How to Predict if a Puppy Will Become a Biter

Biting behaviors in puppies and adult dogs, while frustrating, don't usually come out of nowhere. A handful of different factors can often contribute to biting problems in canines. The better pet owners understand the causes of biting, the better chances they have of foreseeing the behavior and preventing it or quickly nipping it in the bud.

  1. Insufficient Social Interaction

    • Puppies sometimes develop biting problems due to insufficient interaction with their canine peers. If a puppy was removed from his mother dog and siblings at an especially young age, it might have eliminated a lot of his opportunities to play and learn. Puppies get a lot of important experience from early age interplay with their furry siblings. Their energetic play style involves a lot of tackling, biting and chasing. Puppies begin to understand how to control behaviors such as biting by observing how their playmates deal with it. If a puppy has little or no experience with this type of social interaction, he won't have an understanding that biting is a big no-no.

    Inadequate Training From Humans

    • If a puppy develops a biting habit, it could be because his previous human caretakers didn't ever steer him away from the behavior. If this describes your puppy's experience, biting could indeed become a problem. Although chewing and nipping are indeed normal and healthy behaviors in young pups, they still require firm yet calm correction. If puppies continue biting as they grow and develop, it gradually becomes more and more problematic as their teeth get stronger and sharper. If a human dismisses a puppy's biting as a phase, it's not often a surprise when the furry guy carries the action over into adulthood. Not only is it crucial for humans to firmly dissuade puppies from biting, it's also crucial for them to provide the youngsters with safer options -- think fun chew toys, for example.

    Contact With Humans

    • Socialization with fellow canines is crucial for young puppies, and so is socialization with human beings. If a puppy starts his life isolated from human contact, he might grow up to be extremely frightened by people, simply because he isn't used to being around them. This apprehension can sometimes result in biting -- a means of self-defense to poor pups. Puppies who have been physically harmed or ignored by people are often extremely wary and terrified of them, too.

    Biting Management

    • Biting in canines calls for prompt management, regardless of the root cause or causes. Since biting can be extremely hazardous, it's important to keep puppies and adult dogs who display these behaviors away from children and other pets. Don't try to get rid of your puppy's biting all by your lonesome. Consult your veterinarian and find a professional who specializes in dog behavior. Dealing with the situation by yourself at home can often be risky. By seeking the assistance of a certified animal behavior expert or trainer, you can get your puppy on track to becoming the well-behaved, friendly and happy dog he was always meant to be.