Puppy Bitting Training Tips

Be Consistent

• When it comes to teaching your puppy not to bite, consistency is key, suggests the Complete Guide to Responsible Dog Ownership website. Your puppy will not learn well if you send it mixed signals. For instance, if you decide you do not want your puppy to bite you only when playing, you shouldn't let it bite you at all---under any circumstances. The pup won't be able to distinguish when it is and isn't allowed to bite if you let it do so sometimes.

  So don't slack off and allow the puppy to bite when you just don't feel like implementing training. Owner laziness can seriously set back a puppy's training progress. Teach those around the puppy that biting is not tolerated.

Reward Good Behavior

• There's almost nothing more a puppy likes than treats, so using them as a part of your training is a good idea. Reward your dog when it exhibits appropriate behavior by giving it a few tasty morsels. For instance, if the puppy is playing without biting you, give it a treat. Here, you are reinforcing good behavior. Your puppy will begin to associate the non-biting behavior with receiving a treat and will likely prefer that over the alternative.

Just Walk Away

• The American Rottweiler Club website states that in order to stop your puppy from biting, you have to remove any rewards it receives. For example, if you are playing with your puppy and it bites you, give a loud "ouch" or "no," then walk away. Doing this removes the two rewards your pup was currently receiving---you and the playing. By walking away, you teach your puppy that biting results in your absence and the termination of play. After you walk away, ignore the pup for a few minutes. If it plays appropriately when you return, give it a treat as a reward.

Act Like a Dog

• When your puppy was still with its mother, it received a sharp reprimand when it misbehaved. The mother growled, grabbed the pup by its scruff and placed it on its back. Not only did this action stop the puppy's bad behavior, but it also showed the puppy that mama is the boss.

  You can simulate this behavior by saying "ouch" or "no" in a clear, loud voice, then place it on its back for a few seconds. This is a vulnerable position. Your action of placing the dog in this position shows that you are in control of the dog. The puppy will be more likely to obey you if it feels you are in charge. If the puppy starts to play appropriately, reward it with a treat.

Redirect the Biting

• The Complete Guide to Responsible Dog Ownership Guide suggests giving your puppy something else to chew on, other than your hand. For example, when your pup starts to take a nibble, say "no" and place an object that is acceptable to bite in its mouth, such as a dog toy. If your puppy is teething, you may want to offer an ice cube to help soothe the pain associated with teething. Look for toys that will be hard to destroy and won't break up into little pieces, as the puppy could swallow them and become ill. Kong toys are typically good, as you can hide peanut butter inside, and they are difficult to tear apart.