Dog nipping is normal, especially in puppies. Nipping refers to the playful biting and mouthing that dogs do to hands and clothes. Nipping is a natural behavior that pups learn when they are born. It allows then to better explore their surroundings. Puppies also use nipping to interact and play with other puppies. It is not meant to be an aggressive behavior.
Bite Inhibition
Bite inhibition refers to the method in which a puppy learns to stop biting others. In a litter, if a puppy bites another, the puppy that is bitten yelps and stops playing with the other puppy. When that puppy is bitten, he understands what the pain feels like.
Because bite inhibition is learned through socialization, it is important to keep puppies together in a litter for as long as possible. If a puppy is removed from the litter too early, he will not learn the concept of bite inhibition and will need to be taught by his owner.
Even after a puppy has already learned about bite inhibition, he may need to be re-taught once he enters a new home. This is because a dog that mouths and bites can be painful to be around. Puppies have sharp teeth that can inflict much damage to a person’s skin.
General rules
When teaching your dog to stop nipping, here are some general rules to keep in mind for success:
- Let your dog know what behaviors are correct by rewarding them with a treat. Respond with a firm “No!: to unacceptable behavior.
- Consistency is key. You must distinguish between good and bad behavior every time without fail.
- Avoid hitting or slapping the dog. The dog will think you are either playing or being mean, which could make your dog aggressive.
- Don’t turn training time into fun time. Avoid playing games with your dog while teaching him to stop nipping. He will just think nipping is a fun game.
How to prevent dog nipping
There are various methods you can try. Some will work better than others depending on the age and personality of your dog. Here are some proven methods:
Replicate litter behavior. In a litter, the puppies yelp and avoid playing with the offending puppy. Do the same with your puppy. When he bites you, let out a startling cry and pull yourself away from the puppy. After a few attempts, your puppy will quickly learn that you stop playing with him when he bites you. Therefore, he will quit nipping you.
Try redirection. When our dog starts mouthing or nipping you, redirect him to a toy or bone instead. This is an effective method for young puppies, and they usually catch on rather quickly.
For older dogs, throw in some commands. You can say something familiar, such as “Stop!” or Leave it!” and your dog should quickly stop the behavior.
If you have tried the above techniques without much success, then go a step further. When your dog tries to nip you, yell “No!” and put a thumb under his tongue and a finger under his chin. This is uncomfortable for a dog, so hopefully after having to do this a few times, your dog will get the hint.
Dog Training Central has a good website with many tips to prevent nipping in dogs and puppies, and a video is included.
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