How to Train Your Dog to Stop Biting

Biting in dogs is one of the most serious of discipline behavior problems. In small or very young dogs, biting may be a simple form of playfulness, but if a dog is much older, biting may be much more serious and may need to be handled by a professional training course or individual. There are simple techniques you can use train your dog to stop biting and also help your dog deal with the stress that is bringing on this aggressive behavior.

1.) Find out why your dog is biting. This is the first step in many behavior modification techniques, and it is fairly important. Mentally scan the times you remember your dog biting. Was it in the home or on a walk? Was it a family member or guest? Was the dog exhibiting other signs of aggression or stress? The best way to prevent biting is to minimize the stresses that cause this behavior and remove the dog before biting appears.

2.) When a dog exhibits other aggressive behavior, immediately remove the dog from the stressful setting. Say a guest is coming to visit. Upon entering your home, your dog begins barking aggressively, and the hairs on the dogs neck begin to stand out. Immediately remove your dog from the room to a designated crate or time-out area until it has calmed down (this will make leashing your dog prior to your training session a must). When the dog has calmed down, the dog should be allowed to return.

3.) Reward your dog for not exhibiting aggressive behavior. When your dog has learned not to bark or become aggressive in the prior scenario from repeated training, you or your guest should reward the dog with a small treat or toy as well as ample praise