How to Train Adult Dogs Not to Bite
Sometimes an adult dog will mouth just like a young puppy. Don’t panic… it doesn’t mean that your dog has aggressive tendencies or intends to bite you, but mouthing as an adult dog is a behavior that should be corrected. More than likely, it just means that your dog was not taught properly as a puppy.
However, if your adult dog shows other signs of aggression, or continues improper biting, professional dog training is highly recommended. It is important to address this type of behavior at the earliest sign of a problem. The younger the dog is, the quicker he will respond to training. Also, be sure to talk to your vet about the problems you are having to rule out any medical causes for your dog’s conduct.
Obedience training is by far the best thing you can do for your dog, whether you have a puppy or an adult dog. A dog who is well trained is safer to have around family and friends than a dog who does not understand or respond to basic commands. Not only that, but training has a positive impact on many of the potential reason as to why a dog might bite, including: fear, frustration and socialization. Dog training refocus’ your dog’s mindset, assists with impulse control, and modifies all types of problem behavior.
See Rule of 3 Below*
In addition to professional training, dog bite prevention starts at home. Here are a few things that you can do to help your dog overcome his inclination to bite:
• Exercise Most dogs have energy to burn. When that energy is not expended, it can be re-directed to something unhealthy and potentially unsafe. Many of our domesticated pets these days are home alone all day suppressing all kinds of anxiety and frustration. Dogs require regular exercise to burn up all that excess energy and place them in a calm, passive state. A dog in a passive, or submissive state is less likely to bite. Doggie Day Care at Holiday Barn Pet Resorts is an excellent outlet for your dog’s pent-up energies.
• Play Playing with your dog teaches him how to appropriately interact with humans. Avoid games that could encourage dominant behavior, such as tug-of-war, or wrestling. Throw the tennis ball, or teach him how to catch a frisbee.
• Socialization We want our dogs to be comfortable and confident in any situation. A dog who has been exposed to lots of people, places, and circumstances through-out his life will not be fearful and therefore, unlikely to feel the need to react badly to things that are foreign to him.
• Spaying and Neutering Many believe that spaying and neutering your dog will help to control his temperament, particularly in a male dog. Neutering stops the production of testosterone, which is a hormone responsible for aggressive behaviors. There are many good reasons for spaying and neutering, but using this method for controlling behavior is somewhat controversial and should be discussed with your Veterinarian.
Punishing your dog by hitting or smacking is worst thing you can do – in all circumstances – but particularly if your dog shows aggressive tendencies. Not only is it barbaric and cruel, but studies show that owners who use aggressive means to correct their dogs – hitting, kicking, shaking, scruffing, etc. – experience a kickback of aggression from their dogs! Additionally, this type of punishment can make your dog scared of you. If you have ruined that human-animal trust, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to build that trust again.
Please do not hesitate to contact our Professional Dog Trainers in Richmond, VA for advice on handling behavior issues with your dog.
*In order to keep Holiday Barn Pet Resorts safer for our employees, customers, and pets, we have established the “Rule of 3”. If a dog shows aggressive or dangerous tendencies, 3 of our employees must be able to handle and trust that pet in order for him to stay in our care. For more information, click here.
Give your dog a time out of sorts, once his behavior becomes excited and rough. Have him lay down on his bed with a chew toy away from people so he can calm down, still chew, and play quietly.
While you are teaching your dog not to bite, keep his time with other dogs limited to short play sessions and to only one or two dogs rather than a large group of dogs.
When your dog goes for the treat, say the command “gentle”, and give him the treat.
When your dog, whether a puppy or an adult large breed, gets overly excited at play, immediately stop the play session. Be sure to tell others who are playing with your dog to stop as well when the dog is too excited to control himself.
Do not play with your dog without using a toy. Owners who have trouble with large dogs biting will often use their hands around the dogs mouth during play. Do not allow direct contact between your body and your dogs body during playtime. Always use a toy for your dog to play and mouth.
Alternate Behavior
Teaching your dog to “lie down” and “stay’ is ideal for preventing biting, as it reduces the chances of your dog confronting the stranger without your permission. Start by teaching your dog these commands inside your home. Use treats as a reward to establish positive reinforcement.
Once your dog has mastered the technique indoors, repeat the process outside. Use the “lie down” and “stay” commands when something distracting occurs, such as seeing another animal. When your dog listens, reward them with a treat.
