Dogs Training - Training Your Dog Not To Bite
According to the CDC in the USA (Center for Disease Control), dogs bite more than 4.7 million people annually. Law suits, medical bills and, terribly for the owner dog euthanasia (dog is put down) are typical results from this belligerent - and, in most cases easily avoidable behavior.
As with any dog training issue, how easy or hard it is to train a dog not to bite will vary with the breed, age and individual disposition of the dog. But there are some basic methods that will typically hold off biting and nipping behavior.
Wherever possible, begin young. Puppies have a born inclination to mouth and nip. Though it’s often encouraged by owners who understandably see the behavior as cute, human control is a prerequisite to dog control. Good - and bad - habits begin young.
Beyond about the age of 4 weeks, puppies can start to acquire basic commands. When the puppy moves his mouth to bite, a gentle, but firm ‘No!’ Accompanied by a little squeeze of the muzzle can help.
Be careful not to cause the puppy to bite its tongue, though. Be particularly careful not to squeeze heavily or too high up on the muzzle. Dogs have sensitive and delicate odour receptors high up inside the nose. You never want to harm a dog’s power to smell.
The squeeze Is not to punish, but to inform. The aim is to help the young dog connect the verbal order with something it can interpret at that age - discomfort. Most dogs naturally dislike having their muzzles squeezed at any age.
Along with verbal discouragement and gentle physical restraint or reminders, socializing your dog - as young and frequently as possible - can help train calm and self-assured dogs. Fearful dogs, not used to strangers (whether human or animal), are a great deal more inclined to biting behavior. When I say as young as possible I mean as soon as they are OK to meet other dogs. Most puppies should have various immune jabs to protect them - so don’t take them out until after they’ve had them all and are protected against common dog illnesses. Ask your vet or breeder if unsure.
Expose the dog to other (non-aggressive) dogs. Differences in aroma and looks are triggers that can cause dogs to become distrustful. Acquainting them to variety at a young age can help discourage this territorial response.
Most dogs will naturally curb biting when playing with litter mates. They nip, but learn early not to press hard. Take advantage of this by ‘broadening’ the pack to include family members, other pets and frequent visitors.
Confine your pet at first when bringing in animals from other households. Constrain the other animal as well. Let them approach slowly and sniff or carry through other natural behavior.
Look for body tenseness, snarling, erect ears and other indicators of oncoming hostility. Make the dog sit, stroke its back and put out your hand to the other animal then convey the smell to your pet. Then allow them to interact.
Dogs generally learn bite inhibition by four and a half months, but don’t be demoralised if it doesn’t happen that speedily. Breeds vary and so do individuals. Older dogs, ones not trained early to suppress biting or not socialized, will by nature be harder to train.
Some dogs will never be fully trained not to want to bite. Part of training involves training people, too. Make certain any such dog is unable to reach other people or animals. And, make sure that people are advised not to try to interact with the dog.
Gradual, continual, patient training will normally pay off in a calmer, friskier dog. Which, in spite of the elbow grease involved, is nicer than paying off lawsuits and/or losing your dog to lethal injection!
