hurt. Dog nipping with adult teeth can lead to lawsuits. When your pup puts his mouth on your arm during playtime, yelp loudly and turn away from him. If you make it clear that playtime is over when the teeth come out, your puppy will quickly learn to keep his mouth to himself. This is the same behavior he'd see with his brothers and sisters if he were still with his litter.
A Toy for a Toe
Another way to discourage dog nipping is to introduce something more appropriate for mouthing. If your pet is teething, he may really need to bite and gnaw. Trade out a chew toy for your tender limb and, when he starts to mouth it, praise him enthusiastically. If you're consistent he'll seek out chew toys instead of your arm when he feels the urge to nip.
Muzzle Him
No, we're not suggesting you keep your puppy pal in a muzzle 24/7. But using your hand as a temporary muzzle is a pretty effective way to communicate to your puppy that dog nipping is a no-no. As soon as your puppy's sharp little teeth touch your skin, grab his muzzle and firmly (not too tight) hold his mouth closed for a few seconds. He will probably hate it, which is a good thing when you're trying to discourage bad manners.
Seemingly innocent dog nipping can easily escalate into a serious biting problem. Eliminating dog nipping right from the start is essential in establishing a healthy relationship with your precious pup.
