Nipping and biting is a natural stage in every puppy's life.
It's their way to get rid of the unpleasant itching and pain associated with the teething period they go through.
It also allows them to learn how strong their mouth is from the reactions of their litter mates and mother.
However, as soon as you notice your puppy nipping in order to get your attention or show dominance you have to react firmly.
Below is a list of proven methods to stop your puppy from nipping and biting.
1.
Help him socialize.
The easiest way to eliminate puppy nipping is to let him socialize with as many other animals and people as possible before he reaches 12 weeks.
This way he can get used to new faces and will become a friendly and easy-going pet in the future.
If you keep your dog isolated he may grow into an aggressive and fearful animal that will be much harder to control and will often bite in order to protect himself.
2.
Sort out some entertainment.
Another way to stop puppy nipping I use is to make sure that your pet is always busy (apart from the time when he sleeps of course).
You can redirect your dog's attention from biting to chewing on toys (try using Kongs as they can provide your pet with hours of fun) or take him on a walk and try obedience training.
The purpose of the latter option is to make him tired and well-exercised.
Tired dogs will not bite, bark or get involved in other undesired activities.
3.
Pretend his mother.
If you really struggle with your puppy nipping problem you can start pretending your pet's mother.
Every time he bites you make a high pitched noise and leave him alone.
If he follows you and continues nipping your hand place him in the crate and close the door.
This way your dog can understand that biting other people results in loss of a playmate and an end of playtime.
4.
Stop puppy nipping using a bit of spices.
Try covering your hand (or glove that you can put on it) with a strong smelling substance such as tabasco sauce or cayenne pepper.
This will repel your dog very effectively but he may end up biting other people so use it only if you're living alone.
5.
Don't play-fight with your dog.
Playing aggressively (e.
g.
wrestling, tug of war) with your pet will slow down the entire process and can even increase the amount of puppy nipping you experience so make sure to avoid it.
Instead, make your dog busy by teaching him one of the basic obedience tricks such as 'sit', 'stay' or 'come'.
He will really appreciate the fact that you spend time with him and will love the tasty treats given as a reward.