Those cute little puppy eyes. That sweet puppy breath. Those adorable puppy sounds. And those hysterical puppy antics. There’s a lot of wonderful in a new puppy.
And then there’s the nipping. Nipping is a common behavior in puppies, but for an owner, it’s annoying, and it hurts!
Despite what it seems, nipping is not a sign of aggression, but rather a natural way for puppies to explore their environment, communicate, and learn bite inhibition. Nonetheless, it’s your responsibility as a puppy parent to teach your pup that nipping is not acceptable.
When your puppy nips, you need to react in a way that discourages the behavior and teaches him to be gentle. Here’s what to do:
Yelp and stop. When your puppy nips, make a loud and high-pitched sound, like “Ouch!” or “Ow!” This mimics the sound that another puppy would make when bitten too hard, and it signals to your puppy that he hurt you and that you don’t like it. Then, stop playing or interacting with your puppy for a few seconds, and turn away or ignore him. This shows your puppy that nipping leads to the end of the fun and attention, and that he needs to be gentle to keep the game going.
Redirect and praise. After you yelp and stop, offer your puppy an appropriate toy or chew to redirect his nipping to something else. Praise and reward your puppy when he chews on the toy instead of your skin or clothes. This teaches your puppy what he can and cannot nip, and that chewing on toys is more fun and rewarding than nipping on people.
Repeat and be consistent. You may need to repeat the steps above many times until your puppy learns to stop nipping. Be consistent and patient with your puppy, and don’t give up.
When your puppy nips, there are some things that you should not do, as well:
Don’t hit, slap, or pinch your puppy. This may hurt or scare your puppy, and make him more aggressive or fearful. It may also damage your relationship and trust with your puppy, and make him less likely to listen to you.
Don’t yell, scold, or punish your puppy. This may confuse or upset your puppy, and make her think that you are angry – or playing. (Puppies can’t read social cues that well!) It may also reinforce the nipping behavior, as she may see it as a way to get your attention or reaction.
Don’t pull away or jerk your hand. This may trigger your puppy’s chase or prey instinct, and make her nip harder or more often. It may also injure your skin or your puppy’s teeth.
Don’t play rough or encourage nipping. This may teach your puppy that nipping is acceptable and fun, and make him more excited and nippy. Avoid games that involve wrestling, tug-of-war, or chasing, and don’t let your puppy nip your fingers, toes, or clothes.
Here are some more hints that will help your puppy grow out of nipping.
Provide enough exercise and mental stimulation. A tired puppy is a good puppy. Make sure your puppy gets enough physical and mental activity to burn off his energy and keep him happy and calm. Take him on a walk. Let him play with other dogs – like at Doggy Day Care! Take him to training classes. Let him socialize with other dogs. You can also use interactive toys, puzzles, and games to challenge and entertain your puppy.
Provide enough chew toys and treats. Chewing is a natural and healthy behavior for puppies, especially when they are teething. We like to freeze toys and treats to make them more soothing and lasting for your puppy.
Teach your puppy some basic commands, such as “sit”, “stay”, “leave it”, and “drop it”. These commands can help you stop your puppy from nipping or redirect his attention to something else.
Along with love and food and prevention and toys, teaching your new puppy not to nip is an essential part of puppy parenting. We’re here to help you help your puppy grow into a well-behaved and well-adjusted dog. If you have questions, give us a yelp!
