One of the first things we need to do is to teach puppy not to bite. Not least because it is going to save us any pain and we are less likely to get angry at our puppy. It’s not real pain when they are just a little bundle of fluff but not so great when they get bigger.
So we have puppy home and once he settles in he’s going to think your mum. This is the same even if you are actually daddy! He gets fed by mum and she will have taught him or her not to bite when feeding by yelping. So yelping is what you are going to do to. Hopefully puppy is not going to bite when you put his food in the bowl but if they do, go ahead and yelp. A quick high pitch “ow” should do it.
Now puppy was also yelped at by mum when the rough and tumble with his or her siblings went too far and guess what, eventually the puppies also learn to yelp when their siblings go too far too .
To teach puppy not to bite starts early so when you are playing tug with their toy, if they catch you with their teeth, yelp. It will shock them into stopping and eventually learn just how far and what they can do with their mouth and what they can not.
Ralph is now ten months and I can happily put my hand in his mouth or play “catch the hand” with no fear of being bitten and it’s been that way since at least four months old.
Every now and again we have a small accident, and I mean accident, when we play his favourite game of tug with a rope ball and he will give a little nip. I just give a little yelp just as a reminder.
Teaching them this should also let them know how far their mouth can be used when others want to play too. The yelp is something you should teach any children that are likely to be playing with puppy too.
I hope this has been useful. I love to hear of other people’s training sessions with their own bundles of fun so please share your stories or if you have any questions leave them in the comments below. I am always happy to receive your photographs for my doggie rogues gallery. You can send them to karen@trainingmytoypoodle.com
there is and old saying that says dog is mans best friend and in some cases this is true in the fact that a dog is really faithful to their masters. The article that you have written is so amazing and I believe that a lot of dog owners will find your post to be very informative and helpful. Having a puppy around the home is really great and can be lots of fun because I have had several of them before.
Thank you for your kind comments Norman. Yes a dog is man and woman’s best friend and having a puppy around provides a lot of fun and games. Take a look at my page on fun tricks to do on rainy days.
great post, do you have any advice how to teach older dogs? Should I use the same method? Not everyone gets a pup, some of my friends get adult dogs straight away and they haven’t been trained properly so it’s quite frustrating as they can be dangerous when they bite.
Thanks for you comments Emma. Yes older dogs can be quite difficult to retrain and rescue dogs who may have hard lives and experiences you do not know about even more so. The relationship and trust between the two of you needs to come first before any kind of real training can begin. The strategies are the same but what you must not do is reprimand or punish if an older dog bites and is new to the home as this will break the trust which may never be regained. Ignoring the behaviour unless it puts lives or health at risk is best until you become his or her leader of the pack through love and trust.
I’m a pet lover and dogs are one of my favorites.
The major problem we always have with our puppies (or dogs) is that they tend to not just bark but they also bite other people like our neighbors who are passing by our house especially when provoked by naughty kids. Our dogs are generally friendly but there are mean people who love to scare our dogs. Can we use the same technique with older dogs?
Hi Alice and thank you for your comments. Older dogs are a little more difficult as they have developed habits but that does not mean they can’t be re trained. Obviously you can’t get your neighbours to yelp so this technique will not be helpful. The word No said very sternly and with a pointed finger at your dog will usually get a reaction, so you can distract them from their intended victim!
Try having them on a leash when near others and keeping firm control of them whilst passing people and using either no or leave to keep their attention on you, not others. Always treat them after they have managed not to react to other people. Hope this has been helpful, though it sounds like your neighbours need training rather than your dogs.
I can see how this would be a most helpful site to dog owners, as from what I understand, there is a lot more to training a puppy than meets the eye. And the yelping concept makes great sense. Very interesting!
Your main page has the beautiful, large photo of Ralph on it (and what a cutie)
As a reader (and a cat person), I would also be quite interested in knowing more about how the 6 cats react and interplay with puppies, or even Ralph specifically. Had you considered a blog on that topic, perhaps? No yelping needed here – :}
Thank you for your comments and help. I will be sure to add a page about dogs living with cats. The truth in our case is that Ralph has a very different relationship with each of the cats. As you will know cats have their own personalities too.
Oh, I remember having to teach my dogs when they were puppies to not bite! I would always say something like ouch, or something else that would get their attention. But I like the idea of responding with a high pitch sound. I can see why that would work really well. Whatever the case, having dogs is so fulfilling and enjoyable! Thanks for the article!
there is and old saying that says dog is mans best friend and in some cases this is true in the fact that a dog is really faithful to their masters. The article that you have written is so amazing and I believe that a lot of dog owners will find your post to be very informative and helpful. Having a puppy around the home is really great and can be lots of fun because I have had several of them before.
Thank you for your kind comments Norman. Yes a dog is man and woman’s best friend and having a puppy around provides a lot of fun and games. Take a look at my page on fun tricks to do on rainy days.
great post, do you have any advice how to teach older dogs? Should I use the same method? Not everyone gets a pup, some of my friends get adult dogs straight away and they haven’t been trained properly so it’s quite frustrating as they can be dangerous when they bite.
Thanks for you comments Emma. Yes older dogs can be quite difficult to retrain and rescue dogs who may have hard lives and experiences you do not know about even more so. The relationship and trust between the two of you needs to come first before any kind of real training can begin. The strategies are the same but what you must not do is reprimand or punish if an older dog bites and is new to the home as this will break the trust which may never be regained. Ignoring the behaviour unless it puts lives or health at risk is best until you become his or her leader of the pack through love and trust.
I’m a pet lover and dogs are one of my favorites.
The major problem we always have with our puppies (or dogs) is that they tend to not just bark but they also bite other people like our neighbors who are passing by our house especially when provoked by naughty kids. Our dogs are generally friendly but there are mean people who love to scare our dogs. Can we use the same technique with older dogs?
Hi Alice and thank you for your comments. Older dogs are a little more difficult as they have developed habits but that does not mean they can’t be re trained. Obviously you can’t get your neighbours to yelp so this technique will not be helpful. The word No said very sternly and with a pointed finger at your dog will usually get a reaction, so you can distract them from their intended victim!
Try having them on a leash when near others and keeping firm control of them whilst passing people and using either no or leave to keep their attention on you, not others. Always treat them after they have managed not to react to other people. Hope this has been helpful, though it sounds like your neighbours need training rather than your dogs.
With grace and gratitude
Karen
Hi, Karen,
I can see how this would be a most helpful site to dog owners, as from what I understand, there is a lot more to training a puppy than meets the eye. And the yelping concept makes great sense. Very interesting!
Your main page has the beautiful, large photo of Ralph on it (and what a cutie)
As a reader (and a cat person), I would also be quite interested in knowing more about how the 6 cats react and interplay with puppies, or even Ralph specifically. Had you considered a blog on that topic, perhaps? No yelping needed here – :}
Thank you,
Priscilla
Hi Priscilla,
Thank you for your comments and help. I will be sure to add a page about dogs living with cats. The truth in our case is that Ralph has a very different relationship with each of the cats. As you will know cats have their own personalities too.
With grace and gratitude,
Karen
Oh, I remember having to teach my dogs when they were puppies to not bite! I would always say something like ouch, or something else that would get their attention. But I like the idea of responding with a high pitch sound. I can see why that would work really well. Whatever the case, having dogs is so fulfilling and enjoyable! Thanks for the article!
Thank you for your comments Elsa, yes dogs are rewarding and they fill our lives with lots of fun.
I wouldn’t be without one despite the training they need and deserve.
With Grace and Gratitude
Karen