Puppy Training All Nipping Should Be Eradicated By The Age Of 15 Weeks

Puppy Training – All Nipping Should Be Eradicated By The Age Of 15 Weeks

Your puppy should not be displaying a biting or nipping problem once he reaches the age of 15 weeks or more. By that time you should have already administered proper training techniques and specific commands to get your puppy to stop his mouthing behavior. However, if this is still a problem or if you have adopted a puppy that's a little older than 15 weeks and is new in the home, then the following tips can help you get your puppy to stop biting your hands and nipping at your fingers:

1. The first item on your checklist should be to immediately cease playing all puppy games that include roughhousing. I realize that part of the fun of having a new puppy is playing games like tug-of-war and wrestling, but unfortunately, if you're faced with an animal that is still not over his mouthing period, you must sacrifice these types of activities. By playing these games, you are giving him the notion that he is allowed to roughhouse with you at any time he wants. And dogs to do this mostly through nipping and biting.

2. While it's okay to allow some nipping from very young puppies, when your dog is older than 15 weeks, all forms of nipping should be totally discouraged. It doesn't matter if it's just a little nibble on your hand that seems to be harmless, give your dog a direct command to stop doing that and pull your arm away quickly.

3. If need be, apply a type of “shock method” to get him to stop biting. Keep in mind that I am not referring to anything that is harmful to your dog. A spray bottle of water fits the bill perfectly. Anything that you can quickly spritz at his body or head when he nibbles is enough to deter him from wanting to bite ever again. Most of the time, this technique is all a pet owner will need in order to eradicate their dog's mouthing issue.

4. Last but not least, use firm and disciplinary commands when needed. This goes for puppies of all ages. There is nothing wrong with immediately giving a loud and firm "No Bite!" command if you feel a sudden nibble at your hand. However, there are two things to keep in mind here: Do not yell so loud that it scares your puppy, and second, avoid staring at your puppy's eyes for a long period of time because he will interpret this as a confrontation.

BONUS : Puppy Training: Do You Have The Heart To Discipline Your Puppy?

Training a new puppy can be a heartbreaking experience for just about anyone that has a conscience. This helpless and adorable little doggie is just staring up at your eyes, making you melt into a pile of love mush. And you think yourself, “How in the world am I going to discipline this little guy, I just don't have the heart!”

Yes, I realize that your puppy is so cute and you just want to hug and kiss his little face all day long, but you must get a hold of yourself and learn to do the dirty deed when necessary.

What Is The Dirty Deed?

Discipline, plain and simple.

You have to muster up the strength to spritz your puppy's nose with a water bottle when needed. You have to learn how to instill a little fear into your dog with loud and quick commands whenever he is doing something wrong. It's all about tough love and I know firsthand just how hard it can be.

Don't Get Me Wrong...

Loving your puppy is definitely a good thing and huge amounts of affection and caring should be given to your dog on a daily basis. However, you have to provide a balanced dose of tough love or else time will go by sooner than you think and your puppy will be two to three times his current size, and with behavior problems to match.

If you do not start taking the necessary steps to initiate training at a very young age, you will miss this golden opportunity to train and socialize your little puppy. Your dog will end up as a
problematic adolescent that will both destroy your home and your relationship altogether.

Consider the fact that in just one to two years time, your puppy will then be considered a “teenager”. And we all know that teenagers can be completely out of control if they were not properly disciplined in their younger years.

What Can You Do?

Many of you will not have the luxury to afford puppy training classes due to either finances or time. With busy schedules day and night, you have to do your best with the tools you have when it comes to training your puppy. It is imperative that you teach your dog how to behave during this prime early socialization period. The ages between 3 and 16 weeks is the optimum time for such training.

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help guide your puppy training initiatives:

1. Am I establishing open lines of positive communication between the puppy and myself?
2. Am I supplying the puppy with the basic necessities of life; good nutrition, sound sleeping quarters, and a clean atmosphere?
3. Am I setting and maintaining consistent rules and boundaries?
4. Are good manners and basic dog etiquette a priority when spending time with my puppy?