Stop Puppy Nipping and Curb Unwanted Behavior
Puppies are cuddly, cute, and adorable but when they start nipping at your toes, your face, or even on your furniture, it could get quite disturbing.
Puppy nipping is a very common occurrence among puppies, especially for those who have started teething.
When teething occurs puppies feel pressure on their gums and therefore they will need to find a way to counteract the pressure by chewing, gnawing, or nipping on anything that they see.
This is a very common problem among pet owners but there are ways to help you solve your puppy nipping concerns.
First, you must know that it is never right to hit your puppy when he starts nipping.
Instead, you have to redirect his behavior onto more acceptable biting behavior, like biting on chew toys.
Also it is important to teach him to be gentler when a hand is near his mouth.
Always surround your puppy with chew toys so that there are lesser chances of him biting on your furniture or nipping on people's toes.
Like children, puppies respond to novelty so it is important to give him new toys every now and then.
If your puppy is not comfortable when he is being petted, you can change this by conditioning your puppy to think that petting is a good thing.
When you pet him, give him a chew toy with your other hand.
This will keep his mouth busy and prevent him from nipping.
Another way to stop puppy nipping is by discouraging his negative behavior.
When your puppy starts to nip at your face when you are playing with him, do not hit him.
He will only think that you are playing with him and it will even encourage him to do it more.
Hitting or spanking can also encourage violent behavior that he could carry over as he grows up.
It could also cause your puppy to become afraid of you.
Instead, give him a time out.
When the nipping starts, say "bad dog" and turn your attention away from him.
This way he will understand that he did something wrong.
The more you do this, the more his nipping behavior will get discouraged.
If the biting becomes worse, you should say "no" in a startled voice and quickly put your thumb inside his mouth under his tongue, and your other finger under his chin.
Hold it there for about ten seconds, although not too tightly, so that your puppy will feel uncomfortable.
One important thing to keep in mind is that you should be consistent with your behavior.
Dogs thrive on routine, so the more they become familiar with your actions the easier they learn or unlearn bad behavior.
Puppy nipping is a very common occurrence among puppies, especially for those who have started teething.
When teething occurs puppies feel pressure on their gums and therefore they will need to find a way to counteract the pressure by chewing, gnawing, or nipping on anything that they see.
This is a very common problem among pet owners but there are ways to help you solve your puppy nipping concerns.
First, you must know that it is never right to hit your puppy when he starts nipping.
Instead, you have to redirect his behavior onto more acceptable biting behavior, like biting on chew toys.
Also it is important to teach him to be gentler when a hand is near his mouth.
Always surround your puppy with chew toys so that there are lesser chances of him biting on your furniture or nipping on people's toes.
Like children, puppies respond to novelty so it is important to give him new toys every now and then.
If your puppy is not comfortable when he is being petted, you can change this by conditioning your puppy to think that petting is a good thing.
When you pet him, give him a chew toy with your other hand.
This will keep his mouth busy and prevent him from nipping.
Another way to stop puppy nipping is by discouraging his negative behavior.
When your puppy starts to nip at your face when you are playing with him, do not hit him.
He will only think that you are playing with him and it will even encourage him to do it more.
Hitting or spanking can also encourage violent behavior that he could carry over as he grows up.
It could also cause your puppy to become afraid of you.
Instead, give him a time out.
When the nipping starts, say "bad dog" and turn your attention away from him.
This way he will understand that he did something wrong.
The more you do this, the more his nipping behavior will get discouraged.
If the biting becomes worse, you should say "no" in a startled voice and quickly put your thumb inside his mouth under his tongue, and your other finger under his chin.
Hold it there for about ten seconds, although not too tightly, so that your puppy will feel uncomfortable.
One important thing to keep in mind is that you should be consistent with your behavior.
Dogs thrive on routine, so the more they become familiar with your actions the easier they learn or unlearn bad behavior.
