| > | | | | screaming!) and stop all play. Turn your back on him, |
| Guide to stopping your puppy nipping and what is the | | | | and refuse to continue the game. He should come |
| real cause of the behavior. Here's a news flash | | | | around to face you and find out what's wrong |
| — puppies nip!Okay, I guess you already knew | | | | — tell him "bad dog — no bite" in a firm |
| that. But here's the surprise — you may | | | | tone of voice. Do this every time he nips until he |
| actually be encouraging your puppy to nip. Let's talk | | | | gets the idea that nipping means no more fun. |
| about how to stop this behaviour before it grows up | | | | 2. Replace your flesh with a toy When you've |
| to be an adult-sized dog problem. | | | | resumed play, and if your puppy tries to nip again, |
| Puppies are a lot like babies — they use their | | | | try replacing your hand or arm (or whatever's being |
| mouths in part to explore their world. Little kids are | | | | nipped) with a toy. Teach your puppy that you're not |
| forever sticking things in their mouth — from | | | | the toy. Put a toy in between you and those |
| your favourite house plant to the bar of soap in the | | | | needle-sharp teeth! |
| tub. That's one of the ways they experience taste | | | | 3. The Nose Tap If your puppy nips turn to him |
| and texture, and figure out what's good and what's | | | | immediately and give him the "sit" command. Take |
| not. It's all about experimentation. | | | | your forefinger and hold it up in front of his nose, |
| Puppies are the same. They want to see just how | | | | then tap him on the nose and say "no bite" in a stern |
| soft your finger is, or what that leash tastes like. In | | | | tone of voice. It's important to note two things here: |
| addition, biting or nipping is an important part of | | | | 1) the nose tap isn't designed as a dire punishment |
| learning social skills in their "wolf" pack — the | | | | — you're not trying to hurt him, but rather |
| social structure that makes up your dog's life. And | | | | startle him into stopping the behaviour; and 2) your |
| with some breeds, such as Border Collies, biting or | | | | tone of voice is just as important as the nose tap. |
| nipping is even more instinctive because of the | | | | Don't scream at him — your voice should be |
| nature of the breed — they're born and bred | | | | stern and give a clear warning — think of it as |
| to herd livestock, and that's how a 50 or 60 pound | | | | a verbal growl — something that he can |
| dog will control a 1,000 pound cow — by biting | | | | understand as a dog. An interesting result of this |
| at the heels or nose. | | | | manner of breaking this habit is that down the road, |
| If your dog was allowed to remain with mom and his | | | | when your puppy has learned to recognize the raised |
| littermates for an appropriate amount of time (until | | | | finger — he'll usually stop whatever behaviour |
| at least 8 weeks of age), then mom should have | | | | he's engaging in just because he knows what's |
| taught him the beginnings of bite inhibition. As the | | | | coming. You won't even have to raise your voice |
| pups began to grow and develop those needle-sharp | | | | — just lift that finger. |
| little puppy teeth, mom would have disciplined him for | | | | 4. Don't encourage biting or nipping in the first place |
| being too rough, either with her or his littermates. | | | | Don't let the kids start "chase" games — that |
| Junior soon learns that all play will stop and he'll get | | | | encourages dogs to think that the kids are prey. |
| smacked down by mom if he gets carried away. | | | | Don't play games that involve waving your hands in |
| But when you get that puppy home, and he | | | | front of your dog and encouraging him to jump or |
| becomes part of the family, you may be encouraging | | | | nip. Don't play tug-of-war with your dog — it |
| him to nip by letting the kids run away from him, | | | | will not only encourage him to think he's your equal, it |
| squealing and giggling in an effort to play "chase" | | | | can promote nipping if you use a rope toy, for |
| games. While this is cute at the beginning, it can soon | | | | example, because he'll try to bite at your hands to |
| turn into a full-fledged problem when he's no longer | | | | make you lose your grip on the toy. Play games of |
| such a small, cute puppy, and views any child running | | | | fetch and retrieval, but be sure that your dog knows |
| away as fair game. You can also encourage this kind | | | | the "drop" or "release" command so you're not |
| of bad behaviour by teasing him with toys — | | | | fighting over the toy. |
| holding them just above his head and yanking them | | | | 5. Be consistent Stop the nipping behaviour as soon |
| out of range when he jumps for the toy or nips at it. | | | | as it starts, and be consistent about disciplining your |
| (This also encourages another bad habit: jumping.) | | | | puppy for it. Don't let him get away with nipping on |
| Here's 5 things you can do to stop your puppy from | | | | one day, and then discipline for the same behaviour |
| nipping. | | | | the next. Dogs don't understand "sometimes it's ok," |
| 1. When your puppy does nip — stop all play If | | | | or "maybe it's ok it you don't nip too hard and I'm in |
| your puppy nips too hard, say "Ouch!" in a | | | | a good mood." They understand "Don't ever do |
| loud-enough voice to surprise him (don't start off by | | | | that," and "No more treats if you do that. |