Dog Obedience Training for Biting

Just as you teach appropriate behavior to your children,  dogs also need to be trained to behave in an  acceptable manner.The difference, however, is the age  at which the training is most effective. While a one-  year-old human baby can hardly be expected to learn  more than toilet training, a year-old dog is considered to  be a teenager.   That means dog training should start as  soon as he opens up  his eyes and starts to recognize  the members of what he will later consider as his ‘pack’.

Most dogs and puppies are lovable, affectionate, and sweet. At the same time, puppies love to play and bite each other all the time. If they spend enough time in the litter, they learn to control themselves, ensured by the reaction of other dogs in the litter. It is experience that teaches them what is acceptable and what is not.

It is trust and respect rather than reprimand and punishment that inhibit dog biting. If the dog does not learn something, the fault lies more with the trainer than with the dog. Hitting, kicking or slapping is not likely to restrict your pup’s biting. He may continue to try and bite you, loving you at the same time. Trust and respect comes from patience, not punishment.

Dogs give their unconditional love to their owners. However, in their minds, that is not linked with their biting or aggressive behavior, since biting comes naturally to them. If you want puppies to adhere to acceptable human behaviors, you will need to train them adequately for the same.

The major step in teaching obedience for not biting starts with socializing. A lack of socializing means that the puppy starts considering you as his life mate and starts expecting the world from you. When you do not meet his demands, he is liable to resort to aggressive dog behavior.

Training mature dogs not to bite requires special techniques. Dog biting by adult dogs is usually a result of a desire to dominate. If your dog nips, growls, or bites, isolate him for some time. Later, let him earn everything. Make sure he obeys your commands of ‘sit’ or ‘stay’ every time before you feed him.  Be consistent in your training, because if you let him bite sometimes, then often biting cannot be stopped at all. Build trust and let the dog feel that it is not him that you dislike, but his biting.

Sending out consistent signals that you are the master usually treats dominance-related dog aggression. Define boundaries clearly and do not let the dog come into the areas that are restricted for him. Do not let him sleep in the bedroom or on the bed. Consistently follow up with commands and make sure he is rewarded every time he obeys.

Dog biting may also arise from fear. Do not worsen the situation by punishing. Identify the event, object, or person that the dog fears. Gradually increase the confidence of the dog by constantly introducing him to new people, settings, and animals. If he remains calm, offer him a treat.

Dog biting is a natural canine trait, which dogs usually give up as they grow and socialize. Mature and trained dogs do not usually bite. Dog aggression is usually a result of bad training where the alpha status of the owner is not firmly established. Obedience automatically follows when the dog accepts that you are the master.