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Teaching Bite Inhibition
Biting, nipping, and mouthing are all perfectly natural behaviors in dogs, and among dogs are
completely acceptable behaviors. Dogs wrestle with their jaws and play chasing, nipping games for
fun. ;When dogs come to live with a human pack; they do not automatically discriminate between a
playful canine who would enjoy a rousing game of chase-and-nip, and a squealing, running toddler
who would not. ;Only humans have the perception to make that distinction and it is up to us to set the
rules immediately and absolutely: No teeth on human flesh.Ever. No exceptions. Not in fun, not in play,
not from a six week old puppy, not from an older dog trying to snatch a treat, not by accident, not on
purpose. There must be, from the moment your new dog comes into your life, a policy of zero
tolerance for biting.Fortunately, Nature has provided us with a powerful ally in our attempt to teach
Rover proper control of his most powerful weapon. It is called bite inhibition, and every puppy is born
with it. Young pups nip, tug and chew on their littermates constantly. Occasionally a pup will get too
rough and its sibling will let it know by letting out a powerful scream and running away, thus ending the
game. This is how the young puppy learns exactly how hard he can bite without doing harm.When the
puppy leaves his littermates at eight weeks old and goes to live with his human family, the lessons that
were begun on bite inhibition usually stop. So what has he learned? There is a limit to how hard you
can bite another dog and still be friends, but there are no rules whatsoever about biting people! It is
very important that you continue to teach your new puppy the same lessons his littermates began. But
remember, our goal is to teach that any bite, no matter how playful, delicate or harmless,is too hard.
The rule is no teeth on human flesh.The moment your young pup starts mouthing you,which will be
very soon after you meet him,you are to scream as though he has taken off your finger (no wimpy
"ouch"; will do here), jerk your hand away, and end your interaction with him. Is this an over-reaction?
Absolutely, and that is the point. Puppies communicate in overly dramatic yelps and screams, and that
is also what they understand. Be loud! Be dramatic! In a few seconds, give him another chance.
Most likely, he is starting to understand the rules now, but if you feel puppy teeth again, react in
exactly the same way, only this time walk away from the pup. If he comes at you with puppy teeth a
third time, scream loudly, snatch him up, and put him in his crate. The game is definitely
over.Throughout your dog's puppyhood you will occasionally have to remind him of his bite inhibition
with a sharp yelp and an end to the game, and be make sure that everyone who interacts with the
puppy knows the rules: no teeth on human flesh. You are building the character of a dog that will last
a lifetime. Puppies who have learned bite inhibition at a young age will almost always grow up to be
safe, reliable dogs.
Biting, nipping, and mouthing are all perfectly natural behaviors in dogs, and among dogs are
completely acceptable behaviors. Dogs wrestle with their jaws and play chasing, nipping games for
fun. ;When dogs come to live with a human pack; they do not automatically discriminate between a
playful canine who would enjoy a rousing game of chase-and-nip, and a squealing, running toddler
who would not. ;Only humans have the perception to make that distinction and it is up to us to set the
rules immediately and absolutely: No teeth on human flesh.Ever. No exceptions. Not in fun, not in play,
not from a six week old puppy, not from an older dog trying to snatch a treat, not by accident, not on
purpose. There must be, from the moment your new dog comes into your life, a policy of zero
tolerance for biting.Fortunately, Nature has provided us with a powerful ally in our attempt to teach
Rover proper control of his most powerful weapon. It is called bite inhibition, and every puppy is born
with it. Young pups nip, tug and chew on their littermates constantly. Occasionally a pup will get too
rough and its sibling will let it know by letting out a powerful scream and running away, thus ending the
game. This is how the young puppy learns exactly how hard he can bite without doing harm.When the
puppy leaves his littermates at eight weeks old and goes to live with his human family, the lessons that
were begun on bite inhibition usually stop. So what has he learned? There is a limit to how hard you
can bite another dog and still be friends, but there are no rules whatsoever about biting people! It is
very important that you continue to teach your new puppy the same lessons his littermates began. But
remember, our goal is to teach that any bite, no matter how playful, delicate or harmless,is too hard.
The rule is no teeth on human flesh.The moment your young pup starts mouthing you,which will be
very soon after you meet him,you are to scream as though he has taken off your finger (no wimpy
"ouch"; will do here), jerk your hand away, and end your interaction with him. Is this an over-reaction?
Absolutely, and that is the point. Puppies communicate in overly dramatic yelps and screams, and that
is also what they understand. Be loud! Be dramatic! In a few seconds, give him another chance.
Most likely, he is starting to understand the rules now, but if you feel puppy teeth again, react in
exactly the same way, only this time walk away from the pup. If he comes at you with puppy teeth a
third time, scream loudly, snatch him up, and put him in his crate. The game is definitely
over.Throughout your dog's puppyhood you will occasionally have to remind him of his bite inhibition
with a sharp yelp and an end to the game, and be make sure that everyone who interacts with the
puppy knows the rules: no teeth on human flesh. You are building the character of a dog that will last
a lifetime. Puppies who have learned bite inhibition at a young age will almost always grow up to be
safe, reliable dogs.