Dogs Training - Training Your Dog Not To Bite...

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), dogs bite more than 4.7 million people per year. Law suits, medical bills and occasionally dog euthanasia are ordinary results from this unwanted - and often avoidable - behavior.

As with any dog training issue, how easy or tough it is to train a dog not to bite will change with the breed, age and particular temperament of the dog. But there are several commonplace techniques that should as a rule help suppress biting behavior.

Wherever you can, commence young. Puppies possess a natural predisposition to mouth and nip. Although it's usually encouraged by owners who understandably see the behavior as cute, human restraint is a prerequisite to dog restraint. Good - and bad - habits start young.
Beyond around the age of four weeks, puppies can start to learn basic commands. When the puppy moves his mouth to bite, a gentle, but firm 'No!' followed by a slight squeeze of the muzzle can help.

Be careful not to cause the puppy to bite its tongue, though. Be especially careful not to squeeze hard or too high up on the muzzle. Dogs have sensitive and delicate odor receptors high up inside the nose. You never wish to damage a dog's ability to smell.

The squeeze isn't to punish, but to inform. The purpose is to help the young dog link the spoken command with something it can comprehend at that age - discomfort. Most dogs naturally hate having their muzzles squeezed at any age.

Along with verbal discouragement and tender physical restraint or reminders, socializing your dog - as young and often as possible - can help grow calm and positive dogs. Fearful dogs, not used to strangers (whether human or animal), are much more inclined to biting behavior.
Expose the dog to other (non-aggressive) dogs. Differences in smell and looks are triggers that can cause dogs to become wary. Introducing them to variety at a young age can help daunt this territorial reply.

Most dogs will naturally repress biting when playing with litter mates. They nip, but learn early not to press hard. Take advantage of this by 'widening' the pack to incorporate family members, other pets and regular visitors.

Restrain your pet at first when introducing animals from other households. Restrain the other animal as well. Let them approach bit by bit and sniff or carry out other commonplace behavior.

Look for body tension, snarling, erect ears and other indicators of oncoming hostility. Make the dog sit, stroke its back and put out your hand to the other animal then convey the smell to your pet. Then allow them to interact.

Dogs usually learn bite inhibition by four and a half months, but don't be downhearted if it doesn't occur that quickly. Breeds vary and so do individuals. Older dogs, ones not trained early to suppress biting or not socialized, will of course be harder to train.

Some dogs will never be fully trained not to want to bite. Part of training involves training people, too. Make sure any such dog is not able to reach other people or animals. And, make certain that people are informed not to try to interact with the dog.

Gradual, persevering, patient training will as a rule pay off in a calmer, more playful pet. Which, in spite of the effort involved, is better than paying off lawsuits.

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