How to Teach Dogs Not to Bite Kids

Believe it or not, children can be intimidating to dogs. They pinch, tug, push and pull. Even the most patient of dogs can associate children with negative experiences and learn to fear them. When this happens, a dog can become aggressive and snap or even bite children when they approach. For some dogs, biting (or nipping) is not aggression, but a means of play. Your dog may not realize that its sharp teeth are too rough for a child's skin. Regardless of your dog's motivation for biting children, it is a dangerous habit that should be corrected as soon as possible.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog treats
  • Dog toy
  • Leash
  • Muzzle
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Instructions

  1. Play Biting

    • 1

      Roughhouse with your dog. Use a toy to tug. If your dog bites your skin too hard, yelp or say "ouch!" loudly enough to startle your dog. End the game for a few seconds. Repeat this each time your dog bites with this same pressure. Puppies learn how hard they can bite by listening to their littermates yelp. If your dog didn't learn this, it's up to you to teach it.

    • 2

      Yelp when your dog bites just a bit softer, once it stops biting hard enough to hurt. Stop the game again so that your dog learns it will not be able to play if it continues to bite that hard.

    • 3

      Repeat steps one and two, allowing your dog to bite more and more softly until you no longer tolerate its teeth on your skin at all.

    • 4

      Supervise your children as they play with your dog. Instruct them to yelp, jerk their hands away and stop the game if the dog bites too hard. Have them offer your dog a toy instead and continue playing as long as it doesn't bite. Repeating this process (known as "bite inhibition") with each member of your family will teach your dog that the same rules apply for all humans, adults and children alike.

    Fear/Aggression Biting

    • 5

      Put your dog on a leash and place a muzzle on it (to prevent bites). Use a wire muzzle that will allow you to feed your dog treats. Arrange for an adult and child to help by walking at a distance your dog is comfortable with (at this distance it should not show any signs of fear or aggression). Reward your dog for being calm. Ask it to sit or even lie down to help encourage calm behavior.

    • 6

      Move your dog and the child closer together. Ask your dog to sit or lie down to distract it and encourage it to remain calm. Reward it with a favorite treat if it obeys. After 10 consecutive sessions without your dog acting aggressively, move even closer.

    • 7

      Repeat step 2, gradually moving your dog closer and closer to the child. Always reward the dog for staying calm. If you reach a distance where your dog refuses to calm down, return to the previous distance and practice again.

    • 8

      Keep your dog on a leash (and in a muzzle) and bring it into the same room as a child. Encourage your dog to sit or lie down. Reward it for obeying or for ignoring the child. Praise it and give it treats. If it won't calm down, remove it from the room.

    • 9

      Encourage the child to approach your muzzled and leashed dog when it has been completely calm (no aggressive behavior) for 10 consecutive sessions. Reward your dog for staying calm and friendly. Watch for signs of aggression such as stiffness, growling or bared teeth. Remove your dog from the room if it starts to show any of these signs.