Puppy Training Problems - Correcting Puppy Biting

According to the author, Jane Killion, a "Pigs Fly" dog is one that is perceived as being difficult to train, but in fact, is easily trainable using the shaping behaviors described in her book When Pigs Fly!: Training Success with Impossible Dogs.

You will get amazing results with this author's techniques - actual pictures of the results of these shaping behaviors are presented throughout the text.

You're playing with your young pup or even petting him. He nips, bites (not hard), or mouths your hand. Simon would bite and mouth for something as simple as a belly rub. By the way, this picture of Simon the Sad makes you wonder how he could ever bite anyone. Well, he can, and he does, but much less often than even a few weeks ago.

The puppy biting scenario happens a lot. You need to perform a correction every time. And you can use the same type of correction for other puppy training problems. Sooner than you think, the biting will lessen and eventually disappear.

Part I Of The Correction - Stop the Behavior
What you need to is stop the behavior immediately. A loud "No!" works with some pups. A growling "Errrrr" works with others. You may even need to shake a can with coins in it. Bottom line - interrupt the behavior.

Part II Of The Correction - Substitute An Acceptable Item For Biting
Once you've surprised the puppy with a loud noise, provide an acceptable substitute for biting. A chew toy, his favorite squeaky toy, or a bone will do.

Part III Of The Correction - Praise Him Lavishly
A few enthusiastic "Good dog" statements reinforce the substitute behavior.

Sounds too simple. It is simple. Unfortunately, you need to repeat often when a puppy is biting all the time. I got to the point where Simon's toys were ready and waiting for the next time he went to bite me. All I could picture were Alvin's teeth in the picture from the previous section, so I corrected Simon - every time.

As Long As You Have A Dog,
Puppy Training Never Ends

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The Correction Equation
To address certain puppy training problems, use this equation:

Correction = Interrupt Negative Behavior + Substitute Positive Behavior + Praise

If you don't do one of the 3 actions on the right of the equation, you're missing an opportunity to create a positive puppy habit.

Another Example
The picture above shows the second action of a correction.

Simon loves to dig in his pen. I don't appreciate the holes he digs, usually when he's unsupervised for a few minutes.

In this instance, I caught him digging, interrupted him by running a stick against the fence behind him in the picture, and then gave him something else to do - play with the plastic bottle (probably the only thing handy at that moment). Then I praised him (the little stub of a tail shown in the picture was moving in recognition of the praise).

A caution about plastic bottles - they can be a way to help correct puppy training problems, but they also turn into sharp weapons when altered by puppy teeth. Please don't leave a dog unattended playing with a plastic bottle.

The dog training "bible" (Secrets To Dog Training) has a list and description of recommended toys for puppies and dogs. My guess is plastic bottles didn't make the list.

Taking care of a new puppy can be frustrating at best. And dog and puppy training problems can be virtually eliminated when you consult with the experts.

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Many dog owners still use punishment to address puppy training problems. Rap the dog in the hind quarters with a rolled up newspaper, rub his nose in his poop, yell at him because you've lost your patience, or much worse punishment.

My experience is that punishment only attracts negative behavior in dogs, and creates more unwanted and sometimes aggressive behavior.

Here's a quick example that proves this point. I lived with a friend for a while who habitually nudged her cocker spaniel out the door so he could do his duty. I'm not talking about kicking the dog; she moved the dog a few inches with her foot. Although I had never seen this dog exhibit aggressive behavior previously, one summer day, after the nudge, he whipped around and took a chunk out of her bare foot.

So even a seeming non-violent dog can turn aggressive if sufficiently provoked with negative actions.

If you and your dog experience puppy training problems similar to the ones described in this lens, you should think long and hard about obedience training.

Why? Obedience Training strengthens communications with your puppy. When your pup pays attention to you and your commands, he is learning to stay focused on the trainer.

In the long run, strong communications will help you stop aggressive behavior like biting and barking.

Obedience Commands
Okay, so maybe your pup has mastered the easy commands like SIT and DOWN.

Now, what about the tougher commands - STAY, COME, and LEAVE IT? And do you know the difficulty level involved in leash training a puppy?

Learn Difficult Commands From An Expert Certified Professional Trainer
Some obedience commands require training the right way the first time or you'll just get frustrated and give up (not good for doggie discipline). You may not be an expert dog trainer, but you certainly can learn from an expert.

How? The best way is a dog training DVD rather than a book - you absolutely need to see the demos. The It's Pawsible! Dog Training and Puppy Training DVD by Beth Ostrowski-Parks will certainly lead you and your dog to a more disciplined and peaceful co-existence as well as opening up the channels of communication (do you speak dog?).

Check out the review of this dog training DVD
http://squidoo.com/dog-training-DVD-Review.

The LEAVE IT Command
Here's a lens that describes and pictures the LEAVE IT command with my pup Alvin. It's a lengthy "how to" because it requires stages to get the puppy trained: http://www.squidoo.com/puppy-training-tip-leave-it.