Nipping the playful biting and mouthing of your hands and clothes by your dog is especially not unusual amongst puppies, but can also happen in older dogs that haven’t been taught correct bite inhibition. It’s natural for dogs to mouth and nip. They explore the world using their mouths to a dog, his mouth is as vital as eyes and hands are to us. Nipping is absolutely different from true aggression; it’s a form of communication, interaction, exploration, and play.
It’s completely lovable when your new puppy starts nipping at your hair or your neck during play time. This behavior if left unchecked can cause heavy issues when his adult teeth come in. If your dog is nipping, you have to start teaching him that it’s an unsuitable behavior.
1. When your dog does nip be certain to stop playing with him immediately. Let him know that it hurt by asserting “ouch”. Then you can let him know, “bad dog, and no bite”. It is really important to have consistency when you discipline him, so be sure you let him know the same thing each time.
2. Be sure and teach your dog that you are not the toy. Always replace your hand with a toy and let him know that he is meant to play with it rather than you!
3. Another tip is to inform him to sit immediately after he has nipped you. Take your finger and tap on his nose and say “no bite” in a stern voice. The tap is not meant to hurt him….it’s just to allow him know this isn’t correct behavior. Your tone of voice is of equal importance as the tap on the nose. If you were his real mom, it would kindly be like a verbal growl! After a bit all you will have to do is raise your finger and he’s going to know to stop.
4. Dog nipping, sadly, is encouraged during game playing, when the dog is jumping up to get something. So don’t play games that include waving your hands, tug of war or asking him to jump up. Playing go get it and retrieve games is fine so long as your dog knows to drop the toy… That way he isn’t fighting over the toy with you.
5. Most significantly, be consistent. Dogs don’t get the “sometimes” word. They are doing understand the word no! Stay consistent… Doesn’t confuse him!
For answers to other questions about collie training, go here Training a chihuahua
Tags: animals, dog training, dogs, pets