Q&A for How to Train a Puppy Not to Bite

Your puppy can grow out of biting if you teach it to. Dogs learn best when we show them what to do instead of what not to do. For instance, try smoothing a little peanut butter on the back of your hand. Present it to the dog, and if they lick instead of using their teeth, mark that as correct with a clicker or a verbal indicator, then give them a treat. Once that's consistent, remove the peanut butter and treat for licking, then put a verbal word to the action, like "kisses." Now you have something the dog can do instead of biting.

Use your attention as a training tool. The most basic way to reward your puppy for not biting is simply by allowing them to continue to play with you. Conversely, you can punish a puppy that's taking things too far by removing access to you as a playmate. Communicate these limits through your body language, energy, and verbal communication. This will mimic the natural way puppies would be ostracized if they played too rough within their litter.

It sounds like your wife and son are regarded differently by the dog. You need to figure out what it is that's being done differently, and then correct this. For example, do your wife or son squeal when the dog mouths them (which makes them sound like squeaky toys and is very exciting to the Sprocker). Do you and the older son have deep voices and are firmer with the pup? Who walks the dog? Who feeds the dog? You need a root and branch review of the management of the dog so that everyone plays an equal part and is equally respected by the dog.

This is really difficult, as labs love food, and puppies eat everything, so the combo is a guaranteed scavenger. In the most, you just have to puppyproof the house and yard, and be incredibly vigilant. Teach him "Leave" and "Give", from an early age so you can get objects from his mouth without a fight. Keep treats in a pouch on your belt, and if he picks something up, have him sit, then reward the sit, which means he drops the object in order to take the treat.

Biting during play is often due to over excitement. Try and control the play so he doesn't become over excited. One way to do this is to play for 15 second bursts, where you set down toys and don't interact again until the puppy is sitting attentively. This short 'time out' sessions stop him getting too revved up. Plus, if he does nip, stop the game immediately and leave the room. This sends out the message that if he bites, the game ends.

Thoroughly wash the area of the bite with warm, soapy water. Monitor the skin for swelling, redness, or a discharge and see your physician as required.

Yes, puppies investigate most things with their mouth and biting is normal behavior. However, this is exactly the right time to stop him biting so that he understands teeth have no place on human skin.

Avoid getting the puppy over-excited. If he starts biting and doesn't respond to a squeal (to tell him it hurts) then get up and leave the room. Only return when the puppy is quiet. Alternatively, play in 15 second bursts with a calm-down period of a few seconds in-between, so that he doesn't lose all control.

The puppy is getting overexcited. Immediately when the puppy starts to bite, stop putting the collar on and walk away. Let him calm down, then try again. You can also add a firm "No", before you leave, which offers him the chance to calm down first. Leave plenty of time when going out, so you don't feel pressured into giving in. Eventually, the puppy will learn the fastest way to get his collar on is to be good.

Your pup might have had a bad experience with a man or men in his life before.

Your dog might not be angry at all! Puppies like to play fight by nipping and jumping at one another. Sometimes, this behavior continues into adulthood. It's possible that your dog considers children to be puppies. If your dog bites too hard, tell him not bite; if it gets too serious, put stop playing with him for a few minutes. Lastly, it might be a good idea to tell the children to respect the dog and not to tease him.

They were likely not introduced well. Put both dogs on a leash. When the pup attacks, pull her back and firmly say "no." Keep repeating this until she realizes that biting another dog is not okay.

Consider putting her in a crate when you leave the house. If you don't like crates, then consider a playpen. To train her to stop, when she bites you, pull her away and firmly say no. Don't scare or punish her though. Just make sure she knows it is not okay.

Move the charger to a place where he won't get to it.

You can clap your hands at him loudly and then put your hand near his mouth. If your puppy tries to bite you say, "No!" and clap your hands again.

Try bitter apple spray, which is sold at almost every pet store.

He probably thinks you are just another puppy, and that's how puppies play.

Absolutely. This teaches her that if she bites too hard, the fun ends. When she realizes she can make the fun last longer by playing softer, she'll probably do exactly that.

He may be especially stubborn. Try using bitter apply spray instead.

This may be his way of telling you that it hurts. You might want to try getting a softer brush.

First, teach your child not to be scared of the dog and maybe not interfere with the dog as much. If you see a specific reason why the dog is doing this, stop the child. If there is no reason, seek help form a professional or from an experienced dog trainer.

You can reward her with treats for licking and yelp like a puppy would when she bites you.

You should use another method. Try positive reinforcement instead: reward him when he doesn't bite rather than punishing him when he does. Some people find that holding his muzzle closed when he bites and firmly saying "No!" before releasing him is helpful.

You need to assert yourself as the alpha. Try firmly saying no. When she starts to sniff at your feet just before she starts to play and bite, pull your feet back quickly and let her know you do not like that. She probably needs to release energy, so make sure she gets a lot of exercise - take her on a walk to tire her out a bit; at that age, a few blocks should do it. Using a crate also works wonders. It can be used for timeouts and it also becomes a safe space for her; it will become her den.

Every time your puppy tries to bite you, hold your hand out flat like a halt sign. Then, tell him, "No, leave it," or "Ouch! That hurts!" If that fails, you might want to consider seeking professional help with a dog trainer.

Do what it says in the article: Say a firm "no" or yelp like another puppy (a high-pitched "yip") if the bite is strong.

You are attaching the word "no" to bite. Puppies use their mouths to play! You can do a loud, high-pitched "yip," this tells them what they are doing hurts, or a loud "ouch" and either walk away quickly or put a toy in their mouth. Don't try to tug back on the toy, it just begins a game. Never hit your dog, touch is a reward. You are also teaching your pup how to make you mad if you yell, and any type of attention is good attention to a pup!

Say "No" and firmly take the object away. Try talking to a dog trainer about this, or searching for more info online.

Seek help from a professional or a dog trainer; also, basic obedience school night improve the situation.

You will need to puppy proof your house. Try to give him a chew toy. Spray things you don't want him to chew on with bad tasting repellants and sprays. Make sure you give him plenty of exercise and make sure that he isn't chewing on things as a result of separation anxiety.