| Certainly the most serious of all negative | | | | your dog. He simply wants to know where he |
| behaviors a dog can exhibit, biting cannot be | | | | belongs in the pecking order. He'll welcome you as |
| tolerated under any circumstances. | | | | the alpha dog. In return, just shower him with |
| Understanding the root cause will help you to | | | | love and kindness. |
| identify the most appropriate training technique to | | | | Biting caused by taunting and teasing is easily |
| correct and eliminate this negative behavior. | | | | eliminated by training the humans to exhibit |
| Why do adult dogs bite? Understand that | | | | common sense. This is behavior that should never |
| aggressive behavior is actually the norm for dogs | | | | be demonstrated by family members, visitors to |
| in their own habitation. Growling, showing their | | | | the home or even strangers when it's observed. |
| teeth, snarling, and biting are forms of | | | | Correcting biting due to territoriality may require |
| communication. Aggression towards humans is a | | | | trial and error. Foremost, if your dog has not |
| way for the dog to establish itself as alpha dog. It | | | | been spayed or neutered, take care of that now. |
| can manifest when the owner does not take | | | | It may drastically minimize irritability in your dog. |
| appropriate steps to properly train and socialize | | | | And, it has been known to reduce aggression |
| the dog. | | | | from territoriality. But changes will occur slowly |
| Biting can be triggered in a variety of ways: | | | | after the operation. Like several months. If your |
| - Your dog has learned in the past to fear a | | | | dog is already fixed, reinforcement training could |
| certain object (like a brush, muzzle or rolled up | | | | be effective. Positive reinforcement in the form |
| newspaper) | | | | of praise or treats or both when the dog |
| - The dog is seeking attention if neglected for | | | | demonstrates good behavior. And, negative |
| periods of time - Perhaps a child hugs the dog too | | | | reinforcement in the form of a firm "no" or "bad |
| hard or too quickly; this will not be perceived as a | | | | dog" (be consistent) when aggression is |
| loving gesture by the dog, but a form of | | | | demonstrated. Removing the dog from the rest |
| annoyance or even a threat | | | | of the family for a short "time out" may also be |
| - If a dog is confused about his position in the | | | | necessary. These should be 30-seconds so a |
| family hierarchy he could resort to biting to test | | | | lesson is learned without creating fear or even |
| his dominance over the humans in the house | | | | more aggression. |
| - Taunting or teasing the dog with a toy, his food | | | | If the biting is due to a dog in pain, the cure is |
| or treats could cause a dog to retaliate by biting | | | | obvious. Get your dog to the veterinarian |
| - When his territory is being invaded (common for | | | | immediately. If it is due to poor eyesight, it is up |
| terriers and overly protective Shepherds and | | | | to you and the entire family to adjust your |
| Dobermans) - If the dog is experiencing physical | | | | behavior and be cautious, gentle, and slow to |
| pain | | | | approach. And by using a soothing voice when |
| - Poor eyesight (common with older dogs | | | | moving toward your dog. This is just humane |
| suffering with cataracts) could cause confusion | | | | treatment for aging dogs. |
| - The dog is a "herder" and instinctively nips at | | | | If your dog has lineage from the herding breeds, |
| heels of larger animals including humans | | | | it is a natural instinct to round up sheep, cattle, or |
| These are reasons, not justifications. Biting, no | | | | children if there's a shortage of livestock in your |
| matter the root cause cannot be allowed. | | | | house. While this may be comical at times, it can |
| Obviously, the correction method will depend upon | | | | lead to an injury if the dog starts nipping at heels. |
| the cause of the biting. | | | | These dogs are high energy and very intelligent, |
| If it's an object the dog fears, make it an object | | | | but often require consistent training throughout |
| of gentle play until the fear is gone. But do not | | | | their life. Never allow this behavior no matter how |
| use the object in a play of tug-of-war. That only | | | | cute it is at the time. A firm "no", "sit", "stay" |
| encourages more biting and grabbing. Try a simple | | | | whenever the dog "herds" can prove effective. |
| hide-and-seek game with the object, or toss and | | | | An extreme measure can employ the shaker can |
| retrieve. If you can't connect the biting to any | | | | technique. Pennies sealed in a soda can and |
| object, the behavior may be attention-seeking. | | | | shaken at the dog to correct behavior has been |
| Try saying "no" and leaving the room, to show | | | | known to work. Personally, such a tactic would |
| the dog that your attention is lost rather than | | | | scare the dickens out of me, so I can only |
| gained by the nipping or biting. | | | | assume it does the same thing to the |
| Children need to understand the importance of | | | | unsuspecting dog. Scaring a dog could lead to a |
| approaching all dogs slowly. It will be much easier | | | | fearful dog. Just my opinion. |
| for you to teach the children this lesson, than it | | | | Remember, dogs instinctively want to please their |
| will be to teach your dog to accept what he | | | | owners. So biting is an abnormal behavior for the |
| perceives to be a threat. | | | | domesticated, well-adjusted dog, which more |
| Your job as owner, right out of the gate, is to | | | | often than not can be corrected. You owe it to |
| establish yourself, and all other family members | | | | your dog and your family to become |
| as alpha "dogs" in the hierarchy. The sooner you | | | | knowledgeable in proper dog training techniques. |
| do this, the fewer behavioral problems you will | | | | I use an excellent resource to make sure I am an |
| see in your dog. The most effective way to | | | | informed dog owner - The D.I.Y. Dog Training |
| accomplish this is to begin right in on obedience | | | | Manual. Learn more by visiting my site referenced |
| training as soon as your dog is introduced into the | | | | below. |
| home. This is actually a welcome scenario for | | | | |