Pooch and Mutt's expert trainer, Jon, is here to take us through step by step how to deter your puppy from nipping and biting things they shouldn't - including you!
Nipping and biting is a natural instinct for young puppies, but if it's not kept under control, can turn into problematic behaviour as they grow older. Like most training, it's best to start this as early as possible to help 'nip' it in the bud.
Training your puppy not to nip or bite
- Puppies usually nip and bite for a reaction and attention.
- Puppies learn from experience. They will repeat behaviours that work for them, so don’t try to redirect nipping and biting with toys or even by distracting them with food. Doing this is positive reinforcement and will only encourage the puppy to do it more.
- Instead, we can use noise and space, paired together with some kind of energy behind them to stop this and other anti-social behaviour.
- The first step is to not respond to nipping and biting. If the puppy gets a reaction like jerking our legs or moving arms or hands out of the way, it will encourage them to do it more.
- Don’t look or touch your puppy, wait 30 seconds or so, if you can bear it. This gives the puppy a chance to get bored at the lack of reaction and seek fun elsewhere.
- If the puppy continues, there needs to be a drastic change in atmosphere. You want to herd the puppy away from you using your voice rapidly and loudly “no, no, no, no, no” paired with clapping your hands together and driving him away.
- If this works, continue with a calm, soft and soothing tone to maintain the bond with your pup.
- Stroking and being tactile with the puppy also allows them to start nipping and biting again. You may have to repeat this a few times for them to understand it’s the biting that causes this response from you.
- If nipping and biting is triggered by anything in particular, don't avoid it. Your puppy needs to learn the right behaviour through exposure.
- If the first method isn't working, you can bring in a loud noise or a spritz of water to deter the behaviour. Do this whilst using the previous methods, but replacing the space and ignoring with the deterrent.
Comments (4)
We’ve only had our puppy three days (she’s just over 8 weeks) and is very bites – goes for hands and ankles and shoes. Would this method be appropriate for her?
Hi Helena,
Congratulations on your new family member! Nipping and biting is very common in young puppies as it is natural instinct and done for many reasons including attention/playing. However, it is very important to get this behaviour under control and following the tips provided in this video may indeed be beneficial. Remember to stay consistent and patient, and If you do then feel you require some further support, getting a 1-1 professional behaviourist/trainer may also be helpful :)
We have a 14 week old labrador puppy who we foolishly allowed to get away with jumping snd biting our elderly spaniel thinking he would reprimand and teach her. He tried with growling and nipping her but he wasn’t able to deter her and once we stepped in and took her away each time or crated her it has failed to stop her bullying him. She is responding well to all other aspects of training but I am at a loss how to deal with this behaviour.
Hi Maggie,
We are so sorry to hear this! Very often at times, training can feel very exhausting and does require lots of repetition, patience, and consistency. When it comes to 2 dogs learning boundaries with each other, particularly if other methods do not seem to be working, we would always advise seeking further 1-1 guidance from a professional behaviourist or trainer here as early intervention is key :)
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