Tuesday Training Byte: Help! My puppy thinks I am a teething toy!

Nipping and biting is normal behavior for a young dog that is teething, but the dog needs to know that teeth on skin is never okay. There are several ways to deal with this, but I always start with the least correction to effect the change. First, I make sure my dog's needs are met. Many very intelligent breeds that have a working drive, tend to be chewers even well past the teething stage. Make sure your dog has ample safe chewing toys such as a stuffed kong toy. Observe your dog's behavior to see if he is over stimulated. Biting and jumping up can occur if he doesn't know a calm down cue. If you yell at your dog or pull away frantically when he bites, this behavior is similar to prey animals and your dog may increase his biting. Remaining calm will help as you firmly and consistently set the boundary. Should my dog be jumping on me and biting at my pant leg, ankles, or hands, I calmly do a collar grab. If he is not wearing a collar, just grab the scruff of his neck as though a collar were there. Make an aversive sound Ehh! as you stiffen your arm and twist his head away from you a bit. The alpha dog will be the dog that gets the submissive dog to turn away, usually by biting him at the scruff of his neck. Therefore, this method communicates clearly that you are the one in charge and correction will follow rough nipping behavior. Once the pup has all four feet on the floor and has stopped wiggling, release your hold. Younger and more shy pups may yelp when you grab the collar, even though you are not causing pain. Most will learn quickly that you will not tolerate their rough and rude behavior. Once your dog is calm and respectful, be sure to pet and praise his good behavior. Trainer Will Atherton shows three ways to stop the biting, but I always prefer the most passive method described. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rcs_-ud3ztM

Do not tolerate mouth behavior or it will escalate.