Do Chew Toys Make Dogs Bite?

According to the Center for Disease Control, 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year. One out of five of those bitten, or approximately 885,000, require medical treatment for bite wounds. Biting is often caused by poor training and lack of a proper outlet for the dog's natural urge to chew. Providing toys and proper training can minimize the risk to yourself and others

  1. Biting in Puppies

    • A puppy will often bite if it is removed from its mother too soon. Also, while growing, a puppy goes through several stages of teething in which it will chew on anything available, your hand included. Giving the puppy chew toys will encourage the canine to take out his urges in the proper manner.

    Proper Training

    • If a puppy bites you, yelp and move away. Give the puppy his chew toy, and ignore him for a while. If this does not work, he may need a time out in a crate or other confined area until he calms down. Training requires consistency, and any time the puppy bites, make it clear that it is not okay. Training will not work if only used sometimes.

    Biting In Older Dogs

    • Dogs have a natural urge to bite and chew. Providing proper chew toys circumvents the problem of a dog thinking it is okay to chew on humans. Even an older dog can be trained not to bite, but it may require more time and effort on the owner's part.

    Discipline

    • Physical discipline, such as hitting, is never acceptable when dealing with a dog who bites. If the dog is biting from fear, aggression or excitement, physical discipline may escalate the situation.

    When To Call a Professional Trainer

    • If, after providing ample chew toys and training, the dog still bites, it may be time to call a professional trainer for advice. Some dogs, especially those rescued from abusive or neglectful situations, may have a natural tendency to bite and require more intensive training methods.

    Choosing the Right Toy

    • Always choose a chew toy that is appropriate for your dog's age and size. A too small chew toy can provide a choking hazard. A chew toy formulated for an older dog may damage a puppy's sensitive teeth.

      An array of toys of different types and textures will encourage the dog to use them, and toys with treats hidden inside will provide a built in reward for the dog chewing on them, which is excellent, because dogs respond well to a reward system.