Q&A for How to Discourage a Dog From Biting

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Question

What should I do if my dog bites while playing?

Ty Brown
Dog Trainer
Ty Brown is a Dog Behaviorist and Trainer and the Owner of Ty the Dog Guy, a business that provides dog training through digital resources (podcasts, web series, and online courses) along with in-person dog training. Ty has over 17 years of experience in dog training and specializes in both mitigating unruly pet behavior and service dog training. Ty has been awarded the "Best of State Award" for dog training in Utah ten times and his work has been featured in ABC, NBC, CBS, Spike TV, and Entrepreneur Magazine.

Ty Brown

Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

When your dog bites you, immediately stop the play session so it realizes that play ends with biting. You can also give your dog a brief tug on the leash and tell it "No." to discourage play biting. Once your dog stops biting, you can continue to play.

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Question

How do I get my puppy to calm down when he starts biting?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Puppies tend to get very excited during play and lose all self-control. If this happens, it's a good idea only to play for 15 seconds, then stop and wait for the puppy to calm down. Only resume play once they have backed off and are sitting. This helps them learn self-control.

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Question

What do you do when your puppy goes to the bathroom in the house?

Community Answer

Try to catch signs when your puppy needs to go to the bathroom, and take him/her out. If you see an accident in your house, you're too late. Try to catch your pup in the act and say, "No!" firmly. Take him/her to the bathroom location and say, "Go potty." This teaches your puppy that this is the place to relieve itself. Clean up his/her mess, and make sure you can't smell the urine/feces, as any lingering smell will tempt the dog to go in that same spot.

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Question

I have a 14-month-old dog that still likes to mouth and bite at my hands, wrists, feet and arms. When I discourage the behavior, he just wants more - like it's a game. What should I do?

Community Answer

Make a discouraging sound at him whenever it looks like he's going to do something of which you disapprove. If this doesn't work, get a vibrating collar. They're like shock collars, but they vibrate instead. The dog will stop what it's doing when the collar vibrates, because it is an uncomfortable feeling. You only should have to use it a few times before he gets the message.

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Question

Our 8-month-old husky is mostly loving but will sometimes get into a fit of barking and rapid biting. We want to train with positive reinforcement, but it's hard to do when biting is so rapid. Help?

Community Answer

You may have to try using timeouts and withholding rewards. Do not hit or further excite her.

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Question

When my puppy bites I make a loud yelp like a dog would. Instead of stopping, she starts to bite even harder, like it's a game. What can I do?

Community Answer

All puppies are going to bite and nip. It is a game to them, as well as a way to sharpen their teeth. When she bites, gently say, "no," in a firm voice, but don't ever spank or smack your dog.

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