Instructions
Prevention and Correction
Always discourage puppies from biting fingers and hands. It's cute and usually harmless when a small puppy chews on your fingers or hands; but consider what this "cute" behavior will be like when the full-grown version of your dog attempts it. It stops being cute when those little needle-like teeth become full-sized canine chompers and the jaws in which they are set are powerful vice grips. The best discouragement for what is commonly called "mouthing" is to apply backward pressure toward the jaw hinge--not enough to cause great pain but enough to create a very uncomfortable feeling for your puppy. He will pull away.
Apply the same pressure principle to a big dog when he grabs onto your hand. The common reaction to a bite is to pull away. It makes sense: You want your hand back (in one piece if at all possible), but pulling away is the worst thing you can do. Never pull back, because the dog's teeth will rip into your skin, and not only will he not let go, he will probably go with the "game" and grab on harder to hold on.
Do not panic. Keep your wits about you and press into the dog's jaw. Press as hard as is necessary. In the case of a large dog--who, unlike a puppy, is serious about biting your hand--do not worry about hurting him. Get your hand out in one piece, and apply as much pressure as is needed to cause the dog enough discomfort that he releases.
Remember that pit bulls--and other vice-jaw type dogs, including Dobermans, American Staffordshires and bulldogs--are still just dogs. The locking jaw of a pit bull is nearly legendary, and pictures of them hanging from a "bait" toy hung in a tree completely suspended in mid-air, their minds completely set on not letting go, are common. These dogs are bred to grab on and not let go at any cost, and the pressure they can apply is tremendous, due to the wedge-shaped jaw they possess. They are still dogs, however, and they are still subject to the pain of reverse pressure. Nature gave them the instinct to bite down and lock in, but did not provide protection against the bitee shoving into the bite, because nature tells all animals to instinctively pull away from pain. That gives you the advantage in using the above method, even in the case of an attack from one of these breeds.
Seek medical attention if the bite is severe. If there is broken skin involved, contain the animal or determine its location so the authorities can perform the needed tests for rabies to ensure your safety.
How to Stop a Dog From Biting Hands
As the old saying goes, "Don't bite the hand that feeds you"; unfortunately, many dogs have never heard it. Dog bites are painful, but when they come from your own, beloved pet, they are emotionally as well as physically painful. Most dog owners unknowingly encourage such behavior in early puppyhood, and it is entirely preventable. You just need to know a few tips on how to stop the behavior from ever occurring, and what you can do if your dog (or someone else's) does bite your hand.