What Are the Causes of Puppy Biting?

There are many reasons dogs nip or mouth their way through puppyhood. Frustrated owners try everything they can think of to deter the unwanted behavior. Occasionally nipping is a symptom of something more serious that needs to be addressed. If it is not taken care of in the early stages, owners will be feeling the residual effects for a very long time.

  1. Exploring

    • Puppies use all five senses to learn about the world around them, which includes putting their mouths on almost everything. When playing, some puppies will get so involved in the game that they become unaware that they are biting the hand that feeds them. A succinct, "NO" or "OW" will stop all activity, giving the owner time to redirect the biting to an appropriate chew toy.

    Teething

    • When a puppy's teeth are coming in, it will chew on anything just to relieve the pressure on its gums. Appropriate chew toys like a teething pacifier or a puppy teether come is different sizes for all breeds of dogs. Hard rubber toys may be soaked in beef or chicken broth for 15-30 minutes to make them more appealing to chew. Another way to soothe some of the puppy's teething pain is to soak a dish towel you no longer want, knot it and freeze it, then present it to the puppy as a cool chew toy.

    Serious Nipping

    • Serious nipping can evolve through a series of ignored playful or exploratory nipping. When correcting puppy nipping it is best not to clamp the puppy's mouth shut or swat at its muzzle, which will most certainly encourage aggression in the pup. If an owner feels that their puppy's nipping has become more aggressive, a certified professional trainer should be consulted.

    Genetics

    • Certain breeds are designed to use nipping to perform a certain job. For instance, some herding breeds will use nipping as a way to direct a stray back into the pack. A few breeds that are genetically bred for hunting may get so into playing that they will nip out of instinct. Maintaining a regular training routine, and getting the puppy properly socialized, will often "nip" the problem before it becomes one.

    Things to remember

    • When incorporating a new puppy into your home life, it is natural to want to play with the pup. It is best to avoid conflict games such as tug of war. These types of games promote nipping, biting and aggression. It may also cause power plays for hierarchy in the pack.

      Puppy Kindergarten or a similar training course will give the dog the socialization it needs and provide the owner with a strong foundation for an appropriate training routine.