How to Keep a Doberman From Biting

The Doberman Pinscher was originally bred to be a guard dog in Germany. It is considered loyal and friendly, but also watchful and brave, as obedience is a desired trait in the breed. Because of this, training the Doberman to keep it from biting should be a priority, preferably when it is a puppy, so it does not develop bad habits of nipping or biting at inappropriate times. The same techniques can be used on older dogs but may not be as effective as when the dog is a puppy.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog treats
  • Muzzle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Become the doberman's pack leader or alpha. This will establish your control over the dog's behavior, allowing you to effectively deter it from biting behavior should the need arise. The dog should rely on the alpha person for its training, play and nourishment in order to establish the pack order.

    • 2

      Provide the dog with appropriate toys to chew and bite so it learns acceptable ways to use its teeth. This will help to keep the dog from feeling the urge to use its teeth in destructive or painful ways. Discourage the dog from biting at hands, shoes or other items in your home and replace the undesirable chew item with one of the dog's toys or a bone.

    • 3

      Keep the dog's mind occupied with obedience training. Teach the dog to sit, come or lie down. This can be done at an early age and serves to stimulate its mind and give it something to think about while distracting it from biting or chewing. This also serves to reinforce you as the pack leader. Give treats as rewards for good behavior, but instead of hand-feeding the dog, put it in a dish or on the floor so that it does not associate your hand with grabbing food, which can eventually lead to biting.

    • 4

      Socialize the doberman from an early age. This will give the dog a chance to learn acceptable behavior around other animals and strangers. It will also give the dog confidence and keep it from feeling insecure, which can lead to aggression and biting.

    • 5

      Place a muzzle on the dog if it shows a tendency to become aggressive around strangers or when out in public. The muzzle can act as a safety precaution in case there is any doubt that the dog might bite.