How to Train Your Rottweiler Puppy From Biting

An adult Rottweiler can easily exert 313 pounds of bite force, as compared with the West Highland white terrier, which manages about three pounds. Despite their biting ability, Rottweilers are gentle, loving family pets if they are trained from a young age. With the potential for damage in your dog's mouth, you will need to train your Rottweiler puppy not to bite -- a process known to dog trainers as "bite inhibition."

Things You'll Need

  • Dog toys
  • Treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stop the painful bites. All puppies need to know when their play biting has gotten too rough for their playmate. Nipped littermates will squeal and stop playing to signal, "Hey, that hurt." You need offer a similar signal. While playing with your Rottweiler puppy (no matter what age), if you are nipped with anything but the softest mouth, offer a high-pitched protest, turn away and end the game immediately. If your puppy immediately stops, praise and reinforce the polite behavior by resuming the game.

    • 2

      Help your older puppy decrease bite strength. If you have a four-month or older puppy with a play-biting problem, you must gradually reduce bite strength during play. Determine how much bite pressure you can stand -- anything above that must be treated with a verbal protest of a yelp and an end to the game. Gradually, over a period of weeks, lower the level of acceptable pressure you will tolerate.

    • 3

      Teach, "Drop it." Teach your Rottweiler puppy cues that start and stop the game on your terms, such as "Take it," "Leave it" and "Drop it." Start with a toy that you use for training sessions, and have a second identical toy on hand. Say, "Take it," and allow your pup to take the toy. When the puppy drops the first toy, offer the second toy as incentive. Say, "Drop it," and reward with the second toy. In time, your Rottweiler will learn that "Drop it," means to let go for something better, and you will be able to remove the toy from your dog without being bitten.

    • 4

      Teach impulse control. To teach impulse control, or "Leave it," hold a treat near your Rottweiler, but do not allow the dog to take the treat. As soon as your pet looks away from the treat, say, "Leave it," and give a treat from your other hand. Repeat for weeks -- impulse control is hard for puppies. Eventually, wait for your puppy to step away from the treat in your hand when you say, "Leave it." Once that step is mastered, place the first treat on the ground and say, "Leave it," and reward your Rottweiler with a different treat for compliance.