Are you in the process of training a puppy not to bite? Puppies biting or nipping people can be a potentially difficult problem to solve if it is not dealt with at an early stage.
Although many owners think it is cute that their little puppy tries to bite them, puppies can have razor sharp teeth and as they get older they can inflict some serious harm.
Training a puppy not to bite is of particular importance to those who have little babies in the house.
There have been some tragic cases of small yet powerful puppies causing serious injury to babies who were attempting to play with the puppy.
If you are having problems with a biting or nipping puppy please keep small babies off the floor where they can come in contact with the puppy.
One method of training a puppy not to bite involves the theory of transference.
In this method you would redirect your puppy to stop biting your flesh and transfer that behavior to having the puppy bite on a toy or chew bone.
Whenever the puppy makes a lunge for your hands just say "No!" and replace your fingers with the chew toy.
Puppies have short memories but if you persist with this type of "replacement" behavior long enough the puppy will start to prefer his chew toy to your hands.
Another method of training a puppy not to bite involves tricking the puppy into thinking that he is hurting you when he nips and bites you.
In the classic pack behavior, which a group of dogs and puppies exhibit when they are left to their own devices, you will notice that biting and nipping is part of the play activity.
It is only when a puppy or dog yelps that the biting dog will back off.
You can trick the puppy very easily when he next nips at you by letting out an "Ouch!" or an "Arrr!" This will startle the pup and he will learn that his playmate, you, will stop the play activity because you are hurt.
This method may sound a bit strange but it is a proven behavioral tactic that is mirrored in the puppy's real world and wired in his DNA.