dog biting?

Question

I'm trying to teach an abused little dog not to bite, me or anyone else. Anyone have any tried and true results?

Answer 1

Is the dog nipping in a playful manner? Or is the dog actually biting (fear biting)?

As to playful nipping, this is a part of a puppy's development. It will subside as the dog gets older. It is a common behavior that teaches the dog about pain boundaries. My suggestion for playful biting is to yelp and pull away when the dog nips too hard. Put on a dramatic act and stop the play. Let the dog know that the behavior caused you pain and is inappropriate. If this doesn't work, I'd recommend a habit breaking tactic. In general, if one of my dogs makes a habit of doing something I'd prefer he not do, I use an empty soda can with pennies in it. When the dog does performs the act, I shake the can loudly. It stops the dog in his tracks. I repeat this everytime the dog performs the act. Eventually the dog stops the act because he associates the act with the horrible noise.

With fear biting, this tactic might backfire. It may make your dog more frightened and more willing to lash out with its teeth. I would not recommend it if the dog is biting out of fear. If the dog is fear biting, it might take some time for the dog to trust you enough to stop the biting. Your best bet would be to slowly socialize the dog and let the dog become acquainted to its surroundings and people. If the abuse was severe, you may have a problem on your hands. I had a family member who adopted a dog that had been abused by a young boy. The dog was the most loving animal until it encountered my cousin who happened to be a teenage boy. The dog would cower, urinate and if approached by my cousin would growl and bite. As a result, the dog owners made sure not to expose the dog to anyone matching his victimizers description.

Hopefully, your dog is going through a playful biting phase which should be easily broken. If it is the more serious variety (fear biting) be patient with the dog. The biting should subside as the dog becomes more comfortable with its surroundings and begins to let down this defense mechanism.

From a legal standpoint, you are on notice that your dog has a biting issue. As a result, you must be very careful to avoid situations where your dog may have the opportunity to bite. If someone stops you on the street to pet your dog, kindly explain to them that your dog does not do well with strangers and request they admire him from afar.

Answer 2

Hiya,

I used to train, breed and rescue dogs this worked for me.
It would help knowing the gender, age, and breed of dog (or if a mutt), but this works. You need to give it 2 days.

Overview
Depending on the age of the dog and how long it has been with you (since abused is 1st part). Dogs are pack animals and when abused a dog often goes in "Alpha state" where it's brain says "no one can protect me but me". this means it may bite as it feels threatened ALL THE TIME.

There are 2 things you have to do right away.

Day 1

1) DO NOT let a dog sleep in your bed.
2) Make it sits before you feed it.

That's it for day 1, it's not that easy if they are not doing this already.

This prepares the dog for YOU becoming alpha dog

Day 2

You have to become alpha dog. Before you think this something weird read on. Instinctively when it is no longer the alpha dog it is put in a submissive state by being turned over by the alpha dog. The alpha dog will stand over the dog until the dog submits. No pain. But the dog sometimes yelp and fight for 10 seconds or so as if it is fighting for its life.

So, here it goes. Gently turn the dog over on its back (gently but smoothly (slow is OK) but you then must look the dog in its eyes (it will try to look away from you) may yell and yelp like it is fighting for its life. It should not act comfortably right away if it does you may need to do it 2-3 more times on day 2.

Repeat this every time it bites and at least once a day until the behavior stops. It should only take a few days and I have trained dogs that this worked in 1 minute never to do it again.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, give the dog TLC after this. It let's it know you are loving it and nothing else (becoming alpha dog).

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER- Treat a biting dog roughly, it feeds the problem.

This will work 95% of the time if not google becoming alpha dog or training a dog that bites, and you will find similar articles.

Good luck but remember
1) a dog wants to be lead and you are the best one to do it.
2) Dogs respond to only 1 alpha dog.

Answer 3

Reward Him when He's Good. And, when He's Bad, don't automatically Hit Him. That will only serve to Re-Enforce the Negative Behavior.Instead, go to a Pet Supply Store, and get a Small Battery Operated "Dog Trainer". This Device, which is a Little bit bigger than a Deck of Cards,Emits a High Pitched Noise that Dogs can't stand.They're less than $35, and use a 9 Volt Battery. Every Time the Dog "Acts-Up", use it. They're also available in Mail Order Catalogs. They really Work, and are Safe, and Humane.

Answer 4

I've had success using a 'bitter apple' cream to teach puppies not to bite people. It will just give them a very stong, bitter taste in their mouths that they don't associate as any type of punishment. This might be the best approach with an abused dog, as they can get very frightened at even a loud voice.

I'd suggest taking your dog to a trainer or behaviorist. It obviously has issues if it's taken to biting people. They could help you try to rid your dog of its fear.

Answer 5

That's a tough one. Short of subjecting yourself to the bad behavior and scolding him when he misbehaves...I'm really unsure. I had a dog that was a biter once and had to get rid of him. He was trying to be proctive, which would have been okay HAD I LIVED IN A BUBBLE.

Answer 6

Watch the tv show called the dog whisperer w/ cesar mullan he's an awesome dog trainer its on national geographic!

Answer 7

When they go to bite or you watch them and they seem like they want to bite, go NNAAAAAA! If our dog gets going playing sometimes I will gently hold her mouth shut and NNAAAAAA.

Answer 8

showing it alot of love is the only way i have had experanices before and they bite becuase they don't feel safe you have to make them feel safe.

Answer 9

nonononono..... you need to cage train him so he knows who his master is.... i had the same problem and i still have my dog...... he is nice to everybody and listens to me..... i can take him outside without a leash and everything..... "never bite the hand that feeds you"....

Answer 10

try spraying non-harmful bad tasting chemicals on your hands when handling it