Although play biting can seem cute as a puppy, play biting is often not as cute in an adult dog. Most pet parents do not enjoy their dog play biting, mouthing or nipping them. So, how to stop a dog from biting ; what steps do you need to take? And, how to train your dog not to bite ?
Is Your Dog Playful or Aggressive?
When first determining how to stop a dog from biting, the pet parent should determine if their dog is biting due to aggression or play. Most of the time, your dog is exhibiting a behavior known as mouthing. Mouthing is a normal behavior and is often associated with play. Sometimes; however, biting can be a sign of aggression. The best way to tell is often via your dog’s body language. A dog who is exhibiting playful behavior will appear relaxed whereas a dog exhibiting aggressive behavior will be rigid and tense.
How to Train your Dog Not to Bite?
If your dog is biting due to aggression, this is difficult to treat and you should consult a canine behavior professional for the safest behavior modification plan to be implemented. Handling an aggressive dog can be dangerous and the smallest wrong move can be detrimental.
If your dog is biting due to play, this is much simpler to resolve. When your dog tries to “mouth” you, you should immediately give her a chew bone or her favorite toy. This will teach her that you do not approve of her mouthing you and you would rather her chew on something else. You should also provide your dog with a sufficient number of stimulating toys to keep her mind busy. This is because mouthing can also be caused by boredom. Learn here how to train an aggressive dog
If you are having a difficult time determining if your dog is displaying aggressive or playful behavior, or you are having a difficult time regarding how to stop your dog from biting, you should contact our canine behavior specialist as soon as possible to determine the type of biting and the cause. This will help you to determine the best behavior modification plan for your furry friend.
Amber Johnson, Animal Behaviorist
Miss Amber Johnson has many years of experience with pets and is a licensed cat and dog nutrition and behavior specialist. She currently collaborates with PetPremium where she counsels clients in pet behavior and nutrition. The statements made in this article are the personal opinions of Miss Amber Johnson and based on independent experiences and could be different from the opinions of PetPremium Pet health Insurance or any other pet health insurance provider.