The main ways a puppy will play with another dog or puppy are chasing, wrestling, and biting.
When your puppy eventually becomes separated from his littermates, he will most likely carry on his playful behavior with you and your family members. This is often the cause for most puppies trying to bite our hands, or clothing. This behavior usually happens when your puppy is excited and wants to play, rather than a sign of aggression.
You see, to your new puppy, play biting is a very exciting game. Usually when us humans are bitten by a puppy we squeal and pull away. But to your puppy, this makes the whole thing even more exciting, and makes him want to chase us.
This might not be a huge problem now, but if your puppy continues the same behavior until adulthood, his bites will become more painful, and could cause us bruising, even though he only means to be playful.
Some breeds of puppy are more likely to play bite than others. Terriers are often more likely to play bite, as they like to play rough with their littermates when they are young.
Some breeds of puppy (particularly bull breeds) tend to bite harder when they play bite due to them having stronger jaws. Some puppies also learn to bite harder from playing rough when they were littermates.
These breeds of dog play rougher due to them being slightly more insensitive to pain, so it doesn't hurt much when they play rough with each other.
Children are often more likely to be play bitten by puppies, as they have higher pitched voices which excite and encourage your puppy. Children tend to be more actively and lively to your puppy as well, which makes them a more interesting target for chasing.
Seeing as your puppy play bites when he wants to play, it's a good idea to have a toy nearby when he wants to play. This will give him something else to focus his playful attention on, instead of rough and tumble games he would have played with his littermates. Remember to keep yourself still, and the toy moving, this will mean he will play with the toy, instead of your moving arms, hands, or legs.
If your puppy still tries to bite you hard, attract him with the toy more. If he still persists, yelp loudly to give him a shock. This will show him that he is playing to rough, and shouldn't be biting you hard.
If he still continues this behavior you should stop the game and walk away each time he bites you.
It's important to remember that you dog needs to be having fun playing with the toy ? that is, more fun than he gets from biting you! If it's more rewarding to play with the toy than to bite, he is more likely to stick to playing with the toy.
Amy Howells is an expert dog trainer who owns a website dedicated to teaching everyday people the short-cuts to dog training.
You can also sign up to her free e-course and discover the astonishing short-cut secrets to dog training.
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip .."Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil... Read More
Which kind is your pet? The pooch who is the... Read More
Toy dog breeds include greyhounds, terriers, pinschers, pugs, chihuahuas, pekingese,... Read More
"You've created your own monster, you know", my mother said... Read More
Your new living room furniture is in tatters. Your nerves... Read More
Who let the dogs out?Remember this song which gave birth... Read More
To teach a dog to jump, with your right hand... Read More
The cat backs up to the door, lifts the tail... Read More
Showing off your dog in front of friends and family... Read More
It is always sad when a beloved animal family member... Read More
Until a very recent period, dog worms were thought to... Read More
With all the companionship and love that our dogs give... Read More
Our pets depend on us for their every need, including... Read More
The term applehead Chihuahua refers to the shape of a... Read More
Cats are living longer lives thanks to dedicated care from... Read More
What should you feed your cat to make sure he... Read More
Taurine, a water-soluble amino acid, has recently become the topic... Read More
Every year, hundreds of thousands of cats and kittens are... Read More
Beautiful as they are, Boston Terriers have some genetic traits... Read More
Canine mastitis is a breast infection in brood bitches, usually... Read More
Our dogs are now, more than ever, a very important... Read More
Just because we moved out to the country a couple... Read More
Herbology, basically, is the use of herbs in the treatment... Read More
Which cat food should you feed your cat to be... Read More
They may seem to be bold explorers - sniffing at... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..a) GrowlingIf your rabbit growls or grunts at you, she... Read More
A couple of years ago a Japanese electronics company came... Read More
Vitamins Can Increase Your Dog's Life Span!There is evidence to... Read More
Imagine being on a horse and he bolts. You pull... Read More
Pet DoorsAre you considering installing a pet door for your... Read More
It is Winter time again, a time of the year... Read More
A puppy wanting to chew makes you want to scream!... Read More
Pets are many things in many ways but they are... Read More
Training a dog is a fairly difficult task. Some find... Read More
Westies dogs' owners delight in the companionship their dogs give... Read More
Still remember that very moment when you first laid your... Read More
They say the eyes are are the gateway to the... Read More
Have you ever thought about what you need to do... Read More
Dog arthritis is one of the most common diseases that... Read More
Lonely, bored, tired of eating that same old stick, then... Read More
Large dogs and extra large dogs require more thought and... Read More
Bringing home a Pug can change our life, but it... Read More
Would you put together a model plane without looking at... Read More
Does your dog have that sheepish look? It could be... Read More
In a world of computer games, the Internet and shopping... Read More
Losing your cat is a worrying experience, use these 'How... Read More
While "late is better than never," sooner is better than... Read More
I'm a pariah among the dog fanciers in my community.... Read More
Domesticated rabbits are one of the most popular pets, apart... Read More
An easier and more pleasant journey with your chosen Boxer... Read More
Pet |