How to Stop a Poodle From Biting

It's a common misconception that all poodles are biters. In truth, a poodle that is trained well should not bite. Training a poodle not to bite needs to begin as soon as it is weaned from its mother; however, it is not impossible to break an older poodle of the biting habit. Proper discipline techniques, consistency and good medical care are all part of raising a gentle poodle.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog toys
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Instructions

    • 1

      Socialize your poodle puppy early. Puppies should not be taken from their mothers until they are at least 8 weeks old. After that, provide them with plenty of opportunities to interact with people and other pets.

    • 2

      Don't dismiss inappropriate behavior just because your dog is a puppy. Puppies get away with a lot because they are cute, but the same behavior will not be cute when it is exhibited by a full-grown dog.

    • 3

      Offer your puppy a toy when it bites. This will distract it, as well as teaching it that the toy you are offering is okay to bite and chew.

    • 4

      Make a whimpering sound when your poodle puppy bites you. This is the way puppies express pain to one another in their natural play and your puppy will probably understand what you are trying to communicate to it.

    • 5

      Ensure you are the alpha dog. This is especially important when working with older poodles. Have structured times for feeding, walks and training. Be firm when you give a command -- don't back down. Be consistent. If a particular behavior like biting is inappropriate, don't laugh or ignore it when the dog bites. This sends mixed messages and confuses the dog about what your expectations are.

    • 6

      Don't play aggressive games with a poodle that has a tendency to bite. Avoid chasing games, tug of war and wrestling.

    • 7

      Immediately correct your poodle's wrong behavior and praise its good behavior. Letting too much time go by between the dog's behavior and your response makes it hard for the dog to understand exactly what it is being praised or corrected for. Yelling and physical punishment are not effective and can cause fear in your dog, which could worsen the aggressive behavior.

    • 8

      Consult your vet or another animal expert if the various training methods seem to be ineffective on your poodle. There may be an underlying health issue contributing to your dog's inappropriate behavior.