Training Not To Nip And Bite Rochester MI

PREVENT

1. Always have a toy in your hand to play with your puppy so she can make a correct choice (unless you are doing the practice in #2).
2. Exercise your puppy to get rid of excess energy (1 hour per day).
3. Make sure your puppy is getting enough rest (12 hours per day).
4. Have lots of great chew toys around to get her through teething (frozen wet rags, frozen raw marrow bones).
5. Don't leave kids and dogs unattended. Teach kids not to run and scream from nipping puppies but to quietly walk away or stop moving.
6. Use a tie-back (only under supervision), gate or time-out area more frequently as a management tool if the above is not working. Sometimes bitter spray on clothing can help ease nipping at clothing and shoes.

TEACH

1. Tie your puppy back or put her in a room with a gate that you can quickly climb over or open.
2. Begin playing with her. Praise her for being gentle, but when she nips say "yipe" (like a puppy would) and quickly walk away.
3. Wait 1 minute. Return and give her another try. Practice in 2-3 minute sessions with each family member taking a turn.
4. The tie-back method also works well for other attention getting behaviors such as jumping up, barking and humping.