Author: David Crocombe Added: June 28, 2009
Through play, puppies learn. The same way as all baby creatures. When training a puppy not to nip the best way is in the form of play. Everything is a game to a puppy. When playing with your puppy you can teach him at the same time. One of the first things your puppy needs to learn is that your are the alpha dog. The most effective way of teaching him that you are the alpha male is by gently rolling him over onto his back when playing. This reinforces that you are the alpha male to the puppy. Do this as often as possible. Do it firmly, not roughly. Puppies litter mate teach each other not to bite too hard. But to some extent they still nip. Puppies, like babies, love to have things to chew on in their mouth. A pup learns SO much from their mother before 8 weeks of age. And, ALL dogs need to be trained to not nip - they are teething until 7 months of age, and they use their mouths to communicate. They have to be taught what is appropriate and what is not. To train a puppy not to nip involves mane ways. Here are the seven most common ways to train puppies not to nip. These techniques are simple and effective. Any of them can be used when training puppy not to nip : 1) It's normal for a puppy to nip, and they grow out of it. So one way to train a puppy not to nip is when he nips or bites give him a little slap on the nose, then grab his mouth and hold it shut, scold him and say no, bad dog. This will stop him thinking it is ok to nip. Repeat and rinse - make sure that you do the same thing everytime you train a puppy not to nip. 2) You can train a puppy not to nip by making a loud noise when they do it - a loud yelp and stopping all play normally does the trick. When puppies are young they a mouthy/nippy and curious about everything. Also they have not learned manners and how to control their bites. Some dogs grow out of this behavior when they get older but some don't. When training puppies not to nip press down light, but yet firmly, on its tongue and within a few weeks this should stop. Make sure you have bones/toys for the puppy to chew, just like a baby it is teething. 4) It's not going to completely stop. You still have to train puppies not to nip. The bite inhabitation is teaching them when enough is enough and to not bite hard enough to draw blood. Plus, to young puppies that are teething, it feels good to bite and chew. When the puppy starts biting on you, try yelping and turning away from the puppy. After a few seconds, if it has left you alone, go back to playing or petting it. The puppy should get the idea that it's not a good thing to bite YOU or any other human. 5) Another way to train puppies not to nip is to try teaching them that they should only chew on the objects/toys you have provided for them. It should help to eliminate the biting/nipping problem. With each other nipping and playful biting are principal ways the dogs play. How much they do that with you depends how you want them to behave. Giving them repeated gentle but firm admonitions about it will help them understand. When the puppy tries to grab your arm with it's teeth but not bite, when playing. It is usually a territorial thing. To let the dog know you have seen that behaviors before and that it is not good behavior, pull the arm back. The puppy will know the it can play. There are a few techniques involved in training puppies not to nip. Play, enforced behavior, or verbal admonitions. However you chose to train a puppy not to nip, make sure that you are consistent with your training. With time, and patience, the problem will be resolved.
--- David Crocombe is a dog trainer and owner of a 6 month old puppy. For more articles and resources on dog training, visit his site =>
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