What You Should Know About Your Puppy And Play Biting

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 obedience training.

____________________

Advertisement: SitStayFetch Dog Training - Click Here!

---

Puppy Love - Wonderful Companions

Everybody loves puppies. Who can resist those cute little faces and wet noses? Puppies can be a lot of fun, but they also come with a lot... Read More

Games You Can Play With Your Dog

Dogs need mental and physical stimulation. They're also very inquisitive creatures, and they love spending time with their owners, and other people in your family.By playing games... Read More

My Dog Died !

Pets provide an unconditional love that requires very little on the part of the human.Animals are so special to those of us who love them. We miss... Read More

Dog Training: Teaching Your Dog Self-Control

Is your dog one of those that pulls at his leash constantly whenever there is a distraction? A child walks by, or he sees another dog? If... Read More

The Lowdown on Dog Vaccinations

Over the last 20 years, vaccinations have generally been started in puppies at about 6-8 weeks of age, when the natural immunity inherited from the mother may... Read More

Garbage-Raiding Dogs: One Simple Solution to the Problem

Got a mischevious mutt on your hands? Then you may know this scenario. You walk in the door and your pal greets you with elated tail wagging,... Read More

Pet Tracking Devices

It was the Saturday morning of August 20, 2004 and my two kids saying that they couldn't find our cat Nala anywhere waked me up. I didn't... Read More

Practical Advice for Adopting a Dog

If you are thinking of adding a dog to your family, consider adopting your new best friend from an animal shelter or humane society. You'll not only... Read More

Ensure a Good Relationship Between Your Cat and Your Kids

Many parents know that the best way for children to learn compassion and the importance of keeping commitments is by helping to care for a pet. Children... Read More

Aquarium Supplies Part 1 -- My First Experience With Bettas

Keeping fish as pets takes more than just feeding them and changing the water every once in a while. Sadly, many people aren't aware of that and... Read More

Your Purrrfect Companion

Out of all the pet animals, the cat is most expressive about its needs. The feline loves to be pampered and cared for. Don't you just love... Read More

Grapes, Nuts, and Your Dogs Health -- Foods that Fido should Avoid

"Magoo was a big, playful Labrador retriever who often got himself into sticky situations..."So begins a story in the latest report from the ASPCA on foods that... Read More

Which Of These Horse Catching Mistakes Do You Make?

The other day, I was invited to see my friend's new horse. He had her for about a month before I got to see her. When I... Read More

Fur Isnt Such a Good Sunscreen

You might think the most important bit of dog health advice would be to let your furry loved on spend all day enjoying the outdoors. But you'd... Read More

Do You Make These Mistakes Loading Your Horse Into A Trailer?

Mistake #1:"Here, Kitty Kitty..."Unless they have been educated, new horse owners often think a horse is like a cat or dog. They figure if they tap their... Read More

Teaching Your Dog to Heel

Teaching your dog to heel is one of the most basic and important dog training commands you can teach. With an active and younger dog or puppy,... Read More

How To Load A Horse Into A Trailer - Easy As Pie!

If there is an art to getting horses to load in a trailer, then this it.The first thing that must happen is communication between the horse and... Read More

Rabbits As Pets

Rabbits are one of the most popular pets, apart from dogs and cats. They look attractive, lovely, gentle, friendly and cute. They are easy to take care... Read More

Ear Mites in Dogs: Quite Earritating

Does your dog have that sheepish look? It could be that he's embarrassed of his ear mite problem! All this time you thought he just had a... Read More

Our Pets Behavior

Behavior can be a huge iisue with our pets. If each dog and cat owner in the United States took the time to understand the root of... Read More

Mabeke: Gorilla Teacher

Mabeke is a young gorilla who was born in captivity and then returned to the wild with several other gorillas of similar birth. I had an opportunity... Read More

The Wonderful Siamese Cat

This mysterious cat is originally from the country of Siam, now known as Thailand. Siamese cats were highly esteemed by generations of Siamese monarchs, even to the... Read More

What About a Newfoundland Dog

Ok, so everyone who stays on top of the show dog world knows that a Newfoundland won Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show in 2004.... Read More

Dealing with a Dog Food Allergy?

Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze or rash, your dog's allergies can manifest as itchiness -- or even ear infections. In fact, if... Read More

Boston Terrier - The Costs Of Owning A Boston Terrier

Having a dog is a little like having a baby. Before you rush out to the nearest breeder or shelter you must consider the costs of ensuring... Read More

My Fathers Daughter

My dad was an avid animal lover. We grew up with all kinds of animals but especially dogs. That is one of the main things I got... Read More