6 tips to stop your dog from biting

Anyone who has a four-legged friend at home has probably already gone through, is going through, or will go through the dreaded biting phase. Biting begins when the dog is still a puppy and can be related to a number of reasons. After all, biting is a natural instinct in the animal world.

However, when dogs start biting people, shoes, furniture and other inappropriate objects, you need to pay attention and look for appropriate ways to put an end to the unwanted behavior before it becomes a habit.

Below, we explain the main reasons why dogs bite and provide tips to help stop biting. Check it out!

Reasons why dogs bite

Before you know how to stop your dog from biting people and inappropriate objects, you need to understand the reasons that lead to this canine behavior. The main reasons are:

Hunting instinct

Playing awakens several natural instincts, such as hunting. In the animal world, prey tends to run away from its predators. For this reason, many dogs end up losing interest in inanimate objects and prefer those that move, such as people’s hands.

Discomfort with teething

Just like babies, puppies also suffer when their teeth come in, causing discomfort in their gums. Biting is one of the main ways they find to relieve pain in the region and, because of this, it is common to find dogs biting various objects, especially in the first six months of life.

Need for attention

Do you know when children do mischief to get their parents’ attention? It works the same way with dogs. The more sociable they are, the more interactions they will need, looking for ways to get their owners’ attention, whether with toys, heart beat sand, often, bites.

Anxiety, stress or boredom

Like other destructive behaviors, biting can be a sign that the pet is anxious, stressed or bored. Most of the time, these feelings blossom due to accumulated energy, and biting is a way to release it.

6 tips to stop your dog from biting

Now that you have a better understanding of the reasons behind dog biting, it’s time to learn how to stop your dog from biting things they shouldn’t. Below, we’ve put together 6 simple training tips that can help with your dog’s behavior. Let’s take a look:

1. Avoid withdrawing your hand

When a dog bites your hand, your first instinct is to pull it away. However, the animal may interpret this movement as a game: it bites you, you pull your hand away and the game starts all over again. As if you were prey.

To teach your dog to stop biting, you must keep your hand still and say “no” clearly and firmly. This will show him that what he is doing is wrong. It will take him a while to assimilate this learning. Therefore, repeat the process as often as necessary.

2. Show that the bite hurts

In addition to keeping your hand still, you should also show your pet that biting hurts you. To do this, you can make a pained expression or say “ouch”. Dogs tend to be very attached to their owners. Therefore, they may be sensitive to seeing that you are suffering and thus stop the habit.

3. Invest in dog toys

As we mentioned, dogs often bite due to discomfort in their gums, and this is completely normal. To divert attention from inappropriate hands and objects, invest in dog toys and chew toys. This way, your dog can relieve the pain in the right way.

Toys are still excellent options to enrich the environment and entertain pets during play or when they are alone at home.

4. Stop playing

Another reason a dog bites is to get attention. When he starts biting you, stop playing and ignore him for a few minutes. This way, he will understand that whenever he bites you, the game will end.

5. Take walks and exercise

The benefits of walking your dog go far beyond weight maintenance: this way, the dog can also socialize and release energy, reducing levels of anxiety, stress and boredom.

In addition to walking the dog, organize a play routine inside or outside the house. This way, you ensure that he gets the attention he deserves and uses up his energy, leaving him tired and preferring to rest rather than bite what he shouldn’t.

6. Work on positive reinforcement

Whatever the situation, you should never repress, shout at or attack your dog. These inappropriate methods will only harm the animal’s emotions, making it aggressive or fearful.

To teach your dog the right habits, always practice positive reinforcement: when your dog obeys you and shows good behavior, reward him with praise, affection or a treat. This way, he will begin to associate the teachings with good attitudes, keeping him motivated to continue obeying.

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Like all of our recipes, these treats are developed with veterinarians and nutritionists from the Waltham Institute of Animal Science and Care, one of the world’s leading authorities on animal nutrition and care.

Finally, it is worth noting that alltraining It requires patience, dedication and a series of repetitions for the dog to be able to absorb the teaching. So, remember to stay firm in your purpose and follow the tips above whenever your pet tries to bite you, other people or inappropriate objects.

The earlier you start these practices, the easier it will be to train your dog. If you have a puppy, start training him as soon as he tries to bite you for the first time, even if it doesn’t hurt or seems cute, okay?