Once this becomes a reliable command, incorporate a friend with whom your dog is not familiar into the mix. Make sure your dog is on a leash to ensure safety. Instruct your friend to slowly approach your dog when they are already in the “lie down” and “stay” position. If the position is broken, tug on the leash and repeat the command until your dog obeys and calms down. Reward them with a treat for calm behavior. Then repeat the process again, practicing several times a week until your dog is fully acclimated.
Can You Train an Older Dog To Stop Biting?
Experiencing problems with your dog lashing out or biting new people that come into your home? As scary as this seems for whoever experiences your dogs bad habits, dog biting is not uncommon among most dogs. However, an aggressive dog is most likely reacting out of fear or territorial dominance. Of course, we don’t want our furry friends to act this way, but most of the time the biting is instinctual. In order to train dogs not to bite, owners must understand several things about their dog and their aggression.
To know how to train your dog not to bite and begin bite training, you need to first understand the root cause of your dogs biting behavior.
For some dogs, aggressive behavior begins as a part of rough play during puppyhood. According to animal behaviorists, bad behavior in adult dogs can originate in nibbling, nipping, and teething habits among littermates. Puppy biting can be taken care of by providing chew toys and enforcing time-outs outside or in a kennel when your puppy bites. This will help reinforce good behavior. Some pet owners even found that teaching your dog bite inhibition (mouthing instead of biting into human skin) is an effective method of impulse control and gentle play for dogs.
However, bad dog behavior may have more serious origins. It is important to rule out any outside factors, such as medical conditions or illnesses. If your dog was not a biter before but suddenly becomes aggressive when touched, it may be possible that there is an underlying injury or sensitivity that is causing the aggressive behavior. Lashing out due to pain is not uncommon, so make sure to take your dog to the vet for a checkup to rule out any possible medical issues that could be causing the aggressive activity. If your dog’s body language is characterized by a submissive stance, tucking the tail, crouching, and lashing out to bite from an angle, then your dog is acting out due to fear. A dog that bites out of territorial aggression will most often hold a dominant stance, bark, and make eye contact.
For both cases of biting, this usually stems from a lack of socialization as a puppy. Puppies need to be exposed to a lot of different people at a young age in order to be adult dogs who trust in humans. This is especially important for breeds that are bred to be protective by nature. Giving puppies copious interactions with humans is the best preventative measure for biting out of fear and/or aggression. Lack of socialization can also occur in dogs who have been in shelters for long periods of time with limited human interaction, as well as in dogs who have been mistreated by previous owners.
There are three different methods that you can practice in order to begin training a dog not to nip at strangers. Acclimate your dog to new people in your home. If your dog is older and is exhibiting aggression, it is best to consult a professional dog trainer, as this will ensure that the behavior is managed in the timeliest manner possible.
Making sure that your dog knows that you are in charge is the first step to take. This way, your dog views you as the dominant “pack leader”, in which case you are in charge of situations where strangers are present at your home. This is best to practice in outdoor settings, especially when walking your dog. To establish authority, teach your dog to “heel” and follow you on a leash. Once this is mastered, arrange to have a friend that your dog isn’t familiar with to approach you on a walk. Stay calm and exert positive energy as you practice the “heel” technique, rewarding your dog for good behavior. If you are worried that your dog may get too aggressive, using a muzzle or head halter can be used to ensure the safety of your friend. When your dog reacts aggressively toward your friend, pull the leash quickly to the side or in an upward motion. Tap them on the side with your leg as you are redirecting their movement, ensuring that they are aware that you are making the decisions about the stranger. Have your friend proceed by and continue on your way, using the “heel” command as you do so.
Practice this over a few weeks until your dog understands that you are in control. Make sure to exhibit positive reinforcement; negative punishment will not reinforce good behavior and will only exacerbate behavior problems.
Ask a friend who is not familiar with your dog to come to your home, as your dog will feel less anxious in this environment. Put a leash on your dog in order to ensure that you can help prevent any biting. Use a head halter if necessary. Have your friend approach slowly, and instruct them to stop and wait when your dog starts to get aggressive or show signs of fear.
Once your dog has relaxed a little, reward their calm behavior with affection and treats. Repeat this again, instructing your assistant to move closer each time, but at a side angle so that your dog does not think it is a threatening stance. Once your dog has calmed down again, allow your friend to toss treats in order to inform your dog that the stranger does not mean any harm. Repeat this over a few days/weeks with different friends until your dog does not show aggressive or fearful behavior.