• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Puppy bites: They aren’t as cute as you think

Posted September 1, 2022

Dog owner examines puppy teeth. All dog owners need to work to stop puppy bites, so they aren’t aggressive when they get older. Use these tips to train puppies not to bite.
All dog owners need to work to stop puppy bites so they aren’t aggressive when they get older. Use these tips to train puppies not to bite.

Just about everyone loves puppies, even their cute, little, needle-sharp teeth that gnaw at your hands when they play. But, those little puppy bites aren’t as cute as you think, especially when the puppy grows up to be a dog that bites.

In fact, all puppy owners should train young dogs not to bite, so they aren’t aggressive when they get older. Here are some tips for training puppies not to bite.

Normal biting

It’s important to note that before you took your puppy home, they spent a lot of time with their siblings, biting each other all day long. When a puppy bites another puppy, it’s a learning phase. When one pup’s pain threshold has been met, they let out a yelp and the biting puppy lets go.

Humans can mimic this behavior. When a puppy bites you, you can let your hand go limp and let out a yelp. Your pup will instantly stop biting, and it won’t be as harsh the next time they bite.

Repeat the process until they learn your pain threshold. This is one method especially used to train German Shepherd puppies to stop biting.

Socialize your puppy

From the very beginning, get your puppy used to various people, places, and things. This will help it be less fearful in new situations because it will already be familiar with many of them.

Even when a situation is slightly different from one it knows, your puppy will respond without aggression, which can be a problem in unsocialized dogs.

Allow others to play with and hold your puppy to ensure it understands that most people are fun instead of dangerous.

This way, your dog won’t be as inclined to bite a stranger in the future as it would be if it didn’t know anyone but you and your family members. When puppies associate people with play, they tend to be less aggressive when they get older.

Get your puppy spayed or neutered

While getting your puppy spayed or neutered isn’t a guarantee it won’t bite someone; there is evidence that doing so makes dogs less aggressive.

This is particularly true for male dogs, but it has also been seen in females. Spaying or neutering your dog is good practice for numerous reasons, including limiting the pet population, but it’s also a way to potentially prevent dog bites as well.

Use positive reinforcement

Several studies show that dogs that are trained using punishment instead of positive reinforcement are 25% more likely to respond aggressively. This is why most dog trainers recommend using positive reinforcement to train your puppy not to bite. Whenever your dog responds to a situation calmly and without biting, reward it with praise and treats. 

Eventually, your puppy will associate the desired behaviors with external rewards, whether they get them every time or not.

You can also give your dog extra play time, more cuddles, or anything else your puppy enjoys in addition to treats and praise. That way, if you don’t have treats available when your dog does something you want, you can still reward it.

Let your dog growl

One behavior that you shouldn’t stop your dog from exhibiting is growling. This is how your dog shows discomfort with a situation or person.

You want your dog to give a warning if it is getting close to its tipping point so that it doesn’t bite someone out of anywhere.

When your dog growls, teach the person it’s growling at to leave the dog alone or remove the dog from the situation.

Final thoughts on puppy bites

Even though these tips will help you train your puppy not to bite, they can’t guarantee it will never happen. All dogs have the potential to bite under the right (or wrong) circumstances.

But, these tips will make sure you’ve done everything possible to prevent dog bites when it gets older. If an adult dog attacks someone, you may end up facing a lawsuit!

Related Posts

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.
    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

    Raising a puppy takes work and patience. Use DogsBestLife.com’s Puppy…

  • Smiling Pomeranian on blue background. Learn the truth about whether wet or dry dog food is better for your puppy’s teeth.
    Wet or dry dog food? Which is better for my puppy's teeth?

    Learn the truth about whether wet or dry dog food…

  • Black Labrador and Yellow Labrador puppies on white background. Use our list of dos and don'ts to protect your puppy from health scares to ensure your dog lives a long, healthy life.
    How to avoid new puppy health scares: Dos and don’ts

    Use our list of dos and don'ts to protect your…

  • Bichon Poodle mix runs through yard. Having a hyper puppy can be exhausting, but there are ways to cope. Try seven tips that will help you manage your pup's energy levels.
    Try 10 strategies to help calm down your hyper puppy

    Having a hyper puppy can be exhausting, but there are…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Training, Puppies Tagged With: Biting

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

Working dogsThanksgivingOld dogsPet parentsPandemicSocializationPuppy kindergartenVacation dog careOutdoor activitiesVeterinarianSheddingTickstraining tipsTwo dogsRottweilerYorkshire terrierValentine's DayRescue dogPotty trainingPit bullService dogsWaterSmall dogsPomeranianPawSeparation anxietyPoodlePetfinder.comPet sitterPuppy-proof

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Dog bite accident: What compensation are you entitled to?
    Dogs can cause serious injuries. Protect yourself and your wallet by understanding dog bite compensation laws. […]
  • What is canine pyometra? Understand causes, symptoms, treatment
    Canine pyometra is a serious uterine infection that affects around one in four unspayed female dogs. Spaying provides the best protection. […]
  • Can dogs eat potatoes? Are starchy vegetables safe for dogs?
    Can dogs eat potatoes? Keep your dog healthy by occasionally adding potatoes to its diet. Before changing your dog's diet, consult your vet. […]
  • Does my dog have Addison’s Disease? Understand symptoms, treatment
    Early detection and treatment are essential for canine Addison's Disease. With quick action, most dogs will make a full recovery. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.