Piranha Puppies - Keeping Puppy Mouthing & Biting Under Control
It's normal for a puppy to use his or her mouth during play and social interaction, but it's certainly no fun having those sharp teeth embedded in your ankle or arm. It's important to teach your puppy how to use their mouth in an acceptable manner. Strategies for controlling the little piranha include encouraging acceptable play, providing sufficient stimulation to meet their needs, teaching them basic commands such as "sit" and "down," and ignoring or interrupting undesirable biting behavior. When play biting becomes too intense or persists into adulthood, seek the advice of a behavior specialist so you can determine the best course of action.
Don't make things worse
Do not encourage your puppy's pesky behavior. Don't get your pup all fired up with rough play, teasing, or a game of tug-of-war if these lead to biting. Avoid games that encourage your puppy to attack any part of your body, and don't wear globes during play to allow your puppy to bit. Be careful to not inadvertently reward the behavior. If biting works to get your attention, the behavior will continue. Cease giving any attention or ignore puppy if biting occurs. Avoid harsh corrections and physical punishment. Never hit or slap your pet, thump their nose, squeeze their lips against their teeth, shake them by the scruff of the neck, roll them onto their back, or force your finders into their mouth. This kind of correction is likely to make the biting problem worse, ruin the bond with your pet, and lead to more serious problems, such as fear and aggression.
Channel that energy
If your puppy is constantly demanding attention by mouthing or biting or is playing too rough, then you will need to provide other ways to keep their brain and body active. Schedule regular play and exercise throughout the day in ways that do not involve mouthing, such as walking and running, playing fetch, chasing a ball, practicing some of their training exercises, or even playing tug games as long as your puppy's teeth remain on the toy and do not touch your body. Another way to channel your puppy's energy is to provide frequent opportunities for playing with other friendly dogs. Giving your puppy dental treats, toys that are designed to be manipulated to release a treat, or those that promote prolonged chewing also provide opportunities to use the mouth and teeth in an acceptable healthy way. Remember the training mantra, "A tire puppy is a good puppy."
Communicating with Your Puppy
Enroll your pet in puppy socialization and training classes as soon as possible. Teach her a few simple commands so you can communicate with them when they begin to engage in undesirable behaviors. Training sessions combine social time, mental stimulation, and learning new skills, while keeping your puppy focused on behaviors other than play biting. Teach your puppy what behaviors you expect of them before they get any rewards. For example, ask them to sit before giving them things they want, and occasionally command them to stay for a second or two before following you around the home or going through a doorway. Be consistent.
Training Aids
A dragline can be a helpful too for managing your puppy's biting behavior. Attach a long line (10 feet indoors and 20 feet or longer outdoors) to your pet's collar so you can quickly grab the line when you need to stop the biting. Be sure that the pet is closely supervised when they are wearing a dragline. With a gentle pull on the leash you can immediately stop mouthing and biting. Release tension as soon as the dog settles down. If the puppy will not focus, gets easily distracted, or uses their mouth excessively, more effective control of the head and muzzle can be achieved by using the dragline with a head halter. Head halters can give all family members, even young children, a considerable amount of control over the pet.
Enough is Enough: Using a "Stop" Command
If biting begins during play, it is important that the pet learn to stop on command. This can be done by giving an "enough" command when they are biting. Begin training when the pet is very calm. Hand the puppy a small piece of dry food as you say "okay" in a relaxed tone. Next, hold another piece of food in front of them and firmly say "enough" without raising your voice or yelling. If the puppy doesn't attempt to make contact with your hand or the food for two seconds, say "okay" and giver them the food. If they touch your hand before two seconds pass and before you say "okay" immediately say "enough" with sufficient force to make them back away but not frighten them. Be dramatic, lean toward the pup, and make eye contact when you give the instructive reprimand. Gradually increase the time the puppy has to wait. Once they learn to leave the food alone on command, practice the exercise without food by using only your hand. Later, repeat the exercise when the puppy is more keyed up. The goal is to get to the point that the puppy will not take food or touch your hand once you have said "enough," no matter how tasty the treat or how interesting your hand. Maintain consistency.
Do not encourage your puppy's pesky behavior. Don't get your pup all fired up with rough play, teasing, or a game of tug-of-war if these lead to biting. Avoid games that encourage your puppy to attack any part of your body, and don't wear globes during play to allow your puppy to bit. Be careful to not inadvertently reward the behavior. If biting works to get your attention, the behavior will continue. Cease giving any attention or ignore puppy if biting occurs. Avoid harsh corrections and physical punishment. Never hit or slap your pet, thump their nose, squeeze their lips against their teeth, shake them by the scruff of the neck, roll them onto their back, or force your finders into their mouth. This kind of correction is likely to make the biting problem worse, ruin the bond with your pet, and lead to more serious problems, such as fear and aggression.
Channel that energy
If your puppy is constantly demanding attention by mouthing or biting or is playing too rough, then you will need to provide other ways to keep their brain and body active. Schedule regular play and exercise throughout the day in ways that do not involve mouthing, such as walking and running, playing fetch, chasing a ball, practicing some of their training exercises, or even playing tug games as long as your puppy's teeth remain on the toy and do not touch your body. Another way to channel your puppy's energy is to provide frequent opportunities for playing with other friendly dogs. Giving your puppy dental treats, toys that are designed to be manipulated to release a treat, or those that promote prolonged chewing also provide opportunities to use the mouth and teeth in an acceptable healthy way. Remember the training mantra, "A tire puppy is a good puppy."
Communicating with Your Puppy
Enroll your pet in puppy socialization and training classes as soon as possible. Teach her a few simple commands so you can communicate with them when they begin to engage in undesirable behaviors. Training sessions combine social time, mental stimulation, and learning new skills, while keeping your puppy focused on behaviors other than play biting. Teach your puppy what behaviors you expect of them before they get any rewards. For example, ask them to sit before giving them things they want, and occasionally command them to stay for a second or two before following you around the home or going through a doorway. Be consistent.
Training Aids
A dragline can be a helpful too for managing your puppy's biting behavior. Attach a long line (10 feet indoors and 20 feet or longer outdoors) to your pet's collar so you can quickly grab the line when you need to stop the biting. Be sure that the pet is closely supervised when they are wearing a dragline. With a gentle pull on the leash you can immediately stop mouthing and biting. Release tension as soon as the dog settles down. If the puppy will not focus, gets easily distracted, or uses their mouth excessively, more effective control of the head and muzzle can be achieved by using the dragline with a head halter. Head halters can give all family members, even young children, a considerable amount of control over the pet.
Enough is Enough: Using a "Stop" Command
If biting begins during play, it is important that the pet learn to stop on command. This can be done by giving an "enough" command when they are biting. Begin training when the pet is very calm. Hand the puppy a small piece of dry food as you say "okay" in a relaxed tone. Next, hold another piece of food in front of them and firmly say "enough" without raising your voice or yelling. If the puppy doesn't attempt to make contact with your hand or the food for two seconds, say "okay" and giver them the food. If they touch your hand before two seconds pass and before you say "okay" immediately say "enough" with sufficient force to make them back away but not frighten them. Be dramatic, lean toward the pup, and make eye contact when you give the instructive reprimand. Gradually increase the time the puppy has to wait. Once they learn to leave the food alone on command, practice the exercise without food by using only your hand. Later, repeat the exercise when the puppy is more keyed up. The goal is to get to the point that the puppy will not take food or touch your hand once you have said "enough," no matter how tasty the treat or how interesting your hand. Maintain consistency.
