Do not Bite - Bite Inhibition Teaching Your Puppy

Bite inhibition is one of the most important things your puppy must learn to become a well-trained, respectable dog. Bite inhibition is a learned response in which your dog consciously inhibits the force of his ability to bite. Without learning bite inhibition a dog can seriously injure or even kill another dog or maybe even a child.

The puppies learn bite inhibition during the socialization and care of game. If a puppy bites while nursing the mother dog to get up and walk away. If the puppy bites too hard while playing with his littermates, the bitten puppy will yelp and stop playing with the puppy biting. This teaches the puppy that everything should stop playing if he bites too hard.

A puppy should learn bite inhibition from the time that is four and a half months of age. Since many puppies are taken from their mothers and other littermates before this time, it becomes necessary for the new owners to assume the role of teaching bite inhibition.

When you teach your puppy bite inhibition treat him like his mother and his siblings would do. When he bites too hard, get up and go away, make sure he knows that when it bites too hard all play must cease.

Some ideas can be used to teach bite inhibition are

* Sit down and start playing with your puppy. Bring your attention to your hands. When the puppy starts to bite your hands too hard say "Ow" firmly and stop playing and stop all interactions. Do not watch your puppy, but taking his eyes toward the side away from your puppy. He needs to know that you are serious about stopping the play.

* Make sure that the answer is short and firm. If you complain or wince your puppy may think that you are still playing and you've defeated your purpose.

* After some time has passed, face your pup again and offer his hand if he tries to bite again, repeat the process.

* If your puppy is just nipping at you or your clothing can offer a chew toy. If not interested in the toy, but still nipping, you should withdraw all attention. You can even walk.

As you practice this, your puppy should use less pressure and less like he's playing with you. Your first goal should be to inhibit the force of its bite and then to reduce the frequency of his bite. If he is never allowed to use even a small snack before a stressful situation that probably reacts with a bit too strong and could hurt someone unintentionally.

Bite inhibition is an important part of training and socialization of your dog. It 'easier to teach a puppy bite inhibition, but even older dogs can learn with a little' patience and a good education .......