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2.TAKE THE BITE
OUT OF TRAINING ADVICE
Puppies grab and bite at our hands and pants cuffs and visitors -- the
list goes on and on. They're just following two primary laws of puppy
behavior: "if it moves, chase it," and, "chew it whenever
possible." Frustrated owners would love to find their pup's off
switch, but are sometimes confronted with contradictory advice.
Consider evaluating suggestions you might receive by
asking a few simple questions based on your own good judgment and
personality.
Here is one piece of frequently offered questionable advice. When
your puppy is fired up and playing roughly, push the sides of his mouth
inward so he bites himself instead of you. Will this interrupt his biting
behavior? Perhaps. Your puppy might also perceive this as an attack and
increase his roughness or go to the other extreme and urinate in
submission. Can all members of the family do this? No, it requires timing
and hand strength that a child or elder might not possess. What does
Scruffy learn? Human hands near my mouth cause pain! Your vet might
not have an easy time examining Scruffy's mouth.
Another idea to question: when the puppy is nipping, grab his
muzzle and squeeze until he yipes. Will this interrupt the behavior?
Maybe. Again, Scruffy might feel attacked and react accordingly or see
this as an invitation to play much rougher. Can all members of the family
do this? No. What does Scruffy learn? Human hands approaching my head
cause pain! Your vet will not have an easy time examining Scruffy's
ears.
Think about this commonly given advice. When the puppy is biting,
grab him by the scruff of the neck and shake. Will this interrupt the
behavior? Perhaps. It can also cause the biting to escalate in defense or
submission. Can all members of the family do this? No. What does Scruffy
learn? Human hands approaching my neck are scary! Touching the
collar or putting a leash on Scruffy might become difficult.
Consider the ramifications of this advice. The puppy is biting in
play. Grab him on either side of the neck, roll him on his back, stare
into his eyes, hold him down until he stops moving. Will your
"attack" on the puppy interrupt the behavior? Perhaps. Can any
member of the household do this? No. What does Scruffy learn? Human
hands approaching me are really bad news! Groomers and children may
not be pleased with this reaction since Scruffy can become a fear biter in
defense.
Here's a proactive approach. The very first time the puppy nips
your fingers yell, yipe or shriek as if you have been mortally wounded by
those tiny needle teeth. Then leave the puppy completely alone. Go into
another room, if necessary. Count to twenty -- a long time in puppy years
-- and return with an icy, offended attitude. Ask the puppy to sit and
give him a toy when he does so. Do not engage him in play for several
minutes. Will this interrupt the nipping behavior? Yes. Can all members of
the family do this? Yes. What does Scruffy learn? My little teeth must
really hurt these humans. People won't pay attention to me unless I'm more
careful with my teeth. It's rewarding to inhibit the use of my jaws!
Teaching bite inhibition is the single most important gift we can give
our puppies. We can accomplish this in ways that result in adult dogs
that welcome the approach of human hands. Dog friendly dog training
results in people friendly dogs. Scruffy, his vet, groomer and human
family will all be winners.
©Maggie Blutreich
BRAVO! Force-Free Training
Maggie Blutreich is a charter member of the Association of Pet Dog
Trainers
an American Kennel Club Canine Ambassador and AKC Public Education
Coordinator.
MBlutreich@Carolina.RR.com
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